CudaEye Support

I am having trouble getting the camera to focus, what can I do?

The cameras focus assist mode can be REALLY handy. You might have tried focusing without it, and the delay between what you do at the camera and what you see on screen (about 5 seconds) can be maddening.

Focus assist provides visual feedback using the LEDs on the camera so you can get great focus without having to view the video at all. To use it, you need the camera pointing at a static scene with something to focus on in about the middle of the screen.

To engage focus assist, click on the SETTINGS button on the camera control in the service. On the settings screen, click on the ADJUST FOCUS AND ROTATION tab. The camera is now in focus assist mode, and you should see both LEDs turn on.

Now, slowly turn the out lens element in one direction till both LEDs turn off. Next, turn the element in the other direction till the LEDs turn on again, then off. You have just passed the perfect focus point. Go back very slowly till you get one or both LEDs to stay on. That is it, the camera is in focus.

It is possible to confuse the system. If it does not seem to be working, hold your hand over the lens for 10-15 seconds to make the image very dark. The LEDs will start blinking rapidly, indicating you have the focus mode. Remove your hand, wait till the LEDs stop blinking, and start over.

Some pointers - Make sure you have something to focus on at about the point you want the camera to have best focus - have a friend stand there, put a box there etc. Focus assist needs horizontal contrast to focus. If you are pointing at a gray wall, it won't work. It also works much better with good light.

There are some scenes where focus assist does not. To do manual focus it helps to have a friend watching the screen. First go slowly through the focus range till you get close to in focus. To really dial it in, make a change and wait till the change has gone through (you can usually tell because you jiggle the camera a little when you focus, look for this movement as a clue that your latest change has gone through).

Another handy tip for manual focus is to use the mobile client at m.cudaeye.com. Then you only have to haul your cell phone up the ladder instead of a laptop.