How to choose a CCTV camera lens!

1. To find out what kind of mount for your CCTV lens, C, CS or board. It depends on the camera that a lens works with. Check your camera first.
Board lens thread: M12x0.5, C or CS mount lens thread: 1-1/32”.


2. It is important to understand the angle of the lens. The angle of view depends on the focal.
• 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 the 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.


3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.


6. If you like to see image when IR LEDs turn on, an IR lens would work better.

7. If the camera has a high resolution (>570TVL), a mega-pix lens will give you a clearer image.

8. If you like to see from a small hole, you can choose a pinhole lens.

9. If you have a CS mount camera and a C mount lens, you need to place a 5mm adapter ( Item number: 280143930319 ) between the lens and the camera. Otherwise, it will not work.

10. Extension tubes( Item number: 280116508153) 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.

11. There is a ring in front of most cameras so that you can adjust distance between the lens and camera chip if you need.