I too find it dark
 

If I stay with press and seal, I'll need a "faster" lens because yes, I have darkness issues...

one layer with my current lens = not diffuse enough, so hotspots. 2 layers is great, but much darker...

Well, it's a start.

Mandy, you're in Canada? Where? I'm in Toronto - close enough for us to hook up?

I'll be going to Henry's tomorrow to return my expensive macro extender and try to follow the pattern set here by others with 72mm diameter cameras: 72mm to 55mm step down and then Hoya type macro's...

Argh, I wish the guys building "pro" systems would just hurry up... *Big smile, big wink*

Mark,

It sounds like you are on your way. I think two press and seals is going to be way too much light loss. The GG, that I am using now, is one layer of Press and Seal and looks really good - but I still need the condenser lens to avoid hotspots (which aren't really that bad).

Yes, I am in Canada, but not very close to Toronto

I'm temporarily abandoning the home-made project..
 

Hi Mandy - long time no see!

Well, I've returned the in-effective macro adapter/extender that I got from Henry's - it was a Canon 72mm type 500D that just didn't allow me to get in close enough...

I see from the various posts that for someone like me with 72mm lens, 72-55mm stepdown with 55mm (or so) Hoya macro adaptors is the way to go...

No one in Toronto readily has 72-55 stepdown on hand - not even Vistek (our T.O. camera superstore)

That being said, I'd have to get a condenser too to reduce hotspots and from other posts here, seems like the type of SLR lens even comes into play...

So I'm putting the home-built version on hiatus because James Hurd really seems to be coming down to short-strokes with the micro 35 and I can wait a month or two. If summer rolls around and I still don't have something, I'll throw myself in head-first and go all out to make the best homebuilt system I can - I'm confident it can be achieved: the results so far are equal to like Super 8 footage... I see enough potential in the "filmic" look that this type of system derives that I want to follow it through to the end...

Mandy, I'll continue to be watching for your updates - you seem quite determined to have this system working to also realize your "vision."

Good luck!

Mark

Thanks Mark. I hope your idea works out as well, whether you wait for James or not.

I have recently come up with a new oscillating idea that works, quite by accident. It is very unlike the one that was posted recently (which was great, BTW). This one allows for a much smaller GG (that doesn't have to be round and moves in a nice like vibrational, small circles manner.
I am still working on my prototype, trying to get it done now with padding to stop the noice and building a rail for it. But as of right now, I am ready to shoot, even though I am continuing to hone it (I am still trying to get the transparent foil for it).

<<<-- Originally posted by Mandy Leo : ...The problem isn't the name of the product so much Oscar, it is finding it. ... -->>>

mandy - if you still need this foil, just send me your private address on my mail, and will send you 2meters of it for free. i have the whole roll (10meters), so since i do not produce frosted CDs, for mases - i do not need such a big amount of it.

filip

Updated my site with a new video - I finished building a mock set of rails today so it works on the tripod.

Getting a little colour separation on certain shots Long shots, working on figuring that out. Sturdiness is also a problem rack focusing, which is also something that I need to address - some vibrations when holding the focus ring. If anyone has a quick fix, let me know.

http://dvstuff.250free.com

Now, I am starting to write a short so I can shoot it!

Mandy, that is amazing
 

Really good for home-made stuff - wow, that is great! Hotspot issue isn't bad at all - if you light well, your film will be ultra cool...

Can't wait to hear more/see more about it!

Congrats!

Mark

The press & seal is now showing its faults. In the compressed footage a little hard to see, but the uncompressed it really shows. Going back to the Frost GG until I can get the Transparent Foil from Filip!

New footage showing a daylight scene.

http://dvstuff.250free.com

Bought some Mylar today for the CD/GG. Wow, what a difference in quality - but at the cost of losing light levels (will posts some pics in a few minutes). There is a great grain-like look to it and I cannot really see much of a spinning CD's with it (something that is obvious with Frosted GG/CD's). The hotspots is virtually gone as well because of the opaqueness of the material. I am going to try some more tests and see if it is a trade-off I can live with.

I am also looking for supplies of blank WHITE CD's. I only can find the GREEN TINT ones in stores. Does anyone know a company that sells them? maybe even just sells the plain packing cd's?

http://dvstuff.250free.com