cashgardner 0 Posted May 27, 2011 The camera has to be an analog type. At our new complex, need to clearly see what is written on the concierge desk which is 90" from the ceiling. The desk is 30"x30". Due to above requirements, I do understand that we need a longer mm lens that what a smoke-detector camera can offer, any idea? Thanks for your aid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EarlT 0 Posted May 27, 2011 Either that or a closer camera. I have a 60mm lens on an analog box cam that could read that easily. That may be a tall order fitting that much lens in a smoke detector. But I defer to the experts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NotoriousBRK 0 Posted May 27, 2011 The camera has to be an analog type.At our new complex, need to clearly see what is written on the concierge desk which is 90" from the ceiling. The desk is 30"x30". Due to above requirements, I do understand that we need a longer mm lens that what a smoke-detector camera can offer, any idea? Thanks for your aid What is the size of the text you are trying to see? An analog camera is going be in the range of 704x480 pixels. If you're trying to cover a 30"x30" area, then you're going to be limited to having about 480x480 pixels on that area. 480 pixels / 2.5 feet (30 inches) would be 192 pixels per foot, so you should get good clarity down to at least about a credit-card font. So, it's just a matter of lens math... On a 1/3" sensor 4:3 camera you're going to want a 10mm lens. Most lenses are varifocal, so look for something that goes from at least 7-13mm (give or take a bit), so that you have a little bit of wiggle room in the lens setting based on how things end up after the install. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted May 27, 2011 The camera has to be an analog type.At our new complex, need to clearly see what is written on the concierge desk which is 90" from the ceiling. The desk is 30"x30". Due to above requirements, I do understand that we need a longer mm lens that what a smoke-detector camera can offer, any idea? Thanks for your aid 7.5 feet from the ceiling, 2.5 x 2.5 feet? you could get either a varifocal lens like a 5-50mm to be sure (more $$), or get some fixed lenses like 8mm, 12mm, and 16mm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nimrod 0 Posted May 27, 2011 My calculation show a 14mm lens on a 1/3 inch camera at 90 inches will cover an 30x30 area. This is the best free lens calculator i have ever found, very flexible but it takes a little while to get used to it. http://www.theiatech.com/calculator.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted May 27, 2011 My calculation show a 14mm lens on a 1/3 inch camera at 90 inches will cover an 30x30 area. This is the best free lens calculator i have ever found, very flexible but it takes a little while to get used to it. http://www.theiatech.com/calculator.html THAT is really freakin' cool. Bookmarked! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NotoriousBRK 0 Posted May 28, 2011 My calculation show a 14mm lens on a 1/3 inch camera at 90 inches will cover an 30x30 area. This is the best free lens calculator i have ever found, very flexible but it takes a little while to get used to it. http://www.theiatech.com/calculator.html A 14mm lens will have a 2.5ft *horizontal* FOV, but only a 1.75ft *vertical* FOV, so you wouldn't cover the entire 30"x30" area. In this case, since he's looking for a square (1:1 ratio) area on a rectangular (4:3) camera, and the vertical resolution is smaller than the horizontal, you have to solve for the vertical. At a 7.5' working distance, an 11mm lens will give you a vertical FOV of ~2.5ft and a horizontal FOV of ~3.3ft. Note, the actual numbers may be *slightly* different, I'm working off an old skool lens calc wheel, not that fancy online thing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nimrod 0 Posted May 28, 2011 “A 14mm lens will have a 2.5ft *horizontal* FOV, but only a 1.75ft *vertical* FOV, so you wouldn't cover the entire 30"x30" area.” Good work, thanks for the correction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cashgardner 0 Posted May 30, 2011 " title="Applause" /> As usual, you guys are amazing. " title="Applause" /> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites