Budget webcam for the office

[Louis Balfour]

I had a zoom meeting last night and had to use my laptop, because my office PC doesn't have a webcam. It occurred to me that I don't look my best with an upward camera angle - too many chins and nose hairs to make a good impression.

Will this budget webcam do the job for occasional use, or do I need to invest more? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Microphone-Conferencing-S...

[Scrump]

I use a Logitech c270, similar price to tje one you linked. I have it on top of a large monitor connected to my laptop and it is perfect for Teams and Zoom calls.
My colleagues seem to also use Logitech webcams from the 270 up to the 920[?).

[Louis Balfour]

Scrump said:

I use a Logitech c270, similar price to tje one you linked. I have it on top of a large monitor connected to my laptop and it is perfect for Teams and Zoom calls.
My colleagues seem to also use Logitech webcams from the 270 up to the 920[?).

Has it a lens cover? My paranoia would not be helped if I thought THEY could be watching me.

[mmm-five]

Louis Balfour said:

Has it a lens cover? My paranoia would not be helped if I thought THEY could be watching me.

Even if it doesn't, it will have a USB cable that you can disconnect whilst you're picking your nose

[somouk]

That webcam will likely be fine. Just checking you are on Windows and not Mac?

The cover on that one is a generic cover you can get from Amazon anyway that you just stick on. I have one on my Razer web cam exactly the same.

[Louis Balfour]

somouk said:

That webcam will likely be fine. Just checking you are on Windows and not Mac?

The cover on that one is a generic cover you can get from Amazon anyway that you just stick on. I have one on my Razer web cam exactly the same.

Yup, Windaz.

[emperorburger]

If you can wait it out until October, the Logitech C615 is a total steal at £12 on Amazon.

https://amzn.eu/d/eETc8u5

John Lewis are selling it for £79, although I wouldn't pay that for it

[Louis Balfour]

emperorburger said:

If you can wait it out until October, the Logitech C615 is a total steal at £12 on Amazon.

https://amzn.eu/d/eETc8u5

John Lewis are selling it for £79, although I wouldn't pay that for it

Looks good, but I have ordered the one in my OP now. Thanks All.

[vikingaero]

mmm-five said:

Louis Balfour said:

Has it a lens cover? My paranoia would not be helped if I thought THEY could be watching me.

Even if it doesn't, it will have a USB cable that you can disconnect whilst you're picking your nose

I love getting those spam blackmail emails where I've been accused of visiting porn sites and caught masturbating in front of my (non-existent) webcam.

[MesoForm]

Scrump said:

I use a Logitech c270, similar price to tje one you linked. I have it on top of a large monitor connected to my laptop and it is perfect for Teams and Zoom calls.
My colleagues seem to also use Logitech webcams from the 270 up to the 920[?).

That's what I use, quality always looks good and it sits on top of my monitor - only issue is that I now have a bezel-less monitor and I keep having to move it out of the way to see the top line of the screen, one day I'll fix it properly...
I've put one of these covers on it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Senhomtog-Sticker-Blocker...

[e-honda]

emperorburger said:

If you can wait it out until October, the Logitech C615 is a total steal at £12 on Amazon.

https://amzn.eu/d/eETc8u5

John Lewis are selling it for £79, although I wouldn't pay that for it

They look to be back up to £18 but that's still pretty good, it's been difficult to get a branded 1080p web cam for less than £25 since the pandemic.
I think the webcam bubble is now over.

[RizzoTheRat]

Cheapest option if you have an Android phone is Droidcam, works really well.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com....

[Louis Balfour]

Well, the camera I mentioned in my OP has arrived and was easy to install. But by god it makes me look ugly.

I look like I am lit from directly in front and although I have raised the camera as far as possible it still makes me look like I have a double chin and the moon for a face.

Any tips for toning down the horror show?

[Phooey]

Louis Balfour said:

But by god it makes me look ugly.

Having met Mr Balfour in person on a few occasions I am tempted to agree with your camera.

[geeks]

Phooey said:

Louis Balfour said:

But by god it makes me look ugly.

Having met Mr Balfour in person on a few occasions I am tempted to agree with your camera.

[Louis Balfour]

Phooey said:

Louis Balfour said:

But by god it makes me look ugly.

Having met Mr Balfour in person on a few occasions I am tempted to agree with your camera.

You aren't exactly a bowl of fruit yourself, are you.

[Phooey]

Louis Balfour said:

Phooey said:

Louis Balfour said:

But by god it makes me look ugly.

Having met Mr Balfour in person on a few occasions I am tempted to agree with your camera.

You aren't exactly a bowl of fruit yourself, are you.

How rude

You were that ugly when you were born the midwife slapped your mother.

[Digger]

[Louis Balfour]

Phooey said:

Louis Balfour said:

Phooey said:

Louis Balfour said:

But by god it makes me look ugly.

Having met Mr Balfour in person on a few occasions I am tempted to agree with your camera.

You aren't exactly a bowl of fruit yourself, are you.

How rude

You were that ugly when you were born the midwife slapped your mother.

You're so ugly your doctor stuck his finger in your mouth to check your prostate.

[snuffy]

Louis Balfour said:

I had a zoom meeting last night and had to use my laptop, because my office PC doesn't have a webcam. It occurred to me that I don't look my best with an upward camera angle - too many chins and nose hairs to make a good impression.

Will this budget webcam do the job for occasional use, or do I need to invest more? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Microphone-Conferencing-S...

I have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B089CTJSCK/

It's a similar price and works fine. It's fixed to the top of my central monitor with some double sided foam tape. The green light comes on when it's active but if you are worried then you can just tilt it towards the ceiling.