How to focus your FPV camera (and keep it that way)

[@CrazyQuadBrothersP3]

Another example of why Josh is the man! He provides so much free info to the quad/drone fpv community. So much knowledge that he shares. Just saying thanks buddy!🤙🏻

[@loboquad2122]

Ok, the props off bit is what has finally convinced me to take them off during maintenance. I've heard it before 1000s of times, but with the added demo, NOW I GET IT. Good reminder, I've seen so many people fight with this at the field

[@tehllama42]

I really, truly, sincerely hope that Josh brings back the infamous speck in every camera review - starting with the Micro Sparrow. I had to apologize for waking people up I was laughing so hard.

[@dvdrwsor]

That's no speck. He hanged the world smallest quad on the wall. All review-ers have quads hanged on the wall you know...

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

Man you teach me something everyday, twice a day some times. Thanks!

[@techFPV5964]

Focusing the Caddx camera is a bit tricky but as usual JB gets it right!

[@dakotamcneely4900]

Thank you JB. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your videos. You are the man! Every problem I’ve ever had, you have the solution. I learn something every single time I watch one of your videos. Thank you

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Thanks Dakota. Means a lot to hear.

[@MrCaribou8722]

Finally. A video about the spot on the wall ! \o/

[@AsocPro]

Best tip ever. It even worked perfectly on the bolt on my baby gate that always is coming loose. Who ever said this hobby wasn’t useful?

[@williamdavenport9229]

Focus????Huh? didn't know they did that, wondered why it screwed in and out. Dropping Knowledge!

[@parsak6672]

Thank you so much my drone was so out of focus and this video saved me!!! MANY THANKS

[@50geo50]

Josh keeps saving my butt after a crashes! Thanks for the quick video! My quad is back and flying now, without blurry video!

[@mmmasterscross7915]

I love your reaction to your quad with the props still on the quad coming toward your face. Priceless.! Thanks Joshua it was worth the watching your videos.

[@JoeKunsch]

Omg the thing on the wall! It was bugging me since the start of the video! Haha! Great video Joshua. I gotta get mine in focus now.

[@dale5453]

I actually had a camera lens unscrew and fall out of my quad while flying. It happened pretty fast and went from blurred to fuzz in a few seconds. Now I put a drop of hot glue to keep it in place. Great videos, keep them coming!

[@S700KYFPV]

Yep been doing that for a long time. Works great. Never moves, even in the best of crashes.

[@hover82]

I would say it works most times, using this technique since 8 years at fpv. Just happend 1 time at a very hard wing crash that my lens got out of focus even I tightened it.

[@TheChap1012]

Nice vid Josh. This was very helpful to this newbie FPV flyer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and taking the time to do so.

[@flapflapflap88]

It's worth marking on the lens and on the camera body where the focused point is. Then if it does go out of focus, you can quickly return it to the point you had it at before.

[@jimwells7029]

OMG !!!! “Why ...... o why ........ “ props off people. That made my day !!!

[@BuzZ.]

I tried to clean that black dot, but it was on your wall :/

[@bazathome2002]

Me too!

[@BrigzyFPV]

@@bazathome2002 Same, was scratching screen with fingernail, lol.

[@thomashaley3830]

Lol love the zoom on the spider Also what ive done is print a QR code on a piece of paper and put that about 15ft from the camera and adjust focus to be able to see the QR code clearly. Works every time!

[@GrimSpeedFPV]

Once again! There was something I needed to learn and right here you had the video first on it!:) thank you Joshua!!

[@noijze]

Just say: 'Focus you fack!'

[@barharborbasher249]

Henkel gezwenkel Ave 🍻👍🏻

[@BuzZ.]

BarharborBasher turue ! 🍺🍺🍻

[@dmelissourgos]

Sounds good, doesn't work.

[@BuzZ.]

Dimitrios Melissourgos works for me !

[@floorpizza8074]

love the gratuitous AvE reference.

[@rl2109]

I busted my gizzard laughing at your 'props off' warning! Too funny!!! Thanks for the tips! I try to use something to lock the threads... I settled on fingernail polish because eyeliner just wouldn't hold...! :))

[@rickmunn9182]

Thank You Josh, this fixed my problem :)

[@eddiegomez4134]

i had no idea, you my friend are awesome!

