How to choose a CCTV camera lens?
CCTV lens is usual in daily life, here we'd like to share how to choose a suitable CCTV lens for your camera.
Firstly, to find out what kind of mount for your CCTV lens, C, CS or board. It depends on the camera or sensor that a lens works with, so to check your camera o sensor firstly.
Board lens thread: M12x0.5, C or CS mount lens thread: 1-1/32”.
For the second, it is important to understand the angle of the lens, the angle of view depends on the focal length.
• The larger the number focal, the narrower the angle of view.
• The sensor of camera (h×v ):
1” sensor: 9.6mmx12.8mm, 2/3” sensor: 6.6mmx8.8mm
1/2” sensor: 4.8mm X 6.4mm, 1/3” sensor: 3.6mm x 4.8mm , ¼” sensor: 2.7mm x 3.6mm
• The formula: F = v X D /V or f = h X D /H
f: the length of focal , H: the height of the object, V: the width of the object, D: the distance between the camera and object
h: the height of the sensor in camera, v: the width of the sensor in camera
Example 1, you want to watch an object 8ft wide (V) at 10 ft(D) with 1/3" camera (v=4.8mm). You need a 6mm focal lens (4.8x10/8).
Example 2, you want to watch an object 8ft wide (V) at 165 ft(D) with 1/3" camera (v=4.8mm).You need a 100mm focal lens (4.8x165/8).
That means the object is displayed by full screen on your VGA monitor.
If you do not know where you like to see, you can choose a varifocal lens, for example, 5-100mm, 6-60mm, 3.5-8mm, or 2.8-12mm, 5.5-33mm lens, etc. so that you can adjust the focal to find the best view.
Thirdly, A 1" lens can work with a 1", 2/3", 1/2", 1/3" or 1/4" camera. A 2/3" lens can work with a 2/3", 1/2", 1/3" or 1/4" camera. A 1/2" lens can work with a 1/2", 1/3" or 1/4" camera. A 1/3" lens can work with a 1/3" or 1/4" camera. A 1/4" lens only can work with a 1/4" camera.
Fourth, if you need adjust the view of angle, you need choose a vari-focal lens. Otherwise, you can choose a fixed lens to save money.
Fifth, if the light condition changes, you will need an auto-iris lens or a manual-iris lens. An auto-iris lens can be adjusted iris by a camera. A manual-iris lens can be adjusted iris by hand.
For example, if you got an outdoor camera, an auto-iris lens may be what you need. There are DC drives and video drive for auto–iris lenses. Most cameras can support both drive types. It can be selected by a switch on the camera.
Sixth, if you like to see image when IR LEDs turn on, an IR lens would work better.
Seventh, if the camera has a high resolution (>570TVL), a mega-pix lens will give you a clearer image.
Eighth, if you like to see from a small hole, you can choose a pinhole lens.
Nineth，if you have a CS mount camera and a C mount lens, you need to place a 5mm adapter between the lens and the camera. Otherwise, it will not work.
Tenth，extension tube allow you to turn standard fixed focal length lenses into macro lenses. An extention tube kit is available which includes 7 extender tubes: 0.5 mm, 1 mm,2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm and 40 mm for extension from 0.5 mm to 78.5 mm. The tube(s) mount between the camera and the lens, making it possible for you to focus a C or CS mount lens at a much closer distance than normal.
Finally, there is a ring in front of most cameras so that you can adjust distance between the lens and camera chip if you need.
