Help needed choosing lens

[kaimaikid 0]

Hi,

I have a Panasonic WV-NP1004E IP Megapixel camera and need advice in choosing a lens for this.

 

It will be pointed basically at the sky being used as a weather cam. I am looking for a varifocal lens around 2.5-8mm, CS mount, 1/3" and auto iris.

 

This is what I am doing with a cheap lens --- http://kiwiradio.blakjak.net/wxcam-history.php

 

So far I have come across megapixel lenses from Panasonic, Tamron and Pentax, would I be better going for the

 

Panasonic WV-LZA62/2 1/3" 2.8-6mm High-Resolution Auto Iris Lens

 

due to it supposedly being matched for the camera or going for something that is half the price like the

 

Pentax C70228DCPS 2.6mm-8mm DC Auto Iris Vari-focal Plus Lens

 

or maybe something else?

 

Biggest problem is that there is very little information about these apart from the manufacturers and I don't want to end up getting a dog.

[bpzle 0]

fujinon.com

 

look under cctv/ megapixel

[Soundy 1]

Found your post on weather-watch.com

 

If this is going to be a weathercam, I'm guessing you probably want the widest view possible and won't generally be changing the camera position or field of view... in which case, a varifocal isn't really needed. You can expand your options a bit (not a LOT) by including fixed-focal lenses in your spec.

 

For something really wide, IQEye sells a 2.5-7mm MP lens (don't recall the actual brand off-hand), only drawback is that it's not auto-iris.

 

One other thing to keep in mind: you'll want to use a housing that allows for your wide FOV. This is an IQ511 (1.3MP 1/3") with their 2.5-7mm lens in a Pelco EH3508 enclosure:

 

 

And finally, if you really want a FULL-VIEW weathercam, have you thought of something like this? http://arecontvision.com/index.php?section=product&subsection=product_details&product_id=25

[kaimaikid 0]

Here is a sample of what I am getting with a basic lens, trying to stay away from the fish-eye look if I can but probably impossible at the wider end of the scale...

 

[Soundy 1]

You can AVOID the fisheye effect entirely with the right lens. Unfortunately that lens will probably cost more than the camera.

 

Other cameras like the Arecont panoramic one have "de-warping" software available that will mitigate the effect.

 

Of course, something like Photoshop will always allow you to "de-fisheye" your pictures as well.

[danielsan2222 0]

Have you looked at Theia?

 

http://www.theiatech.com/

 

 

 

Hi,

I have a Panasonic WV-NP1004E IP Megapixel camera and need advice in choosing a lens for this.

 

It will be pointed basically at the sky being used as a weather cam. I am looking for a varifocal lens around 2.5-8mm, CS mount, 1/3" and auto iris.

 

This is what I am doing with a cheap lens --- http://kiwiradio.blakjak.net/wxcam-history.php

 

So far I have come across megapixel lenses from Panasonic, Tamron and Pentax, would I be better going for the

 

Panasonic WV-LZA62/2 1/3" 2.8-6mm High-Resolution Auto Iris Lens

 

due to it supposedly being matched for the camera or going for something that is half the price like the

 

Pentax C70228DCPS 2.6mm-8mm DC Auto Iris Vari-focal Plus Lens

 

or maybe something else?

 

Biggest problem is that there is very little information about these apart from the manufacturers and I don't want to end up getting a dog.

[kaimaikid 0]

I have now and that lens looks perfect - I'd hate to know the price of it as it looks rather expensive

[Soundy 1]

I asked one of our suppliers about getting in a Theia lens a while back... something in about a 2.0mm for 1/2" camera, I think... seems to me it was going to be about $650.

 

Like I said, "you can AVOID the fisheye effect entirely with the right lens. Unfortunately that lens will probably cost more than the camera."

[danielsan2222 0]

The newest one, the SL183, should be going for around $250 or so.

[kaimaikid 0]

The newest one, the SL183, should be going for around $250 or so.

 

I like your price better...

 

EDIT: According to their website MSRP is $299 - not bad for a up to 5mp lens