New half frame camera - call for Beta testers!

CMoore said:

I guess i would think that if somebody were going to make a new camera that a 35mm would be a lot more popular.?

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Last time I checked, half-frame cameras were 35mm cameras -- at least all the ones I have.

http://www.subclub.org/library/doubt.htm

http://www.subclub.org/library/page2.html

Huss said:

Guess you haven't used half frame cameras. The Olympus Pen F series have superb lenses and there is no issue with grain using basic cheap films like C200

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Optics do not cause grain.

I suppose it is inevitable that this new camera, if it ever comes to be, would be an all electronic control, need to charge battery, (I see a charging port.) type of camera. And I don’t see a provision for focusing the lenses but maybe it’s not apparent in the photo.
Now if I were emperor of the film camera universe I would expand the capability of that new Kodak branded half frame. Keep the 2 element plastic lens but provide 3 stops, f8-f11-f16 and 3 position, close-middle-far focusing marked by symbol. Next, a ‘B’ setting, besides the 1/100, standard cable release tap and tripod tap along with a hot shoe and skip the built in flash.
This would provide a bare minimum of features without pushing the price too high.
The camera could be very tiny and shirt pocket light.

MattKing said:

The Micro four-thirds frame is 17.3 mm x 13 mm - significantly smaller than half frame (24mm x 18mm).

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You can't use the MFT camera manufacturers' lenses anyway, as there's no way to control them and many are designed to require massive software correction. But as I noted in the post right above yours, many of the manually-controlled lenses offered in MFT mount by independent manufacturers are also offered in mounts for APS-C cameras and were designed to cover that larger format. The half-frame cameras that I own typically have an actual exposure area more like 17x24, while APS-C other than Canon is typically something like 15.6 x 23.5 - very close. So I'd expect that many of these lenses that are offered in mounts for both MFT and APS-C cameras will do OK on half-frame.

An example of the kinds of lenses I'm talking about:

https://7artisans.store/collections/aps-c-m43-mount

Half frame is great fun. Making diptychs is part of the fun and often amusing-- olympus Pen EL


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summicron1 said:

Half frame is great fun. Making diptychs is part of the fun and often amusing-- olympus Pen EL


View attachment 311999......

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It's nice not to take photography too seriously sometimes.

ciniframe said:

Now if I were emperor of the film camera universe I would expand the capability of that new Kodak branded half frame. Keep the 2 element plastic lens but provide 3 stops, f8-f11-f16 and 3 position, close-middle-far focusing marked by symbol.

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Something along a 1/2 frame version of the Smena: focusing, coated f/4-f/16 glass triplet lens; B, 1/15-1/200 shutter; cable release; tripod socket; sunny-11 on the shutter/aperture scales. Maybe couple film winding and shutter cocking. And better materials - all high quality plastic would be fine, can't say I'm a fan of Soviet aluminum. Mint Smenas go for about $40 w/ shipping.

Sirius Glass said:

Optics do not cause grain.

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I post a pic taken with a half frame camera that shows no grain. Blown up it will, as will any film image because film has grain.

You complain about grain. But just complain about it because as always you never show any examples.

"But but someone may steal that pic I took of my cat!"

ciniframe said:

I suppose it is inevitable that this new camera, if it ever comes to be, would be an all electronic control, need to charge battery, (I see a charging port.) type of camera. And I don’t see a provision for focusing the lenses but maybe it’s not apparent in the photo.
Now if I were emperor of the film camera universe I would expand the capability of that new Kodak branded half frame. Keep the 2 element plastic lens but provide 3 stops, f8-f11-f16 and 3 position, close-middle-far focusing marked by symbol. Next, a ‘B’ setting, besides the 1/100, standard cable release tap and tripod tap along with a hot shoe and skip the built in flash.
This would provide a bare minimum of features without pushing the price too high.
The camera could be very tiny and shirt pocket light.

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The point of the Kodak H35 is to appeal to people who do not care about any of that. All they want is a camera that uses film. If the pics are a bit blurry, grainy etc - bonus! That's what film looks like (to them). Otherwise they will just use their iphones.

