Home made sunshade, because I needed it yesterday!

[soarprod]

Vinyl Fabric - $ .46
Velcro - $ 3.74
Acrylic - $ .12
Mother with a sewing machine and lotsa black thread - priceless. * ::)

Hey All,
Just wanted to share the info on my new sunshade adapted from the mattblox french flag design. *The simple question you must first ask, does this benefit my daytime photos with the sun? YES! *The other major benefit is it I am pretty sure it will fit the anamorphic lens as well since it is fully adjustable. Also, if i sew on some additional velcro, I could fit the 4x4 filters from the mattblox guys.

The major reason for this, was that I needed the shade for a shoot tomorrow. I didn't have the time and didn't want to spend the money for the mattblox.

I took the web photo of the flag,
http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/05.jpg

Enlarged it and printed a copy so I could measure the dimensions and various angles. *Then I measured the size of the standard sunshade that comes with the dvx as a reference for the size difference from my small printed version of the mattblox and enlarged the dimensions to fit the dvx - and be similar to the french flag. *

I then created a template for the design that I scanned into my comp for future reference - If you want a copy of this, I am glad to help. *

Cut the template, trace around the acrylic with a felt marker, cut acrylic into 4 sections, trace onto fabric, sew together, fit in acrylic sections, sew to seal in, sew velcro to sections.

Make a velcro strip to go around the original plastic dvx sunshade - so that you can velcro the sunshade to the divx. *I used a loop section (look at last photo) so that you can easily tighten it around the plastic. *Then mount and position the sunshade so that you dont see it in frame - I used my laptop to verify and not the LCD. *

Here are some pix to help.
http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/01.jpg
http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/02.jpg
http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/03.jpg
http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/04.jpg

and the original

http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/06.jpg

I will take some better pix later - in the field :)
Enjoy - Phil Hover
Official title: "HOVERSHADE"
philiph@chsv.net

[danny]

Copying an un protected design for personal use is OK.

Publising it is another thing. It is not a crime but...

Is it Ethical ?

Let's discuss it.

[yuli]

Using Cinetactics web photos and offering the plans to
others does not look very good. It is not ethical.

yuli

[Jim Brennan]

I know that some people won't agree with this, but I don't think it's a problem. People reverse-engineering things for personal use is not unethical. The fact that he's sharing it may be for some, but since he's not looking to profit, I think it's okay. I've never seen the ethics issue brought up in reference to homemade cranes and stabilizers, all of which copy from commercially made ones. And frankly, it's not like this particular device is all that complicated. The only thing that makes it different (and better) than the one I designed for my camera is that it's not cardboard. But that's just my opinion.

[Carrington Benz]

How is this different from making your own dolly or crane or even steady device out of a tripod with weights at the bottom.
Give this guy a break - its not like he's donald trump - looking to market the thing.Us No budget filmmakers need this to get up the ladder - then we go & buy the proper stuff when the green rolls in.
Why would I use home made stuff on bigger budget project's for instance *- this sorta stuff is for the little guy who needs a break right ? :)


Oop's - I guess I just echoed the above post - well no matter - Im in favor for this kinda thing ;)

[soarprod]

Wow, what a topic change - :o
The design for a sunshade is in no way copyrighted - the design for it has been around for 90 years when the first film makers needed its features for shooting. If you notice, it is not the same shape nor mounting design as the cineantics design - it is actually a little smaller and is adjustable unlike their model. If you remember back, there was a guy who adapted the french flag to fit the anamorphic lens with some velcro - I guess that design is illegal since they now have the anamorphic mattblox ::) ;) :P
I hope this helps people save $90.
-Phil Hover

[MDKfilms]

Hey Phil, more power to you. It looks great, and I bet everytime you look at it it makes you feel proud. Building something with your own two hands, that looks good and works, is extremely satisfying. Good job.

[J.R. Hudson]

I agree. Get over the DESIGN issue. He's not selling it and it surely isnt a major invention or secret. Props to the guerilla masta! If anything, it shows what these things probally really cost and how we get raped financially.

