I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago. For a
while, it was on a window sill aiming outside. It worked like that
for years. However, one day I noticed that it appeared to be slightly
out of focus. It took a while to figure out, but the lens appears to
have been damaged. I used a microscope to look at it and am surprised
it works at all since there are areas that are clearly pitted. I will
guess that something reflected direct sunlight into it and caused the
plastic lens to melt. The camera works perfectly except for the lens
damage. (ie, ethernet, wi-fi, internal processor, pan, tilt,
microphone, etc. all work). I hate to throw away things that still
have value, but repair parts don't seem to be available anymore. If
only I could somehow replace the lens, I would still have a good
camera. But, the lens in tiny - approx 1 mm in diameter and buried
inside layers of boards and plastic parts. Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Pat

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:08:42 -0400, Pat wrote:

I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago.
(...)
Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Don't toss it quite yet. Search eBay for someone selling a similar
camera "for parts" and buy the carcass. That's become a major source
of mechanical replacement parts for my repairs. There's nothing on
eBay now, but give it some time to check.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 22/06/2014 15:08, Pat wrote:
I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago. For a
while, it was on a window sill aiming outside. It worked like that
for years. However, one day I noticed that it appeared to be slightly
out of focus. It took a while to figure out, but the lens appears to
have been damaged. I used a microscope to look at it and am surprised
it works at all since there are areas that are clearly pitted. I will
guess that something reflected direct sunlight into it and caused the
plastic lens to melt. The camera works perfectly except for the lens
damage. (ie, ethernet, wi-fi, internal processor, pan, tilt,
microphone, etc. all work). I hate to throw away things that still
have value, but repair parts don't seem to be available anymore. If
only I could somehow replace the lens, I would still have a good
camera. But, the lens in tiny - approx 1 mm in diameter and buried
inside layers of boards and plastic parts. Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Pat



Could it be just an anti-reflection or whatever coating that has
partially flaked off and perhaps you "only" need to ablate the rest of
that coating to go back to a smooth surface .

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:47:42 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:08:42 -0400, Pat wrote:

I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago.
(...)
Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Don't toss it quite yet. Search eBay for someone selling a similar
camera "for parts" and buy the carcass. That's become a major source
of mechanical replacement parts for my repairs. There's nothing on
eBay now, but give it some time to check.

Most of them on ebay seem to be working units (used or new in box) and
some of the asking prices are around $350. Amazing since I don't
think I paid that much when it was new.

Anyway, your idea is a good one. If I can find one where the
electronics failed and buy it a few dollars, I can use the lens
assembly from it to fix mine.

Thanks,
Pat

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 16:47:52 +0100, N_Cook wrote:

On 22/06/2014 15:08, Pat wrote:
I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago. For a
while, it was on a window sill aiming outside. It worked like that
for years. However, one day I noticed that it appeared to be slightly
out of focus. It took a while to figure out, but the lens appears to
have been damaged. I used a microscope to look at it and am surprised
it works at all since there are areas that are clearly pitted. I will
guess that something reflected direct sunlight into it and caused the
plastic lens to melt. The camera works perfectly except for the lens
damage. (ie, ethernet, wi-fi, internal processor, pan, tilt,
microphone, etc. all work). I hate to throw away things that still
have value, but repair parts don't seem to be available anymore. If
only I could somehow replace the lens, I would still have a good
camera. But, the lens in tiny - approx 1 mm in diameter and buried
inside layers of boards and plastic parts. Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Pat



Could it be just an anti-reflection or whatever coating that has
partially flaked off and perhaps you "only" need to ablate the rest of
that coating to go back to a smooth surface .

