Hello Folks,
Just thought now was a good time to announce that the commercial version of my spinning glass adapter will be availible to buy, by the end of this month. The new 'SG35' adapter focuses on quality while attempting to overcome most of the 35mm adapter limitations, like grain, vignetting, distortion, light loss, limited aperture use, limited shutter speed use, creating an adapter that gives quality with minimum limits on creative control.

Here are two video's showing the results from my prototype:

http://tinyurl.com/cgazu

http://tinyurl.com/aqpaf

The adapter will come with a 15mm rod support, that will be adjustable to suit different camcorders.

One thing to keep in mind is it wont come with macro/acromat. It will come with 58mm thread size, so the buyer will provide his/her own macro, then screw the adpater onto his/her own macro. The case will be a black ABS plastic project box. Would people perfer a glossy or matte finish?

I see this as a better option anyway, as it gives the buyer the freedom to choose the macro/acromat that best suits their camcorder and personal preference. I will provide exact distance between filter thread and GG so potential buyers test if they need a macro or not by trying to frame and focus on a 36x24mm frame from that distance.

My asking price will be £150 for the adapter with 15mm rod support, plus postage and packing.

Ill get more video and shots of the unit up as soon as it happens.

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Thanks
Wayne.

You have a cost in U.S. Dollars? Maybe a dumb question... sorry
Also what is the size of the GG... #3.5 inch? Thanks

Craig,
Around $270 plus shipping.

concerning the diameter of my ground glass, all info is on my other thread, http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=50507

I have posted as much info there i think as needed to build the mechanism. I have slightly modified the design and method, but thats for the commercial version.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Do you have a pic of your rig?

Thanks for you interest Michael.
No pics as off yet. I have my prototype all working beautifully, but want to build another unit first, with 15mm rods, then take pics of that unit to show. I beleive this gives a better impression of what is on offer. Expect pics of the unit within the week.

Thanks,
Wayne.

What lens mounts available and which lens threads will it fit? Is it a screw in mount?

Thanks for your questions,
Im currently supporting Nikon lenses. Im testing with Nikon 50mm lens.

I can built with other mounts, but I dont own other makes of lenses to test it with. I can easily set the flange focal distance as per the stated amount, worse case scenario is that the buyer would have to adjust the flange focal distance of the unit, assuming it was off.

If people give me a list of what lenses they are interested in using mostly, i'll purchase a few cheaply so that i can setup the flange focal of the unit properly.

The unit will come with a 58mm filter thread, reeady to couple to a macro lens of the buyers choice, assuming they need one.

Thanks,
Wayne.

The shot on the second clip, where you have this Christmas tree looking thing in the dark, with the light glowing, what was the f-stop?
I seem to see a slight pattern at a moment, when you tilt up on the second clip. As if the GG slowed down or something. Did you notice that?
Overall, it looks pretty good. I would love to see some external takes with moving trees, in close up and wide shots. I'm mostly interested in sharpness.
What camera was the clips shot on? How does your rig attach to the camera lens?
Also, how about a clip or still of a deep focus shot?
By the way, I saw some stills over the other thread. How much color correction and post work on those stills and clips? They seem quite worked out in post, specially the colors.

Thanks again for your questions and interest.
Firstly, all shots were taken with a cheap 1 chip/ccd panasonic nv ds30 like this:http://www.skala.nl/usr_img/webshop/19/PA-NVDS30.jpg

The shot on the spinning fibre optic lamp was at F1.4, 50mm lens. I stopped down the camcorders iris to give the lights more richness.

The light pattern your talkign about, which shot exactly? The tilt up with the flowers, or the tilt to the clock? I dont see any GG artifacts.

Ill get some outside footage as you requested, moving trees in the wind? No problem (first time in my life im hoping for a windy day;)

The unit will have 58mm filter thread, to atatch to the users macro lens, assuming a macro is needed. The cam and the unit is then fixed to the 15mm rods support, the cam via tripod screw, the unit to 2 vertical rods, that adjust in height.

