Guskers 35

Dennis Wood · March 1st, 2006, 08:21 PM

Here's a few clips/pics of my latest creation. Evidently it's not a spinner at 2.75" by 3.75". Footage is zoomed 10% but otherwise untouched from the GS400. It was shot in 16:9, 30F. (pro-cinema mode).

No ads, slower
More Ads, faster

Pic of the prototype

Power is not internalized yet, but I have the materials incoming to facilitate this.

Jim Lafferty · March 1st, 2006, 11:41 PM

Internalized power? How will you (re)charge it? This is exciting -- the DIY adapter business is getting in to full swing...

Toenis Liivamaegi · March 2nd, 2006, 06:02 AM

Wouldn`t internalized power be kind of a downside of the design?
I mean how could you change/charge batteries in an instant when you need to? And there must be a way to know if batteries are running low or else you`ll be filming with static adapter from time to time...

Dennis Wood · March 2nd, 2006, 07:14 AM

Well, doing the basic mAh calculations, the unit should have a 40 hour runtime on a full charge with it's two NiMh cells. That's a lot of filming ...

Size, weight and convenience seem to be common desires with these adapters. My thinking therefore is that simple, light, and self contained are desireable attributes. I've got a few neat ideas for charging other than a standard external charger. My spinner had the batteries internal too, and like everything else battery powered, part of the pre-shoot procedure is to make sure they're charged!

Dan got it right with the MPIC IMO.

An LED will serve as a visual charge indicator.

Francois Poitras · March 2nd, 2006, 07:40 AM

I totally agree with Dennis on internal batteries; I’m actually going in the same direction. My adapter looks a lot like Dennis’.

Different batteries can be used depending on the internal design. In my own design (ABS tubes), I can use use two rechargeable 2/3AA or 2/3A batteries inside. My idea is to install a small connector inside the housing, and work with two rechargeable battery packs equipped with a matching connector. The battery pack is at one end of the adapter, easily replaceable.

I’m actually at the stage of modifying the wiring inside the adapter to accomodate the battery packs.

Yasser Kassana · March 3rd, 2006, 05:12 AM

That's some seriously clean footage, not soft, sharp. I like it, and to see those images coming out of a gs400, great. Any ideas if you want to sell?

Andrew Todd · March 3rd, 2006, 06:47 AM

files expired.. any updated link?? looking forward to seeing this footage

Forrest Schultz · March 3rd, 2006, 09:44 AM

andrew click on the slow, no ads one. it wont say expired

Bennis Hahn · March 3rd, 2006, 11:43 AM

That looks great! Can we get some more info on how you made it?

Dang, that really does look awsome man!

Dennis Wood · March 3rd, 2006, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the tip Forrest. I'll post up some fresh links tonight. Yasser and Bennis, glad you liked the footage. I'll likely do some more shots this weekend once I get the new rail system attached. There's a thread over at dvxuser describing a bit more about the adapter. Basically I'm in the final stages of getting the CNC work done for a production version. My current angst is finding a domestic supplier of large diameter carbon fibre tubing for the chassis. I can't do any production work with the CNC folks until I have the actual tubing in my hands. I also have a flip module coming. Again, some CNC work required there.

The GS400 has it's limitations...but certainly the pro-cinema (frame mode, "true" 16:9, and gamma tweaks) gives a pretty good SD picture...that I don't have to deinterlace. The external manual controls and MF ring are super handy for adapter work.

Dennis Wood · March 4th, 2006, 11:42 PM

Internal power is now sorted out. Here's a pic.

I've also reposted the original sample footage as there were issues:

Link 1
Link 2

David Delaney · March 5th, 2006, 09:44 AM

I love the look of it. Remind me of Dan's MPIC, with a longer barrel which is eliminating the macro lens, yes no?

Dennis Wood · March 5th, 2006, 10:04 AM

Ha, I was waiting for that reference. From my point of view, the minimum length for the adapter is 43.5mm + 50mm, to allow both flange to GG spacing, and minimum focus distance for most cams...so 95 to 100mm. I could make it shorter, but then every user would need a macro.

The reality of packaging everything internal is that the parts must be out of the optical path, so their placement is pretty much dictated. Honestly I like the MPIC aesthetic better...but for my design...it's definitely function over form.

David Delaney · March 5th, 2006, 11:09 AM

I hope you didn't think I was putting your device down, because I think it is looks great. The comparison is a good thing. Dan has a great device. Also, you footage is looking really nice- what is the price point going to be? Are you beta testing?

Dennis Wood · March 5th, 2006, 12:22 PM

Not at all David. When it comes down to minimal size, all of these things are going to be small cylinders with a switch, LED, and charge port.

I'd say beta testing is nearly over. I'm completely happy with the design, movement etc. CAD design for the final product is done. Really it's just waiting for parts now.

The final unit with a carbon fibre chassis, machined parts, and CNC GG plate will be somewhere in the $450 to $600 US range.

