Camera Focusing Tutorial

By: IPVM Team, Published on Oct 14, 2019

Camera focus is fundamental to quality imaging. Mistakes can significantly reduce details, making cameras less effective.

free-image

In this guide, we explain focus issues and proper procedure, covering:

  • Fixed vs. Varifocal Cameras
  • Auto vs. Manual Focus
  • Two Fundamental Lens Controls
  • How to Focus
  • Using Autofocus
  • Potential Autofocus Issues
  • Manufacturer Focus Control Differences - Avigilon, Axis, Hikvision
  • Manual Varifocal Lenses
  • Manual Iris Lenses

****** ***** ** *********** to ******* *******. ******** can ************* ****** *******, making ******* **** *********.

free-image

** **** *****, ** explain ***** ****** *** proper *********, ********:

  • ***** **. ********* *******
  • **** **. ****** *****
  • *** *********** **** ********
  • *** ** *****
  • ***** *********
  • ********* ********* ******
  • ************ ***** ******* *********** - ********, ****, *********
  • ****** ********* ******
  • ****** **** ******

[***************]

Fixed ***** ****** *******

***** ***** ****** *******, with ** *** ** adjusting *****, *** ****** used ** ************ ******* today. ** **** ****** the **** *** *** be ********** ** ***, whether ****** ****** * bullet ** ****** ******* which ** *** ******** to ** ****** ** the *****, ** ** the **** ** **** dome *******, ********** ** shrouds ** ** ************ with ** *** ** access.

Factory Focused Fixed Lens

**** ** ******* **** accessible ******, *** **** is ***** *********** ***** in ***** *** *** intended ** ** *********. This ***** **** ** focus ****** *** *******, users **** *** ******* but ** ******* *** camera, ******* ** ****** adjustments ** *****.

********** ******* ****** *** specialty ******* **** ** multi ****** ** ******* may ******* **** **** focus ** **** **** focus ***********. ************, **** legacy ***** **** ****** may ***** ***** ***** adjustment. *******, **** ***** instances *** ******** ** 2019.

Auto ****** ****** *****

*** ********* *******, ***** are *** ******** ***** of *****:

  • **** *****/*********:** ********* *******, ***** may **** * ****** and ******* *** ****** to ************* ***** ******. This *** ** ****** via *** ******'* *** interface ** ** **** cases ** * ******** button ** *** ****** itself (*****). ********* ** found ** **** **** factors, ********* *****, *******, turrets, ***, *** *** cameras.

focus control inside dome

  • ****** *****:****** ***** ******** *** user ** ********** ****** zoom *** **** ***** using ***** ** *** camera's ****. ****** ***** is **** ****** ** box *******, ****** **** dome ** ****** ****** may ***** *******, ** well.

Autofocus *** **** ******

** ****, ********* ** common ** *** **** majority ** ********* *******. Previously, ** *** ********** a **** ***, ******* feature. ***, ****** ***** is ********* ******* **** to *********** *******, **** as************** ***** ************ ***** ** *********** or ** ***** ***** imager***-*/********** ***** *** *********** lenses. *******, **** ***** models **** ** *** in *** ******* ** shifting ** *********, ****** manual ***** *** ********.

******* ** **** *****, we ***** ********* **** in **** ******, *** discuss ****** *****, ** well.

Two *********** ********

**** ******* *** ********, there *** *** ****** controls:

  • **** *****: ******* ***** itself **** ****** ****** on ****. ***** ******** are ********* ******* **** through ***, * ******* Infinity (∞).
  • ****: ******* *** ****' angle ** ****, ***** indirectly ******* *****. ********* labeled * (****) ******* T (*********).

***** ******** *** ***** in *** *** ********* of ********* **** ****** or ******** ** *** lens ** ****** ***** cameras. ** **** ** differences *** *** ** use ***** ******** *****.

How ** *****

****** ***** *** *** general ****: ****** *** to **** ****** *** focus. ******** **** ***** after ******** **** ******* the ******. *******, ***** are *** ******* ***** impact ****:

  • ********* **** *********** **** moving:**** ********* ******* ************* track ***** ***** **** is ******* *** ******* autofocus **** *** **** stops ******. ******* ** this, ***** *** *** need ** ******** ******* autofocus ** ***.
  • **** ** ***** ** check **** *****:** ***** *****, **** adjusting *** ****, *** image *** ****** ********* blurry *** *********** *** zoom ***** *** ** difficult. ** *** ** necessary ** ***** *** refocus, ** ***** *******, while ******* *** ****** to *** ******* ***** of ****.

