Yea, but it might take a bit longer with all the guide stuff going on. Either way, I'll have the new ggs available for everyone building the device.

Thank you James! Happy to be of service.

John,

No worries! It's a topic which has so many facets!

I don't think anyone has actually quantified the ratio. That would be a very interesting test to try! Mostly people have been focusing on getting smaller and smaller grain. Some of the others may have done this though so I don't speak for everyone :).

"a topic which has so many facets"
 

Ha!

James, you're intrepid. I signed up at your webpage for updates, etc. I'm especially interested in any tests you do with your assembly attached to Canon's 14x manual lens &/or their 16x manual.

JS

James Hurd,

Any chance we'll be seeing samples of the new GG in action soon?

Thanks,

- jim

so are you still sticking true to the whole costing around 30$ to make the adapter? or is the GG going to knock the price up some??? just curious... we need a sample of this guide...

is this a rotating CD-rom style adaptor?

Spinning CD
 

Well if you look at the video you can tell it is a spinning GG... With NO hole... Look at the video with the horse and the sky background. The sky has a circler pattern on each side of the horses head... Indicating that we are looking at the center of the ground glass and see an up motion on the left and a down motion on the right... So if I was to guess we are looking straight at the center of the GG... NOW maybe this is a bad compression... Maybe the contrast doesn't need to be this much from the horse/subject and the sky... To keep the GG moving the GG would have to rest on a rubber wheel/motor... YEP although it's been fun working on building the one I am just finishing WILL I buy... PLUS mine in freaking huge... Thanks

Hey guys, I'm in the middle of a all-day guide writing fest!

Looks like we're around $45 for parts... I'm going to try and get this down some more...

I don't know if the new ggs will affect the price.

Stay tuned!

james

James where did you ever hear about laser etched gg...? ;-)

A little credit here. You know I never could find out where you could get pieces that didnt have frame markings on it like Canon's laser etched focusing screens. Sounds like you did so thank you for that. This is real good news because laser etched screens are the finest grained screens I've ever tested. But not all are the same quality. Some of them are etched in a fine patern that is "too perfectly uniform". What sometimes happens with these is a strange moire effect. I believe Nikon corrected many years back when they started doing laser etch screens with a "random" etch. I'm not going to ask where you got them but Im curious if the ones you found are focusing screens as well (meaning they have their own lens built into the back side) or just flat laser GG?

Craig-
I wouldnt think it rotates this way. First of all James said it didnt move at all. But if it did rotate like this without a center hub and the device looks straight into the center then that could mean bad news because the grain in the very center isnt really moving that much (if at all) and could result in a visable spot in the middle of the image. But this is in theory. Perhaps it will work. They make bearings that look like empty filter rings that would be perfect for this. I would post a link to them if I had it. Try a google search - "ring bearings" maybe.

think about the center really not moving
 

yep I didn't think about the center really not moving BUT with the video that has been shown.. you can see the circler pattern with the compression the way it is.. hopefully the DV video isn't like this.. Thanks

The GG IS moving. And the motion is visible because of the first-rev GG I was using. Not too mention I had the shutter speed up higher than normal...


Jamey
Get on the List!

James, have you tested the Micro35 using Brett's chart @ http://www.cinematographerreels.com/mini35info.htm ? I think all of us are very excited about getting our hands on your plans (once they're done of course) but I'd like to see you use it on a res chart and Brett's solution... Thanks!

Funny you say that, I'd used Brett's chart for framing the image on the GG for the last year. Its just another example of Brett's great contributions over the history of the adapter projects.

Thanks Brett!

James, are you still looking into affordable relay systems?
Any success in finding one?

Kyle,
I'm finishing the guide first. Then I'll attack the relay. I've already made some progress on it, but I've got to stay focused before I head off in that direction. I'm pretty confident that a solution will be available soon!

james

Thanks James for the kind words....Your check is in the mail.

-Brett

Hey Guys,
I've updated some information on the site. I'm trying to get emails sent out to everyone but I'm not having much luck with the number of address... I'll have this fixed soon!

Here's the update:
www.micro35.com/welcome2.htm

Also, here's a solid model of the unit:
www.micro35.com/pics/3d.jpg

Thanks!

