Where should my camera be located in relation to the finish line?
In the plane of the finish line: for athletics, 7 to 15 feet high, about the same distance back from the track, pointing down at about 45 degrees. The Lens Calculator picks the lens for your spot.
The camera should always be in the plane of the finish line. The distance back and the height can vary a lot with your lens and the light available; for athletics, mount it 7 to 15 feet high, about the same distance back from the track, pointing down at about 45 degrees to the nearest edge of the track (see Camera Mounting).
- Use the Lens Calculator to get a recommended focal length from your camera's distance and height and the width of the track.
- Before building any permanent structure, test your lens in the location you want. Make sure it covers all the lanes at a standard setting without digital enhancement.
- Under stadium lights, make sure there is enough light reflecting off the athletes back to the camera to give readable images.
- Mounting the camera higher lets each lane's view look over the torso of the competitor in front rather than through them. As the height goes up, move the camera further back too, so hip numbers stay clear and are not distorted by a steep angle.
If the camera has to go in a specific spot, tell your sales representative or Lynx support and we can help pick the best lens for your facility.
Talk to Lynx Support
Tell the team what you’re seeing and what you’ve already tried. They’ll follow up by email or phone.
Goes deeper
- Lens Calculator — Tools & Integrations
Related questions
- What factors affect the quality of my FinishLynx images? — Five things: the light source and where it comes from, the lens type, the frame rate for the speed of the athletes, depth of field (raise the camera), and lens speed (open the iris at higher frame rates).
- How do I weigh down my tripod on windy days? — Use a wide-base tripod, tie it down with heavy sandbags or stakes, and put the weight on the side the wind comes from. A tripod that blows over can break the positioner, lens or camera.
- Which Ethernet cable should the camera run use, and how long can it be? — Buy Cat6 (shielded if it runs next to power), never copper-clad aluminum for PoE. About 100 m over copper; use fiber with converters for a long permanent run.