Tag: camera

How to Mount a Camera to a Scope

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I bought this $12 adapter from amazon because I needed to figure out how to mount a camera to a scope. The scope I wanted to use immediately was my son’s microscope, but additionally I wanted to be able to put it on a bb gun as well as his .22lr cricket.

I doubt this cheap adapter will work on anything larger than .22lr, However, I have not tried it.

The adapter was too large to fit on my son’s microscope without adaptation. Instead of doing anything permanent, I simply took painter’s tape and wrapped it around the objective tube. This was to increase its diameter.

I went slow so I could keep the tape in the same area. This ensured a smooth wrap and no wrinkles.

It was not hard, and did not take long. However, it was tedious.

The do make commercial adapters and lenses specially for microscopes. Unfortunately, they cost several hundred dollars and are for specific cameras and microscopes.

I wanted something universal and cheap so I had to be okay with a less elegant solution.

Once I had done his scope, I went back to try it on his rifle.

There are three different adjustments, and none are very fine. It takes a minute to get everything lined up and the screws tightened.

Actually, the installation part is a true PITA. Getting the reticle level and lined up on the scope to reduce parallax and allow the bolt to be thrown takes patience.

It also disallows the use of the actual scope when completed, but this setup allows me to watch over his shoulder and see what he sees. With the phone set to video, it also can be used to go back and look at trigger control and follow through.

For the price I am pretty satisfied with the setup, and if he gets into using it I may buy a better setup – something specific to his rifle scope.

December 30, 2017
Dream Lifter Camera Tripod Review

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This inexpensive camera tripod is just the thing for secondary cameras or for a backup. I find this tripod perfect for storing in my truck so when I go out to shoot videos I don’t have to pack up my larger one.

As an added bonus it comes with a phone adapter like I used on my camera cap so that you can put a smart phone on the tripod.

This isn’t the sturdiest tripod, its pretty light, but it is cheap and it does work – so it is a balanceing act to decide if you want it or not. Personally I need a professional model, but I do find uses for this cheaper version.

It also comes with an eBook on how to become a professional photographer, but in my review model I did not get it so I can’t comment on the quality of that bonus item.

for me the camera adapter was the best piece of equipment to come with the camera tripod, but thats because I have started using my phones for cameras more because I don’t have to worry about focusing as much.

March 28, 2017
Esi Hitch Portable Wireless Vehicle Backup Camera Review

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#WirelessTrailerCamera

Esi Hitch Portable Wireless Vehicle Backup Camera Rear view camera Water Resistant IR Night Vision Camera System Trailer Hitch Rear View with 2.5″ LCD Monitor For RV Trailer Motorhome 5th Wheels

Having a lot of trailers to move around and not a lot od space to do it meant I needed a backup camera. Now, I admit, I got into the search for wireless cameras in order to try to reduce the thievery problems on my land, but once I got this camera I found it was much more useful if I used it as it was intended.

This came out of the box ready to use (other than charging) and it is pretty simple to operate.

It came with the wireless camera with a magnetic base (as well as screws for permenant mounting, a car charger, the wireless reciever, instuctions, and a water resistant cap for the back of the camera.

I have not used the cap yet, other then trying it on the back of the camera. The manual says the camera is watertight to rain, so I don’t fool with the extra waterproofing because I need to remove it to hook up the charger.

Being a backup camera, the picture is reversed, but a simple press of the on/off button will change the image. It says a full charge will give you 4 hours of use, but I never use the backup camra that long so I would not know.

I think this is a pretty good product, even though I am not sure I would spend full price of $150.00 for it. With some searching you can find it at a discount on amazon.

I did receive this product at a discount in exchange for this review.

February 12, 2017
EsiCam HN03 Wireless Outdoor Bullet Surveillance Camera Review
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I need a Wireless Outdoor Security Camera because I have thief issues at my land. A fence was build as a deterrent, but my Dad refuses to use it because he thinks he doesn’t need it when he is there. (But he believes his backpack blower was stolen while he was sleeping in the shipping container)

I was looking for a wireless outdoor camera with IR capabilities when I was offered the opportunity to review this one. Naturally I agreed.

The camera is pretty simple. It comes with a short cat5 cable to plug into your router, mounting hardware, and a longer 115v wall wart.

Camera voltage is listed as 12v at 1.0 amps, so I think I can easily adapt it to run off of solar. Even thought the manufacturer says not to modify the device.

The camera was much clearer than I expected, and the wireless function to my phone worked much faster and cleaner than other wireless cameras I have used in the past.

After playing with it I only have a few dislikes.
- The instruction manual and app are for two different cameras which makes it confusing in the beginning.
- I can’t find the listed SD card slot so I can record. I believe the best deterrent for thievery is best done when the video of his theft is played in court. If he is in jail he can’t steal from you. (I learned later that you have to take the camera apart to insert a SD Card. I have a how to video of that process.
- My biggest issue is that the instructions say that once the camera is initialized with the router you can disconnect it and run the camera feed directly to your phone over WiFi. I have found that this is not the case even though the phone says it is happening, as soon as I disconnect the camera from the router the camera goes off line.
My issues keep me from hooking the camera where I want it, but not from using it. All in all I think it is a good camera, but I can’t get over the last two issues.

I did get this camera at a reduced price in exchange for an honest review. #Homesecurity
January 17, 2017
Contour Camera Review

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I recently purchased a contour +2 action camera to use in my video production. I bought it because it was small, durable, had an external mic jack, streamed wireless to my phone, was water proof, and had a built in GPS. So it only figures that I would do a post on a Contour Camera Review

When I got it, I found that it was oversold just a little bit – it has an HDMI out port – which they say allows it to be used as a webcam to apple computers – but the laptop I have is HDMI out only, so it will not work to tape my classes.

The video is a little jump as it has a low frame rate, and the lens makes everything look a little walleyed.

However, it comes with a waterproof case for scuba and snorkeling activities, and a bunch of different mounts – if I was using this solely as a gun cam, I would be very happy, as it is smaller and has more features than the go-pro.

Because I wanted a good quality camera with an external mic jack and I wanted to stay under $1000.00 I allowed myself to be taken by all the hoopla around this camera. I guess sionce I have a waterproof case I can finannyl start working on shooting the Glock underwater…

March 5, 2013