Lens replacement

[camdude 0]

I've bought an Oregon Scientific ATC2K helmet cam,

and I'd like to replace the stock lens with a super wide angle one.

 

I don't know much about cameras,

but apparently it's possible to unscrew the ATC2K stock lens

and replace it with a similar sized one.

 

I had intented to post a couple of pictures of the camera

with the circuit board and lens exposed,

but forum rules prevent me from doing so,

since I'm a new user.

 

However, you should be able to find these pictures

with a Google search for "atc2k lens mod" (no quotes).

The top two pages (from Paragliding Forum and Utah Trikes)

contain the pictures I wanted to post.

 

I hope you're willing to make this extra effort in order to help me out.

 

Also, where would I buy a replacement?

 

Thanks a lot!

[survtech 0]

I've tried to find detailed information on the atc2k camera and come up with nothing regarding the lens. There are a large number of different types of camera lenses, only some of which are used in CCTV. Therein lies the problem. We can steer you to a number of different lens manufacturers and I am posting links below, but you will have to make certain that any selected lens is fully compatible with the camera, including the mount system, lens spacing, iris type and connections and physical size. You would probably also have to modify the camera to fit an aftermarket lens while maintaining its waterproofing capabilities.

 

CBC America (Computar/Ganz): http://www.cbcamerica.com/

Fujinon: http://www.fujinon.com/

Pentax: http://www.pentaximaging.com/

Rainbow: http://www.isorainbow.com/

Tamron: http://www.tamron.com/

[Kiwi 0]

Can't you just buy the same lens that other guy used from Range Video?

 

It looks like a standard 12mm mount to me and it should work fine.

 

The problem encountered in the other forum unscrewing the original lens might be caused by glue in the threads that was used to keep the focus from moving. Might take some careful persuasion.

 

Have fun..

[camdude 0]

Thanks for your replies, both of you, very helpful.

 

I would buy one from Range Video, but I'm in Denmark and don't have time to wait for the lens to arrive, as I'm going on a ski trip very soon.

 

However, I've found and ordered a 12 mm CS mount lens from a Danish webshop.

 

You can check it out by going to www dot spyman dot dk and selecting "3. Kamera Tilbehør" ---> "Linser" ---> "Linser uden strøm" in the menu on the left.

 

I'd post a link but I'm still unable to do so unfortunately.

 

I've ordered the 2.8mm f2.0 one.

 

Do you think it'll work?

[Kiwi 0]

I hope I didn't mislead you - 12mm refers to the mount thread not the focal length. The lens that is closest to what you want (as best as I can read it) is:

 

http://tinyurl.com/2ezonz

 

with 150 degree view

[camdude 0]

Don't worry, I did understand that you meant the mount thread. I gave the focal length so you would be able to locate the exact lens I had bought.

 

I am aware that the lens type you link to is the type used by the people over at the paragliding forum, but using that type of lens doesn't seem to be the optimal way of modifying the camera.

 

If you look at the pictures posted by daytovince, you'll see that he has been unable to screw the replacement lens into the mount since it is far too large. Also, he has had to make a hole in the rubber cover (compare it to a picture of an unmodified ATC 2000 and you'll see what I mean). He further explains in the last post that he had to make his own mounting plate for the lens.

 

A more elegant (and easier) solution would be to simply remove the stock lens (circled in red on the last picture). Without knowing anything about video cameras, I'm guessing that it's a CS mount lens. Do you think I'm right on this?

 

Thanks again!

[camdude 0]

I was wrong!

 

The replacement lens works fine, but it's a lot bigger than the stock one, so I'll have to make a mounting plate and cut off a lot of the plastic cover. Oh well, live and learn...