Amcrest Forum

I just purchased an IP8M-T2599EW-AI-V3 and now (stupidly) realize that it's not going to focus closely enough for my needs. I can't find a tear down of this camera and I'm having a hard time finding any other camera out-of-the-box that will meet my focusing needs (8-15 inches). I mean, it will probably be somewhere in that range. I'm building the box after I work out the camera.

Does is use a "standard" mount lens that I could replace with one that works better for me? I don't need to maintain a perfect weatherproof rating since this will be inside an enclosure.

I found one person who mentioned that, with their bird house, they essentially just glued a lens (from basic reading glasses) in front of the existing lens. My quick tests indicate that this will work. My main concern here is the mess. This box is for kestrels and they poop straight up and lots! So, I don't want to create a space between the real lens and my mod that will allow the waste to get stuck.

I could, of course, return this camera and try to find something more appropriate. I want a 4K or better POE IP camera that will connect to software like Blue Iris and OBS with audio and night vision that's not too disruptive (I have seen some IR lights tend to glow red).

But, overall, I like this camera. It's little big for my needs, but since I'm building the box, I'm not super concerned about that.

Thanks!

Hello and Welcome to the Forum..

That camera uses a M12 mount lens.. Here is the Tech Sheet for the lens..
Lens
Lens Type Fixed-focal
Lens Mount M12
Focal Length 2.8 mm
Max. Aperture F2.0
Field of View H: 106°; V: 56°; D: 125°
Iris Control Fixed
Close Focus Distance 4.27 ft

Here is a source for lenses. Maybe look at VP611 to see if that would work for your needs?
https://www.universeoptics.com/ccdcmos-lens-assemblies/

Thanks for the info! I saw someone mention on a different site that they use some kind of plastic glue to lock the lens/focus. I haven't decided yet to take it apart. Do you know if this is a common practice for Amcrest? I'd hate to void the warranty just to find out I can make the mod I need.

Either way, thanks for the help already!

The lens is going to be glued in to the ICR mount. This makes it so the lens don't come out of focus over time. I have loads of cameras that have Fixed mount lenses and many others that do have VF and Motorized VF lens. Most companies that offer fixed lens cameras would most likely void any warranty if a different lens was installed. Sometimes they might be setup to fit a type of connection that the camera has to have a modified lens to work in the type of housing the camera is installed in.

In fact I have a few 4mp AI cameras that are in same or almost the same housing where I could take parts of 1 to change parts of another. Some would just require some front glass lens mount plates to be changed out where another one because of the way the camera is mounted the Lens and ICR couldn't be changed out because the camera it self is mount forward of where the other camera is mounted in the housing so the front glass wouldn't seal to protect the camera from the outdoors.

I do have some other cameras that you can pick the Close Focus distance in a drop down. These are not 8mp cameras and they are PTZ cameras. One of them I can do very close focus and the other ranges from 10cm to 1000cm. or almost 4in to 32 feet..

8mp camera would have harder time with close distance focus mainly because of the cameras sensor size. Taking that of say 2mp or 4mp with same sensor size they would offer better night and close vision options in most cases.

Cameras with IR personally 940nm would be preffered not many people offer them and most camera that come with 850nm sensors will not be able to use the 940 IR leds. So the one you have now is 850nm and would be best for cost. One IR you don't want is the one that is running 730nm like the Amcrest 1072 uses seeing it will have a red glow at night with IR lights on..

This is all really helpful! Thanks so much!