How do you know which fixed focal length to get?

iseeker

Getting the hang of it
Nov 16, 2018
230
91
TEXAS
Trying to save a bit of money by getting a fixed focal length for certain positions. Logging in to the web interface of my current cameras (see sig block) doesn't tell me the focal length when zooming; was hoping to use one of those as a test.

Is there a chart that suggests the correct focal length to get?
 
@looney2ns - what software shows you those types of values for the zoom? Not in my synology or logging in directly to the camera. Just has a zoom slider bar. Are these Blue Iris settings?
 
For the two Dahua cameras, if you hover over the slider used to change the zoom, it should show the actual value.
 
Trying to save a bit of money by getting a fixed focal length for certain positions. Logging in to the web interface of my current cameras (see sig block) doesn't tell me the focal length when zooming; was hoping to use one of those as a test.

Is there a chart that suggests the correct focal length to get?

Hi @iseeker

You may also use the following for many of the 2MP 1080P Dahua cameras:

Here are the numbers ( theoretical ) that I calculated to the 100 ppf density level ( arc ):

Dahua IPC-HDW4231EM-AS starlight fixed lens 1080p 1920x1080
w/2.8mm lens FOV H 110 degrees: 10 feet { area covered 95.94 sq feet covered }
w/3.6mm lens FOV H 87 degrees: 12.65 feet { 121.43 sq feet covered }
w/6mm lens FOV H 51 degrees: 21.58 feet { 207.16 sq feet covered }

As this is for a 1080p you can get a rough idea by:
At the distance to 100 ppf, measure 19.2 feet wide - that will be the approximate FOV width measured from the camera. ( approx as I used Arcs to calculate )