Recent content by DanPOE

OK thanks! It looks like a good plan.

Ah.. I see. Thanks. I do currently have this sitting around, would it work? Nevermind.. not varifocal right? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RHQGS8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It camera would be at a slight angle so that provides it a bit more room. That really is the simplest solution. So it looks like I could go with the 2MP or 4MP depending on the focal length I need? 5241E-Z12E (2MP 0.002 Lux@F1.5) 5442E-Z4E (4MP 0.002 Lux@F1.6)

See the photo in the first post for a similar mailbox setup but my newspaper box is flush with the sides of the post. The post is 6" so the width of the newspaper box it 6". The inside is about 5" wide and 12" deep. It is made of what looks to be 1/2" wood. I'm thinking I would pull the side...

Thanks. That answers that. LOL So I guess I'm back to possibly deconstructing a varifocal.

So in the side of the empty newspaper cavity I could drill a hole to accept the ball. And possibly the IR lights likewise. I suppose the question I need to then look at is if 2.8mm works at 20ft.

Agreed that people can be oblivious. I could possibly mount something like this to the vertical post and as you suggest, paint the housing white: https://us.dahuasecurity.com/?product=eol-4mp-ir-rugged-exterior-network-camera-m12-28mm

With a pinhole camera I suspect I'd need to essentially build-it-out with a suitable lens, if possible. So maybe I can find a tear-down example of a Dahua/Loryta and have it fit in the space I have.

Thanks all for suggestions. There are some street lights so I might get away without needing IR and rely on reflection. The cameras recommended would be perfect if my camera placement restrictions were not a problem. I wonder if I could deconstruct the camera body to make it fit in a tight space.

Cool solutions. Thanks for the ideas.

Thank you. Having a camera 'hidden' is possibly the biggest problem. Back to the drawing-board I think.

I suppose my plan-B could be to use a camera mounted to the house with a higher zoom and point it towards a turn-around area of the road.

Yes.. I might need an LPR-level camera. I just don't have the need to run LPR software. I'm thinking that vehicles will be about 20 ft away as they pass if the camera is angled towards the road. So the lens choice will be important? I have existing Dahua with a 10-120mm lens but is is sort of...

Correct no LPR. I simply want it legible for later investigation if an event occurs.

I added a more accurate photo that closely matches what I have. Unfortunately I don't have an option of any nearby vegetation. Possible the best option might be to mount a camera within the newspaper box and have a hole out the side?