With advance in technology, our surveillance and CCTV cameras have evolved to offer better image and video clarity. Modifications and features designed to allow us greater flexibility and functions in terms of where to mount the CCTV camera and how to use it. However, all this advancement has created a new problem. The video footage shows that the camera loses focus at different times of the day.

The most common example of this is the peculiar case of a blurry footage you observe in the evening, right before you close the office for the day. However, when you open for work the following day, you get a sharp and clear footage on the very next morning. It boggles the mind! Who’s to be blamed for this? Default settings.

Your CCTV camera is set to auto iris, which regulates the amount of light captured by the camera’s pickup plate. During the day, the iris is smaller for an image with good focus so that the excess light does not wash out the image. As the day progresses, the light decrease and eventually the Sun sets. The iris progressively opens to allow in more light so that the camera captures sufficient detail. However, this leads to deterioration of quality and thus a blurry image. Fortunately, you can resolve the issue by using this simple trick.

Does your camera have the ABF (auto back focus) feature?

If yes, follow these steps:

1. Put a neutral density filter on your camera lens or wait for the lighting to become naturally low. The idea is to achieve a situation where the iris should be open wide.

2. Now, set zoom to wide and focus to near.

3. Put an item at the range you desire to maintain in focus, then adjust focus and remove the filter.

If no, follow these steps.

1. Switch to manual iris mode and put a neutral density filter on your camera lens or wait for lighting to become naturally low.

2. Put an item at the range you desire to maintain in focus, then adjust focus and remove the filter.
Although the issue in focus may seem like an issue with the CCTV camera, you’ll be delighted to find this simple trick may just be the solution to your mind boggling problem.