Tech Help

SOLVE THE MYSTERIES OF CAMERA TUBES!

The camera tube is a electronic device that is used to convert light (images) into a electronic signal that can be used for either digital or analog signal processing. This conversion is accomplished via the use of a photosensitive material applied to the light-receptive surface in the tube.  Each manufacturer uses a unique photosensitive material.  Each of these materials have characteristics that affect resolution, lag or contrast.

 

PLUMBICON

  • PbO Led Oxide

  • Low Lag

  • High Resolution

  • High Beam

  • Noisy

  • Expensive

  • Diode and Triode Guns

Plumbicon sometimes, called Leddicon, is a  registered trademark of Philips. It is suited for use in digital subtraction and angio applications. These tubes have low output, but a high signal-to-noise ratio.

VIDICON

  • Sb2S3 Antimony Trisulfide

  • Good Resolution

  • Inexpensive

  • Medium Lag

  • Good for R&F applications

  • Gamma .6 to .7

Vidicon is the most common type of camera tube. It offers good resolution, moderate lag and low image distortion.

NEWVICON

  • ZnSe, ZnCdTe Zinc Selenide, Zinc Cadmium Telluride

  • Highest Sensitivity

  • Medium to Low Lag

  • Inexpensive

  • Unity gamma

  • R&F Applications

Newvicon is a registered trademark of Matsushita. Newvicon tubes are characterized by high light sensitivity. The response of the  photosensitive material extends into the infrared range.

SATICON

  • SeAsTe Selenium Arsenic Tellurium

  • High Resolution

  • Low Lag

  • Low noise

  • High Beam

  • Diode and Triode Guns

Saticon is a registered trademark of Hitachi. Most of these types of tubes are made by Heimann. They provide high resolution and excellent contrast, but with more lag than the plumbicon. Good for quick moving images.

PASECON

  • CdSe Cadmium selenide

  • Low Dark Current

  • High Sensitivity

  • Good Resolution

  • Somewhat expensive

Pasecon is a registered trademark of Heimann,  sometimes called Chalnicon when made by Hamamatsu. This tube is highly sensitive with a low dark current, good signal uniformity and resolution. 

OTHER  

RESISTRON: a registered trademark of Heimann. This tube is a vidicon type tube that is good for routine work, since it has high contrast and good resolution.

PRIMICON: a registered trademark of Thomson. These tubes are no longer in production.

X-CON: a registered trademark of Teltron. These tubes use the same photo-conductor as the Newvicon.