Board cameras and bullet cams, Auto iris?

[Eric the Poor 0]

i thought i had already asked this but cannot find a post.

 

 

Currently trying a pair of Panasonic BP130 B/W cameras, Seems i needed auto iris lenses to

solve outdoor lighting issues.

 

How do the board cameras and bullet cams cope in that situation?

 

 

Set the camera up and all good, Had to close the iris slightly as it was a bit bright, Dark cloud

passed over and the picture went very grainy, Virtually useless.

Sun came out and it was almost a white out.

 

Set the ALC/ELC and thats better, But a compromise. Bought an auto iris lens and hopefully thats

sorted.

 

Now i am thinking of getting a board or bullet cam, How do they cope in these lighting conditions?

Do they need special auto lenses etc?

 

What do i need to look for when buying one. Needs low light without IR as they will be behind a window.

 

Thanks

[Fiona 0]

Hi Eric. Auto irises exist for exactly this kind of problem. The variation of light outside can be so extreme that a mechanical aperture is needed to physically block the light. If your cameras have to deal with sunrises or sunsets too, then it's even worse because the sun can hit the lense directly. Even with an auto-iris lens, cameras struggle to cope with such direct sunlight. Don't be put off by those earlier cameras. The Panasonics are highly regarded cameras and there isn't anything wrong with trying out the black and whites. As far as auto iris lenses go, you have to be a little bit careful with the cable connection to the camera because different lenses may be wired differently.

[Eric the Poor 0]

Thanks, Yeah the camera's do seem to fit the bill. Just learning as i go.

 

Only paid £10 for the pair. I did wonder about the lenses being compatible.

 

Camera's do DC drive and video drive. The lens i bought is DC drive. Is one better than the other

 

I thought it was not compatible at 1st, said CS mount, So i turned the bracket to CS and no

clear picture. I could see the focus working but no clear image. I set the focus midway and then moved

the lens back to C very slowly and perfect picture in focus.

 

Very slight clipping on the corners, I presume thats the lens case, Is that normal?

 

The original fixed lens was F1.4 8mm, I was impressed with the night time image, It was only when

setting up that i noticed the sunshine wiped the picture out.

Checked manual and read about the backlight control and ELC. Switched them on and much better.

But i guess the auto iris was a must.

 

Thanks again.

 

Opps forgot to ask, How do the board & bullet cams cope?

[rory 0]

Now i am thinking of getting a board or bullet cam, How do they cope in these lighting conditions?

Do they need special auto lenses etc?

Most fixed lens cameras use Electronic IRIS.

Bullet cameras can come with fixed lenses or AI Varifocal lenses.

 

Mini bullets, or finger cameras, normally only come with fixed lenses and EI.

Some can be had with even a zoom lens but in most cases due to the size of the lens it is typically marketed as indoors only. The AI Varifocal lenses found on Domes and bullets are in most cases not the same as the type used for box cameras - there are very rare exceptions.

 

Electronic Iris does a better job than in the past, but it can vary considerably from one camera to the next, eg a more expensive camera with EI would typically give a better image under bright sun and shade, than a very cheap one - but it is still not to be compared to that from a decent camera with an Auto Iris lens.

[Eric the Poor 0]

Where are my posts going to? I replied to this already but cannot find it?

Am i doing something naughty and my posts are being removed? No emails or

messages on here that i can see to notify me?

 

Something along the lines of so you get what you pay for... Cheap £5 camera's

wont be as good as similar looking £60 one.

 

 

How do CMOS camera's compare to the CCD ones, Are CMOS really bad or have they got

better also?

 

Forgot what else i asked now.

 

Also considering putting a couple of wide angle cameras in the car, Seen a small 4 channel

recorder bit basic but it auto records when powered on so no messing with switches like the cheap

in car cams/dvr i have seen. And its cheap.. Drive is dodgy buy i have a few 40's and 80's i can use.

 

Maybe something bigger in my pile somewhere. Which should be more than plenty.

 

 

Thanks again.

[rory 0]

How do CMOS camera's compare to the CCD ones, Are CMOS really bad or have they got better also?

No idea about the missing posts, but CMOS CCTV cameras are typically a poor image, plus low light is normally not good. Best to stay clear of them. Most will be found in ultra cheap cameras, sold as the manufacturers cheapest option. There are some exceptions but that would be very expensive ones, and IP cameras.