Using **** *****/********* ******

**** **** ***** ********* is * ******* ******* and ****** ************, ****** are ***** ********, *** even ******** ** **** cameras. ***** ****** ********* fall **** *** ** three **********:

  • **** ***** *********:** ***** ******, *** camera *** *** ***** on *** ******* ****** range, ******* ******** ** near ** ********** *******. This ** ***** ******** by ***** ** ****** target ** ***** **, such ** * ****** or **** *****, *** may ******* ****** ********** to **** **** ***** in **** *****.
  • ***** ******* **** ********* from *** ** *****:**** ******* *** ******* to **** ***** **** switching **** *** ** night **** *** **** versa. ** *** *******, focus *** ** ********* when ********* **** *** to **** **** ****** with ** ******* ** as *** ****** **** not **** ****** ***** to ******* *****. ** these ******, ** ********* disabling **** ******* ** focus ******* ** ***** as ** ** **** effective *** ** ****** focus.
  • ******* ** ***** *****:** **** *****, *** camera *** ** ****** to ***** ** *** desired ****** ******* ** is ****** *** ****/*** for *** **** ** compensate. **** ** **** common *** *** ******* with **** **** ***** where ***** ** *** rough ***** *** ****** prior ** *********, *** may ***** ** **** motorized ******* ** ****.

*** ***** ***** ************ the ********* *******, ******* how *** ****** ******** when *** ****** ** in ******* ****** ** soft *****, *** *** three ****** ********* *****.

Manufacturer ****/***** ******** ****

****** ************* *** ********* controls *** ***** *** zoom ** ***** *******, with **** **** ******* labeled *** ******* ** use **** ******.

*** *******, ****' ******** are **** ******, ******* Near/Far *** ****/****, **** slider ******** **** *** each. **** ** ******** to *** *** ************* installers (*** ****** ********** in **** *****), *** fine ****** ***** *** be ********* ** ***** are ** ******* ***** allow *** ********* ** "step" ***** ****/*** ** slight *******.

Axis Zoom Focus Controls

******** ** ******* ** Axis, **** * **** level ******, *** ******* used ** ******* ********* and **** **** ****/*** (0/Infinity) *****, ******** ***** control ** *****.

Avigilon Zoom Focus Controls

*********'* ******** *** ********* in *** "***" ***** pop *** ** *** live **** ** *** web *********. *** ******** have ** **** ******, only *****, ***** *** be ********* *** **** users. ************, ********* ** triggered ** * ****** further ****, ***** ** named "********* *****" ** its *******.

Hikvision Zoom Focus Controls

Manual ********* ****** (**** ** ****)

** ****** ***** *******, zoom *** ***** *** located ** *** **** itself, **** ***** ** locking ***** (****** "*******") used ** ****** ****. The ***** ****** ** these ******** ****** **** lens ** **** *** is ********* ******* ** the **** *****:

Manual Zoom Fine Focus Controls

** ******, ***** ****** move *** ****** *** then ***** ** ** tighten *** **** *****/****. In ****** ****** **** manual ****** *** **** Back ***** **********, **** zoom **** ** ******** set ** *** ****, with ***** ******* ******** before ********** **** ***** in *** ******. **** adjustments ** ***** *** then ** **** **** the ******'* *** ********* (demonstrated ** *** ***** above).

Even **** ******: ****** ****

**** **** ****** ** 2019, **** ****** ******* manual ********** ** *** iris. **** ** ******** using * ***** ****/******, labeled ****, *** ********* in *** ****** ** the **** ******* ***** and ****. ********** ****** from ****** ** **** (C ** *), ********* left *** *** *** open ****** ** **** cases ** ***** ******** the ***** ******** *** camera. ******* **** *********** **** *********** ** iris *** *** ******.

****** **** ****** *** extremely **** ** ******* installs, ****** ***** *** see ***** *********** ** existing ******** ** ********* cameras.

Manual Iris Control

Camera ********* *** ******

**** ***** ****** ******* on ***** *** *** related ******. *******, ****** and ********* ******* *** decisions ** ***** ******* are ******* *** *** much **** **** ****** cover ** ******* ******* details, ******* *** ***** of **** *****. *** more ***********, ******* ****** also ***:

[****: **** ****** *** originally ******** ** ****, but ******* ************* ** 2018/2019 **** ********** *********** on *** ******* ***** of *** ******, ************* videos, *** ****.]

Comments (13)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

08/09/18 03:25pm

*** ** *** **** with *** ** ***** issues **** *** ******** opens (****** *** *******).   ?

 

********* *** ******* ** focusing *** **** ****** daylight **********, *** ****** goes *** ** ***** at *****

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 08/09/18 09:43pm

* ** ********* ***** was ** ******* ** neutral ******* ******* ***** used ** **** ** the ******** *******. 

**** *** ***** ** daylight, *** **** ** relatively ****** ***** ********* depth ** ***** (*** amount ** ********* ** focus). 

