Testing Axis&#x27; 1/2&quot; Q1635 Camera

[Note: Poster is from Raytec Canada, an external illuminator manufacturer]

all the images suck, this clearly defines the fact that outdoors in a very low light scene every camera requires light, be it IR or White light! no one should accept these images, even in the context of price as a driver.

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(3)

John Honovich

IPVM

"all the images suck"

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

That said, a few years ago, even in moderately dark conditions, most surveillance cameras where pitch black. It's gone from that to an image showing quite a bit of details.

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Undisclosed #1

In reply to John Honovich

IPVMU Certified

Paolo, you wouldn't happen to be the same Paolo Polano from RAYTEC Canada by any chance?

If so, now I can see where you're coming from when you say

this clearly defines the fact that outdoors in a very low light scene every camera requires light, be it IR or White light!

and

no one should accept these images

and of course

all the images suck

Next time, maybe mention it up front or try a little subtlety at least?

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Paolo polano

In reply to Undisclosed #1

I did not hide my name like you. at the end of the day I stand by what I said. quality images need light, plain and simple.

if you do not agree that is fine also.

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John Honovich

IPVM

In reply to John Honovich

Paolo, IPVM requires disclosing relevant affiliations when criticizing or advocating products. I've added that to your original comment.

I also think the tone of your comment and failure to disclose up front is a blemish on Raytec and I'd advise you to review this tactic with David Lambert.

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Undisclosed #1

•Nov 25, 2015

IPVMU Certified

I'd advise you to review this tactic with David Lambert.

Good call. He's got quite lot of experience with it himself. ;)

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

Does Your IR Illumination Advertise Your Blind Spots To Criminals?

Let's let bygones be bygones, ok? :)

Anyway, there's a new discussion needing your input:

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Stephanie Guo

IR is OK but lack of color information, where the low light cameras could help a lot expecially in moderately dark conditions with low speed objects. For most CCTV Customers, color information is always valuable.

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

This image, taken at 0.05 lux does not suck. Nor is it washed out like IR can do.

BTW, No one is accepting these cameras because of price, they are the more expensive models from every manufacturer.

Its odd that you would be so disappointed in these images anyway since, as John pointed out they were far worse just recently.

Maybe another f-stop or two will help you see the light? ;)

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

On second look, I have to agree; these images wouldn't be hurt by a little external illumination.

And, come to think of it my Axton Smart-AT has never let me down, illuminating my courtyard in a way an integrated IR camera would be jealous of.

Just a tip also, you might automatically think that IR illumination = RAYTEC, but there are other choices and possibly better values out there, especially when your customer can't stomach spending more on LEDS than the camera!

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Bob Kusche

I have had terrific success with Sony cameras in low light scenarios, and given that the SNC-VB635 compares identically to Axis' 1635 MSRP-wise, I'd love to see how it compares.

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Sebastian Kratzke

Thank you, this was very interesting!

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

In very low light, below ~0.01 lux, only the Hikvision and Dahua cameras produce images at all.

Well, there you have it!

With the latest and greatest low-light technology available on the market, ~0.01 lux images are at the very edge of usability.

Shame on all the manufacturers touting .001 and .0001 lux, what are they smoking?

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Larry Vinson

IPVMU Certified

It would be interesting to see a test of low light cameras on moving vehicles to see if license plates can be read both approaching a camera and leaving a camera. We have 4 Axis 1765LE cameras and we had to narrow down the FoV quite a bit and adjust other settings to be able to read a license plate at night. We had issues with washout and blurring but after some adjustment we can read probably about 70% of plates although the image is very dark. It would be good so see what other cameras can do. Once the light goes below a certain level night mode kicks in and it zooms into a predefined area. The image gets pretty dark, but the plates can be read. If we did not do that we had a very good color image of the overall scene, but had zero chance of reading plates.

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John Honovich

IPVM

In reply to Larry Vinson

Larry,

For sure, the shutter speed would need to be shorter / faster in that scenario. We test with 1/30s shutter but with a moving vehicle, getting a clear plate would require 1/100s or 1/200s, etc. (depending on just how fast it is). And with the faster shutter speed, that means less light and a darker image.

To that end, at night, you really need IR for getting license plates on moving vehicles. Related: License Plate Shootout

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Larry Vinson