SGblade - photos of production version
 

Hi Guys,

Here are some photos showing the production version of the SGblade with the new Rods Support System. We are getting close to shipping the first batch :D


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http://www.sgpro.co.uk/bladeonrods_small.jpg


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http://www.sgpro.co.uk/bladeflipped01_small.jpg


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http://www.sgpro.co.uk/bladeflipped02_small.jpg


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http://www.sgpro.co.uk/bladenonflipped01_small.jpg


Comments Welcome :)

Wayne.


It appears that the elves have been very hard at work in the dungeon. In appearance and presentation you have done well, a visually attractive package.

Out of curiosity, do you continue to recover a relatively large piece of the image area of the still-camera frame?

Thanks Bob,

The Image area is 36x20, which is full frame in 16:9.

very sexy! I want one!

Wayne.

36mm x 20mm. That then puts you in the possible realm of 35mm into the SI2K if the resolution from your groundglass holds up as well as the evenness of light across the groundglass to the wider sensor.

The angles of incidence at the far edges must be a bit steeper than for a 1/3" sensor. There seems to be more of a tendency for brightness falloff for the same field of view of the groundglass.

45mm relay seems to be about the most predictable across a range of stills lenses for relay on the Letus Extreme and may hold true for your adaptor onto a 2/3" single sensor.

"The angles of incidence at the far edges must be a bit steeper than for a 1/3" sensor. There seems to be more of a tendency for brightness falloff for the same field of view of the groundglass. "


I was ponderting this, and I thought we may not notice it as much on 35mm film cameras because film has a wider latitude. Does that make any sense ?

My guess is that the crystal grain structure of film emulsions has something to do with it. Each grain has multiple facets, one of which must face almost directly towards the incident angle, therefore harvests the light more effectively.

I also guess this is why there is the "grain" structure evident in film image when it is blown up enough.

Some crystals in centre do not take such a light hit head-on as others.

This might explain the ability of film to see deeper into blacks and tolerate over-exposure, film maybe having an inherent multiple ISO rating in its structure rather than a single number

If each pixel was a multifaceted diamond shape a sensor might work more like like film.

My wild imaginings here, no proven science whatever.

I was looking at some meduim format paper printed portrait enlargements yesterday from the seventies. That stuff was good wasn't it.

"I was looking at some meduim format paper printed portrait enlargements yesterday from the seventies. That stuff was good wasn't it."


I keep looking a my Kowa 6 sitting on the shelf, not getting any use, and wonder about building an adapter to use those lenses. Alas, I think I have enough problem keeping a 35mm lens in focus, that with the 6x6 lens, it would likely be a real bear...., and a heavy rig at that.

Wayne, what kind of price will that elegant piece of kit be going at?

Hi,

Online ordering and full pricing info is on our website.

Chis.


Regarding the Kowa lenses.

You may be already aware, Ted Ramasola has already been there done that with medium format via a home made adaptor and one of Wayne's achromats.

The larger format gives you a distinct apparent resolution gain through scaling the "grain" smaller relative to the frame size, even if you have to sacrifice some of the image area to get inside brightness falloff.

I think the limited lens choices moved him back to 35mm stills Nikons. He kept his options open by making his adaptor dual format.

Hey Wayne those look fantastic! I really love the colorway.

How soon before they ship Wayne?

Look sexy as hell!

Hi Phil,

Hope to get them out the door next week :)

it's like waiting for a kitten or puppy to be old enough so you can take it home!

Hope they are house trained!

Wayne.


I cannot remember now whether t'was you or Dennis who lined up a row of new first generation adaptors, took a happy snap and posted it here before sending them off to war in the marketplace. Time doth fly doesn't it.

Hi Bob,

Hehe, yes that was me - the first 10 SGpro Rev1's, 'Over the top lads'.

Hey Phill are you getting one of those?
It would be interesting to see a review of the SGblade vs the Letus Extreme.
By the way, have you used the newly resurrected Cinemek G35?

Yes, Phil will be getting his unit before Friday :)

I guess that's disadvantage of living in the US. Even though my SGBlade has been "dispatched" it will probably be two weeks before I recieve it :(

Crazy question:
I wonder if the Letus Extreme flip module can be rigged up on the Blade?

I have same question... I've got a Letus flip module with 72mm thread. I attach it on old Letus 35. I removed achromat and condenser from the 35a to make it all work. Seems the flip does its own achromat thing. May have to take any achromat out..

Chris.


If there is a glass lens in back of the flip module where the camera lens fits up, it will be likely the appopriate achromat. I don't know whether the brothers put one in the after-market flip module or if it is a separate item the customer orders for a given camera type.

This achromat will likely be in the ballpark of 4+ to 5+ power. Your original achromat in back of the non-flip adaptor would likely have to come out as it will be for a shorter setback, ballpark of 7+ to 10+ power and will focus sharp on some point about halfway through the second prism, well back from the groundglass.

I think the condenser might be able to stay in on the SG's if it is close to the power Quyen and Hien chose for the Extreme/Ultimate.

You might need to set the camera back a little furthur from the flip module or preferably add space in between the front of the flip module and the back of the SG. Then again, Wayne's condenser might have the effect of "drawing in" the camera focus point closer in which case the condenser might need to come out.

Suck it and see is the only remedy here unless Wayne can be persuaded to disclose his design secrets.

On the web images, the SG front-to-back seems slightly smaller but that could be my inferior eyesight at play too.

The brothers' original condenser in the first flip Letus XL was a single element BCX, mounted close-up lens reversed as a condenser. Their whole design scheme, whilst faithful to the original concept, is now a universe of sophistication away from the original Letus flip with its mirrors (no smoke) and adhesive joints.

just checking....
 

Wayne,

the sgblade does have external backfocus adjustment right?

Thanks


Greg