Still deciding on which camera to go with

Termin8r

Termin8r

Young grasshopper
Aug 21, 2024
32
14
California
Hello, been going back and forth on a few model cameras. EmpireTech is looking like the brand were going with.

I have a few questions though, the (turret version) IPC-Color4K-T and the (bullet version) PC-Color4K-X. Both seem exactly the same except for the different styles.

I was initially looking at the bullet version as I thought this would mount better on a flat wall, then I saw the wall mounts being offered for the turret version. Didn't even know that type of mount existed. :cool:

Looks like the turret has a smaller footprint and less conspicuous than the bullet version. Nonetheless, I wanted to know about any possible known issues or differences between these two if any exist.

I had read that the turret version has focus problems when comparing with the bullet version. Is this true? Anybody familiar or has also heard about this?



Also for this camera ----> IPC-T58IR-ZE S3 Version, if I have enough ambient lighting I may be able to force night time color?

And does EmpireTech have a 1/1.2 varifocal camera? Even at 4MP?
 
Yes, there is a focus issue with the 4K/T versus the 4K/X.

Keep in mind these cameras need light and do not see infrared.

The only varifocals on 1/1.2" sensors are PTZs, and it will cost you like $2K

Keep in mind it is better to go with the proper focal length, even if lower MP, than it is a higher MP camera.

Most here find 4MP to be the sweet spot for these cameras. Many here that have bought the 4K cameras have since replaced them with 4MP cameras or use them strictly as overview cameras.

I am sure you have seen this thread about chasing focal length and sensor size versus MP:

wittaj

Thread 'The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection'

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP).

I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a forum favorite here @EMPIRETECANDY , but this post will put it all in one place where we can point a NOOB to. The cameras I am highlighting were purchased from @EMPIRETECANDY

Almost every big box store, consumer grade cameras and all-in-one-box kits come with either 2.8mm or 3.6mm...
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thanks for that info. Is there any info about the focus issue with the 4K/T online? I don't actually understand how bad and or when is the focus issue occurring.

I was considering going with the IPC-Color4K but not sure which focal length would serve me best. I'm also now thinking that the 2.8 or 3.6mm would be best suited as an over view camera as you had mentioned. I think either of these to focal lengths will have too much of a wide angle for my particular mounting location.

It's also why I had been contemplating going with a varifocal camera.

I saw this chart online showing the horizontal coverage based on distance and lens size. Is this a fairly accurate assessment?

Lens Angle Distance Chart.jpg

Or are there other parameters that would change the horizontal view for a given distance besides focal length?



I just saw that PTZ4K45X-AI 1/1.2 PTZs from EmpireTech. That is way to large at 17" long and 10" wide. And a bit too pricey for our humble mansion. :)

I wouldn't mind going 4mp which would be equivalent to 2K although the IPC-T58IR-ZE 8MP version is using the same 1/1.8" as with the T54IR-ZE 4MP. It looks like they both have similar specs except for one being 8MP vs 4MP.

Will the 8MP (tighter resolution) make the image appear further away when compared with the 4MP at the same distance?
 
As an Amazon Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.
Do a youtube search on your issue/question. you may find some semblance of an answer .....if you can find any reviewers talking about that.
 
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I have focus issues on both of my 4K-X bullets. Its present on the 4K-T turret as well but doesnt seem as bad. Basically anything 8-10ft or closer is obvious blur on my 3.6mm bullets
 
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There are some big differences in FW.

One newer 4K-X I have is very over sharpened and has lots of artifacts at night even though it has much better ambient light. The other produces a much better image. The better one has old original FW…
 
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I have 2.8mm, 3.6mm, and 6mm versions of the 4K-X, and 2.8mm of the 4K-T. I prefer the image on the 4K-X compared to the 4K-T. Also, the 4K-T uses the older interface, whereas the 4K-T uses the newer one. For me, the older interface is just a lot better. I haven’t had any close-focusing problems with any of the cameras, and though the 6mm version of the 4K-X is often bashed in the forum for being out of focus up-close, I absolutely love it for images 35’+. It has a magical feel, similar to a Canon 135L lens in photography. Another thing the 4K-X has going for it over the 4K-T is that it has an excellent speaker. I use sound as a deterrence in several placements, and the 4K-X has the best speaker in the Dahua line of cameras I have used.
 
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bigredfish said:
I have focus issues on both of my 4K-X bullets. Its present on the 4K-T turret as well but doesnt seem as bad. Basically anything 8-10ft or closer is obvious blur on my 3.6mm bullets
Click to expand...
Interesting, I was hearing the focus issues being more so on the 4K-T turret versions.

I was looking over the details of the close focus distance for the 3.6mm and it shows this to be at about 17.7 ft.
 
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So based on this info in the photo taken from EmpireTech's description for the 4K-X cameras, it shows identify on a 3.6mm to be at about 39 ft.

Details for 4K-X EmpireTech Bullet Camera.jpg


Seemed like I'm hearing different about the identify on this camera. Can you actually identify at 39 ft using the 3.6 mm lens?


Looks like the smaller the lens the closer the identify becomes. So what size lens would I want if I wanted to identify at 10 ft? :confused:
 
tmxv4128 said:
I have 2.8mm, 3.6mm, and 6mm versions of the 4K-X, and 2.8mm of the 4K-T. I prefer the image on the 4K-X compared to the 4K-T. Also, the 4K-T uses the older interface, whereas the 4K-T uses the newer one. For me, the older interface is just a lot better. I haven’t had any close-focusing problems with any of the cameras, and though the 6mm version of the 4K-X is often bashed in the forum for being out of focus up-close, I absolutely love it for images 35’+. It has a magical feel, similar to a Canon 135L lens in photography. Another thing the 4K-X has going for it over the 4K-T is that it has an excellent speaker. I use sound as a deterrence in several placements, and the 4K-X has the best speaker in the Dahua line of cameras I have used.
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I do like the more narrow field of view offered with the 6mm lens. I felt that this may serve my placement spot better than the other wider view lens.

I'm looking to mount the camera on the side wall which is also parallel with the neighbors side wall. Both walls are about 18ft apart. My thoughts were that I would possibly or likely capture a bit of wall from both sides if the horizontal view is too wide.
 
Termin8r said:
So based on this info in the photo taken from EmpireTech's description for the 4K-X cameras, it shows identify on a 3.6mm to be at about 39 ft.

View attachment 207674


Seemed like I'm hearing different about the identify on this camera. Can you actually identify at 39 ft using the 3.6 mm lens?


Looks like the smaller the lens the closer the identify becomes. So what size lens would I want if I wanted to identify at 10 ft? :confused:
Click to expand...

DORI is a nice tool in the tool box, but these are under ideal situations and real world experiences of DORI is that those numbers are established by the manufacturer and are based on best case scenarios like an object not moving and ideal light conditions.

Real world you should cut them in half during daytime and cut that half in half or more at night time.

Our long time resident camera expert Wildcat ran the Dahua 4K/X 8MP 1/1.2" sensor thru the paces. Keep in mind this 4K/X camera is incredible.

He had the 3.6mm version and here is the screenshot from 40 feet in the ideal daylight and standing still, which based on DORI numbers is the supposed IDENTIFY distance for this camera with the 3.6mm lens and I think most of would agree that this is not IDENTIFY quality, even if digitally zoomed in:



1663106750107.png



I have the 4K/X and 4K/T and they are incredible cameras, but I wouldn't use it for IDENTIFY past 15-20 feet, or half of what the DORI number is.
 
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