James can you tell us if we will need any special tools to get the quality you seem to have in your system? seems to me atleast one would need a lathe/mill/drill press...can you please comment so that everyone knows what it takes to build this unit? thanks for the help and this will help me make a decision on what to buy if anything..thanks again

Looks great James. When it is actually up for sale, can you post some res charts, etc? Thanks!

A drill will be the biggest tool you'll need. The lathe and mill were really just a waste of money. I was going to go for the oscillation device. There was no reason to.

James,

I am looking forward to reading your manual - but a few question that hopefully won't give too much away. What are we looking at here for expenses? Is there going to be lenses to buy and what prices ranges? What about motors and other equipment? Thanks

The materials will cost you less than $45 dollars. The guide will tell you where to get every part and how much it should cost you.

Thanks!

james,

what will it take to put one on a sdx900?

thanks.

James-
I have a DVX100 (not the A) model. It doesnt have as short of a minimum focus as the A-model. Is this going to be a problem with you adapter as far as framing up and focusing on the GG?

awesome
 

Very awesome, James!

Question: If I were wanting to use (or build) an anamorphic lens with this adapter, would I have to get one to stick on the front, or would there be room for a rear anamorphic? I gotta admit, I know little about the cylinder lenses and rear anamorphic and all that. It's just I've been reading a few threads and getting really excited about it!

Brett,
It should be fine with the Macro I've made. I've got a standard DVX100 coming over this weekend. So I'll get to try it out!

Ok James, so I am assuming I won't need a macro lens or otherwise, just the parts that will stay under $45.00 - that is pretty good! I have been pricing macro lenses and other parts and they are pretty expensive, so if I can pay you $35.00 for the manual and $45.00 for the parts - that is a darn good deal!
James, please post some more pics and movies!
Also, I know you are claiming this only works on the GL2 and the DVX100A - are you going to including mods for workarounds in other models?

Thanks!

The guide explains how to do it for any dv camera. It will also tell you how to make the macro (Real Achromatic Diopter) for ~$10.

James,

Will you be offering the guide in a pdf format?
Also, are the parts available outside the US?

Thanks.

Kyle,
Yes, the parts will be available outside the US.

No, the guide will never be sent out electronically. The drawing package alone cost me thousands of dollars. So I'd rather not have it out there floating around on the internet.

Thanks James, I understand.

For those who buy the guide, will they get updates (to the guide) as they come out?

Looks like I'll have to hop over to your site and put my order in...

Cheers.

Yep, the updates and improvements will get sent out to every customer.

Thanks Kyle!

when can you ship the guide? and when will I get it?

ohh and I almost forgot..will you have directions for the rods in the guide? I wan't rods for lens support ;) BTW PLEASE let me know how the dvx100 NON A works out - that is the camera I have ;)

I'd love to see some more footage before doing a pre-order or order.

Have any ETA on more samples?

Obin,
I'll ship the guide anywhere the available via US Mail or International Air Mail. A bonus in the guide will be directions on building the rods and the macro. I'll have the DVX100 tested soon. I don't see anyproblems...

Kyle,
The next post of footage will be something professional. There are several folks shooting shorts and music videos that will be available for posts.

James,

You say all parts required to build Micro35 described in the guide will be available for purchase outside the US.

Does it mean that you will include only links to websites of materials' suppliers that will ship the parts worldwide?
Or maybe these parts are 'universal' and widely used worldwide so you are sure that one can obtain them in every country?

I was wondering about that because ordering parts from different sources separately would greatly affect the total cost of adapter. In that case, would you suggest ordering all kit parts ($249) directly from you?

Thanks,
Mateusz

I'd suggest save $200 and order the parts yourself. They are widely available.

James,

From what I've gleaned from your posts, the ground glass is moving, but not oscillating. Can you tell us if the GG is rotating?
Is the rotational axis within the visible frame or outside it?

Using high shutter speeds or certain lighting conditions will there be a whirlpool/vortex effect in the centre of the frame?

Thanks.

Hey Kyle,
My tests with the second gen gg shows no movement in both light and dark situations.

James,

I tried to create my own PayPal account for further buying your guide. I got confused. Poland was not on the list of coutries 'respected' by PayPal. Then I tried to check the option of paying by credit card but it was the same. This means I cannot register nor pay for the guide.

Would you accept any other ways of payment?

Thank you,
Mateusz