I don't think that is the case, but I will check again to be sure.
Thanks,
Pat

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 16:47:52 +0100, N_Cook wrote:

On 22/06/2014 15:08, Pat wrote:
I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago. For a
while, it was on a window sill aiming outside. It worked like that
for years. However, one day I noticed that it appeared to be slightly
out of focus. It took a while to figure out, but the lens appears to
have been damaged. I used a microscope to look at it and am surprised
it works at all since there are areas that are clearly pitted. I will
guess that something reflected direct sunlight into it and caused the
plastic lens to melt. The camera works perfectly except for the lens
damage. (ie, ethernet, wi-fi, internal processor, pan, tilt,
microphone, etc. all work). I hate to throw away things that still
have value, but repair parts don't seem to be available anymore. If
only I could somehow replace the lens, I would still have a good
camera. But, the lens in tiny - approx 1 mm in diameter and buried
inside layers of boards and plastic parts. Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Pat



Could it be just an anti-reflection or whatever coating that has
partially flaked off and perhaps you "only" need to ablate the rest of
that coating to go back to a smooth surface .

FYI. Here are two pictures of the lens. Like I said in my original
post, I am amazed that the only symptom is a little fuzziness.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wm17nq/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ngstv8/8

I hope the links work. I never tried posting pictures this way
before.
Pat

On 23/06/2014 14:29, Pat wrote:
On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 16:47:52 +0100, N_Cook wrote:

On 22/06/2014 15:08, Pat wrote:
I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago. For a
while, it was on a window sill aiming outside. It worked like that
for years. However, one day I noticed that it appeared to be slightly
out of focus. It took a while to figure out, but the lens appears to
have been damaged. I used a microscope to look at it and am surprised
it works at all since there are areas that are clearly pitted. I will
guess that something reflected direct sunlight into it and caused the
plastic lens to melt. The camera works perfectly except for the lens
damage. (ie, ethernet, wi-fi, internal processor, pan, tilt,
microphone, etc. all work). I hate to throw away things that still
have value, but repair parts don't seem to be available anymore. If
only I could somehow replace the lens, I would still have a good
camera. But, the lens in tiny - approx 1 mm in diameter and buried
inside layers of boards and plastic parts. Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Pat



Could it be just an anti-reflection or whatever coating that has
partially flaked off and perhaps you "only" need to ablate the rest of
that coating to go back to a smooth surface .

FYI. Here are two pictures of the lens. Like I said in my original
post, I am amazed that the only symptom is a little fuzziness.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wm17nq/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ngstv8/8

I hope the links work. I never tried posting pictures this way
before.
Pat


Near top of eruption in 8 image, is that unaffected lens showing where a
patch of coating has flaked off. Excavated the crud with a needle under
the microscope?

On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:18:08 +0100, N_Cook wrote:

On 23/06/2014 14:29, Pat wrote:
On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 16:47:52 +0100, N_Cook wrote:

On 22/06/2014 15:08, Pat wrote:
I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago. For a
while, it was on a window sill aiming outside. It worked like that
for years. However, one day I noticed that it appeared to be slightly
out of focus. It took a while to figure out, but the lens appears to
have been damaged. I used a microscope to look at it and am surprised
it works at all since there are areas that are clearly pitted. I will
guess that something reflected direct sunlight into it and caused the
plastic lens to melt. The camera works perfectly except for the lens
damage. (ie, ethernet, wi-fi, internal processor, pan, tilt,
microphone, etc. all work). I hate to throw away things that still
have value, but repair parts don't seem to be available anymore. If
only I could somehow replace the lens, I would still have a good
camera. But, the lens in tiny - approx 1 mm in diameter and buried
inside layers of boards and plastic parts. Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Pat



Could it be just an anti-reflection or whatever coating that has
partially flaked off and perhaps you "only" need to ablate the rest of
that coating to go back to a smooth surface .

FYI. Here are two pictures of the lens. Like I said in my original
post, I am amazed that the only symptom is a little fuzziness.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wm17nq/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ngstv8/8

I hope the links work. I never tried posting pictures this way
before.
Pat


Near top of eruption in 8 image, is that unaffected lens showing where a
patch of coating has flaked off. Excavated the crud with a needle under
the microscope?