[@ScraggleRoc]

5:10 started to get Bob Ross flashbacks. 😊

[@BrigzyFPV]

Jeff Ross

[@kylekuzmick5450]

i add a dot with a silver sharpie on the lens ring that is top dead center once it is in focus and before i mess with the ring. then i have a point of reference for tightening and i will know if it ever comes loose. i also add a drop of welders glue where the ring touches the case , it will never move but can be pulled off with plyers without damage

[@ichoozjc]

Kyle Kuzmick Came to the comments to mention this. I just put a little scratch on the side of the lens with a razor. But yeah, at least you aren't guessing as much when u are tightening.

[@thespencerowen]

Ha ! I noticed the thing on the wall last video. So glad you finally noticed it.

[@robertnastasi4738]

Great tip short and sweet. I agree with the comment from FireFly_FPV, marking the camera for the focal point is great. Not just for the initial focus, but you can tell if the camera lens moves. Nothing fancy just simple ideas that work great. No need for a new mouse trap here. Thanks Joshua, you are the man

[@KrotowX]

On field you can try to fix lens in one hand fingers and turn ring with a flat screwdriver. Worked for me for Eachine Wizard X220 stock camera where thread on lens fixing ring probably was a bit shabby and turning ring together with lens made all out of focus again. Why I'm doing this (with props) - some strips on computer screen monitor and broken piece of whiteboard shelf in my office room are still remembering me about why props must be taken off before FC configuring :)

[@alphadog5676]

Can't believe you missed an opportunity to talk people through hyperfocal distance Josh! Great vid as usual LOL at the props tearing your face off impression

[@Dontbeweakvato]

My first time that's exactly how i did it. But Joshua there's got to be a better way. Wish we could come up with a better way

[@42IXOYE]

Thank you!

[@marianofpv]

That zoom on the black spot was comforting.

[@1604max1979]

hoo... I learned something!! ...I struggled with it until I gave up and used Locktite red... on all my fpv cameras.

[@kalm1531]

Thanks man!

[@Supa_Flyy]

good tip thanks!

[@robertsherred6499]

Hi Josh. Love your videos. Most are above my head. I'm struggling to understand 32 bit escs and why I want them.Thanks

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Robert Sherred mostly because blheli 32 supports nice features like current limiting, adjustable motor frequency, auto timing.

[@szynomon8104]

2:47 best moment

[@ruftime]

21WOJTAGE yes, just cracked me up!,

[@majkyyx]

I've been doing it that way since day 1, but anyway great video, as always :)

[@kmarlow1]

Where's a good place to get one of those adapter/cords?

[@sensei_dfpv]

What I expected from a Joshua Bardwell video was an explanation of hyperfocal distance, an in-dept calculation of it on an FPV cam an the use of a focus sheet. Not because this is better, but because this is Joshua Bardwell 😂

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+sensei_d.fpv sometimes practical beats hypothetical.

[@mafracao]

I do that and also add a little dab of liquid electrical tape on the bottom of the lens ("joining" camera case, lock ring and lens in a small strip of liquid electrical tape). I never had a loose/out of focus lens by doing that, and if for some reason you need to work/change the lens, it's simple and easy to pull of the strip in one piece...

[@jasonhull5712]

no goobery goo... glue or locktight needed ! awesome sauce..

[@dmarriodavis9588]

Hey JB hope everything is well. I know this vid is about something totally different but can you do a review of the Airbot omnibus f4 pro corner. No one has a vid on it and it seems nice

[@faawks]

A good little hint also is to gently pull on the lens to take up the slack of the thread while getting the right focus, then remember the rotation of the lens and when it's done up make sure that rotation is the same. Many times when I started I'd have it in focus but when I did up the lock ring it wouldn't be in focus any more, this was because the ring was pushing the lens out that small amount which is the tolerance of the thread.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Faawks yep. Thus is also why snugging up the ring before finalizing the position is a good idea.

