Korean J Dermatol.  2004 Jul;42(7):856-861.

The Development of an Illuminator with High Brightness LED for Super-Macro Mode of Digital Camera

• Ahn HH
• Jeon JH
• Park JH
• Lee HS
• Song HJ
• Kim SN
• Kye YC

Abstract

BACKGROUND
With increasing use of digital cameras, it is needed to develop a better method of taking photographs that meet the dermatologists' demand. Recent digital cameras have super-macro mode capability, but that mode is only available in very bright conditions such as sun shining locations because flashing is unavailable. OBJECTIVE: To develop a better method of taking delicate and reproducible super-macro mode photographs using digital cameras under ordinary hospital or clinic settings. METHODS: We planned to develop an illuminator with a high brightness light emitting diode for the super-macro mode of a digital camera. To be economical, convenient, and lightweight, the illuminator was designed to plug into the USB port of a personal computer for the power source. We have applied the illuminator to three different camera models. The light emitting diodes were arranged in some different ways for better results. RESULTS: When we took super-macro photographs with this device, patients felt no discomfort, such as dazzling, which they have experienced with a camera flash. And, the photographs showed more delicate zoomed-in images and were reproducible. The image quality was enhanced with the more optimal arrangement of diodes. We named the small space in front of the camera lens, `micro studio', because we can modify the lighting method for better illumination. The users may maximize the capability of the digital camera using this device. CONCLUSION: We developed an economically appealing and flexible digital camera device that enables us to take super-macro mode images of a much more enhanced quality. It may be useful for many dermatologists who use digital cameras.

Keyword

Image enhancement; Diagnostic imaging