Would you pay $30 for DIY vibrating 35mm plans?

ovjamaica said:
Ever though of making more detailed plans/DVD's on your jib or other equipment?
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The problem with the other items is that I didn't get many pics and such as I was building each item. To provide a detailed guide, I would most likely have to build the items again... and that makes me cringe. I also think that since there is a good deal of welding, drilling, metal cutting, painting, etc. there wouldn't be enough people with the means to pull it all off.

Also, the hand held stabilizer was built from plans that I purchased on ebay for $20. I couldn't give any more details about that design than I already have or else that would be unethical.
http://homecastpro.homestead.com/
:)

I have answered many questions about the items through email, and would be glad to help you in any way that I can. Just let me know. You have probably been there, but also check out homebuiltstabilizers.com.
 
I probably should have mentioned this earlier... I posted much of the info some time ago as to how I built the first vibrating GG adapter. It is in edwierdos thread (link below). I have some parts on the way for the newer and easier-to-build design and will post some pics when those arrive as well.

Just to help those of you that think I am not sharing feel better.
:)

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=45972&page=65
 
Craig Bellaire, I saw your plans a while back. Good stuff. In fact, I used them for part of my design.

I am still debating on what to do as far as the plans go. So, Craig... what is your opinion of selling detailed plans? Your guide is a great, and free, guide. It is similar to the ones one my site in that it shows people a quick run down of how you did it and then adds a few bits of info. The DVD of course would be step by step, parts numbers, the whole nine yards.

I finished the revised addition of the adapter at 6am. Ouch. I couldn't stop. Anyway, I will get some pics and test footage later. I love it.
 
Plans

Plans

well I know for a fact that QUYEN Le has changed the plans from these as he has built and progressed with a good product... Now, as far as selling plans? I bought red rocks plans and then sold them because it was just to much for me to look at the plans, and build... So I say no to selling just plans on paper....NOW if you had a DVD for $30.00 then that's another story... No one else is doing this and you actually show the product from beginning to end and actually give some people hope that their DIY adapter will turn out just like yours... So that's what I would do.... Plus burning DVD's is simple and you don't have to get 100 books copied/published and hope to sell them... Just burn the dvd's as you need them on your home computer, .50 cents for the dvd, .50cents for a nice color label from your printer or office depot and mail it priority mail for $4.00 and that's a 25.00 profit for each DVD after production... NOW it better look good and have good audio and get several good reviews here on these threads and you will be set... That's my take...
 
That an excellent price for a much needed, detalied guide....those that don't think that someone's time is money...well I'll just be civil and say no more.
 
mcgeedigital said:
That an excellent price for a much needed, detalied guide....those that don't think that someone's time is money...well I'll just be civil and say no more.
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I agree, there needs to be a detailed guide. It takes a lot of time and effort to wade through all the adapter info to build one on your own. Not to mention the trial and error.

Here is a pic of the refined adapter. The knob on the side is a rheostat that allows adjustment of the motor speed and thus the amount of vibration. When adjusted to the "sweet" spot, it is difficult to tell if the motor is running. The LED light is to ensure that the motor is actualy running. The LED also serves as a reminder to turn the motor off. It runs on 3AA's. The on/off switch is on the batter pack. I have let the adapter run for over 36 hours. It was still running strong with no sign of power loss at the end. I still need to do a full battery life test. 36 hours was as long as I could stand to wait with out being able to work in it. It uses a Centry Optics +7 two-element achromatic diopter. My adapter uses a Nikon D screen. The plans of course would include other options for the GG. The adapter in the pic below uses a FD mount and canon lens. Other mounts could be used also and would be addressed in the guide/DVD (If I end up doing it).

Snod35_2.jpg


Here are the insides to give you an idea of how the GG is put into motion. Thanks Craig Bellaire for the great syringe idea.

Snod35.jpg


EDIT: footage to come. I am planning on getting some this weekend as time allows.
 
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Actually,
The syringe idea comes from Quyen Le, in fact all the pictures in Craig's pdf were taken by Quyen i beleive. I think Craig took the time to compile the pics into a downloadable PDF. Im just putting credit to where its due.

I think a guide, especially on DVD is a great idea.
 
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Wayne Kinney said:
Actually,
The syringe idea comes from Quyen Le, in fact all the pictures in Craig's pdf were taken by Quyen i beleive. I think Craig took the time to compile the pics into a downloadable PDF. Im just putting credit to where its due.
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Got it. Thanks. And thanks to Quyen. Sorry for the confusion Craig. Still, thank you for compiling it all together.
 