[@r_pristas3]

omg thankyou so much I learned a ton today

[@WildpixFPV]

Thank you Josh! =)

[@airhead_fpv4389]

Great video, good info!

[@gboulter]

Put the lock ring in the bin and put a couple of wraps of plumbers ptfe tape on the lens thread it will make it perfectly centred and tight enough not to move by itself.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+gboulter interesting...

[@kazwalker764]

If you want to change focus like you would for indoor proximity flying on a micro with a RunCam Split, the ring method is easier. But for fixed focus, it's a great trick. Just make sure to wrap it the right way so it doesn't loosen while you're threading it in. This also has the benefit of waterproofing, pair it with silicone conformal coating and you've got a puddle jumper.

[@JoshWeaverRC]

gboulter. This was my first guess. Second guess was a wide rubber band(s) over the base, locking ring, and threads to absorb the vibrations that would otherwise make it come loose. Maybe still a good idea.

[@fpvbreakfast]

Interesting. I've been using a focus paper pattern at about 15'. I'll try this.

[@beetleguice601]

And when it's focused use small bit of white out to mark the position so it's easier to do next time or even for different focal lengths

[@jasoncross6151]

You can also add an additional lock ring so it retains the first lock ring better

[@michaelwilkes0]

I think my ccd camera is better than the runcam eagle, but I am pretty sure I am fooling myself. I was flying today just after re-watching your eagle2 video, and I think your image quality is probably better. If I ever buy one, I will let you know.

[@TheMadmacs]

i'm not sure about this but i think these lenses have a set depth of field and to get the best amount of sharp detail you need to focus quite close in, i think focusing on something 20 feet away would also make something 10 feet away less focused, only actual fact i have to offer is the firefly 6s says to focus to about 25cm away and that will provide a sharp focus to infinity, anyway, i wish we had a real expert in lenses to explain some stuff, the gopro lens on a swift etc. i want to be able to tell the difference between a soft target and a trash can as soon as possible.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Bottom line is if you focus at 10 feet the trees at 20 feet will be out of focus and then you won't be able to fly.

[@TheMadmacs]

they are focused to infinity

[@AdaptFPV]

iv'e been doing that for years lol. Never thought people wouldn't think of it.

[@cyberdronefpv]

You don't need glue or anything else. Simply defocus slightly and tighten the lock ring snug, then turn the whole lens and lock ring together to tighten up. The camera will not defocus, even after a hard hit. (i.e. MultiGP gates) Until you know how much to back out the lens before tighten the lock ring, you can tighten and loosen while moving the lock ring to get the focus right. In my experience, it's about a quarter turn or so, and all it takes is your fingers, maybe a finger nail.

[@CharlieFaulk]

Hey whats that on the desk looks like some 3D printed awesomeness.

[@SanJacinto23]

This is exactly what I already do! Yayyy I'm smart! Lol

[@aarongarmon3809]

Review that Shen Drones Rapture! I'm really curious what you think.

[@deltajegga]

how would one make a power "rail" like some sort of small metal block that you could solder multiple tiny wires onto?

[@BrunoAnt]

Hi Joshua! 1st thanks for all the vids and the help that we obtain form your videos! Just a question on this, why don't you use a test pattern to focus the camera?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Bruno Antunes because focusing based on tree branches or leaves works great. And because I don't have a test pattern with me in the field when my lens is out of focus.

[@509FUN]

How would you adjust the lense on the 4K lense on a runcam 4K split?

[@youeladamas7840]

Teach use a large tv you can get it perfect also they have a printout with lines on it that helps alot but i use picture in book or mag

[@VictorSeedorsky]

Aren' the cameras focused by the default like this for 20-30m away focus..?

[@rondoschiavoni8840]

I purchased 2 Elite Orion World-tech drones and both are out of focus and they are fixed lenses , are they possible adjustable ?

[@testpiloterb1828]

Where do you get that wire harness you used to hook your camera up with?

[@emiel1976ep]

Osd like the swift 2 micro? I have one but no osd for lipo and timer. It is a great cam with one big problem and that is the fov. It is to small even on the 2.1 lens it is smaller than the Foxeer monster cams with a 2.5 lens. I hope they change that because for racing, this is to small.

