A camera for detecting an object in a detection zone is provided that has an image sensor having a plurality of light reception elements for the generation of image data from received light from the detection zone), a reception optics having a focus adjustment unit for setting a focal position, with an angle of incidence of the received light on the image sensor changing on a change of the focal position, and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to set the focal position for a sharp recording of image data of the object, A sensitivity change of the capturing of the image data caused by the respective angle of incidence of the received light is compensated.

A filter insertion/removal unit that is capable of removing and inserting a variable neutral density filter having a variable transmittance from and into the incident light path of object light to an imaging device unit is instructed to insert the variable neutral density filter, and a variable transmittance drive unit is instructed to lower the transmittance of the variable neutral density filter, both on the basis of detection of a transmittance lowering operation of an operating unit. Also, the variable transmittance drive unit is instructed to raise the transmittance of the variable neutral density filter, and the filter insertion/removal unit is instructed to remove the variable neutral density filter from the incident light path, both on the basis of detection of a transmittance raising operation of the operating unit.

An imaging system may comprise: a lens including one or more lens elements; a programmable liquid crystal light modulator disposed adjacent to the lens; an imaging sensor; and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the imaging system to: capture an image through the lens using the imaging sensor; analyze the image to determine at least one characteristic of the lens; and based on the analysis of the image, control the programmable liquid crystal light modulator to set an effective aperture for the lens.

An imaging system may comprise: a lens including one or more lens elements; a programmable liquid crystal light modulator disposed adjacent to the lens; an imaging sensor; and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the imaging system to: capture an image through the lens using the imaging sensor; analyze the image to determine at least one characteristic of the lens; and based on the analysis of the image, control the programmable liquid crystal light modulator to set an effective aperture for the lens.

An imaging system may comprise: a lens including one or more lens elements; a programmable liquid crystal light modulator disposed adjacent to the lens; an imaging sensor; and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the imaging system to: capture an image through the lens using the imaging sensor; analyze the image to determine at least one characteristic of the lens; and based on the analysis of the image, control the programmable liquid crystal light modulator to set an effective aperture for the lens.

An imaging system may comprise: a lens including one or more lens elements; a programmable liquid crystal light modulator disposed adjacent to the lens; an imaging sensor; and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the imaging system to: capture an image through the lens using the imaging sensor; analyze the image to determine at least one characteristic of the lens; and based on the analysis of the image, control the programmable liquid crystal light modulator to set an effective aperture for the lens.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrochromic element comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode; a peripheral seal disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an electrochromic layer disposed in a space defined by the first electrode, the second electrode, and the peripheral seal, wherein the electrochromic layer includes an anodic electrochromic compound and a cathodic electrochromic compound, wherein the peripheral seal is an anode preferential peripheral seal that takes preference of oxidation reaction of anodic electrochromic compound near the peripheral seal, and wherein the anodic electrochromic compound in the electrochromic layer has a concentration greater than a concentration of the cathodic electrochromic compound.

A control device includes a memory storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions to obtain transmittance information related to transmittances of a plurality of neutral-density filters of an imaging device, receive a target transmittance, select at least one neutral-density filter of the plurality of neutral-density filters to achieve the target transmittance according to priority information related to a predetermined priority order of the plurality of neutral-density filters and the transmittance information of the at least one neutral-density filter, and control the at least one neutral-density filter to be in an effective state.

A control device includes a memory storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions to obtain transmittance information related to transmittances of a plurality of neutral-density filters of an imaging device, receive a target transmittance, select at least one neutral-density filter of the plurality of neutral-density filters to achieve the target transmittance according to priority information related to a predetermined priority order of the plurality of neutral-density filters and the transmittance information of the at least one neutral-density filter, and control the at least one neutral-density filter to be in an effective state.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, for controlling optical transmission of a lens of a camera. A method includes obtaining a first image from a camera, determining that the first image does not satisfy an image requirement, in response to determining that the first image does not satisfy an image requirement, increasing an optical transmission of a lens of the camera, and, obtaining a second image with the camera while the optical transmission of the lens of the camera is increased.