Video Level Meter For Camera Setup

[gundog]

Hi, looking to purchase a video level meter for optimum setting up of camera focus, anyone got any suggestions which model is best, and do they work well "are they worth the spend". thanks in advance for your input.

[djandysp]

Hi, looking to purchase a video level meter for optimum setting up of camera focus, anyone got any suggestions which model is best, and do they work well "are they worth the spend". thanks in advance for your input.

Weve got one at the office and tp be honest unless we get major problems dont bother, what you could do with is a lens filter kit or a welders mask glass either will do for when you focus the camera as the focal point changes on a night and if you get it slightly out of focus in daylight it will be well out in darkness

[satsuma01]

Weve got one at the office and tp be honest unless we get major problems dont bother, what you could do with is a lens filter kit or a welders mask glass either will do for when you focus the camera as the focal point changes on a night and if you get it slightly out of focus in daylight it will be well out in darkness

agreed i use a welders mask glass and find this the most useful and cost effective.

[nikko]

Hi, looking to purchase a video level meter for optimum setting up of camera focus, anyone got any suggestions which model is best, and do they work well "are they worth the spend". thanks in advance for your input.

A focus meter is required for electronically correct focussing of cameras, not a video level meter.

You can get the most popular kit from here.

Neutral Density filters should be used to open the iris to pre-determined amounts, which in turn can be recorded on the commissioning document as a reference, NOT welding glass. Neutral Density means it will not affect the focal length of the lens whilst you set the lens up.

I did once find a chap using his photochromic spectacles to set up back focus instead of neutral density filters. Sure enough, once back in the control room the picture was blurred. He, however thought it was spot on, which it was, so long as you shared his prescription!

[arfur mo]

i have a focus meter bought from LJD, works ok but needs a still scene, if anything moves you have to start all over.

you can use a scope but tbh i find it's better to pre-focus the camera before fitting using a similar distance it will be used over, i've got a polarising filter set which fits on the lens, expensive but indispensable for day night camera's imo

regs

alan

[Doktor Jon]

Neutral Density means it will not affect the focal length of the lens whilst you set the lens up.

To be strictly accurate, placing a light reducing filter material in the light path of the lens won't actually alter the 'focal length' of the lens (that being a product of the lens optical construction), but poor quality filter materials can slightly alter the 'back focus' point at which the image is normally brought into sharp focus on the imager.

This little bit of nit picking doesn't really make much odds to anyone installing a camera, but I thought in the interests of accuracy, it might be worth mentioning

Incidentally, I also subscribe to the two polarizer filters school of light reduction techniques. By providing what is effectively a variable ND filter arrangement, it's relatively easy for an installer to set the correct degree of filtration to suit the ambient lighting conditions.

[nikko]

To be strictly accurate, placing a light reducing filter material in the light path of the lens won't actually alter the 'focal length' of the lens (that being a product of the lens optical construction), but poor quality filter materials can slightly alter the 'back focus' point at which the image is normally brought into sharp focus on the imager.

This little bit of nit picking doesn't really make much odds to anyone installing a camera, but I thought in the interests of accuracy, it might be worth mentioning

Incidentally, I also subscribe to the two polarizer filters school of light reduction techniques. By providing what is effectively a variable ND filter arrangement, it's relatively easy for an installer to set the correct degree of filtration to suit the ambient lighting conditions.

Doktor

Now that's what I call a comprehensive correction.

[arfur mo]

To be strictly accurate, placing a light reducing filter material in the light path of the lens won't actually alter the 'focal length' of the lens (that being a product of the lens optical construction), but poor quality filter materials can slightly alter the 'back focus' point at which the image is normally brought into sharp focus on the imager.

This little bit of nit picking doesn't really make much odds to anyone installing a camera, but I thought in the interests of accuracy, it might be worth mentioning

Incidentally, I also subscribe to the two polarizer filters school of light reduction techniques. By providing what is effectively a variable ND filter arrangement, it's relatively easy for an installer to set the correct degree of filtration to suit the ambient lighting conditions.

or if possible go back at night - then at least then you can see your test monitor properly

regs

alan

[totalsec]

As mentioned before, best results by far is to set up at night, all my CCTV jobs with external cams include a night set up in the price.

[nikko]

As mentioned before, best results by far is to set up at night, all my CCTV jobs with external cams include a night set up in the price.

Some of the places I work you wouldn't want to be at night!