Knowing the difference between the different lens types can help determine which one to use when in order to get most troubleshooting information.
Standard lens
Performing a general inspection of electrical equipment around the factory; when you’re taking images and looking at equipment near you and closer to eye-level can use the standard lens.
Macro lens
Think small and think detail when you grab for a macro lens. These thermal camera lenses can see extreme details at a close range, so a small objects like electronic circuit components and chips, components transferring heat would be seen very clearly with a macro thermal camera lenses made of germanium.
Wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens expands your thermal camera lenses’ field of view. If you want to see more of what’s surrounding an asset, or are working in a tight space, they are mission critical to get the shot. Wide-angle thermal camera lenses are great for home inspectors that need to scan the outside of a house as you’ll be able to see the largest area at once.
Telephoto lens
If you’re scanning a large area that’s further away, like the ceiling or roof of a factory or warehouse, you’ll need a telephoto lens (2x or 4x is usually offers enough zoom) to be able to see the detail you need from further away. It’s also a good choice if you’re scanning overhead vents or duct work, high-power transmission towers that are a distance away. The telephoto lens allows you to work safely from the ground.
Instead of needing multiple different cameras to complete all of these tasks, you can save a lot of money with “smart” add-on thermal camera lenses that can be used among multiple compatible cameras without special recalibration for each camera and be able to quickly swap out thermal camera lenses on the job.