Disable PTZ Auto Focus

I added two of the RLC-423 PEO PTZs to my new system. Found out immediately that the auto focus is a disaster at night and there is no way that I can find to disable it so I can manually focus. I have not figured out why they even have a manual focus control since auto focus immediately takes over your manual focus. This prevented me from identifying a suspicious vehicle in our cul de sac tonight.

Does anyone know of a registry hack that will disable auto focus ? I have 25 days left in my return window for this entire system. I will have to return it if a work around is not found and I see Reolink has been requested to add this feature in the past but apparent never did so Im not counting on them.

So it seems the best way to get response is by email. Reolink replied to me when I asked why their participation on this site was lacking and they said it is not a well known forum and they prefer working through email. Seems it would be beneficial if a problem were solved on the forum so that all could benefit...

For example..

Apparently the ability to disable auto focus already exists and I was told to use Client Software > Login into Camera > Device Settings > Maintenance > Untick Auto-Focus.

Sounds simple enough however when I got here I do not have the tick option, only enable auto reboot. I have checked my firmware on both camera and dvr and they are the latest according to the website firmware.

The only set I see that may be the issue is >Login to Camera< . When I open the Client Software it logs into into my DVR. The cameras are listed under the DVR in a menu. I can see all the cameras, control the PTZs, set paths, etc.. but do not see an option to Login to any camera.

Any input appreciated. This camera system was purchased as a first for what will be a community purchase of an undetermined amount. The plan is for all of us to have one and take turns monitoring. Until we all have one I am monitoring nights and found out quick that auto focus makes that virtually impossible. I need this fixed fast and waiting on emails is too slow.

I figured out that in order to login to the camera it must be connected to your router directly and powered up with AC adapter. That is the only way to get to the auto focus disable. However after you disconnect it and move it back to the NVR it reverts back to auto focus. It appears the NVR has its own DHCP Server that cannot be bypassed so it assigns the camera an IP address outside the scope of your local address.

So unless I am wrong, you cannot disable auto focus unless you run the camera directly to your router and not your NVR. That is F'in lame.

Figured out something else. Disabling Auto Focus does not disable Auto Focus. In order for the camera to keep the Disable Auto Focus option active I had to leave it connected to my router. So I entered 3 different cruise locations with auto focus disabled, manually focusing each location. When I ran the cruise the camera obviously auto focused because it ignored my manually input focus settings and auto focus on objects in the background. You could also see the tale tale focus hunt.

Bob

When you set a preset point, the camera will record its position and zoom, not the focus. So when you call a preset, the camera turns to that position, then adjust zoom, and then auto focus.
Thanks!

Got an email from Reolink stating this is not a feature the camera can support. Im assuming that means it will always auto focus. Its a shame but luckily still within my windows of return.

accentsoflife

Hey Bob,
Is the above true? This is a problem with these cameras and if you were able to have this feature it would make the camera 100% better.

Bob

@Laurence
We will seriously consider the feature. Thanks for your input~