As for the stills, only correction on them was to rotate 180 degrees. You think they had post effect? Thats just cool, makes me very chuffed for my efforts:D They are quite saturated, the flowres were shot in direct sunlight.

Thanks,
Wayne.

The shot on the spinning fibre optic lamp was at F1.4, 50mm lens. I stopped down the camcorders iris to give the lights more richness.


How did you stop the lens down in that little consumer camera. I have one juts like it, but it doesn't have a manual iris. What was the F-stop then?

The light pattern your talkign about, which shot exactly? The tilt up with the flowers, or the tilt to the clock? I dont see any GG artifacts.


The flowers. I think I see some fixed pattern in the background.

Ill get some outside footage as you requested, moving trees in the wind? No problem (first time in my life im hoping for a windy day;)


Thanks. A deep focus shot would be also nice, to check sharpness.

Michael,

Yes my cheap panasonic has full manual control. Sorry but i dont remember what the F stop number was on the camcorder, only that the SLR was at F1.4

Im sure there is no pattern in the shot. You maybe seeing compression artifacts...maybe i can post a VERY SHORT dv compressed file?

I'll try to get some outside shots of trees soon.

thanks,
Wayne.

Really? Your camera has the manual stuff? I need to check mine then. Is it in the menus? I thought it didn't have any manual controls. I have the same camera. Maybe the U.K. version is different.
It could be compression artifacts I guess . It would be cool if you could post a dv compressed file from that tilt.
Looking forward to the tree shots. Can you also post a deep focus clip?
Thanks.

You have the same cam? Read the manual its all there.

Hold the auto/manual button on top of the cam, then control white balance, focus, shutter and iris using the rotory wheel,

Ill try and get a small dv compressed clip uploaded. but it will be pal 720x576 25fps

Thanks,
Wayne.

I'd love support for Canon FD lenses, and I think a lot of other people would too.

Many thanks for that suggestion, Ben. Ill see what i can do.

Any other popular lens makes?

Thanks,
Wayne.

Ill try and get a small dv compressed clip uploaded. but it will be pal 720x576 25fps


No problem. I'm PAL too. Thanks.

Any other popular lens makes?


I think Nikon is the favourite. If you cover Canon as well, I think you have pretty much covered 90% of the low budget market. There's the odd ball Minolta and Pentax, but very few use that.

Thanks for the lens suggestion Michael, very helpful,

Wayne.

Hey, an OT question. What's the name of that song on clip #1? Is it a George Michael song? Can't get it off my head.

The music on both clips is Duran Duran, im a big 80's fan;) First song is called 'Come Undone' Second clips song is called 'Reach up for the Sunshine'.

Wayne.

OK,
Here is a 10 second DV compressed clip of the tilt up shot with the flowers, 30MB zip file:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wayne.kinney/adapterDV.zip

Its PAL 720x576 25fps.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Thanks Wayne. But you cut it right before where I think I saw the pattern. I saw it on the wall, when tilting.
One thing I noticed, the DV file is no where as sharp as the smaller file. It would be very useful to see the adapter used with a better camera to see how sharp it would be.

Yes,
I wish i had a better cam then my 1 chip panasonic.

Ill try and post some more short clips in DV compression soon, ill double check all my focus to make sure its sharp, maybe an outdoor deep focus as you sujest with the aperture closed a bit.

Bill Porter, is it possible to upload that clip also? Or am i now being checky:D

Thanks,
Wayne.

Anything for a fellow '80's music fan!

http://tinyurl.com/bz9d3

Just wondered if you might consider a round box or case for the adapter instead of the square box. I think the square box waste a bunch of space and the round box looks much better. Here is a link for my second attempt with pictures for you to see what it might look like.

http://bellaire.homestead.com/files/MediaFiles/X1035b.pdf

I am looking at putting a glass CD in this and staying with a 35mm format...
hope this helps

Thanks for uploading that bill!!!!