March 1st, 2006, 08:21 PM	#1
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Guskers 35 - 2nd Gen. Here's a few clips/pics of my latest creation. Evidently it's not a spinner at 2.75" by 3.75". Footage is zoomed 10% but otherwise untouched from the GS400. It was shot in 16:9, 30F. (pro-cinema mode). No ads, slower More Ads, faster Pic of the prototype Power is not internalized yet, but I have the materials incoming to facilitate this.

March 1st, 2006, 11:41 PM	#2
Jim Lafferty Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 636	Internalized power? How will you (re)charge it? This is exciting -- the DIY adapter business is getting in to full swing... __________________ Realism, anyway, is never exactly the same as reality, and in the cinema it is of necessity faked. -- J-L G

March 2nd, 2006, 07:40 AM	#5
Francois Poitras Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Québec (Canada) Posts: 133	I totally agree with Dennis on internal batteries; I’m actually going in the same direction. My adapter looks a lot like Dennis’. Different batteries can be used depending on the internal design. In my own design (ABS tubes), I can use use two rechargeable 2/3AA or 2/3A batteries inside. My idea is to install a small connector inside the housing, and work with two rechargeable battery packs equipped with a matching connector. The battery pack is at one end of the adapter, easily replaceable. I’m actually at the stage of modifying the wiring inside the adapter to accomodate the battery packs. __________________ François

March 3rd, 2006, 06:47 AM	#7
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	files expired.. any updated link?? looking forward to seeing this footage __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

March 2nd, 2006, 06:02 AM	#3
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	Wouldn`t internalized power be kind of a downside of the design? I mean how could you change/charge batteries in an instant when you need to? And there must be a way to know if batteries are running low or else you`ll be filming with static adapter from time to time...

March 2nd, 2006, 07:14 AM	#4
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Well, doing the basic mAh calculations, the unit should have a 40 hour runtime on a full charge with it's two NiMh cells. That's a lot of filming ... Size, weight and convenience seem to be common desires with these adapters. My thinking therefore is that simple, light, and self contained are desireable attributes. I've got a few neat ideas for charging other than a standard external charger. My spinner had the batteries internal too, and like everything else battery powered, part of the pre-shoot procedure is to make sure they're charged! Dan got it right with the MPIC IMO. An LED will serve as a visual charge indicator.

March 3rd, 2006, 05:12 AM	#6
Yasser Kassana Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 223	That's some seriously clean footage, not soft, sharp. I like it, and to see those images coming out of a gs400, great. Any ideas if you want to sell?

March 3rd, 2006, 09:44 AM	#8
Forrest Schultz Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atwater, CA Posts: 246	andrew click on the slow, no ads one. it wont say expired

March 3rd, 2006, 11:43 AM	#9
Bennis Hahn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 221	That looks great! Can we get some more info on how you made it? Dang, that really does look awsome man!

March 3rd, 2006, 12:18 PM	#10
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Thanks for the tip Forrest. I'll post up some fresh links tonight. Yasser and Bennis, glad you liked the footage. I'll likely do some more shots this weekend once I get the new rail system attached. There's a thread over at dvxuser describing a bit more about the adapter. Basically I'm in the final stages of getting the CNC work done for a production version. My current angst is finding a domestic supplier of large diameter carbon fibre tubing for the chassis. I can't do any production work with the CNC folks until I have the actual tubing in my hands. I also have a flip module coming. Again, some CNC work required there. The GS400 has it's limitations...but certainly the pro-cinema (frame mode, "true" 16:9, and gamma tweaks) gives a pretty good SD picture...that I don't have to deinterlace. The external manual controls and MF ring are super handy for adapter work.

March 4th, 2006, 11:42 PM	#11
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Internal power is now sorted out. Here's a pic. I've also reposted the original sample footage as there were issues: Link 1 Link 2

March 5th, 2006, 09:44 AM	#12
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	I love the look of it. Remind me of Dan's MPIC, with a longer barrel which is eliminating the macro lens, yes no?

March 5th, 2006, 10:04 AM	#13
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Ha, I was waiting for that reference. From my point of view, the minimum length for the adapter is 43.5mm + 50mm, to allow both flange to GG spacing, and minimum focus distance for most cams...so 95 to 100mm. I could make it shorter, but then every user would need a macro. The reality of packaging everything internal is that the parts must be out of the optical path, so their placement is pretty much dictated. Honestly I like the MPIC aesthetic better...but for my design...it's definitely function over form.

March 5th, 2006, 11:09 AM	#14
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	I hope you didn't think I was putting your device down, because I think it is looks great. The comparison is a good thing. Dan has a great device. Also, you footage is looking really nice- what is the price point going to be? Are you beta testing?

March 5th, 2006, 12:22 PM	#15
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Not at all David. When it comes down to minimal size, all of these things are going to be small cylinders with a switch, LED, and charge port. I'd say beta testing is nearly over. I'm completely happy with the design, movement etc. CAD design for the final product is done. Really it's just waiting for parts now. The final unit with a carbon fibre chassis, machined parts, and CNC GG plate will be somewhere in the $450 to $600 US range.