ON THE CALIBRATION OF UNDERWATER CAMERAS

Analytical plumbline and serf calibration techniques are applied to the calibration of two underwater cameras: a Rolleifex SLX reseau camera with an Aquamarin WKD-SLX/6006 submarine housing and a Nikonos V underwater camera. The Rolleiflex was fitted with a 50 mm Distagon f/4 lens and the Nikonos with a 28 mm Nikkor-UW f/3.5 lens. Comparisons of the results from the two methods of camera calibration are described. Theoretical differences are predicted for in-air versus in-water values for radial distortion. When these are compared to the actually observed values of distortion, an insight is provided of the precisions claimed for each method of camera calibration.