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A photographer and videographer Tom Calton made a Youtube video explaining the method of modifying a quick projector lens to be used along with his Sony a7 III utilizing helicoid as a focusing mechanism. The entire price of the modification together with the projector lens was below $100.Tom Calton is knowledgeable photographer and videographer primarily based in the UK. He frequently publishes movies on his Youtube channel the place he checks new gear or offers recommendations on his craft. In certainly one of his newest movies, he talked about modifying quick projector lenses to be used with mirrorless cameras. He managed to maintain the price of every thing below $100, so we thought it’s fairly fascinating. Let’s check out the small print.Why projector lenses?The thought of utilizing projector lenses for images and filmmaking will not be fully new. It’s one more method of getting inexpensive and quick classic glass to your digicam. Utilizing previous glass leads to distinctive photographs which can be often not very clear and filled with imperfections, however they’ve a sure high quality and look – some name it that the lenses have “character”. Now, in case you are after such a glance, it’s often higher to make use of an previous lens than add the imperfections within the submit (typically that’s not even potential).16mm f/1.4 projector lens. Supply: Tom CaltonAs opposed to only shopping for a classic images SLR lens, projector lenses current a number of challenges although. To begin with, they don’t have a variable aperture, so you’re caught with regardless of the most aperture of the lens is. Secondly, there is no such thing as a focusing mechanism, so it’s essential to make your individual – extra on this later. Projector lenses are mainly solely a set of lenses fastened in a steel tube with none transferring parts. So how did Tom modify them to be used along with his Sony a7 III?Modifying projector lenses to suit mirrorless camerasTom went on Ebay and bought a set of 4 Bell & Howell projector lenses for under round $20. The vital factor to search for right here is the dimensions of the rear factor because it determines the picture circle produced by the lens. If the rear factor is simply too small, there might be heavy vignetting on bigger sensors. Because the rear factor of two of the lenses was too small, Tom ended up utilizing solely the opposite two lenses with a bigger rear factor:16mm Tremendous D Proval 2inch f/1.451mm 2inch f/1.251mm f/1.2 projector lens. Supply: Tom CaltonThe subsequent factor to purchase is the so-called “adjustable helicoid” which can act as a focusing mechanism. Helicoid is mainly a brief tube that may lengthen or retract itself by rotating a hoop on the surface. There are a lot of totally different sizes so you’ll have to discover one that matches the precise sort of projector lens you’ve gotten. You will need to purchase a helicoid that’s massive sufficient for the projector lens to suit inside. Tom ended up shopping for an M58 to M58 helicoid on Ebay to have the ability to home his 2inch projector lenses inside. The price of the helicoid was round $30 together with transport.M58 helicoid. Supply: Tom CaltonThe final piece of substances mandatory to finish the modification is the adapter from the helicoid thread to the specified lens mount. In Tom’s case, this was the “feminine M58 to Sony E mount” adapter which price him round $38.Lens adapter M58 to Sony E. Supply: Tom CaltonBecause the diameter of the projector lens is smaller than the internal diameter of the helicoid, Tom used a number of rings of rubber minimize from a bicycle tire internal tube. After soaking them in scorching water to be extra versatile, he stretched a number of of them across the lens till it was a decent match for the helicoid.Leveling the rear factor with the lens mount. Supply: Tom CaltonWhen fixing the lens within the helicoid, it is very important have the helicoid totally retracted and degree the rear factor of the lens with the rear airplane of the lens mount. If the projector lens will stick out additional than the lens mount, it could possibly result in critical harm to the mechanical shutter of the digicam and even to the sensor. Please preserve that in thoughts and watch out should you resolve to change your individual projector lens.My ideas on the photographs and practicalityI should say I used to be fairly impressed once I noticed the photographs that Tom captured with each projector lenses. To be sincere, I didn’t count on the photographs to be that sharp. The bokeh is actually dreamy with each lenses. The vignetting was nonetheless very current with the full-frame sensor, but when that’s the difficulty, the photographs can both be cropped in submit or shot straight in APS-C crop mode.51mm f/1.2 modified projector lens pattern picture. Supply: Tom CaltonWhile the photographs do look good below sure circumstances, there are nonetheless critical limitations relating to practicality. As Tom talked about within the video, he was not in a position to focus too far, so infinity focus was not accessible. These lenses would subsequently not be appropriate for panorama photographs. I’m not positive if an extended helicoid would even resolve the difficulty, I’m afraid infinity focus would require a further lens factor – right me if I’m incorrect.16mm f/1.4 modified projector lens pattern picture. Supply: Tom CaltonThe subsequent factor is the fastened aperture of f/1.4 or f/1.2. The lens is mainly vast open on a regular basis so it lets plenty of gentle in. That is much less of a difficulty for images, however for filmmaking, an ND filter might be a should with this setup. Then once more, the projector lens more than likely doesn’t have any filter thread on the entrance, so you’ll have to discover a answer for mounting the filter to the lens. However, it’s fairly spectacular what sort of photographs you may get for such a low funds.What do you concentrate on the photographs popping out of the modified projector lenses? Do you employ classic glass? Do you modify lenses by yourself? Tell us within the feedback part beneath the article.
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