Hi all,

I've tried achieving the shallow depth of field look on my mini dv cam many times (using a Panasonic GS-400) and a while back looked at some plans for 35mm adapters. I'm not that handly... and building something with a motor, moving parts, and quite large is out of the question for me right now.

What I'm looking for is the easiest 35mm adapter to put onto my cam via step up rings, and extension tubes etc. I don't know what tutorial or plan to start with, and don't know if I need a macro feature or not on my cam, (it has a tele macro feature tho). Sorry don't know a lot of info about this stuff, and won't mind the grain that I've heard you get from not having the moving ground glass element.

Any links, advice, tutorials, or THE easy plan you can send my way?

Thanks all,

Luke

go here, there is a tutorial on how to build one, you can get the parts you need from this site too.

http://www.jetsetmodels.info/news.htm

or here for a rotating gg

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/dof/index.htm

There is also one more here. It looks good and easy but there are two UV filters inside that might be causing some flare/internal reflections

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=45972

The simplest way to construct a non-moving DOF adaptor for smaller camcorders like GS400:
Screw a Nikon BR-3 to Thorlabs SM2L30
Then screw in the included retaining ring to match approximate lens mount to GG distance then throw in a static GG holder for Thorlabs 2" tubes from Daniel or from me, attach a Canon EE-A focusing screen (about 0% light loss) to it and then fix it with additional retaining ring from Thorlabs (SM2R2), then add the Thorlabs coupler (SM2T2) and add a 42mm to 52mm step up ring to your camcorder to attach the adaptor assembly.

Fine tune the GG to lens mount distance by screwing the retaining rings. Retaining rings can be adjusted with special spanner wrench or with precision philips screw driver.

It will take some three minutes and no glueing or drilling or what so ever plus everything is adjustable, just make sure you dont scratch the GG in progres.

Buy a can of compressed air to get rid of the occasional dust appearing on the GG.

This is not the cheapest way (around $150) to construct a DOF adaptor but by far the most fool proof and good looking.

Cheers,
T