An interview about the imaging process in thermal imaging cameras and how the ZSIP Pro of the ZEISS DTI 6 sets new standards in detailed recognition .

When identifying a goal, every detail counts. Whether testicles, teats or antlers, the smallest distinguishing features specific to a game species can play a critical role in identifying the sex and age of the animal. When using the new ZEISS DTI 6 thermal imaging camera with the patented ZEISS ZSIP Pro image processing algorithm, a new level of detail becomes visible. But how does the image actually reach the viewer's eye? And what's so special about ZSIP Pro? We spoke to our category manager and experienced hunter, Tammo Lueken, about exactly these questions to shed light on what's behind the ZSIP Pro.

To understand what makes ZSIP Pro so special, we first need to explore how an image is created on a thermal imaging camera. Tammo, can you briefly explain this process to us?

Tammo: "Thermal imaging devices differ greatly from traditional optical devices for observation, such as binoculars or scopes. Optoelectronic devices are more comparable to a digital camera, and those who have been familiar with ZEISS for a while know that we are experts when it comes to cameras and lenses! While the light sensitivity of conventional digital cameras is in the visible range of the human eye, thermal imaging cameras operate in the long-wave infrared range. A thermal imaging camera. detects and measures the infrared energy emitted by objects. This allows them to detect the thermal radiation emitted by a body independent of the visible light available, so thermal imaging devices can be used in both daylight and darkness. total.

The imaging process can basically be divided into the following steps: First, an image is projected onto an electronic image sensor through the front lenses of the objective lens, which are made of germanium. The electronic signal coming from the sensor, known as a microbolometer, is digitized and processed using a complex image processing algorithm. Using this algorithm, the processor creates a multicolor representation of the object's temperature based on signals from individual pixels. In this process, each temperature value is assigned to a specific color and displayed on the screen. In this way, the viewer recognizes the image captured and processed through the eyepiece lens."

This image processing is exactly what we would like to take a closer look at. The new DTI 6 thermal imaging camera is equipped with what ZEISS has dubbed: "ZSIP Pro". What does ZSIP mean?

Tammo: "ZSIP stands for ZEISS Smart Image Processing and refers to a proprietary image processing algorithm developed by ZEISS that optimizes the sensor's thermal images in a three-stage process. This produces a particularly detailed and high-contrast image for hunters ".

You yourself have been a passionate hunter for almost 15 years and know exactly what is important when hunting and what requirements the equipment has to meet. How is ZSIP Pro different from previous thermal imaging products on the market?