Hey everyone, hoping someone can help me out here. I picked up the Arducam 2MP IMX462 Color Ultra Low Light STARVIS Camera Module (the wide-angle version, SKU B0444) and I’m running it on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W for an outdoor recording setup. The problem is the video looks consistently blurred and out of focus, even during broad daylight. I’ve followed all the setup instructions carefully but the sharpness just isn’t there.
Also, the low-light performance has been pretty disappointing. I’m not using any IR illumination — trying to keep it running on ambient light only to save battery — but the nighttime image is way noisier and darker than I expected from a STARVIS sensor.
A few questions:
Is it safe to manually adjust focus by rotating the M12 lens? I don’t want to break anything.
Are there any recommended focus calibration procedures or tools for this particular lens module?
Can I swap the stock M12 lens for another Arducam lens? Any specific M12 lenses you’d recommend for sharper focus or better light gathering?
Are there settings I can tweak to improve nighttime performance without adding extra light sources?
Is there a CSI-connected IMX662 variant out there, or anything planned? I looked at the IMX662 but it seems to be USB-only. I need CSI (flex cable), low power draw, and solid driver support for the Pi Zero 2 W. Basically looking for the best ambient low-light sensor I can get without needing IR LEDs.
Before we dive into the focus issue, could you upload some sample pictures or video frames showing what the blur looks like? That’ll help narrow things down.
Regarding the low-light performance and your search for an alternative — one thing to keep in mind is that running without any IR-cut filter at night lets more light hit the sensor. The B0444 has a fixed lens without a motorized IR-cut switch. There’s actually a variant of this camera that includes a motorized IR-Cut: the Arducam 2MP Ultra Low Light STARVIS IMX462 Motorized IR-Cut Camera for Raspberry Pi. It automatically engages the IR-cut filter during daylight and disengages it in dark environments, which can make a noticeable difference for ambient low-light recording.
But let’s tackle the focus issue first — share those sample images when you can.
Thanks for the quick reply. I shot some test footage and the lack of sharpness is pretty obvious. I’ve uploaded a sample video so you can see what I’m dealing with — the whole frame just looks soft, nothing is truly in focus.
Here’s the thing that’s really throwing me off: the product page describes this as a manual focus M12 lens, but on my unit the lens appears to be glued in place. I can’t rotate it at all. Is that normal? I don’t want to force it and ruin the module.
Environment details: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W running Bullseye OS. Current camera is the B0444 (IMX462, CSI interface). I’m also thinking about trying other Arducam models for comparison.
So a few follow-ups:
If I carefully remove the glue, can the focus actually be adjusted on this lens?
Is the B0444 compatible with other M12 lenses — specifically the LN063?
I’m looking at the IMX462 USB versions too (SKU B0496 and B0496C). Are those compatible with the Pi Zero 2 W running Bullseye?
Question 1 — Adjusting focus on the glued lens: Yes, the lens can be manually focused, but the glue is there to hold the factory-set position. You’ll need to soften it first. Use a hair dryer or a heat gun on a low/gentle setting and warm up the glue around the lens barrel. Once it’s softened, you should be able to rotate the lens to adjust focus. Don’t try to force it cold — you risk cracking the lens housing or the sensor board.
Question 2 — LN063 compatibility: The LN063 is not compatible with the B0444. However, there are alternative M12 lenses that do work with it. I’ve sent you a link via private message to the compatible lens set — please check your messages.
Question 3 — USB cameras on Pi Zero 2 W: I would strongly advise against using the B0496 or B0496C USB variants on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. The platform just doesn’t perform well with those — you’ll likely run into bandwidth bottlenecks, dropped frames, or driver headaches. Stick with the CSI interface for that board.
That’s really helpful, thank you. The hair dryer trick makes sense — I’ll give that a try and see if I can dial in the focus. And thanks for confirming the LN063 compatibility issue before I ordered one. I’ll check my messages for the alternative lens link and go from there. Appreciate the detailed answers.
No problem at all. Just take your time with the heat — slow and steady, you don’t need to get it scorching hot, just warm enough to soften the adhesive. Once you’ve got the focus dialed in, you might want to add a tiny dab of something non-permanent (like a bit of thread locker or even a small piece of tape) to keep it from drifting over time, especially outdoors.
If you run into any issues after adjusting or want feedback on the results, feel free to post back here. Good luck!