Camera question

Robert

Robert

Reverse Engineer
If I wanted to permanently mount a camera overhead above my workbench with the ability to zoom in on an object on the bench with a reasonable level of detail, what type of camera / lens should I be looking at?

Ideally I'd like to be able to take photos and video, control from a PC (and use as storage), and zoom close enough to view component values/part numbers on a PCB.

The camera would be mounted about 5ft above the surface of the workbench.

What do I need?
 
benny_profane said:
What's your budget?
Click to expand...

Flexible, I suppose? I know I'm not going to get what I want with a $150 point and shoot.

I don't particularly want to spend multiple thousand unless there's a very convincing argument. :ROFLMAO:

It's a business expense though, and something I'll use daily, so I'd like to get it right the first time rather than try to duct tape an iPhone to a mic boom stand or something silly like that.... because that didn't really work all that well.
 
This is about the level of zoom I'm hoping for.

This was snapped at about 2 ft away through a bench magnifier with a Pixel 7.

Surely there is a way to overcomplicate this process that is already working perfectly fine with more expensive equipment I don't know how to use properly.

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The difficulty is sensor cameras will be the cheapest and most compact option, but you won't have optical zoom or good macro. Something mirrorless would give you a relatively compact size--although it may be easier to find a suitable used DSLR.
 
Compact isn't a strict requirement... as long as I can mount it high enough that I don't bump my head it can look like a 1980's news broadcast camera.
 
A mirrorless camera body with a zoom lens would be a good option I think. I'm not caught up at all on camera tech but years ago I was looking into cameras for YouTube videos and photography and ended up buying a used Panasonic Lumix G7 body with a generic Panasonic zoom lens which set me back maybe 250 € back then. I upgraded lenses along the way but kept the body because it works for my purposes, even bought a second one some time later as backup and for multi camera angles. There's a Windows app to interface directly with your PC via USB and an Android app to connect via WIFI to your phone. They're clunky but work okay. Not sure about Mac and Apple.
 
I don't know anything about this stuff - but I wonder if you want a camera-camera, or if you're just going to be viewing the output live to a monitor, do you want a web cam with a zoom? I also don't know anything about those other than verifying that they exist just now.

 
Mirrorless was my first reaction too, because it reduces some important unknowns with webcams:

- dynamic range of the sensor, to reduce blown out reflections, and
- control over exposure, and good-enough auto exposure
- distortion at wide angles, causing lines to curve at the edges of the frame
- white balance

IMHO any mirrorless camera from Pentax or better will be easiest to get going and be consistent. High megapixels aren't going to be useful unless you're making really, really big posters. So a used body from 15 years ago will be as good as a latest model--provided it talks to your computer, including operating the zoom.

You'll know your camera setup is dialed in when you have to invest in a diffuse lighting setup to make it usable :D
 
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What you need is a very high resolution camera, then you just do digital zooms after the pic is taken. 4k would probably do it, 8k for sure.
 
Robert said:
If I wanted to permanently mount a camera overhead above my workbench with the ability to zoom in on an object on the bench with a reasonable level of detail, what type of camera / lens should I be looking at?

Ideally I'd like to be able to take photos and video, control from a PC (and use as storage), and zoom close enough to view component values/part numbers on a PCB.

The camera would be mounted about 5ft above the surface of the workbench.

What do I need?
Click to expand...
You aren't starting an OF account are you?🥴
🌶️🔗
 
I use this with my iphone camera plugged into my comp. It's sturdy and goes up and down, tho I keep it at its lowest setting so it's nice and in the way.

As far as being able to control zoom from the comp, idk. I bought a new computer and haven't messed with the newer programs yet.
 
You need the BIG IMAGE TK-60 Model...

caa1e30cba5596dfe67322acf131c487.jpg


...model not included, some assembly required.
 
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