I am taking the leap to the 10/28 firmware (upload in progress) on this B54PRO-Z4E cam. I know my way around it , since I have it loaded on my T54PRO-ZE, so I'll let you know what differences I see between the two cams. Last night was foggy, so no worthy captures to post here today, but tonight it might clear off (according to the Apple weather app).
B54PRO-Z4E first impression
- Thread starter tmxv4128
- Start date
That is so true. It's really important to chose the correct focal length for each situation. There is no perfect "one size fits all" camera. I like a variety--not only in focal lengths, but features and even differing mounting heights. The Color4K-X and Color4K-T cameras are great for identification by color and work spectacularly, if the scene has enough ambient light. The Color4K-T180 cameras are best used in overview situations. The T54IR-ZE cams are sharp as a tack and adapt to situations where you just can't figure out what the optimal focal length might be. It allows freedom of adjustments. The PTZ adds another dimension and is wonderful for tracking quick-moving images like automobiles and people. One camera that you don't see here that I have at my porch and on the other side of the house and in the backyard are my Color4M-T's. Love those cameras. Best camera for a doorway and where you need soft, diffuse IR coverage. I like your comment of overlapping images. That is important. A person isn't always going to be facing in one direction, so I like to orient my cameras in different directions. What one misses, another might pick up. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful comments. Here is another clip of "Guitar Man," showing how the cameras can follow someone around the perimeter of the property. Makes for a more interesting video too, I think.
I have similar cameras you have except missing the B54Pro-Z4E which I'm thinking of getting it now or wait until the firmware is more stable when you guys are still sorting the bugs out with Andy. That's why I'm so interested in all the B54Pro-Z4E topics and videos you guys posted lately. Thank you for all the guys here sharing the early images and videos the B54Pro-Z4E.
Seems like this could cost me more money, what is new! The 4K series are really spoiling me for low light and zero ambient light situations, I find the S3 and 5442 just solid for IR use and general coverage. The 54ProZE is overlapping with those two for me, having varifocal is still very convenient, no matter how well you planned focal length. The 4M-T is on my radar also, got a 4K-T covering a doorway which I know is not ideal, but it performs so well in poor light and still gives me the overview. Maybe will have to try just one of those 4M-T's, it will be covered by a motion LED flood but otherwise just white LED's (or IR) from a secondary 54Pro. My biggest challenge is mostly zero ambient aside from what the camera provides, for that I am leaning towards either 4K, S3 or 54Pro.
Coverage angles are critical as you mention above, this is a very important point. Often the best camera you own can be looking at the back of someone's head, whilst the secondary on a alternative angle could get a great facial ID.
The real takeaway is focal length and also mixing the models up, there can be a situation at night where the S3 or 54Pro will give nice definition in B&W with IR, whilst the 4K provides colour ID. I do love my PTZ's though as well, price and size aside, I would probably have them everywhere! For now I guess a couple more cameras for the shopping list.
Coal_Cracker
Pulling my weight
These are the settings I have been using:
Attachments
Last edited:
Coal_Cracker
Pulling my weight
To put the settings in context, here is a clearer look at the setup. I have the camera zoomed to "302." It effectively covers that area of the driveway well, so here are three pictures of me at 36 feet, 60 feet, and 96 feet. (screenshots from the video recording)
Attachments
Last edited:
Coal_Cracker
Pulling my weight
Are you running the 8/27 firmware that the camera came with, or are you using the 10/28 beta firmware?
The past two nights it has been very foggy, so fine tuning the adjustments has been put on hold for a while. The tonal range of the camera looks good, so I have been trying some small adjustments with the gamma setting to see what kind of effect it has on the image. I was testing it out on this cat tonight, but then the coastal fog came in again. Interesting thing about the fog. It looks a lot different on this camera than any other camera I have used. It is almost like it is digitally enhanced. Kind of weird.