[@Plur307]

I've had good luck with putting a small dot of CA glue right where the ring touches the body of the camera. It's a small enough dot I can break it if I want to but it doesn't vibrate loose.

[@leeit2me]

Just do the hyperfocal focusing always work for me.

[@StacemanFPV]

Been doing this for a while myself.

[@rondoschiavoni8840]

what is the video cable the yellow and ground with it to plug into my TV ?

[@thejason51873]

What is that spec on the wall!!!???

[@jordanbass3210]

This would have been a great opportunity to show everybody a focus chart the black and white optical illusion looking chart that way you can focus your camera perfectly and I use one rap of cellulose tape you don't even need the lock ring

[@SpikeJonesTheCr0oked]

Any Fatshark battery will plug into the red power plug. I think a lot of people have one of those around....

[@ErikUnger]

Oh, I though the method shown was the standard method and you have found a better trick

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Erik Unger many people don't know this method.

[@mst3kpimp]

Another thing you can do is put a little clear coat nail polish on the threads to prevent slippage.

[@gapti_FPV]

Anybody used the ptfe tape method? I have changed the lense but cannot use the lock ring.

[@synchrotekd.o.o.9927]

50k Joshua. When is the giveaway :)

[@CyBeRFPV]

and.... what if my lock ring is broken? =/

[@fpvflyriding]

What about HD fpv cam's? The focal point.

[@cashmoneypwns]

Had me cracking up

[@TouYubeTom]

please add back the slapstick parts :)

[@ViperFPV]

It's easy to to This when the camera is not on the quad. Harder sometimes to reach the little shit to turn it

[@LAOhiphop]

Well now I guess there's a new GIF we're going to start seeing around soon

[@javiermoisesromerocotrina1927]

Mr JB 🤔🤔🤔I got some trouble with the simulator free ride i bound my RC but when I move the sticks nothing happen in the application and when I try to set it up as well maybe because it's a MacBook Pro and I'm using the USB orange which give wireless coneection to my RC ... could you help me pls what's the mistake why I can bind my taranis with the computer 💻 app free rider 🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁 have a nice mr JB...🤛🤛🤛

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I'm sorry but I don't know thing one about Macs.

[@philippmeurer7290]

What is that adapter called at 2:02? I cant find it

[@barharborbasher249]

How do you flash a BETAFLIGHT F3 board that is pre-3.2 ??? My configurator automatically updated? My buddy flash my first one that had the previous 3.1.7? I've bought 4 BETAFLIGHT F3 boards that I cannot boot through the 3.2

[@barharborbasher249]

Any help would be greatly appreciated Josh thanks so much

[@fuzzwad5049]

G

[@ingleburn]

The lock ring has grooves on it so use them. I place a small flat tip screwdriver in one and use that to tighten the ring down. Makes it much tighter than you can get just by turning the lens.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Nope, I have to disagree.

[@pukkafpv]

I have always done this does this make me a little bit clever lol

[@lajulasse4332]

Damn, I learned nothing today. That's what I do also with my cameras. But great impersonation of the guy attacked by his quad! 👍

[@P8FPV]

Yep thats how i do it just checking 😁✌

[@simonbe]

Congrats, you just found out about the hyperfocal distance.

[@sixsixsixhellroad7890]

Sir, what do you think about using a focus pattern? (I think I first saw this in an ibcrazy video some years ago. Unfortunately I cannot find it anymore. By asking google about "fpv focus pattern" I found by now some other guys suggest it as well.)

[@Wastelessplague]

what drone is that on your desk in the start of the video?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Shendrones Rapture.

[@doktordrone]

wakakaka i love this:48. this is really help. thanks so much :))

[@laukan]

0:58 Damn you Joshua! I'll Patron you if you put a tape on it. :)

[@Just-A-Guy-Learning]

Ive always done mine this way. Sometimes its a pain to get loose again. Lol

[@buzz3890]

LMAO @ 2:45 min mark. Great acting Joshua!

[@PeterKornum]

You need a focus sheet!!