Valeria – the Panoramic head for Infrared Reflectography

In brief

InGaAs cameras are the standard for Infrared Reflectography. Unfortunately, they have small sensors of just 320×256 pixels. Compare this with a normal 36MP photo camera with 7360 x 4912 pixels! Consequently, in order to produce an IRR image of a work of art with enough resolution we need to stitch a large number of close-up IRR images. This process can be done with a Panoramic head and the method is called Panoramic Infrared Reflectography (PIRR).

Panoramic Infrared Reflec­tog­ra­phy is a fast and low-cost solution to scan a painting with any InGaAs infrared reflectography camera. We created Valeria, a panoramic head specifically designed to interfaces with your infrared camera.To make your Panoramic Infrared Reflectography system you need:

• Valeria Panoramic head. Automatically shoot the images with your InGaAs camera
• Any InGaAs infrared camera (we do not sell this)
• Stitching software, we use PTGUI Pro

Features

• works both at 110-220 V
• the system is based on 2 high precision motors which deliver angular step as low as 0.1 degree
• programmable scan process interfaceable with your InGaAs camera. 

What InGaAs camera is best?

You can attach any InGaAs camera, any brand. Below are our suggestions.

The more pixels the better: 320 versus 640 pixels