Has anybody used the Micro35 DIY guide?

[snodart]

I did a thread search, but most were to old to provide updated info. 35mm adapters are growing and evolving too fast!

So I just noticed that Redrock sells a DIY guide with the GG and achromat. The disclaimer is clear:

Please note since the Guide recommends parts you can acquire from such places as Home Depot and Lowes, this project does not result the same quailty adapter as the Redrock M2. While they both share the same basic design the M2 is professionally manufactured.

Has anybody used this guide to build one? I am wondering if the image quality is comparable to the M2. The GG and achromat can be purchased along with the guide. Since these are two of the key components of an adapter, and since they are also used on the M2; I can't see why the image quality would be any different (this is assuming that it is built with some DIY quality and care).

What say you?

 

[petri63]

I did build an adapter using the Redrock guide, and pretty successfully, I’d modestly say. However, I sold it because I thought the rig with (homemade) rails was too heavy for handheld shooting. I since then built a vibrating adapter which is much more suited to my type of shooting.

At the time I bought it, back in November, the package included the guide itself, a GG (the M1, the first Redrock GG, about 2 stop loss) and, most importantly, access to the private DIY forum on the Redrock boards. Now, the latter is important, as you then have access to the many tricks and improvements made by other DIYers. That is the key, in my opinion, because the guide itself is pretty basic. Without access to the private DIY forum, the guide would not be worth it IMO.

I should also say that the M1 GG provided had an offset centre hole and was somewhat warped. It also suffered close to 2 stops in light loss. My workaround was... to make my own GGs off optical acrylic.

AFAIK, you can only get a replacement GG ($25), which is the M1, or the Redrock macro ($150) if you have bought the guide. The last Redrock GG, called the Cinescreen, apparently has less light loss, but I don’t think it is available to the DIY Kit customer.

I should also say that you need a well equipped shop to build this adapter. If you are missing some of the tools, you may have to buy them... as I did.

Unless you want to start the project for the fun of it, I’d suggest you look at vibrating adapters, especially if you already built a static adapter.

HTH

 

[snodart]

Great info petri63.

I checked into it and you are correct the Cinescreen is not available to those who buy the kit. I'm not sure I understand the logic behind this, but I am sure there is a reasonable reason. I don't think that I would want to do it with the M1 GG with that much light loss.

I since then built a vibrating adapter which is much more suited to my type of shooting.

I have been attempting to build my own vibrating adapter, but have been having a hard time isolating the vibration enough. How did you end up isolating the vibration and what type of motor did you use to vibrate the GG?

 

[petri63]

Ah yes, vibration transmission.

My design looks a lot like the Letus. I am using a disk motor (also called pancake or coin motor) to vibrate the GG holding plate.

I am using two means to reduce vibration: rubber bushings at both ends of the struts holding the GG plate and a 25 ohm rheostat which basically reduces the motor voltage, thus vibration amplitude.

It’s not a perfect solution, but from the tests I’ve done, the vibration level has almost zero impact on image sharpness.

How is yours made?

 

[snodart]

Ah yes, vibration transmission.

My design looks a lot like the Letus. I am using a disk motor (also called pancake or coin motor) to vibrate the GG holding plate.

I am using two means to reduce vibration: rubber bushings at both ends of the struts holding the GG plate and a 25 ohm rheostat which basically reduces the motor voltage, thus vibration amplitude.

It’s not a perfect solution, but from the tests I’ve done, the vibration level has almost zero impact on image sharpness.

How is yours made?

I have tried several different designs. Currently, I am testing a version that primarily uses springs. The motion along the z-axis so far seems to be very minimal, but I think I will need some struts of some kind.

The motors that I have been using are pretty big in comparison to the type you have described. I'm still working through the mechanics of it all.

I have been using a volume control type switch to control the voltage/vibration.

Where did you get your motor?

 

[petri63]

www.solarbotics.com

In the motor section, second page, "VPM - vibrator pager motor". But they happen to be out of stock at the moment... I’m sure they can be found elsewhere, though.

Soldering them is a delicate task. The two contacts are very close. The best thing to do is to pre-glue the motor and wires to the GG plate, and then solder. This avoid strain on the soldered connections.