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. You see an eruption
while I see a canyon. I interpret the orange areas an undamaged lens
(not sure where that color comes from) and the gray area as being cut
into the lens. However, it is easy for optical illusions to make a
person see what isn't really there. I hope you are right and I am
wrong. I did try a sharp pin/needle but I think I made it worse. Here
are a couple more pictures. One shows how tiny this thing really is.
The plastic circles give the impression the lens is bigger than it is,
but it is only the small dot in the center that is shown in the
earlier close-up. The other picture shows what the camera image
currently looks like.

http://tinypic.com/r/301kl7n/8
http://tinypic.com/r/1490e92/8

Thanks for taking the time to help.

Pat

On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:29:45 -0400, Pat wrote:

FYI. Here are two pictures of the lens. Like I said in my original
post, I am amazed that the only symptom is a little fuzziness.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wm17nq/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ngstv8/8

Nice close-up photos. It's certainly not the result of heating or
impact. No ablation. More like a growth.

I hope the links work. I never tried posting pictures this way
before.

It looks like the plasticizer is coming out of the lens under the
anti-reflective coating. It's a common problem with plastic tool
handles where white plastic "mold" comes out of the plastic. Here's
an example of a Vaco nut driver:
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com/jeffl/pics/white-plastic-rot/index.html

If it really is plastic "mold" or "rot", it might be something that
Panasonic would be interested in seeing. I have no idea whom to
contact.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 6/23/2014 6:07 AM, Pat wrote:
On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:47:42 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:08:42 -0400, Pat wrote:

I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago.
(...)
Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Don't toss it quite yet. Search eBay for someone selling a similar
camera "for parts" and buy the carcass. That's become a major source
of mechanical replacement parts for my repairs. There's nothing on
eBay now, but give it some time to check.

Most of them on ebay seem to be working units (used or new in box) and
some of the asking prices are around $350. Amazing since I don't
think I paid that much when it was new.

Anyway, your idea is a good one. If I can find one where the
electronics failed and buy it a few dollars, I can use the lens
assembly from it to fix mine.

Thanks,
Pat

Can you tell me more about your setup?

I have a BL-C10A that I've been trying to figger out how to use to watch
the front yard.
My problem is that the camera points directly into sundown.
I've been worried about baking the sensor...and now the lens.

Last week, I picked up an iBaby monitor. Has 350 degree pan.
Been thinking about putting that on the roof in a big glass jar.
Same heat/sundown problem, plus, there's no way to turn off the
IR led emitters when it gets dark. Put glass in front of it
and all I see is whiteout.

What do people do about the sun problem?

On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:23:45 -0700, mike wrote:

What do people do about the sun problem?

They use auto iris lenses:
http://www.axis.com/products/video/camera/about_cameras/iris.htm
http://www.ptgrey.com/support/kb/index.asp?a=4&q=397
etc...

A special case is dealing with glare from oncoming headlights while
trying to read license plates:
http://ipvm.com/report/headlights_harm_video_surveillance
https://www.aressco.com/LicensePlateCamera.htm
etc...

Not pointing the camera into the sun is also a good idea.

Last week, I picked up an iBaby monitor. Has 350 degree pan.
Been thinking about putting that on the roof in a big glass jar.
Same heat/sundown problem, plus, there's no way to turn off the
IR led emitters when it gets dark. Put glass in front of it
and all I see is whiteout.

