DIY Camera - New Firmware Update

[Pete Askew]

The manufacturers of the DIY LF Camera (http://www.realphotographersforum.c...format-paper-negative-diy-camera-project.html) are pleased to announce a long awaited Firmware update. This update introduces the new ultra slow focusing system plus a reinforced lens board that should significantly reduce the number of premature shutter closures. The new enhancements are illustrated below.

An overview showing the ultra slow focusing system fitted.

And a bit closer showing one of the two focusing screws.

There is a focusing screw on both sides of the camera facilitating yaw-free focusing.

The focusing knobs are captive on the main body and turn a stainless steel threaded rod that runs through a stainless steel threaded bush attached to the lens panel / forward body section.

By turning both knobs simultaneously, yaw-free movement of the new, reinforced (double thickness plus braces) lens panel / forward body section is achieved. It is slow but accurate and makes lurched from front to back out of focus a thing of the past! But switching from close to near objects takes bloody ages!

All images taken with a Nikon D3 + Nikkor 24 - 70 f1:2.8 at f1:2.8. PP in LR and Nik ColorFX Pro 4.

 

[Paul Lange]

Cracking that Pete! The next firmware update will have to be spring loaded split bushes to facilitate quick, large focus adjustments.

 

[Pete Askew]

I even bought the springs Paul but decided that the plastic wouldn't take it. In reality, I don't alter the extension that much in normal use.

 

[Brian Moore]

Did you download that firmware update through your computer?


How do the top hats manage to stay on the corners of the couch?

 

[Pete Askew]

Well quite a bit of cutting and pasting was involved at least!

Well spotted Brian! The back and arms are pretty thick so they just sit there.

 

[David Mitchell]

Looks an awesome firmware update that you could probably mount an epic lens hood on the front of that now using the end of those screw threads just like my CR9 lol

 

[Brian Moore]

Smashin' fotie, Pete!

(I see no top hat!)

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Brian. Not taken using the DIY Camera but the Cambo plus Cooke portrait lens a couple of years back. Just to show the sofa!

 

[Pete Askew]

Now that the glue has fully cured, I have been able to test the new focusing system and it is much quicker than I anticipated. By spinning the threaded rods, coarse focus can be achieved quite quickly and it achieves infinity focus (I thought I might have compromised that with the mounting blocks - not that it would have been a problem as it is, due to the paper negatives, a studio-based camera). Once you are near the final focus point you can revert to the two control wheels to give finer control. It actually works much, much better than I originally anticipated.

 

[Hamish Gill]

That's starting to look pretty damn pro!

 

[Dave Moss]

Wonders when the rear cloak firmware update will be implimented

 

[Pete Askew]

Funny you should say that Dave, I was toying with the idea of a shade for the screen as the cloth slips off quite easily (and it's damn hot at the moment!).

 

[Pete Askew]

See http://www.realphotographersforum.c...2547-diy-camera-new-firmware-release-2-a.html.