Tim Le
09-11-2009, 08:29 PM
This thread (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=183145) about DSLR form factor vs. a video camera got me thinking. I agree that a DSLR kinda sucks for serious video work. But then again in some situations it can be an advantage.
So if there was a way to keep the DSLR the way it is and just dock it to a "video camera adapter" you could have the best of both worlds. You'd use this VCA when you need the extra input/outputs or a shoulder mount. Then when you need a crash cam, POV cam, stealth cam, or you just want to shoot stills, you can un-dock the DSLR and use it as is. The bottom of the DSLR would have to be designed with a special base that can connect mechanically and electrically to the video camera adapter (sort of like the way they have optional grips for Wi-Fi or extra batteries).
The VCA would have a battery mount in the back for a large brick battery to counterbalance the camera and to power on-board lights. Also in the back would be things like XLR, monitor out, TC, RF mic receiver, heated cup holder, etc. We need as much weight back there as possible to counterbalance the camera! A top handle would be centered over the CG of the rig and an adjustable ENG viewfinder would be above and to the left of the DSLR. A rosette on the right side of the VCA would allow you to mount a zoom demand grip with a zoom rocker (for video lenses that come out). Then below where the DSLR docks to the VCA, you'd have some knobs and switches for commonly used functions, like on a broadcast camera.
I guess this is sort of like RED's brain concept. Except here, the DSLR is the brain and a cheap one at that. You can upgrade the brain by just swapping it out with a new camera. The big advantage here is this brain is already a dedicated still camera.
A dedicated video camera would be more elegant and robust than this thing, but you wouldn't be able to turn it into a small and light still camera (with video) if you wanted to. Wouldn't something like this VCA be handy if it was inexpensive? What you do guys think? Am I crazy?
I did a quick sketch of what this TIMCAM® would look like:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/steadicam22/cameras/hdslr.jpg
I was inspired by this Ikegami box camera:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/steadicam22/cameras/ike.jpg
So if there was a way to keep the DSLR the way it is and just dock it to a "video camera adapter" you could have the best of both worlds. You'd use this VCA when you need the extra input/outputs or a shoulder mount. Then when you need a crash cam, POV cam, stealth cam, or you just want to shoot stills, you can un-dock the DSLR and use it as is. The bottom of the DSLR would have to be designed with a special base that can connect mechanically and electrically to the video camera adapter (sort of like the way they have optional grips for Wi-Fi or extra batteries).
The VCA would have a battery mount in the back for a large brick battery to counterbalance the camera and to power on-board lights. Also in the back would be things like XLR, monitor out, TC, RF mic receiver, heated cup holder, etc. We need as much weight back there as possible to counterbalance the camera! A top handle would be centered over the CG of the rig and an adjustable ENG viewfinder would be above and to the left of the DSLR. A rosette on the right side of the VCA would allow you to mount a zoom demand grip with a zoom rocker (for video lenses that come out). Then below where the DSLR docks to the VCA, you'd have some knobs and switches for commonly used functions, like on a broadcast camera.
I guess this is sort of like RED's brain concept. Except here, the DSLR is the brain and a cheap one at that. You can upgrade the brain by just swapping it out with a new camera. The big advantage here is this brain is already a dedicated still camera.
A dedicated video camera would be more elegant and robust than this thing, but you wouldn't be able to turn it into a small and light still camera (with video) if you wanted to. Wouldn't something like this VCA be handy if it was inexpensive? What you do guys think? Am I crazy?
I did a quick sketch of what this TIMCAM® would look like:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/steadicam22/cameras/hdslr.jpg
I was inspired by this Ikegami box camera:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/steadicam22/cameras/ike.jpg