Using the stock 24-70 mm lens that came with it. In my testing last night it is more than sufficient to cover the cul-de-sac and capture license plates out to about 200 feet. My trackers can get the plates all the way to the top of the cul-de-sac about 400 feet away but that really isn't necessary. I only really want plates and faces if they come within 200 feet. So in my testing, the focus is set for about 175 feet away which still resolves the plates at 200 feet and as close as the 60 feet the cars can get from the hour. At 60 feet it starts to get just a tiny soft but since the cars are so much closer at that point, it still resolves plates just fine.
I still need to get a housing so I'm nowhere near close to actually installing it. I also need to run a new dedicated ethernet to one of two locations I'm evaluating. I've decided I'm adding, not replacing any locations. It's a sickness.
The software install should be pretty straight forward and if you're upgrading, it'll retain all your settings. Firmware 1.3 can be found here:
Find Sony Pro software, firmware updates and
downloads
pro.sony
The zip file includes the update instructions which uses the SNC toolbox to do the upgrade. There isn't an upgrade UI in the camera itself.
Note, upgrading to 1.3 changes the default admin password and nukes and users you've added.
I'd do a settings backup in the system/initialize tab just to be safe.