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description: How to focus the cameras in a PANOPTES unit.
---

# Camera Focus

The Canon cameras that are used for PANOPTES do not have an auto-focus mechanism so it is important to set a proper focus _after_ all other deployment is complete but before a [polar alignment](polar-alignment).

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that there are additional camera settings that should be set before the focus.  See [Camera Setup](../../building/hardware-build/camera-box/camera-setup) for details.
{% endhint %}

### Focus

The video below shows the general movements for the lens in order to focus the camera.&#x20;

{% embed url="https://youtu.be/dLHJLSKK9B8" %}

### Focus Procedure

Focusing is currently done via the live-view finder on the back of the camera while looking down into the box. This is sometimes awkward depending on the size of the box and the wiring, but the procedure should work well.

{% hint style="warning" %}
To focus a camera you will need to be able to view something at or near "infinity".  At night this can be actual stars.  If you can only focus during the day your unit will need to be able to "see" a distant object, e.g. a distant mountain range, far away lights, etc.
{% endhint %}