"I was contemplating making a detailed and complete guide book and DVD for a DIY vibrating 35mm adapter. I still have a little ways to go until the the design is perfected. I would want to refine a few things first to make it a bit easier to build. Help would be available via a forum. The total cost to build would be around $300 to $350. This price would include all required parts... achromatic, 35mm lens, GG, etc. I'm not out to make a huge profit. Just to make a complete and easy to follow guide/DVD and earn a little $ to build/buy more equipment.

My goal in this guide would be to include all necessary info... ie: instead of, "solder the wire to the motor", the DVD and guide would show you how. "



I was going to do this with the first ifocus 35. I thinks it's a great idea Snodart, that's if you have the patients, and as long as you're giving credit to the people that have work very hard to make all of this happen. I say go for it!!!!
 
twocik23 said:
I was going to do this with the first ifocus 35. I thinks it's a great idea Snodart, that's if you have the patients, and as long as you're giving credit to the people that have work very hard to make all of this happen. I say go for it!!!!
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Thanks for your input twocid23. I agree with you fully about giving credit to the good people that have put so much time into building and sharing. I do have the patients to complete this and do it right. I refuse to put out anything done half a**.
:thumbsup:

I have spoken with my brother-in-law and he has agreed to help me film it and put together the DVD. I am realizing that it might take me longer than I had anticipated, but that is the way with most projects. I have much research to do with GG options.

By the way, I only had time to do some very quick tests not worthy of posting. Good news is that everything looks great. I am strapped for time as the deadline nears for hero-fest. I will do my best to get some footage soon.

How well you all like/dislike the footage will be the deciding factor as to whether or not I take on this project.
 
Snodart, go for it. If you can send me some info of your plan, I will give you some updates on the newest letus unit that works much better than the original one. Also I will give you some advise on the syringe sticks to get the best image.

Quyen
 
Letus said:
Snodart, go for it. If you can send me some info of your plan, I will give you some updates on the newest letus unit that works much better than the original one. Also I will give you some advise on the syringe sticks to get the best image.

Quyen
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Wow......nice offer Quyen! Snodart.......where's your reply? I hope you take Quyen up on his offer.
 
Quyen said:
Snodart, go for it. If you can send me some info of your plan, I will give you some updates on the newest letus unit that works much better than the original one. Also I will give you some advise on the syringe sticks to get the best image.

Quyen
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Quyen, that would be outstanding and very helpful. I am still working like mad to start shooting my hero-fest entry, so the plans are temporarily on the back burner. Rest assured though that they will not fall by the way side. I am very excited about this project and I think people will truly enjoy the DVD.

I will certainly take you up on your great offer... but it may be a while before I will be able to send you anything of true substance.

Thanks!
 
So I have been using the DIY vibrating adapter in question to shoot my hero fest entry. So far the images look great. In the little down time that there has been during shooting, I have started to order all of the parts to build a new adapter. My goal is to ensure that all of the parts are available to order on-line from sites that will ship world wide. Of course the new adapter will be built in front of the camera for the tutorial.

In my notes for the tutorial, these are the topics that I am hoping to include on the DVD.

1) DOF basics:
This area will give a basic run down of the relationship between F-stop, aperture, and DOF.

2) 35mm DOF adapters:
The basic components and their purpose. The advantages and disadvantages of 35mm adapters. Topics will include some of the common problems among adapters and how to avoid or correct them; such as grain, chromatic aberration, purple fringing, vignetting, and barrel distortion.

3) Required parts:
Exactly what to get and where to find it (or what you can use instead).

4) 35mm lenses and mounts: a brief rundown of the options. Probably will focus on Nikon and Canon.

5) Focusing screen (ground glass): As of now the options
Will most likely cover: Nikon D screen, translucent plastic, and beattie.

6) Building the adapter

7) Set up and use of the adapter

8) Sample footage

My plan is to burn some preliminary copies of the DVD's. With the copies, I will seek the advice and review from several people that I would consider "seasoned" filmmakers and/or photographers. I will also send a few copies to more novice filmmakers to seek input as to the ease or difficulty of the instructions and information. Once the reviews are back, I would make any necessary changes and then have the finalized copies made. Depending on the success of the DVD, I would also like to set up a forum for owners of the DVD to trade tips and such.

I would like to test the adapter with as many camera's as possible. Aside from the DVX and HVX, what other cams do you think should be included in the test?

Feedback on these ideas would be great!

EDIT:
I spent some time with Maya tonight and started building some of the scene for the animation that will help explain DOF and the permissable circle of confusion.

DOF.jpg
 
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