I think you are correct that is best meant for an overview camera for a very specific mount height and focus range. This is not meant for an object approaching the camera type of environment (my own personal situation). I also bought the
IPC-T5442T-ZE and will likely have to switch out even though picture is not nearly as good.
Another user wildcat quoted:
"First let me clear up the Close Focus Distance (CFD) piece. The original, pre-production unit had a CFD closer to approx 18ft to 20ft however as I've mentioned many times and in the video, since receiving the production units that CFD has been adjusted closer to approx 16ft for 3.6mm and 8ft for the 2.8mm. The 2.8mm was adjusted closer for production due to the feedback and recommendations I made to Dahua engineering that a) 18ft CFD on a 2.8mm is WAY too far and b) that I wanted it adjusted as close as possible to 6ft (knowing it would never hit anything under that). Dahua engineering re-worked the units and were able to sufficiently get to 8ft CFD on 2.8mm which as I've mentioned, absolutely is not approx 5ft of the 5442 BUT still acceptable for a 2.8mm and WAY WAY better than 18+ft for this focal length. Now onto the 'what should you expect focus wise' piece for CFD, similar to what you said, Yes, at a high level anything closer than 8ft would be expected to be out of focus. However with installation height, angle and distance to target all being factors, this can improve the ability for the camera to work closer due to distance to target being taken up by those variables I just mentioned. However in a straight line head on to target your CFD would be expected be the 8Ft for the 2.8mm Turret & 16ft for the 3.6mm turret."
