--> - Mama Bear

In news:Xns98178BA6BA4­21Mama@66.150.105.47­,> Mama Bear <MamaBear@No-Spam.n­oo> dribbled from a puss filled blister> enraged mouth:>> Is there a decent USB webcam with auto-focus for around $50?>>

what would you like one for?

they usually fixed focus to infinity.

what would you like one for?>

they usually fixed focus to infinity.>

regards slayer

what would you like one for?>

they usually fixed focus to infinity.>

regards slayer >

Hmmm..have to agree with you slayer. Personally, I can't see a possible >use for an Auto focus webcam. If we look at a few uses of webcams....>

1) Streaming video to the web....no use there..if something went in >front of the cam by the time it focused on it, it would be gone.>

2) Interval upload....same...an­d it might not be 'ready' to upload an >image when it was focused on the 'object'..but the software could be >ready before the camera had refocused, thus uploading a blurred image.>

3) Videochat/conferenc­ing.....if you were moving around the room while >in a chat/conference, the cam wouldn't be following you and even if it >was, there is no guarantee that it would focus on you. If you were >simply sitting there chatting..well there is no need for auto focus.>

Another thing I have noticed about auto focus (web)cams, usually Axis or >Mobotix, (no offence meant to these brands, they are just the ones that >have this facility) is that if they are behind a window or in a >weatherproof housing, and there is dirt/crap/raindrops­/suicide bugs on >the window in front of the lens, then the camera will focus on that.>There is another alternative...depen­ding on what the camera is going to >be used for...., and that is to try to find one with a focus ring on it >so that if you want to focus on something close to the camera, then you >can. My ancient Intel cs110 has this capability and can focus down to >approx 30mm (1.25 inches approx)...shame it is a CMOS camera!>As you have already asked, it would be helpful if Mama Bear could tell >us what the camera would be used for.

I would love a webcam with auto-focus. I don't think there are any> out there, or at least none that i know of, anyway.

My Fuji digital> camera can be used as a webcam, and it's got auto-focus. I never> tried using it as a webcam, but now that i'm talking about it, i> might as well try it out.>

the_slay_er wrote:>> In news:Xns98178BA6BA4­21Mama@66.150.105.47­,>> Mama Bear <MamaBear@No-Spam.n­oo> dribbled from a puss filled blister>> enraged mouth:>>> Is there a decent USB webcam with auto-focus for around $50?>>>

Hmmm..have to agree with you slayer. Personally, I can't see a> possible use for an Auto focus webcam. If we look at a few uses of> webcams.... >

1) Streaming video to the web....no use there..if something went in > front of the cam by the time it focused on it, it would be gone.>

2) Interval upload....same...an­d it might not be 'ready' to upload an> image when it was focused on the 'object'..but the software could be > ready before the camera had refocused, thus uploading a blurred> image. >

3) Videochat/conferenc­ing.....if you were moving around the room> while in a chat/conference, the cam wouldn't be following you and> even if it was, there is no guarantee that it would focus on you. If> you were simply sitting there chatting..well there is no need for> auto focus.

Why not? I understand that most webcams are a real pain to get focused, > even if you're sitting in front of them.>