**** *** **** * neutral ******* ****** (****'** dark) ** ***** ** the ****, ** "******" the **** **** ******** it's *********, *** **** opens ******** *** ***** case *** ***** ** field. *** *** **** focus ** *** ******* target ********. ***** ***** may ** ********* *** of ***** *** *** will **** **** *** best *** ***. 

****, **** *** *-****** of *** **** ***'** using (** **********) **** the ******. *** ***** (or "******") *** *-****** of *** ****, *** better *** *** ******* low ***** *********** ** well ** ********* ***** of ***** ******** ** a "******" ****. 

** * ****** **** many ***** ***, * f-stop "******" ********** * 50% **** ** ***** passed. *** *******, ** f1.4 **** ****** **% less ***** **** ** f1.0. ******* **********, ****** correct ** ** **** is ***-******. 

*** ***** ********* ******* is ** *** ****** drops ** */* *** relies ** ** ** illuminate *** *****. **** a ****** **** **** color ** */* **** IR, ***** ** * focal ***** ***** *** cause *** ***** ** go ****. * ***** most ****** *** ** corrected ** ***** **** problem *** *** ***********. 

Avatar

Luca Fogliati

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 08/10/18 05:47am

******* ** ******* *'* rather *** * ********* night ***** (** *** focusing ** **** ** day ***** **********) ** adjusting *** ******* ***** at */**** ** */****.****** goes ** ***** *** white ****,  *** **** opens ** ** **'* night *** *** *** fine ***** ** * way **** ***** **** for *** *** ***** conditions .***** ***** ** no *** ** ******** the ** ********* ***** plane *** ** ***** at **** ***** **** with ** **

Avatar

Corey Vavra

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 10/15/19 01:31pm

* *** ***** ***** of * ******* ******* filter, *** ***** ******* it ****** **** *** I *** ****** ** focus ******* (**** ** the ***), **** *** the **** ****. ** used * ******* ****** glass ****. $*.** ** the ******** *****. * little ****** ** **** the ***** ******* *** lens *** ** ******. Made *** ***** **** just **** ***** *** would *** * ***** focus **** ****.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #4

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 08/09/18 10:11pm

#* ******* ***** ** front ** *** **** will ******** ***** ** allow *** * ****** night *****.  *** **** still ****** **** * little ****** ** ***** IR ** ********** *** scene. 

***** ***, * ************ passed ***** *** ** an *** ****. 

Avatar

Howard Kohnstamm

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #4 | 08/10/18 08:17pm

* ******* **** **** #5 ****** *** ******* googles. *'** ****** **** out ** ** ******** classes *** *****. ****'** getting ****** ** **** as **** ******* *** gone ********** **** *******/***** that ****** *************.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 08/10/18 03:30am

*** *** ****** **** often? **** ******* *** you *****?

** **** ** ** common ******** ** *** filters ** ******'* ***** during ******** ** ******** night ****, *** ** our ******* *** ***** on ******** **** ******, we **** *** ***** it ** ** * major ******* ** ****.

************, **** (******** ****) autofocus ****** **** ************* refocus *** ****** **** switching **** *** ** night, ***** ******* ***** issues *******.

**'* ******** **** ***** may ** **** ***** issues ** ******** *****, and * **** **** autofocus **** *********, *** in *** **** ******** of ***** *'** ********** performed ** *** **** couple ** *****, ***** has **** **** ****** from *** ** *****.

 

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

08/09/18 07:59pm

***** ********.  *** ******* I ****** ** **** is **** * **** of ** ***** * brands **** ***** *** to ******* ** ****-***** on * ********* **** of *** *****.  **, if *** ****-***** ** confused *** ***** ** focus ** *** ***** part ** *** *****, you *** **** * box, *** **** ***** the ****-***** ****** *** the ****** **** ***** on **** **** ** the *****.

 

* ******** * **** - *** **** ** different ****** **** ** perform ** ****-*****?  **** is *** ***** *** have ****?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 08/10/18 03:33am

** ******* *** ***** area ** *** ****** video, ********. *** *** thing *'* ***** *** is **** *'** **** that ***** **** *** be *********** ******* ** a ****** ** *******. It *** **** * slight **********, *** ********** if ***** ** ** far *** **** **'* having ******* ** *** full ******, * *****'* seen *** ***** **** change ****.

** *** ** ***** time, *'* *** ** ranges **** ***** *-* seconds ** ***** **. I'd *** "*******" ** probably *-*. * **** focus **** ** **** cameras *** **** ******, as ****, *** ****'* generally **** *********** ***** specific ************* ** **** re-initializing/re-calibrating * **** ** the ************* ***** ******* it. 