I will stick with my Tessina Auto 35 as a single frame or half frame camera. Besides it is the only twin lens, twin reflex camera that I know about.

Oren Grad said:

You can't use the MFT camera manufacturers' lenses anyway, as there's no way to control them and many are designed to require massive software correction. But as I noted in the post right above yours, many of the manually-controlled lenses offered in MFT mount by independent manufacturers are also offered in mounts for APS-C cameras and were designed to cover that larger format. The half-frame cameras that I own typically have an actual exposure area more like 17x24, while APS-C other than Canon is typically something like 15.6 x 23.5 - very close. So I'd expect that many of these lenses that are offered in mounts for both MFT and APS-C cameras will do OK on half-frame.

An example of the kinds of lenses I'm talking about:

https://7artisans.store/collections/aps-c-m43-mount

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I’ve thought about that also Oren. I have 3 manual lenses for my M4:3 that are also sold in mounts for APS size mirrorless ( one each from Pergear, TTArtisan, and 7Artisan)
But the problem that immediately presented itself was that all 3 have lens elements that are too close to the image plane to be adapted to the Pen F half frame mount which is 28.95mm. Most mirrorless camera mounts are less than 20mm, M4:3 is 19.25mm. Mounted on the Pen F the optical block would foul the mirror movement, just not enough room. I do however use all my original Pen F mount Zuiko’s adapted to my M4:3 camera.

edit; That is of course assuming you mean the Pen F mount, you actually didn’t mention that specifically on your post so my comment may be barking up the wrong tree….so to speak.

Huss said:

I post a pic taken with a half frame camera that shows no grain. Blown up it will, as will any film image because film has grain.

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Not all 35mm film is based on silver grains. You may not like the results, but you will never see grain.

Sirius Glass said:

I will stick with my Tessina Auto 35 as a single frame or half frame camera. Besides it is the only twin lens, twin reflex camera that I know about.

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That Tessina lens certainly makes up for its slightly smaller image size -- even though the grain might be slightly larger. That's not a problem at all, of course, when you use a fine-grained film.

xkaes said:

That Tessina lens certainly makes up for its slightly smaller image size -- even though the grain might be slightly larger. That's not a problem at all, of course, when you use a fine-grained film.

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As I noted before, with Tri-X 400 the grain size can be a bit annoying. More annoying is having to always flip the negative over to get rid to the left-right reversal of the twin lens twin mirror design.

Sirius Glass said:

As I noted before, with Tri-X 400 the grain size can be a bit annoying. More annoying is having to always flip the negative over to get rid to the left-right reversal of the twin lens twin mirror design.

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Some people prefer to be seen in a different "light".

Email update from the owners:

Hi Analogue Photographer

Firstly wow, what an amazing response we have had to our call for Beta testers. The combination of emails and social media updates meant my phone didn’t stop buzzing for 3 days!

We are currently working on some fixes to the mechanical design which should eliminate any remaining light leaks. Once that’s done we can order the last few parts to build the beta testing units. This will happen later this month just ahead of our launch. In the mean time we have included some example images from our latest roll of film.

Due to the sheer number of people who have registered an interest in Beta testing, we are trying something slightly different to our original plan. We are going to send cameras out with modified firmware which limits them to 100 shots. That should give you chance to try the camera out before loading a film and taking your 72 photos. Once the 100 shutter releases are done the camera will stop functioning and need to be returned so we can reset, update and send it out to the next tester. That way as many people can be involved as possible.
You'll need to take the film out and get it developed, and all the images remain your property to do with as you please.


What are we offering?

• The opportunity to try out, test and feedback on the most advanced 35mm half frame camera since the 1970s
• All Beta testers will be given the chance to purchase a camera at a discounted rate

How are we going to select beta testers?
That’s where we need your help, we are looking for 3 things from our testers;

1. Critical feedback on the things you like and don’t like about the camera. It’s not just about technical issues (although we would love that feedback too), just as valuable are your views on the look and feel of the camera. We will put some questions together to help structure the feedback and if possible we’d love to talk to you over the phone about your experience using it.
2. Excitement and engagement, we want people to post about what they are doing on social media. Spread the word and share your images, if you’ve got a large or unusual following that will help.
3. We need you to test and return the camera in a timely manner. It’s tough to take 72 or more images quickly but if you can turn a film test in 1-2 weeks we can get the camera out to another tester as soon as possible.