Looks really good. If it works for you then bravo. My advice is:

Put the ketchup in the fridge.

[soarprod]

Hey John, everybody knows that you dont have to refridgerate ketchup ;D
That is, unless you like the cold feeling with your fries.

[J.R. Hudson]

:D

[HansK]

People reverse-engineering things for personal use is not unethical.

Actually, there are some cases where it is illegal. Read the fine print on many software license agreements. There is usually a section on reverse-engineering and that you agree not to do so if you accept the software agreement. That is for all uses, for profit and not for profit.

Btw, soarprod, very nice sun shade! But, how did you use the ketchup in the building of this thing? ;)

[monkeyking]

Great sewing job! You the man.

[dakotapod]

I hope this helps people save $90.
-Phil Hover

All the power to ya soarprod - nice work :)

I for one am digging out my old Halloween costume sewing machine (you can insert any gay jokes here if you like) ;D

Thanks for the pics!

[TC]

If you have a sewing machine dedicated for Halloween use, than I call you hardcore. ;D

[dakotapod]

Best holiday of the year brother! People are totally different when they toss on a costume. :)

[Jim Brennan]

I stand corrected about the reverse engineering. I hadn't thought of software. Thank You

[TC]

Doesn't the term reverse engineering trace back to software? I had never actually heard it used to describe a physical device.

dakotapod- You're a man of much wisdom. :D

[dakotapod]

dakotapod- You're a man of much wisdom. :D

Sadly you seem to know very little about me ;) ;)

[TC]

I'll rephrase.

dakotapod- I like Halloween too!

[dakotapod]

Halloween is for kids - Grow up :P

[TC]

I don't wanna grow up, I'm a toys-r-us kid.

EDIT: Do you Canadian fellas get that joke? Do you have toys-r-us?

[dakotapod]

Ya, I know there are only a couple hundred of us down here ;D but we shop and stuff too. (when its not snowing) ::)

We even got a McDonalds ... (Down east I think)

[TC]

:D Just curious!

You crazy Canadians. :P

[dakotapod]

BURP ... Sorry eh, Just finnishen' my beer eh ;)

[mickeloaf]

Reverse engineering is definately done on hardware. The soviets did it all the time, as well as the Americans during the cold war. The only real difference between hardware and software is that hardware usually doesn't come with a license agreement.

[Thistlebop]

Geez...
Soarprod you did a super job on your "sunshade".

If your filmmaking skill is equal to your sewing skill, then you really have it made.

Sincerely
--Bop

[TC]

Did you sew it, or did your mom?

[HansK]

Did you sew it, or did your mom?


Hmm, maybe I could convince my mom to sew me one? Um, wait, no, that's not a good idea. It will show up with flowery "pretty" material since black is oh so boring. :D

[Jim Brennan]

Jeez, I know exactly what you mean. My Mom "decorated" one of my guitar cases once, as a "surprise". I think I burned it.

[soarprod]

Hey TC, Your correct, I didn't sew it. :P My mom kinda pushed me aside like a amateur and took over there. It is still very simple to do - straight stitch for the lines and cross stitch for the Velcro and top section that attaches to the cam.

-Phil
(Better filmmaker than sewer)

[soarprod]

By popular demand... Here is the url for the zipped tiff image – you should print it on 8.5 by 14 paper - good luck on the manufacturing :) http://www.ssldat.com/soarprod/film/hovershade.zip

-Phil

[m_bass]

Thanks for the plans Phil I think I am going to brake out the ole sewing machine this weekend. I got two questions for you though. What are you using on the inside to make it ridged? And on the long edge of the drawing you have two lines what is the second one for "Where it says 3.1 and 3" thanks for your help mike

[soarprod]

I used the acrylic to make it rigid :P - it was kinda thin so I doubled it up to help that. You could use hard cardboard. the 3.1 and 3" are just for extra measurements - originally i thought I would make the box smaller but decided to extend it a little - just cut along the far edge and you should be fine. Use the paper to make a test box, fit it on your cam with tape and then break it up and cut the acrylic to match the paper outline. Sew over to keep it in place and also velcro it.