Craig, looked at the pictures, looks cool. I wont be using a round box in my commercial version. So are you using a plastic cd on cd player motor in yours?

Wayne.

Yes at the moment... I also am using frosted film/window tint instead of grinding the cd. The crispness is very nice and even But not as nice as yours...Also with the Glass concept and the easy flat area on the motor to attach the glass, I'm gonna change to Glass.

By the time I finish my baby will be grown... ha ha ha

Craig,
If you decide to make a spinning glass disk using my method, please keep us informed of your progress, im very interested. Please do so on my other thread, though.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Wayne,
Ok, could you please update this DV camcorders that your adapter is compatible with?.
For example I have a canon XL2 and I just order the Micro M2 but I was thinking of buying another adapter just incase one is good for outside scene and vise versa .. you get the gist.

So which camcorders can use your adapter?.
How to make payment?
Any warrantee?
When will it be ready (commercial)?

Hello Eniola, thanks for your interest.

As far as im concerned, any camcorder can be used with my adapter. It will be shipped with a 58mm filter thread, so camcorders with different sized theads will need a stepup/down ring. Also, some of the bigger camcorders will require a macro lens, this is so the camcorder can focus on the 36x24mm frame. Once the commercial version is ready, I will provide the buyer with exact distance from filter thread to ground glass, so they can test if there camcorder can focus on a 36x24mm frame from that distance to see if they need a macro lens. I see this as a better option anyway, as it gives the buyer the freedom to choose the macro/acromat that best suits their camcorder and personal preference.

Payments can be made by cheque or postal order (UK) or paypal. As for warrantee, im in the process of gathering information and finalising things, but im a friendly and helpful guy in terms of support for the unit, and also if anything 'may' go wrong then a unit can always be returned. Im hoping for the unit to be ready by the end of this month.

More info on this as it developes....

Thanks,
Wayne

Hey Wayne, any news on the tree clips and the new DV clip?

Michael,
I cant see it being too long. Im putting my resources into finalising my 15mm rods support right now. Once the support is finished to my satisfaction, ill pop outside and get them shots for ya my friend.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Ok thanks.

OK guys,
I know people have been wanting to see the unit, but it is not to the point of being a finished product. So instead I have put together 2 of the 15mm rods together with a small piece of hardboard, and my prototype adapter together with my panny cam just for you guys to get a good idea of the size of the unit. adapter box is 150x100x60mm. Notice the small rotary knob on top for speed control.

The final rods support will have a 12mm thick base for the cam to sit on, and another 12mm base that rests on the tripod. Anyhow, this pic is just so you guys can get a 'feel' for the size of the thing.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wayne.kinney/unit%20prototype.jpg

Any input would be great.
Thanks,
Wayne.

Ther video's look good BUT the Project Box is way to big and bulky. If you are gonna sell this then looks have a big part in sales. And the looks of this have a long way to go.. Sorry for the negative view and again the video looks really good.

As for me I would pay for the motor and GG as it is...

Thanks for your input craig.

Dont worry, this aint the finished product:D Just to get an idea of size. As for the dimensions of the box, its the smallest possible to allow a rotating disk to allow a 36x24mm frame. I could have gone 'academy' frame size, but really didnt want to. The final rods will be nice a sturdy. I sujest you draw a 150x100mm square on a peice of paper, then look at it to get a proper idea of the size of the box. Picture quality is my first priorty, then size.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Also, it looks like while most adapters using a spinning GG have the lens mount on the upper half, yours have it in the lower half. That might be a problem when using a XL2 or HD100, which have viewfinders mounted to the front. Can it be inverted and have the longer part pointing down?
I agree, it does look bulky and quite home made for a commercial version. But I realize you said it's not the final product yet.