How we are going to manage the testing programme?

Our prototypes are precious to us, so we need to put some form of legal agreement in place. The plan is to use a hire agreement whereby you will hire the camera for a minimal fee of £1, for a fixed period of time. If the camera is not returned after this period of time the hirer will be charged the cost of the camera. The exact details of the legal agreement are still being worked on by our legal team.


Still interested?

If you are still up for the challenge of being one of our beta testers then please can you send us an email to beta@alfiecameras.com (do not reply to this email!) and let us know what your background is and why you think you would make a good beta tester.

If you made it to the end of all that here is your reward ;-)
These fantastic images (and the panorama at the top of the email) were all taken on TYCH prototype #1
It was a bit light leaky so will be retired from service soon, mainly because we have currently taken it to pieces.

Look forwards to hearing from you, until next week that's all folks.

Keep shooting film, Dave

Another update:

Less than a month to go until our Kickstarter launch

Hi Analogue Photographer

A massive thankyou to everyone who has emailed about beta testing. We are half way through reading the 600+ emails and your stories and images you have shared are truly fantastic. I want to take the time to digest everyone’s email before drawing up a shortlist so please hang in there.

Less than a month to go now until our Kickstarter launch and I have two updates to share with you.

Last week I spent some time with the wonderful Chris Watkins (https://en-gb.facebook.com/Chriswatkinsmedia/) working on our Kickstarter launch video. A successful day filming meant we have plenty of B-roll, but more importantly the footage he needs to compile the promo video. It’s been a steep learning curve for me so watch out for some out-takes on social media.

On the technical side, V1.1 of the TYCH motherboard has arrived! This is the electronics that is going to be the brains of the TYCH, and after some serious upgrades to the previous version (and the addition of a light meter) it looks like we are on trach to ironing out the issues of the alpha prototypes.


I have been burning the midnight oil to assemble a few of the boards and get them up and running for our lovely Beta testers. This has caused me a few challenges, not least of which is my eyesight. Some of the components are smaller than a 1mm (0.04”) across so tweezers, jewellers’ glasses and a steady hand are definitely useful.

That’s it for this update, I’ve got to get back to my soldering iron ;-)

Keep shooting film, Dave

Huss said:

"But but someone may steal that pic I took of my cat!"

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For some people, it might be considered a major plus if someone stole the cat! It depends on the cat of course, the good ones are wonderful, the bad ones will drive you crazy.

I edited Huss' previous two posts, in order to remove the problematic table formatting.

MattKing said:

I edited Huss' previous two posts, in order to remove the problematic table formatting.

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Thanks Matt!

Their kickstarter launched today. About 500 GBP for the top model. I wish them luck but after getting burnt by the Reflex 35mm camera campaign I prefer to wait for it to become a production item.
Also I have a fantastic PenFT, an almost as fantastic Kodak Ektar H35, and an Agat 18K. The sum total of which was less than 50% of this new camera. New stuff costs, and I get that so good luck to Alfie!

Sirius Glass said:

I will consent to accept pay for my beta testing services.

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And a risk fee.

Huss said:

I post a pic taken with a half frame camera that shows no grain. Blown up it will, as will any film image because film has grain.

You complain about grain. But just complain about it because as always you never show any examples.

"But but someone may steal that pic I took of my cat!"

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SUX websites that doesn't have a LIKES BUTTON

I was very excited about this until I saw it was a vertically oriented frame. Now I'm just somewhat excited. But of course I welcome it as a good thing.

Grain is not much of an issue with half-frame if you are shooting colour slide film for projection. I invested in a couple of thousand or so half-frame mounts a couple of years ago, so I have a sunk cost that I must indulge at some point.

E6 film and processing are expensive so it is a good way to save money in that particular context. Here is what half-frame Provia slides look like. Not exactly grain central and they tend to look much better projected of course, including as regards sharpness and detail. Camera = Yashica Samurai (good lens, but auto-exposure only ).