Digital BW, The Print

on 5/30/2003 2:33 AM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com at
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 22:12:34 -0700
> From: Robert Morrison <rmorrison@...>
> Subject: Re: MF Digital Backs
> 
> On 5/29/03 9:15 PM, "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@...> wrote:
> 
>> The problem with the focal plane shutters is the shutter isn't open all at
>> one time!  It's a slit above a certain shutter speed (typically the sync
>> speed).  It's a big honking shutter to make move that fast without making it
>> a slit.  Central shutters don't have this issue.
> 
> Austin,
> 
> Couldn't the CCD itself be made to act as the shutter...simply powering up
> for a given amount of time?  You could delay the sensor just a touch to get
> the mirror out of the way and even have the mirror stay up out of the way
> until you release it. Forgive my naivety.
> 
> I know you like your Hasselblad 110 f/2...wouldn't you like to be able to
> use it with your back?  How about designing us a little back :-)  Oh...I
> suppose around 100mp would be nice while you are at it...and for god sake
> put a ND filter in front of it...I certainly don't want to waste that bokeh
> from the 110 f/2 on a color photo!
> 
> 
> Robert

 
Robert,

I would say the answer to this might be to build your own simple camera body
that will hold Hasselblad lenses at one end and the digi-back at the other.
You don't need a physical shutter for the digital back, only a flapping
mirror for ground glass viewing.  This is a really doable project if you
really really love these lenses.

If you can live with a darker viewfinder, you can use a partially silvered
mirror and direct 80% of the light to the digi sensor and 20% to the ground
glass. This will allow a fixed mirror, and no mechanical moving parts.
Better yet, make the mirror removable or changeable for when you need better
viewing or more light on the sensor. My favorite idea: make the mirror hand
flappable only. Mirror down: focus and compose. Mirror up: take pictures
without looking through the camera.

This camera body can be built for a few thousand dollars by a good
machinist. Build a few and you'll get the price down fast. There are many
machinists who build custom camera and lens mounts for movie cameras.  Hassy
lenses are already used for some effects shot in vista vision so there are
already drawings and designs for the lens mount that would not have to be
duplicated.

If any of you build this photographic wonder, let me know!

-Bruce