DIY Focusing Shade - Prototype

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 4, 2010

My newest prototype for a folding hood. Sometimes (say, in some neighborhoods) it doesn't feel wise to stick my head under a black cloth... This should greatly assist with composition, as it blocks most of the reflected light on the GG surface. It also extends enough that one should be able to easily focus his/her eyes on the GG while the eyes are right at the opening.

The hood collapses almost flat, that one can use a short loupe on the ground glass for critical focusing and of course for ease of transport.

The hood still needs some sort of device to hold it flat, probably a flexible strap with a velcro at the end. The hood mounts to the camera with 4 semi-transparent velcro dots. They are very easy to install, they are not very obtrusive and should it be necessary or desired, they can be removed and the the residue cleaned with glue remover.

Thoughts?

Sully75 · May 4, 2010

I like it, Sorin. Maybe a rectangular end (not a cone), so that if you are using a loupe, it doesn't interfere as much? Would be good practice for folding a set of bellows.

Shadowtracker · May 4, 2010

I like the idea too. Being able to focus on the corner sections looks like it might be a problem but I might be wrong about that. That it folds so flat is very good. There are neighborhoods like that around here that I feel pretty much the same way about - love to take photos there but need to be aware of who is around me. This would make that easier.

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 4, 2010

The tapered shape greately reduces the reflected light and it allows the shade to collapse flat. you can use a loupe in corners, but it has to be a real focusing lupe (longer), as the bellows has to be extended a bit to deform enough. And yes, it a great practice for making/folding a bellows, the bellows section of the kit is identical with a diy bellows kit.

darinwc · May 4, 2010

What if you used less of a taper and curved the end so it would be more form-fitting, similar to a Graflex SLR?

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 4, 2010

Darinwc, I did consider that, but it has a few issues. First, it raises the cost, as creating a curved anything is much more expensive. Second, it significantly increasing the folded size. Third, people with glasses might find it even less comfortable. I'm curious if others would favor a curved, face fitting approach.

Mark Fisher · May 4, 2010

sv@diycamerakit.com said:
Darinwc, I did consider that, but it has a few issues. First, it raises the cost, as creating a curved anything is much more expensive. Second, it significantly increasing the folded size. Third, people with glasses might find it even less comfortable. I'm curious if others would favor a curved, face fitting approach.

I like the idea of it being flat so it is as compact as possible. One thing I'd be tempted to try: make the end narrow and square. The user could then adapt their existing loupe so that you could either look at the screen with one eye with no loupe or insert their loupe into the hole for fine focus. If the bellows is flexible enough, you should be able to move the loupe around enough for critical focus into the corners. I think that Ebony has something like what I am trying to describe.

Sully75 · May 4, 2010

Sorin, could you make the end curved but soft, so that it would still compress flat? Like make it from your bellows material, not from the plastic or whatever you made this one with?

I still haven't bought magnifying glasses, but I wonder if this would work well with magnifying glasses rather than a loupe?

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 5, 2010

Apparently I lied a few posts up. I just tried to use a loupe in the corner and it's not really possible, unless the loupe is 3" long. The taper is too aggressive for this and even though the bellows is very flexible, it doesn't work. I'm now tempted to try a "bag bellows" hood. That should be able to both fold flat and allow focusing with a loupe in corners. It would not look that cool though

Mark, I don't know about other people but one of the things I like about MF/LF is the ability to see the GG with both eyes. Maybe the front frame can be made to take all sorts of adapters, like a magnifier, face shaped adapter, one eye adapter, etc.

Mark Fisher · May 8, 2010

sv@diycamerakit.com said:
Mark, I don't know about other people but one of the things I like about MF/LF is the ability to see the GG with both eyes. Maybe the front frame can be made to take all sorts of adapters, like a magnifier, face shaped adapter, one eye adapter, etc.

I can understand that, but I just want to see the whole image...I figure it is 2D on the GG anyway so one eye is plenty... I've shot a 4x5 off and on for quite a while and I've learned to hate darkcloths. Hot in the summer and cause condensation on the GG in the winter.
On a separate note, I just purchased a Galvin 2x3 view camera very cheap. I'll probably end up reselling it if I can't find a good alternative to a darkcloth for that camera. The Ebony one looks interesting. I don't think it would be hard to adapt your design to use a magnifier on it.

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 9, 2010

Well, the interest in the shade is too low for me to proceed with this. Actually, the interest in DIY camera anything is much, much lower then I anticipated. I might have to cut my losses and move on.

Chazzy · May 9, 2010

sv@diycamerakit.com said:
Well, the interest in the shade is too low for me to proceed with this. Actually, the interest in DIY camera anything is much, much lower then I anticipated. I might have to cut my losses and move on.

That's very strange. I thought that you would probably do well with the bellows kit.

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 10, 2010

Chazzy said:
That's very strange. I thought that you would probably do well with the bellows kit.

That's what I thought. The demand is just not there. I'll go on at least until my current stock of material is depleted, then I'll re-evaluate.

darinwc · May 10, 2010

Dont give up, there have been other businesses started that catered to the analogue crown that did very well. Satin snow, camerabellows.com, camera leather, interslice seal replacements.
I think it will take some time to gain trust and find a niche. Remember that many here are pessimistic old farts.

mike c · May 10, 2010

I thought it was a good idea and wood have tried it if it was available. for a 5x7.

Sully75 · May 10, 2010

That's too bad, Sorin. You are providing a real resource.

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 10, 2010

Thank you guys for support, if I can make it work, I'll stick around, it just doesn't seem like that's the case right know, at least not in this format (price structure, amount of support, etc). Oh well, I didn't mean to whine, it was just a small business idea.

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 10, 2010

mike c said:
I thought it was a good idea and wood have tried it if it was available. for a 5x7.

Well, it still is for now.

mike c · May 10, 2010

Sorin,just thought about changing back from horizontal to vertical could be a problem.

mike c · May 10, 2010

Now that you have done some market research ,go back to the drafting table and redesign and work the bugs out Sorin.Then present it again to us.
Mike

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 10, 2010

Mike, the market research shows that there is not enough interest to justify more time investment.

But you are right, using the shade as designed in vertical would certainly be ... funny to look at... ;-)

sv@diycamerakit.com · May 10, 2010

Mike, I re-read your comment and I realized you were referring to the shade, not the bellows. Yes, the shade is not available nor will it be. I was referring to the bellows kit in my reply to you.

mike c · May 10, 2010

Ok,I got confused,sorry bout that.Still think there could be a need for the focusing shade if the bugs are worked out.It looked like a nice prototype for the one you showed use.I,m not trying to be funny here,but just thought of an Idea of using a scuba face mask without the glass as a face gasket that can detach from the shade bellows.That could take care of the vert. and horz. position of the screen.You could then only reposition the face mask part.But then it might not work for the smaller 4x5 camera's as the face opening would have to be square .Now you have got me thinking... OOOkay.
Mike

DIY Focusing Shade - Prototype

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