Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera HowTo

The Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera is a new addition to the official lineup of Raspberry Pi cameras, but unlike previous cameras for the Pi, it needs a lens that is a separate purchase. 

As of this writing, two lenses are available at PiShop.ca:

For a general description of the camera, see here: Raspberry Pi HQ Camera Product Brief.

MUST-READ: Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera Getting Started

How to install a lens

The camera itself is CS-mount with a C to CS adapter provided. Depending on the lens you want to install, you will need to remove the adapter from the camera. See the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera Getting Started for an overview of the camera and its parts.

NOTE: If the lens or adapter won't screw in properly, the threads are probably misaligned or dirty. Unscrew, check the threads to ensure they are not damaged or dirty, and carefully try again.

I want to install the 6mm Wide Angle Lens (or other CS-mount lenses with 7.53mm Back Focal Length)

Follow the guide here: Typical CS-Mount Lens Guide
NOTE:

  1. REMOVE the C-CS adapter!
  2. Unlock (loosen) the back-focus screw, FULLY screw in the back focus adjustment ring, and re-lock (tighten) the back-focus screw.

Failure to do the above will result in poor, out-of-focus images!

I want to install the 16mm Telephoto Lens (or other C-mount lenses with 17.53mm Back Focal Length)

Follow the guide here: Typical C-Mount Lens Guide
NOTE:

  1. ATTACH the C-CS adapter by carefully screwing it fully.
  2. Unlock (loosen) the back-focus screw, fully screw in the back focus adjustment ring, and re-lock (tighten) the back-focus screw.

Failure to do the above will result in poor, out-of-focus images!

Troubleshooting

The image is of poor quality or fuzzy

  1. Verify the lens is installed according to the instructions above. The lens should be fully screwed in, and the back focus adjustment ring should be fully screwed in too.
  2. Adjust the focus and aperture. See the proper Lens Guide for your lens.

If your images are still out-of-focus after following the previous instructions (or the lens is NOT of the same Back Focal Length as the lenses mentioned above), you may need to adjust the back focus ring as follow:

  1. Attach the lens to the camera as appropriate for your lens (see "How to install a lens" above)
  2. Start your camera app so you have a preview image for the next adjustments (make sure you activated the camera first!)
  3. Loosen the lens focus lock finger screw and extend the lens focus ring about mid-range. Lock it back for now.
  4. Loosen the camera back-focus lock screw,
  5. Turn the back focus adjustment ring on the camera until the image is clear. This is the gross focus adjustment.
  6. Lock the camera back focus ring by tightening the screw.
  7. Loosen the lens focus lock finger screw,
  8. Fine adjust the image using the lens focus ring,
  9. Lock the lens focus ring using the finger screw on the lens.

You may need to readjust the back focal ring if you notice the lens focus adjustment ring doesn't cover the full depth range, just repeat the instructions above.

My camera is not responding

  1. VERIFY your software is up to date with sudo apt update && sudo apt dist-upgrade (CLI) or Add/Remove Software > Options > Check for Updates (GUI).
  2. VERIFY the camera is enabled in raspi-config (CLI) or Raspberry Pi Configuration (GUI).
  3. VERIFY the camera cable has been properly inserted: the shiny part should face AWAY from the moving plastic catch on both ends.
  4. TEST the camera using the command line utility raspistill: raspistill -o test.jpg

Revised 2022-02-02 - Add instructions for different back focal length lenses

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