Suitable camera lens

[mrernos]

First of all, great project!

Currently I'm running a similar setup as the one shown in your youtube video (using the same spectroscope).
I've tried a random camera lens I already had for the Raspberry HQ cam, but the resulting images are really blurry.

I don't know much about camera lenses, but I think you would need a lens with a very short focus length
to get an accurate image. Do you happen to know the technical specs of the lens you used? Much appreciated!

[leswright1977]

I used a zoom lens with the following specs:
1/3" 9-22mm IR Sensitive Manual Zoom M12 Mount CCTV Lens F1.6

I zoom almost all of the way in, and focus. I suspect the focal length is maybe as high as 18mm. I have fixed focus lenses on order, that I will be testing when they arrive.

[mrernos]

Thank you for your response. I ordered a similar lens based on the specs you posted (it will be delivered from china, so this will take a while). I will post some results once I get it in my hands!

[mrpackethead]

My spectroscope arrived last week, and i'm waiting on some lenses to arrive..

DO we have to use a Raspberry PI camera.. Could i use a usb camera? It might make for a lot more options..

I have one of these arriving, and have both the 2.8 - 12mm and the 5-50mm lensess.. A lot of pixels and hopefully one of the leneses works really well.

http://www.elpcctv.com/elp-sony-imx317-4k-uvc-usb-webcam-with-cs-550mm-varifocal-lens-elpusb4khdr01mfv-550mm-p-182.html

[leswright1977]

You can use any USB camera (I did not use the picam library, just the standard video lib). So long as it is the first camera on the system, it will be fine. (Note: I have not tested all USB cams, just a couple! Do report back!)