[m_bass]

Thanks for you help Phil I'm going to get started on it this weedend. mike

[milverdu]

where did you buy the materials?

looks really nice man!!!

Mil

[soarprod]

Fabric Store - Joanne's Fabrics or something - get in touch with that feminine side 8)

[speedbump]

Props to guerrilla masta, as John says.

The design for sunshades is well known, not a trade secret, and is not patentable due to prior art, of, oh, about 100 years by now.

Now, if Guerilla Masta had STOLEN the plans from some manufacturer, and was selling them (or really even giving them away) then there would be an ethical and legal issue.

[m_bass]

I just wanted to say thanks for the plans Phil. I made mine this week and it works pretty damn good. I made it out of black matte vinyl and an old trash can that had flat sides. Then trimed it up with a twill edge. I think while I am at it I am going to make one for the lcd. thanks again, mike

[Bill_Bolton]

Regarding reverse engineering; Recently read an Harvard Business Journal article about the differences between the U.S. and Japan's Patent Office. The Japanese use the patent process as a means of distributing technology rather than a means of protecting intellectual property. I believe that Japan uses the template of an "exact" copy is illegal, but one that is ever so slightly different is ok.

[thartley]

Hey any and all-

I was wondering if I could use an artist's canvas board for oil painting for this project? I wasnt sure what "acrylic" was in the ingredient list.

Thanks,
Terri

[soarprod]

Anything firm will work, acrylic is like clear plastic sheets.
I picked it because it was inexpensive and flexible.

[m_bass]

I went with a square plastic trash can that was laying around the house. I glued the vinyl to the plastic and sewed around the edeges. That took care of the wrenkles in the vinyl. Using the same idea, I made a sunshade for the lcd, and it can out pretty damn good. I'll post the plans and some steps if any body wants them. mike

[thartley]

Glue... yeah, I've hemmed with a stapler. heh! Glue is good.

And yes, by all means, cough up the plans for the LCD, please.

[Slimothy]

I know you aren't trying to make money off of these, but would there be any way you would agree to make one for someone (me). I am so horribly horrible at crafts I would like to see one that you made and I would be willing to pay for it. If you're too busy etc. thats fine, but if you did how much would ya charge? Thanks.

[m_bass]

This is the plans for the lcd sunshade its not to scale so you can't print it, but it should be easy to draw out. By the way the best glue that I found for this is contact cement. Apply on both pieces and wait for 15 min. and stick together. Be for warned the pieces have to be in the right place when you put them together because you can't pull them back apart after they are stuck...

http://www.zoomforce.com/dvxuser/photos/images//312192649.jpg

[HartStudio]

Thank you soarprod for the lovely pictures.

I took you idea and made some changes... I hope you don't mind!

I call it the light blocker 5000

I made it go all the way around the lense and added 3/4 of an inch to the flags and added length to the tabs. Fits both anamorphic and standard lens housings.

Here it is! Hope you like it.

It's yours for low, low price of.... Get off your @ss and make it your self!

Mine did cost a bit more than yours. Michaels Crafts got me on the plastic. It was five bucks. Suck! The black nylon cloth was $4.50 a yard and the black thread was $3.60. I am out-raged!!! Highway robbery! *;D

http://www.hartstudio.com/images/Light-Blocker-5000-small.jpg

http://www.hartstudio.com/images/Light-Blocker-5000-oncam.jpg

http://www.hartstudio.com/images/Light-Blocker-5000-stand.jpg

Had to make the advertisement for my studio in case my design revision catches on and I become famous or something because of it.

Copyright HartStudio 2005 !!! HA! *;D ;D ;D Just kidding!

I would like to see more improvements... Post away!

More pictures available if you need them!

You should be able to print out and cut out the shapes for templates.

[Jim Brennan]

Oohhhh. I'm all about upgrades!

[pptphoto]

Are you sure? I thought you DID have to refrigerate ketchup after it was opened. BTW, nice shade...