replacing reolinks with empiretechs, camera placement suggestions

D

distantobserver

n3wb
Jan 7, 2025
9
3
texas
folks, been reading other build threads and clearly, test-your-setup is the message and i am heading there.
i would appreciate some veteran insights on how to better layout or which cameras to use for my scenario.
i got 4 reolink e1 outdoors 4k cameras (yeah, marketing in amazon got me) which means am blind at night. lol
there's a reolink doorbell camera as well but that is decent enough for what it does, so am keeping that.

i just got the T541 3.6mm tested last week and will get the 2.8mm for testing next.
the goal is to identify anyone walking at my side of the street.
identify anyone at the other side of the street, just a bonus if that works out.

yours insights are appreciated.

reolink doorbell camera at the left of the gate.

gate 1.jpgwall.jpggate 2.jpgAcrobat_CpCiEQjsmJ.png
 
Can’t go wrong with 5442s
Most tight areas are served well with 3.6mm fixed lens.
That said you may think about locations where a variable focus version would benefit you for a little more distance
 
bigredfish said:
Can’t go wrong with 5442s
Most tight areas are served well with 3.6mm fixed lens.
That said you may think about locations where a variable focus version would benefit you for a little more distance
Click to expand...
i got both 2.8 right next to the gates.
i was 50-50 on going with variable focus instead of the 3.6mm since both 3.6mm in the diagrams are meant to cover the distance. those 2x 3.6mm are those closest to the tree.
 
Usually with 2.8mm I get way too much walls and such. Its not a huge difference, but I can say after messing with this stuff doe 10 years that I dont own a 2.8mm camera

There is an argument that says buy all variable focus. And I get that, but its proven and technically fact that fixed lens of a same series camera has better minimum illumination specs than a variable focus. Is it the difference between a bicycle and a Ferrari? No. But it is noticeable and night image is the most important thing. Any cheap $50 camera can do relatively well during daylight hours

I have plenty of both. Each scene has to be looked at separately. VF cameras are required where distance is needed past say 15-25 ft, and most critical choke points are covered by more than one camera anyway
 
Last edited:
There is an argument that says buy all variable focus. And I get that, but its proven and technically fact that fixed lens of a same series camera has better minimum illumination specs than a variable focus. Is it the difference between a bicycle and a Ferrari? No. But it is noticeable and night image is the most important thing. Any cheap $50 camera can do relatively well during daylight hours
-- this reminds me of DSLRs and prime lens

I have plenty of both. Each scene has to be looked at separately. VF cameras are required where distance is needed past say 15-25 ft, and most critical choke points are covered by more than one camera anyway
-- i might get one for testing as well before i make my bulk purchase.
 
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