WinCAM NDVI can acquire images directly from most optical scanners (via TWAIN drivers) or digital cameras (via jpeg, tiff or png image files).

For Vegetation Spectral Index or NDVI analysis, a special camera which acquires images in the NIR (Near Infra Red) and Visible bands of the spectrum is required (these are called NDVI, Vegetation Stress Monitoring or Multispectral cameras).

Applications of NDVI cameras are numerous. While they can be used with WinCAM to compute the NDVI or other spectral index of a scene, in some instances they can be used to measure the vegetation cover over soil or other background when color (using conventional cameras) cannot be used. In situations where vegetation has colors close to or identical to their background, they can usually be distinguished in the NIR where healthy vegetation has a strong reflectance compared to other natural objects (soil, sand, rocks, water, ice, ...).

Conventional professional or inexpensive color digital cameras can also be used for image acquisition (for Color Index analyses not for NDVI). We do not sell such cameras (as almost any model can be used) but we offer the Portable Imaging & Calibration Kit (PICK) to ease sample positioning and pixel size or color calibration.

The PICK allows to acquire images of biological samples (needles, leaves, ...) in fields or laboratory with a camera for their analysis in our software programs (WinCAM, WinFOLIA...).

It contributes in different ways to obtaining good images suitable for precise automated analysis. The background provides good contrasts with biological samples. The translucent non-reflective cover holds them firmly against it to avoid shadows and distorted measurements. Calibration targets allow to make a fast and precise calibration in one or a few clicks click (in some cases automatically).

The camera is held above the sample using a tripod (not included) with or without an extension arm and uses the ambient light or a diffuse light (not included). To avoid fuzziness, we recommend to trigger the camera using its built-in timer or a remote control.

The PICK comes in two sizes to accomodate small or large objects and two models. One is optimized for color and morphology analysis (disease quantification, area per color, object area...), the other for basic area and morphology analyses (grey levels analysis).

The PICK is a good complementary item to our scanner based systems.

^*1 Almost any model can be used. We do not sell or recommend digital cameras.

Flatbed scanners are very easy to use and produce high quality images, free of illumination problems (such as non-uniformity). They have a built-in permanent calibration (unlike cameras), so the operator does not have to calibrate their images, neither have to adjust their lighting system or lens aperture and focus.

We sell different models in function of their scan area (the maximum leaf size they can digitize), speed, accuracy and portability. Our scanners come calibrated for greater precision and a guide to get better leaf images for computer anlaysis. You can also use any scanner purchased locally. Note that we do not suggest or recommend scanners.

Note: Scanners cannot be used for NDVI analyses, only for conventional color or RGB spectral indexes.

The best way to learn about the different WinCAM systems available is to ask our sales dept for our latest interactive price list. With it, you can choose the components of the system, get information about them and see the price updated as you choose items.

Our interactive price list also automatically calculates discounts if you buy more than one product (of the same or a different product family such as WinRHIZO, WinSEEDLE, WinDENDRO...) or if you already own WinCAM license(s).

The price list can also give you the cost of updating (e.g. from WinCAM 2012 to 2023) your current software version.

Note that we do not sell scannners and accessories (PICK) without the WinCAM software.

The following items are included in a system:

• The WinCAM software.
• Color Manuals (printed and pdf)
• One of the three Calibrated optical scanner we sell. More about our scanners.
• Prompt technical support (exclusively by email).