Yep. A glass jar is NOT transparent to IR. The cheapo light sensor
on your iBaby monitor is probably trying to measure the light levels
in the near IR. The camera thinks the light levels are low because
the glass is blocking the IR. So, it cranks up the sensitivity
resulting in a white out. Try it with a TV IR remote control. You
should be able to see the IR LED flashing with the camera. Put it in
the jar, and the camera won't see anything. Try an acrylic cover
instead, which is mostly IR transparent.
http://www.plasticgenius.com/2011/05/infrared-and-ultraviolet-transmission.html
If you're looking for entertainment value, try some of this stuff:
http://www.eplastics.com/Plexiglass_Acrylic_Sheet_Infrared_Transmitting


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 23/06/2014 17:50, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:29:45 -0400, Pat wrote:

FYI. Here are two pictures of the lens. Like I said in my original
post, I am amazed that the only symptom is a little fuzziness.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wm17nq/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ngstv8/8

Nice close-up photos. It's certainly not the result of heating or
impact. No ablation. More like a growth.

I hope the links work. I never tried posting pictures this way
before.

It looks like the plasticizer is coming out of the lens under the
anti-reflective coating. It's a common problem with plastic tool
handles where white plastic "mold" comes out of the plastic. Here's
an example of a Vaco nut driver:
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com/jeffl/pics/white-plastic-rot/index.html

If it really is plastic "mold" or "rot", it might be something that
Panasonic would be interested in seeing. I have no idea whom to
contact.



Then there is doll's disease, as in antique dolls with PVC soft plastic
skin, that exudes acetic acid as a breakdown product as the PVC
disintegrates in the collector's cabinet.

On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:50:34 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:29:45 -0400, Pat wrote:

FYI. Here are two pictures of the lens. Like I said in my original
post, I am amazed that the only symptom is a little fuzziness.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wm17nq/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ngstv8/8

Nice close-up photos. It's certainly not the result of heating or
impact. No ablation. More like a growth.

I hope the links work. I never tried posting pictures this way
before.

It looks like the plasticizer is coming out of the lens under the
anti-reflective coating. It's a common problem with plastic tool
handles where white plastic "mold" comes out of the plastic. Here's
an example of a Vaco nut driver:
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com/jeffl/pics/white-plastic-rot/index.html

If it really is plastic "mold" or "rot", it might be something that
Panasonic would be interested in seeing. I have no idea whom to
contact.
Again, thank you for your comments. I will post back here if I figure
anything out.

Pat

On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:23:45 -0700, mike wrote:

On 6/23/2014 6:07 AM, Pat wrote:
On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:47:42 -0700, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

On Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:08:42 -0400, Pat wrote:

I have had a Panasonic BL-C131A IP Camera a long time ago.
(...)
Unless anyone has any good
ideas, I guess I will just throw the whole thing in the trash.

Don't toss it quite yet. Search eBay for someone selling a similar
camera "for parts" and buy the carcass. That's become a major source
of mechanical replacement parts for my repairs. There's nothing on
eBay now, but give it some time to check.

Most of them on ebay seem to be working units (used or new in box) and
some of the asking prices are around $350. Amazing since I don't
think I paid that much when it was new.

Anyway, your idea is a good one. If I can find one where the
electronics failed and buy it a few dollars, I can use the lens
assembly from it to fix mine.

Thanks,
Pat

Can you tell me more about your setup?

I have a BL-C10A that I've been trying to figger out how to use to watch
the front yard.
My problem is that the camera points directly into sundown.
I've been worried about baking the sensor...and now the lens.

Last week, I picked up an iBaby monitor. Has 350 degree pan.
Been thinking about putting that on the roof in a big glass jar.
Same heat/sundown problem, plus, there's no way to turn off the
IR led emitters when it gets dark. Put glass in front of it
and all I see is whiteout.

What do people do about the sun problem?
Hi Mike,
As you can tell from my posts, I am not an expert in these things. I
started with the subject camera quite a few years ago. Since then I
have purchased a few BL-C140's and a BL-C1. One of the 140's gets sun
in the morning and the other gets sun in the afternoon, but neither
one shows any signs of damage after a few years of this "abuse". The
sensor clearly gets overloaded when the sun is in the frame. The sun
appears to be a black circle instead of white, but both cameras appear
to work normally after the sun leaves the frame.

Pat