Help me find a compact wide-angle or fish-eye lens?

[josborne]

Hi there!  This is an imaging lens question:

I am trying to find a lens that is:

- C mount

- Small and compact.  Size is very important.

- Has a wide field of view ... eg fisheye or wide angle

- Min object distance <= 10 cm

- Image distortion is not a big issue

Currently, I am using this 3mm FL wide-angle lens.  But I'd like to a smaller lens, and preferrably a wider field of view, and still remain 10cm from the object.

I spoke to some vendors and found these options, but none can really meet all my criteria:

Fujinon Fujinon TF2.8DA-8

Similar to current lens, with slight improvements.  But also longer.

Theia Technologies MY125M

Wider field of view, with no distortion.  But longer than current lens.

Fujinon FE185C046HA

Extremely wide field of view.  But is both longer and wider.

[CAS_MattF]

Try 

NET USA , INC.

3037 45th Street
Highland IN 46322, USA

Phone: +1 219 934 9042
Fax: +1 219 934 9047
+1 800 266 5906

info@net-usa-inc.com
www.net-usa-inc.com

If they don't have then you are into specialty lensing that means $$$$.  

Edmunds Optical or Thor Labs would be you best bet for hard to find stuff.

[Robert_Eastlund]

The format of your camera's sensor will limit your choice of lenses.  What model of camera are you mounting the lens onto? 

[Robert_Eastlund]

If your camera's sensor is 1/3" format or less, you could use a Kowa 2.7 mm, NF-Mount lens in combination with an NF-Mount to C-Mount adapter, see

Kowa LM3NF

http://www.kowa-usa.com/kowanewweb/lenses/fa13.html

and

Edmund Optics

http://www.edmundoptics.com/products/displayproduct.cfm?productID=3188

[josborne]

Yes, my sensor 1/3".

And I like that little NF lens!  That could be a great option!

Kudos to you!

[josborne]

While we are on the subject of "compactness":

Any suggestions for a smaller camera than this one:

AVT Guppy Pro

I was wondering maybe if there is an NF-mount camera that is Firewire-B?

I am currently using the Guppy Pro F032C.  And AVT advertises it as the "smallest firewire camera in the world" ... If that is correct, then I guess I'll need to go USB in order to get smaller.

Other requirements are:

- Color (preferrably)

- Able to do minimum 30 fps at VGA resolution

- Can trigger shutter using external signal

- Rugged

- Compatible with IMAQdx (eg Firewire-B or DirectShow)

- Good performance in low light conditions (eg autogain)

[Robert_Eastlund]

The AVT Guppy Pro cameras can be produced as board level cameras, see page 8 of 39 of the .pdf located at

http://www.alliedvisiontec.com/fileadmin/content/PDF/Products/Modular_Concept/AVT_ModularConcept_ext...

Sony has begun producing a small form factor firewire B camera, see

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-industrialcameras/cat-ieee/product-XCDMV6/

Either of these cameras should be able to take advantage of NF Mount lenses via the NF to C-Mount adapter.

Does the ideal camera need to be compact in X, Y and Z dimensions?

[josborne]

Interesting!  thank you!

I guess my ideal camera would be as small as possible in all dimensions. 

At the moment, I prefer the idea of changing the lens.  Would just make things easier, I think.

Quick question:  The NF-mount lens you referred to looks interesting.  But the adapter from EO is a "micro-video to C-mount" adapter.  Is "micro-video" the same as NF?  I did some googling, and can't seem to confirm this.  I have seen micro-video referred to as "S-mount" and as "M12".  Are they all the same thing?

[Robert_Eastlund]

I had confused the two mounts.  The µ-Video is an M12 x 0.5mm.  The NF-Mount is M17 x 0.75mm.  Looking at the µ-Video adapter, it would take a machine shop to mill the adapter accomadate the M17 x 0.75mm thread of the Kowa lens.

[Robert_Eastlund]

In the past, I have worked with SK Grimes to have custom lens adapters created, see http://www.skgrimes.com/contact-us.