Replacing F1.6 Lens Assembly A129 Duo Front IMX291

[HopWorks]

Hi All,
I have been following BC Hobbyist YouTube videos to try to learn how to refocus my front A129 Duo camera. The only snag I have run into is the glue they applied to the focus lock collar. It's much more than I expected, and instead of a clearer softer glue, it's that super hard black stuff that looks like what they cover microcontrollers with in small electronic devices. I removed the camera module completely and considered removing the two screws on the back of the module to remove the lens assembly so I can get it into a vise to make trying to remove the glue easier. But before I do that, I wanted to ask...

Is there a place where you can buy just the lens assembly, including the base that attaches over the sensor (with two screws)?

And if there is and I can change it, should I take advantage of upgrading to a F1.8 lens assembly? I saw a comparison video but not anything about the actual replacement that would tell me if the base that mounts on the camera module is the same dimensions.

Or, is there some sort of solvent I can use to make removing that glue easier?

The glue in this shot actually looks a little translucent but it is still hard as a rock.

I figured if someone would know the answers to any of this, it would be here.

I noticed my front camera was quite a bit out of focus when I tried to watch video recently, and at first I thought it was dash reflections that was messing up the focus, because those items are in focus. But after reading here about the focus being fixed in place with glue, I figured it was just the heat over time that whacked it. I live on the lower deserts in Arizona and we had a VERY hot summer this year. I am actually surprised my A129 and the card inside still works.

Thanks for any help and advice I can get! I appreciate it!

 

[HopWorks]

UPDATE: I was able to break the tightening collar loose using a pair of pliers and gently applying force to loosen it. It really did not need hardly any force either. I would not recommend that of course, and I DID manage to remove some of the glue at three hardpoints between the base and locking collar.
Once I did that, I totally unscrewed the assembly, and placed the base face down on a solid surface to keep dust out of it. After that, I was able, surprisingly, to screw the collar on the lens fitting forward and back. I COULD remove the collar and then try to gently remove all the remaining glue, but it does not seem to hinder screwing it in both directions. It would be nice to know where I can buy more of these collars though. I have a few IMX291 modules that have focus securing glue applied. I am using these in another project to try to find a way to get 4 camera coverage on the same type of system, to offer side coverage also. Perhaps with different lenses. I have not found a central video recording system yet that can keep up with 4 channels, but I'm getting there.
Anyway, that is where I am now. I will go after focusing it live next. But I would still appreciate replies about where I can find these individual components including the lens base.
Also, not relevant to my OP, but I also noticed a post about modified firmware by BC HOBBYIST. I am considering that, especially since I found this AWESOME forum that expands so much on my model of dash cam! It's great to see so many posts and info about it! THANKS!
And another added note... It would be neat if there were assemblies like this F1.6 lens assembly where the focus was controlled by a small geared motor controlled like a servo via I2C or SPI (overkill I think). Then someone adding a simple microcontroller to the project could do focusing with a simple interactive C++ or micro (or circuit) python app. I could prototype this but it would be large and clunky, and certainly something I would have to push down the road for my 4-side car camera project.
Thanks again!

 

[escapademeinie]

Hi All,
I have been following BC Hobbyist YouTube videos to try to learn how to refocus my front A129 Duo camera. The only snag I have run into is the glue they applied to the focus lock collar. It's much more than I expected, and instead of a clearer softer glue, it's that super hard black stuff that looks like what they cover microcontrollers with in small electronic devices. I removed the camera module completely and considered removing the two screws on the back of the module to remove the lens assembly so I can get it into a vise to make trying to remove the glue easier. But before I do that, I wanted to ask...

Is there a place where you can buy just the lens assembly, including the base that attaches over the sensor (with two screws)?
View attachment 74952 melon playground
And if there is and I can change it, should I take advantage of upgrading to a F1.8 lens assembly? I saw a comparison video but not anything about the actual replacement that would tell me if the base that mounts on the camera module is the same dimensions.

Or, is there some sort of solvent I can use to make removing that glue easier?
View attachment 74951
The glue in this shot actually looks a little translucent but it is still hard as a rock.

I figured if someone would know the answers to any of this, it would be here.

I noticed my front camera was quite a bit out of focus when I tried to watch video recently, and at first I thought it was dash reflections that was messing up the focus, because those items are in focus. But after reading here about the focus being fixed in place with glue, I figured it was just the heat over time that whacked it. I live on the lower deserts in Arizona and we had a VERY hot summer this year. I am actually surprised my A129 and the card inside still works.

Thanks for any help and advice I can get! I appreciate it!

Viofo doesn’t officially sell the full module (lens + base + screws), but some AliExpress sellers carry A129/A119 lens modules. The tricky part is making sure the base matches the exact sensor mount height. If you go this route, look for “A129 lens module” rather than just “lens.”