Arducam LN031 180° Fisheye M12 Lens for Raspberry Pi HQ Camera

Yes, the included M12 lens adapter is essential and specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera module. You must first attach this adapter to the HQ Camera's native lens mount. Then, you screw the LN031 lens into the threaded M12 socket on the adapter to achieve a secure and properly aligned connection for optimal focus and field of view.

The integrated 650nm infrared cut filter blocks near-infrared light wavelengths from reaching the camera sensor. This is crucial because many image sensors are sensitive to IR, which can cause color distortion and unnatural hues in visible-light photographs. The filter ensures that colors captured in standard lighting conditions appear more accurate and true-to-life, making the lens ideal for daylight or indoor imaging applications.

The lens has a standard M12 mount, so it is physically compatible with any camera board featuring an M12 lens holder. However, the specified 180-degree field of view is guaranteed only when used with the 1/2.3" sensor of the Raspberry Pi HQ Camera. On other sensors, like those in the older Raspberry Pi V1/V2 cameras, the effective horizontal FoV reduces to approximately 140 degrees due to the smaller sensor size.

The LN031 is a fixed-focus lens, meaning its focus is set at the factory. To ensure sharp images, you must achieve the correct back focal length. Screw the lens fully into the adapter mounted on your camera. The specified 4.3mm back focal distance is automatically maintained by the adapter's design. For best results, ensure the lens is seated flush and test focus by capturing an image of a detailed scene at a distance beyond the 0.2m minimum object distance.