Avatar

Luca Fogliati

08/10/18 05:51am

***** ********* ** ***** be *********** ** ******* the **** **** *** camera **** ** ********* when *** ***** ** in *****.* ***** **** the **** **** (***** the ****?)** ******* **** contrast ** *** **** contrasted *****=*****. *** ***** there *** ***** ***** that * ***'* **** so ** ***** ** interesting ** *******

Charng Haw Guo

IPVMU Certified | 10/30/18 12:00pm

***** *********** ***** *** fundamental ******* ** *** auto / ****** ***** setting / **********.  ***********!!

Undisclosed #5

11/19/18 11:21am

***** *******.

Joshua Stanley

IPVMU Certified | 02/05/19 04:38am

**** *******.  * ****** sometimes **** ** *** 36x ******* **** ** use ******** ** *** in ***** **** ****** to ***** ******** **** (36x).  * *** ******* correct *** ***** ** zooming *** **** * bit *** **** **** in.  * **** *** the **** ***** ***.

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Camera Resolution Usage Statistics 2020 on Mar 12, 2020
The average resolution used, for new cameras, is now 4MP, according to new IPVM statistics, continuing the rise that we have mapped from 2014,...
Phone Camera Calculator Released on Mar 10, 2020
IPVM has released the first-ever Phone Calculator, video surveillance design software that you can use on your phone, without installing an...
Video Surveillance Cameras 101 on Feb 25, 2020
Cameras come in many shapes, sizes and specifications. This 101 examines the basics of cameras and features used in 2020. In this report, we...
Hidden Camera Detectors Tested on Nov 18, 2019
Hidden cameras are a growing problem as cameras become smaller, cheaper and easier to access. However, some companies claim to be able to detect...
Camera Field of View (FoV) Guide on Nov 13, 2019
Field of View (FoV) and Angle of View (AoV), are deceptively complex. At their most basic, they simply describe what the camera can "see" and seem...
Camera Calculator V3.1 Release Improves User Experience on Oct 17, 2019
IPVM has released a new version of our Camera Calculator, V3.1, with significant user experience improvements, a new development plan, and an...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Oct 16, 2019
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator (updated for Version 3.1). The guide below includes instructions, images, gifs, and videos...
Lens Iris Tutorial on Aug 08, 2019
Cameras, like humans, have irises, controlling the light which hits the imager and impacting image details. However, cameras have multiple types of...
Lens Focal Length Tutorial on Jul 10, 2019
3mm, 6mm, 2.8 - 9mm, 5 - 50mm, etc. Camera specifications often list lens lengths but what do they mean? These metrics are important in...
Panasonic 32MP Multi Imager Camera Tested (WV-X8570N) on May 16, 2019
Panasonic has released their first multi imager models including the 32MP (4x4K) WV-X8570N, claiming "Extreme image quality for evidence capturing...

Most Recent Industry Reports

IPVM's 12th Anniversary - Thank You! on Apr 07, 2020
IPVM is proud to celebrate it's 12 anniversary expanding our commitment to providing the industry independent and objective information on video...
Mobotix Thermal Body Temperature Detection Examined on Apr 07, 2020
Mobotix has jumped into the Coronavirus temperature detection market, but how do they compare to thermal incumbents like FLIR or ICI who have been...
Verkada Coronavirus Response: Free Temp Systems For Government and Health Care on Apr 07, 2020
Verkada has built a reputation on giving away things for free - free Yeti Tumblers, free trial cameras and now free temporary systems for...
Hikvision USA Refuses, Dahua USA Drives Forward With "Coronavirus Cameras" on Apr 07, 2020
Both have been federally banned, both sanctioned for human rights abuses but only one - Dahua - is taking aim at the booming "coronavirus cameras"...
China Surveillance Vulnerabilities Being Used To Attack China, Says China on Apr 07, 2020
While China video surveillance vulnerabilities have been much debated in the West in the past few years, China is now saying those vulnerabilities...
USA ICI Elevated Skin Temperature Detectors Examined on Apr 06, 2020
Infrared Cameras, Inc. (ICI) is aiming to help slow the spread of COVID-19 with "pinpoint accurate skin temperature measurement" using their...
Trade Groups Request NDAA Blacklist Delay Citing Coronavirus on Apr 06, 2020
Two trade groups representing government contractors have asked Congress to delay implementation of the NDAA's 'blacklist' clause from this August...
Coronavirus Hits Manufacturers, Standing Now, Worse To Come on Apr 06, 2020
Coronavirus is hitting security manufacturers, though overall modestly for now, with worse expected to come, new IPVM survey results...
FLIR New Coronavirus Prioritized Temperature Screening Camera Examined on Apr 03, 2020
FLIR has announced a new series of thermal cameras "prioritized for entities working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus", the A400/A700...
ADI Branch Burglary on Apr 03, 2020
A security systems distributor branch is an odd target for burglary but that happened this week at ADI's Memphis location. Vehicle Smash &...