RPI HQ Camera focussing

[WirthmU]

Does it matter if I focus the lens before I install the cover?
I am using a flat glass window. It's a bit tedious to focus, tighten the focus lock while the camera is in the enclosure.

And just a typo in the focusing help: "Almost all lenses have a focus ring that you turn to change the focus. If youR lens does NOT have a focus ring or some other focusing mechanism, you can skip this page."

[EricClaeys]

@WirthmU,
I don't have any proof but I strongly suspect that a cover, especially cheap plastic domes, produce some distortion which impacts focus, so ideally you'd focus with the cover in place. However, people vary greatly in their ability to see small changes in focus, and people that don't zoom in may not even notice an out-of-focus image. Or may not care - I've known for years that my focus could improve, but I've never bothered to take the camera off the 15-foot pole and spend the time focusing.

I'd say if you look at your images and they look "good enough", then don't bother changing anything.

I fixed the typo in the documentation - thanks for pointing it out.

[WirthmU]

Thank you for your kind and detailed answer.
This camera has a flat high quality glass window - no dome. Therefore I guess it might only marginally influence focussing.
I just wondered if anyone had some experience.

[EricClaeys]

@WirthmU,
you may want to ask the same question on the Allsky Facebook group - there are a lot more people there.