Newbie with a GS200
 

This is probably asking the impossible, but is it at all possible to construct a mini35 system for a VERY modest Panasonic GS200? Like others, I've been confused with the designs for these adaptors, but I did read that a german cameraman setup something for a panasonic camera, and subsequently someone else did with a prosumer SonyDV (not sure which model). I've been researching here an awful lot (as you can see, in all the time I've been here, I've only really searched and never ask since most of it has already been done for me).

I wouldn't normally either, but I think I'm getting the wrong end of the stick, and would love some advice as where to start. If it is possible to be made with such a low-budget cam as mine, I'd like to know where to start!

Thanks ever so much,

S.

That cam has a 37mm lens, correct? If so, your only obstacles will be:

Finding an achromatic diopter/macro lens that will fit 37mm (look on eBay, and places like bhphotovideo.com)

Determining whether or not you need to pair the achromat with condensor(s) -- I'm really not able to help here

Build a lens tube to house your GG, whether using ThorLabs stuff (stepping up to their 50mm parts), or something using PVC piping and coupling from Home Depot

Acquire the appropriate step-up ring to fit the tubing to your lens (37mm-52mm)

Acquire a ground glass of the appropriate diameter -- made from a ground 37mm UV filter

Mount your film lens to the front with the ppropriate mount, and adjust flange focal length

- jim

Thanks very much for the help, this have certainly got me started since I had no idea what to do before! Can I ask what type of adaptor this is, since there are a few (the Agus35, Aldu35 and a few others) and will the GS120 be able to cope with the lack of light since it's aboninable for low light (my old JVC VHSC cam could at least tape SOMETHING at nighttime!)

Thanks again,

s.

Ah, my advice is in regards to a static adapter. I don't know about light loss and whatnot with your cam -- that's something of an area where you'll have to experiment and see.

- jim

I've managed to locate some of the items you've mentioned and will go ahead and see if I can construct something with it (if it works, I'll be sure to post a clip here).

Out of interest, could a spinning version of this be done using the same equpiment you mentioned?

Well... yes and no.

The spinner involves a larger housing so that you can place the line of sight of the lenses off-center. Then there's thge motor and power supply. Finally, a support system. So, some of the parts would still be needed/advised for a spinner -- the achromat, maybe parts of the housing -- while others would need to be modified or changed out entirely (i.e. you'd need larger glass...)

- jim

Yeah, that's what I thought you might say! I'll give the static design a go first, then try the motorized version afterwards if all goes to plan.

BTW, how sucessful have 37mm > 52mm adaptors been with other people? I'd have thought the quality would be pretty awful compaired to an XL1S or even a GL1/2.

s.

parts list
 

this is the parts list I used for my final version of the static adapter .

http://www.thorlabs.com/ProductDetai...roduct_ID=1481

(2) http://www.thorlabs.com/ProductDetai...roduct_ID=1483

http://www.thorlabs.com/ProductDetai...oduct_ID=11280

http://www.thorlabs.com/ProductDetai...oduct_ID=36117

all the parts for my static version . will be used in the ocillating version .

Richard, do you happen to have any examples of images/video taken with your adaptor, since I haven't been able to find many static clips, only rotating ground glass clips.

Thanks for the links!

static adapter
 

this is a still. from a lens tube version of the static adapter
the camera is a 1 chipper the lens is a cannon 50mm1.4
the ground glass used is optmosigma 1500 grit . the plcx has a focal length of 60
the adapter could not be precisly focused because of the filter rings. in the filter ring version
and I could not get the plcx flush with the ground glass. the shallow depth of field is created.I broke the optmosigma glass and on monday I will be reciving the throlabs glass . I already have the tube system. this is the way to go. focus will be perfect.
to my surprise the threads are the same in the tube system as 52mm camera .so you just have to get stepdown or stepup riing to fit your camera
http://www.dvinfo.net/media/mellor/PDVD_540.BMP

less than $1000
 

sounds like steve when finished you will have for less than a thousand dollars. a 3ccd camera with slr lens attachments
a $26,000 adapter clone creating shallow depth of field.
and ability to use great 35mm glass.

Haha, yeah I just hope it will be able to handle the low light! I found the miniDV Aldu35 static lens system diagram for piecing together the parts, is this of any use for this one?

static adapter
 

you just have to figure out which brand of 35mm camera lenses you want to use . you want fast lenses I bought on ebay a cannon 1.2 for about $90. nikons are claimed a little better,but more money . then buy a c-mount for that brand. once you buy the parts listed above from thorlabs you just have screw them all together. any camera shop would have all the things you needed to get this fitted to your camera:c-mount/stepdown ring . for the thorlabs tube system just insert adjustable ring about 1.3 inches from c-mount insert ground glass next adjust threaded ring untill you get a sharp image on the ground glass . next insert plcx flat end on top of the ground glass . then thread retaing ring on top of plcx . tighten down with thumbnail . attach to camera . I think you need 37 to 52 step ring.

when we perfect the microcrystiline wax method, we will just swap out the ground glass http://www.dvinfo.net/media/mellor/aldu-test-44.jpg

Just to be clear -- Nikon lenses use an F mount.

Thanks for those Richard, it's useful to see many setups for the Aldu, so if doesn't work I can fall back on a different design. Hopefully the Pentax KA fit 52mm lenses I have should work with it, and give a sharp enough image to work with.