Michael,
The final rod support will be adjustable, so that the box can slide up and down to adjust for different cams. To be honest, thats another reason i posted to pic showing the prototype', to get input in order to modify the commercial unit. Yes thew pic is 'home made', as its taty from me making modification, and the rails support there is just for an idea of size of the unit.

aesthetic looks are going to be nice, and the project box may become a smaller aluminium one for the commercial version. You will see a big improvement in both the aesthetic looks and sturdiness of the final design.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Wayne, I think you are in the right track. Please don't take my comments in a bad way. I was just trying to make some constructive criticism. Just trying to help ;)

Wayne,

With the small size GG, you should be able to shrink the project box by at least half, I would think. The micro35 is big because of the size of the CD, since yours is smaller, it should be able to fit in a smaller unit.

Michael,
Not at all!!!, Without comments like yours, development would be slow, so thanks!!!

I have already decided on a smaller aluminium box for the commercial version.

Mandy, the disk is 90mm, the box is 95mm internal width width, not much room for shrinkage, but there is on the length dimension.

Anyway, here is some more footage up.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wayne.kinney/testfootage3.mov (Bill Porter, you know what im going to ask;) hehe.

Anymore sugestions will be helpful,
Thanks, Wayne.

dude...sign me up...is the aluminum box going to be bare aluminum or black? or muave? mark one of these as "sold" when it becomes available...

: )

gary

Hehe. Wayne, is that a project box from radioshack you're using as the enclosure? Ahh, nothing like overpriced pieces of plastic.

You can definately find good-quality metal enclosures used for guitar stomp boxes and the like that are easy to drill through yet extremely well made. I'd suggest something like that.

What does it weigh btw?

HI,
Ben, Thanks for the sugestion. I have sourced my project box, and its a 120x95x60 box, aluminium.

Smaller then the original ABS box, stronger and better looks. The 15mm rods support will also look sexy,

Thanks for everyones input, its your input that will lead to the best product.

Thanks,
Wayne.

Wayne, perhaps a silly suggestion, but you should get out more. Shoot some streets, trees, whatever. I understand filming the same subject shows the evolution, but then you really should be a bit more scientific. Otherwise, try to let it shine in as much different situations possible.

As for a business strategy, try to differentiate. What's your filosophy? Where does it differ from others? Will that be sufficient for the future? Who are your clients? Or, who do you want them to be? Just the basic stuff.

Hi Kurt, thanks for your input.
Some outdoor shots to follow, as also requested by Michael.

Whats my 'philosophy' is to introduce an adapter focused on image quality at a price that is not ridiculous.

Where does it Differ other adapters? I believe that my adapter offers image quality, in terms of contrast and colour, better then other adapters on the market, due to my quality ground glass element.

Will that be sufficient for the future? Well the future is HD, and im in the process now of getting my adapter tested with a dvx100. Tests to follow.

Who are my clients, or who do i want them to be? Anyone that wants a 35mm adapter that gets the best image quality, without the ridiculous price tag.

Thanks,
Wayne.

http://tinyurl.com/dgpp7


:)

Hey Wayne!
images look stellar in my opinion...

Personally, I don't care what the adapter actually looks like, as long as it produces some quality images

I'm curious, will you be shipping to North America? Canada?

Thanks, keep up the good work

Hey Wayne!
images look stellar in my opinion...

Personally, I don't care what the adapter actually looks like, as long as it produces some quality images

I'm curious, will you be shipping to North America? Canada?

Thanks, keep up the good work


Thanks Lloyd. Im still not happy with the images, more adjusting and room for improvement, but I NEED perfection.

Yes, I will be able to ship worldwide.

Bill Porter, thanks for uploading, i can now get more test footage up:D

Thanks,
Wayne.

Hi Guys,
Ok, i have bought a nice aluminium box which is smaller then the black ABS box. Question is, would you guys perfer it in its original shiny alu finish, or would you perfer it matte black? The Alu finsh is quite nice and goes with the chrome finish of the 15mm rods, but i want you guys to decide, so which is it guys?:D

Thanks,
Wayne.