Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

Hey Jarred,

Since you've got a set of close-up lenses, and people are interested in making the Agus35, can you do a quick test and see what power of diopters would be necessary to fill the DVX screen with a 24 x 18 frame?

...especially at as wide-angle as possible... the wider you go, of course, the faster the lens becomes, and the biggest problem I had with the mini35 was that we were losing 4 stops of light. If we could use it on wide-angle and buy back 1.5 stops of light, that would be phenomenal...
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

hey not sure exactly what you want me to do... can you be more specific?
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

Sure... draw out a box on a piece of paper, 24mm x 18mm. Then see if you can get the camera to focus sharply on it while filling the entire frame with that box. It'll take some close-up lenses but I don't know what combination would be the right set, or what magnification it'll require.

Furthermore, I'd like to see if you can fill the screen with that 24mm x 18mm box, but have the camera be on a fairly wide angle setting on the zoom. I'd like to see if, through the combinations of wide angle plus close-up diopters, you can fill the screen with a 24mm x 18mm rectangle while retaining an f/1.6 on the lens.

If that's possible, that'll be a big step forwards towards making a functional Agus35 or other mini35 type of device.
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

oh sorry Barry I thought you wanted me to actually make the thing lol... I can do that test no problem.
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

micro1.jpg
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

Ha! No, that would be asking a bit much, I think...

... "hey Jarred, when you get a spare minute, can you work up a complete clone of the mini35 for us?"

No, man, I just want to know what the usable diopter setting would be. I've got some close-up lenses, some Tiffen 4.5" +1, +2, and +3's, but they're useless on the DVX, so I can't test it myself, that's all...

Thanks! And thanks for working up that deal on the Quickstream! And thanks for working up the battery deal! Dude, you're all right!
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

Yeah.. that macro shot makes me wanna buy a new printer :)
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

So was that 24mm x 18mm? And what power diopter did you use? Looks like it's about, what, 70% or 80% of the way towards filling the screen, right?
 
Re: Canon 500D close-up lens for DVX-100

yeah it wasnt as easy as I thought it would be lol... it is 24x18, and I had no problem filling the frame But I lost focus at the edges.. I tried about 4 different combinations unitl I kinda gave up for now.
 
How does the 500d work from a distance?

How does the 500d work from a distance?

When the 500d is mounted on the DVX100a, and the camera is focused on a person from waist to top of head, is it possible to zoom in at all and rack some of the background out of focus while still mainting focus on the subject? In other words, would the 500d be suitable to give the background some blur while shooting an interview in tight quarters? Thanks, Craig
 
Just in case anyone is unclear, Diopters shift the camera lenses focus from infinity to a closer point, based on their power. The power is the focal length of the diopter divided into one meter, so the higher the power the closer one can focus. The 500d is a reference (I believe) to the actual focal length of the diopter, so it is a +2. Infinity on the lens becomes 500mm (about 20"). You will not be able to focus on object greater than 20" away except with in the limits of the depth of field for the focal length and F stop you are working at.

If you focus sharply at full tele then you can zoom thru the range and maintain focus, the only caveat being vignetting could occur near wide angle based on the diameter of the diopter and the focal length of the camera lens.

Depth of field is EXACTLY the same as if the lens was focused at the actual distance to the subject, in this case two feet. As you focus from Infinity to minimum it will focus a bit closer but the range is limited and becomes smaller as the power increases.

The advantage of the two element achromatic diopter of the single element types commonly sold (which are MUCH less expensive) is that they maintain good edge to edge sharpeness and color correction. The single element type tend to be unsharp at the edges and exhibit noticeable color , especially in the greater strengths.

If you simply wish to experiment , or are only interested in the center of the field, standard diopters are a good value.

They absolutely are not a way to decrease depth of field at a given working distance and focal length.

Bill Turner
Schneider Optics
Century Division
 
Bill. Thanks so much for your informative reply. There never seems to be a free lunch with lenses. I was hoping to cheat out a bit more brokeh without resorting to a mini 35 approach. It doesn't sound like the 500d will do it. I have Canon 24-70L and 70-200 IS lenses for my Canon 20D and thought I might get an additional bang for the buck with the 500D. I'll give it a try at the local camera shop just for fun and report in the results. Thanks again, Craig
 
A close-up lens doesn't do anything to change the depth of field, that is true. However, it can be employed in certain circumstances to get you shallower DOF than you otherwise would have, in close quarters. If you're shooting with a DVX100, the minimum object distance is 3'. If you're trying to shoot a tight closeup in close quarters, you wouldn't be able to zoom in and still be able to focus. Using a close-up lens can change that -- you can get closer to the subject, zoom in, and still be able to focus. The DOF will be shallower because the camera is closer to the subject.

Not really relevant for DVX100A cameras, because they already allow for much closer minimum-object-distance. But it can be used on the DVX100. Only useful for ECUs though.
 
Any more info on the 500D. Does it vignette at the wide end? If it does, any reason why you couldn't buy the 77mm version and tape/support it in front to avoid vignetting?

And when the 82mm filter threaded HVX200 comes out, the 77mm version could be supported in front somehow and the camera zoomed in less than with the 72mm version? Or maybe there will be an 82mm version by then. Just don't want to buy twice for the occasional ECU I want to do!
 
Close up lens with wide angle on dvx-100?

Close up lens with wide angle on dvx-100?

Hi,
I work with a Century wide angle and the camera , a DVX 100 has a Vocas DV Mattbox MK 11 on it that I use a very neutral density square lense with. More or less it protects the Century wide angle. So I want another lens that can do good close ups with good dof. any suggestions?

Also there are a few on camera lights to choose from, some very expensive and I am considering getting one. any suggestions?

The deal is I have to film some historical memorabalia and it is in an old mansion. I don't want a lot of glare coming back at me from the glass and I've done ok before but the place was pretty well lit. Just thinking out loud and since you guys are around ....
 
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