C-Mount:
The advantage to a c-mount camera is that the lens can be changed. If you need to see further than 35 or 40 ft then you'll need a c-mount camera with a special lens. C-Mount lenses are available from 4mm to 50mm. A 4mm lens provides facial detail and a 70 degree angle of view focused up to about 35 ft. An example of where you might use a fixed 4mm lens is in a small office, or at home to focus on your driveway.
A higher millimeter lens will provide further distance, but narrows the field of view. So, a 16mm lens would provide about a 15 to 20 degree angle of view at a focus distance of about 35 ft (or a 70 degree angle of view at about 140 feet). In general, a 8mm lens is like a 4mm lens zoomed in 2 times. Similarly, a 16mm lens is like the 4mm lens zoomed in 4 times.
Many times, the best option is to use a varifocal lens. This will allow you to vary the focus from 5 to 50mm. So when you install the camera you can fine tune the focal distance and angle of view. An example of where you might use a varifocal lens is outside (or inside) a large commercial building where you need more distance than 35 ft. and the varifocal lens will allow you to adjust the focal distance to your preference.
If you want to use cmount cameras outside, you must put them in an outdoor camera housing.
Dome Cameras:
 The dome camera is obviously named for its dome shape. Everyone has seen these security cameras in businesses and stores. Because of its shape, its difficult to tell exactly where the camera is aiming unless you see it up close. Dome cameras are generally used inside buildings, although the armor domes can be used outside as well. You can mount them on the ceiling or on a wall. All of our dome cameras come in color and the basic unit has good video resolution.
One of the most exciting cameras we carry is the Color Infrared Armor Dome Camera. This amazing camera is virtually indestructible. It's hi-impact reinforced poly carbonate tamperproof armor dome can withstand a blow from a 10-pound sledgehammer! It's a color camera which automatically switches to infrared black and white in low light level conditions. It can be installed inside or out and includes all of the required mounting hardware. This is one of the most popular cameras we carry.
Inferred Cameras:
 An infrared security camera has infrared LED lighting (light from a different region of the electromagnetic spectrum than we normally use to see) installed around the outside of the lens of the camera. This lighting allows the camera to capture a good image in no light at all. With a little bit of light (called low light) the infrared camera can capture a picture that looks just like daytime. People use infrared security cameras for businesses that have the lights out at night (in case of break-ins). Or for outside, nighttime viewing. Keep in mind that even at nighttime there is a normally some light from the moon, stars, or street lights.
Infrared cameras are often called "Night Vision" cameras because they can 'see' at night. However, do not confuse "Night Vision" with "Day / Night Cameras". Day / Night cameras do not have infrared lights built in. More about those types of cameras below.
Infrared security cameras will provide a color picture while the light is good. When it gets dark, the camera will switch to infrared mode and illuminate it's built-in infrared LEDs. In infrared mode the image is captured in black and white - this is true of all infrared cameras. The level of light required to capture a good picture is referred to as a camera's lux, the lower the lux the better the camera can see in low light. For example a camera with 0.003 lux is better than a camera with 0.2 lux. Infrared cameras are considered to be 0.0 lux in infrared mode - in other words they can 'see' with no light at all.
Infrared cameras are also compared by how far they can see in total darkness. This is generally a result of how many infrared LEDs are built into the camera. Our Long Range Color Day/Night Weatherproof IR Camera can see up to 150ft. with no light at all!
If you are going to use an infrared camera outdoors, its best to use a outdoor weatherproof bullet style camera. This is because if you use an indoor infrared camera and need to put it in an outdoor housing, sometimes the infrared light reflects off the glass of the housing. Some people get acceptable results if the camera is absolutely flush up to the glass thereby reducing the glare. An alternative solution is to use a day / night camera which has an extra sensitive imaging chip that allows it to capture a good picture in low light situations without using infrared lighting. This works well for example if there are street lights outside or an exterior light that can be left on at night. Keep in mind that cameras without infrared lighting will not capture an image with zero light. The other issue to consider is that infrared cameras require more power (more amperage). The power requirements are provided in the specs for each camera.
Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ):
 This can be a big point of confusion as many people tend to group this type of camera into a single category when there are actually a wide spectrum of features, abilities, options, and performance issues to consider. Some are faster than others. Panning is simply the ability to go from side to side and tilting the ability to go up and down. PAN & TILT are both accomplished by some type of external motor, while the zoom function (whether manual or remote) is inside the camera or lens itself. We do carry different cameras that integrate ALL 3 functions (pan, tilt and zoom) into a single control- in both indoor and outdoor versions.
Weatherproof PTZ equipment is also available.
To set up a appointment either call 727-862-2638 or email ronald@spyhawk.net
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