1. What is the purpose of the vibrating gg-holder?

The heart of a DOF adapter is a ground glass screen also named "gg" or "focusing screen". Like all ground glass, it has a very grainy structure (not to mention any dust or other contaminants on it). To lessen this the ground glass is oscillated rapidly to smear this graininess and therefore improve the (apparent) image quality. Disguising the grainy structure of the ground glass in this way, also produces the very subtle feeling, or impression, of moving film grain in a projected film emulsion, so the vibrating gg-holder itself contributes an additional element to the "film look" of the images it produces. (even if this is on a more subconscious level, and has no direct relationship to traditional film technology). For HDV a vibrating gg-holder is a must. For standard resolution a static gg-holder is okay because the grain is acceptable.

 

2. What is the best Canon focusing screen Ee-A or Ee-S?

The Ee-A has less light loss, but is harder to focus than the Ee-S.
The Ee-S is easier to focus because it has a special microlens pattern on it that makes the focusing much easier (Super Precision Focusing Screen) but its also a little bit darker than the Ee-A. Which one you choose depends on your needs and tastes. So there is no best focusing screen both are very good.

 

3. What is the difference between the VH-57 Ver. 1.1 and VH-57X Ver. 2.0?

There are two possibilities to build the dof adapter using the VH-57X or the cheaper VH-57 Ver. 1.1:

The VH-57X Ver. 2.0 has optional interchangeable gg-holder-plates for Nikon D, Canon Ee-A / Ee-S and for custom made focusing screens, its focal flange ready for Canon EOS tubes, space for a 49mm UV-Filter and has already its own vibrating motor included. Its easier for beginners to build their dof adapter because of the already fixed focal flange for Canon EOS tubes.

The VH-57 Ver. 1.1 is very compact, only for Canon Ee-S / Ee-A, needs a pancake motor i.e. 12-BMM Black Mamba Motor. The focal flange is adjusted by the user i.e. 42.6mm from the Canon EOS bayonet ring. If you have Canon FD lenses you should use the VH-57 Ver. 1.1 and adjust the focal flange for your Canon FD lenses.

 

4. What does the achromat actually do in the adapter configuration?

On camcorders without sufficient macro capability, a macro lens, preferably an achromatic doublet (to minimize chromatic aberration), is usually attached directly to the camcorder so that the camcorder can zoom in and focus on the focusing screen. Without the macro lens, certain camcorders would be unable to zoom in well enough to frame the entire focusing screen and still achieve sharp focus.

 

5. Help I have a woblling/shaking or blurry image with my dof adapter!

1. Check if your image stabilization is switched off! If its on then switch it off!

2. For best results don't use a shutter above 1/50.

3. Did you glued the VH-57X Ver. 2.0 to the bayonet ring of the Canon EOS tubes like mentioned in the HV20 tutorial? If its loose the whole adapter will vibrate in the tubes and thats not right.

4. Try to lower the voltage with the 50 Ohm microrheostat until you barely can hear the motor. A big vibration is not always good. Tune it until the grain disappears and you will get a nice sharp picture. If the vibration is too big you will get a unsharp wobbling image.

5. Check if your focusing screen is fixed well into the gg-holder. If its loose it may begin to vibrate chaotically.

6. Always use manual focus on your camcorder! Autofocus will not work!

 

6. What parts do I need to build a dof adapter for my camcorder. I have a "...xyz..." camcorder.

There are only three designs for all camcorders. The main difference is only the achromat and some extra extension rings.

Big camcorders:
Panasonic HVX200, Panasonic DVX100, Canon GL1/GL2, Canon XM1/XM2 and other camcorders too...
For camcorders with a filter threading bigger than 43mm follow this design: HOWTO_1

Big camcorders with insufficient macro capability:
Sony Z1U, Sony FX1, Canon XH-A1, Canon XL2, JVC HD100, JVC HD200...
Especially for these camcorders you have to lenghten the whole dof adapter a little bit by adding some more extension rings to be able to zoom in and focus on the ground glass element (focusing screen).
For camcorders with poor macro capability follow this design: HOWTO_2

Small camcorders with filter thread 43mm or smaller::
Canon HV20, Canon HV30, Canon HF10, Sony HC1, Panasonic NV series...
For camcorders with a filter threading 43mm or smaller follow this design: HOWTO_3

 

7. I bought these extension tubes from ebay... Which gg-holder is compatible with my tubes?

Please checkout the macro extension tubes overview: http://www.jetsetmodels.info/pics/tubes_overview2.jpg

 

8a. I have Nikon lenses why do you use Canon EOS extension tubes in your tutorials?

I use Canon EOS extension tubes because this is one of the largest lenses mounts. It makes it easy to adapt converter rings for other lenses like Nikon, Pentax, Leica, Olympus, M42, Contax-Yahica...
If you use Nikon extension tubes for your dof adapter you have to stick only with Nikon lenses and you're not able to use other lenses.

 

8b. Which mount rings do I need for my SLR lenses with or without glass element?

If you use Canon EOS extension tubes then you can choose between the mount rings below:
Keep in mind that mount rings with a glass element inside may (Im not 100% sure) decrease your image quality or cause a little bit of vignetting! The seller of these items will tell you more. There are new mount rings in ebay available which have a new multicoated 2-glass element design (I think they're from HOYA) which will achieve better image quality.

Try always to use lenses that will not need a glass element in their mount ring to achieve infinity focus like:

Native, no mount ring needed: Canon EF / AF

These lenses need a mount ring WITHOUT glass element to achieve infinity focus:
Nikon F, Pentax K, Contax, Yashica, Leica R, Olympus OM, M42,

These lenses need a mount ring WITH glass element to achieve infinity focus:
Minolta MD, Canon FD, Leica M,
(Depending on its quality the glass element may decrease the overal image quality of the image)

 

9. How does the right Opteka HD² 10x macro lens (technically its an achromat) looks like?

I know the sellers in amazon and ebay do not write the diameter of the achromats in their description. Just ask them for the 55mm version of the achromat. The glass element of the achromat is always the same approx. 38mm. Only the thread diameter is different 52, 55 and 58mm. For the DIY dof adapter you will need the 55mm version!

You can get the Opteka HD² 10x macro lens with 55mm threading from ebay or amazon or directly from www.opteka.com they will ship worldwide! Just ask them. Heres the direct link to their shop: http://www.opteka.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16
Don't forget to select the 55mm version from the dropdown list.

Click on the below image to get a bigger picture.

 

 

10. I have a big camcorder what is the right achromat for me?

If you have a big camcorder like Panasonic HVX200, DVX100, Sony Z1, HD100 ... then you will need also a big 72mm HD Achromat for it. For HVX200 you will need a 82-72mm step-down ring as well.

 

 

11. What are the best settings to get a really good image quality with a dof adapter?

1. Use good prime lenses from Canon or Nikon with apertures of f1.2, f1.4, f1.8 or max. f2.8. Everything above that like f4.0 or f5.6 will produce vignetting! Also don't use your lenses wide open or you will get a very soft image. Most lenses performs best and are very sharp if you close its aperture by 1 or 2 stops. Better checkout some SLR lens reviews for your lenses to know what its best setting are. Avoid zoom lenses they are not that sharp and most of them (the cheaper ones!) will produce vignetting when used with a dof adapter. In example the Canon EF-S 18-55 kit lens will produce heavy vignetting because its not designed for full frame (36x24mm) area.

2. Use your camcorder always in manual mode! Don't close the aperture on your camcorder past f4.0 or you will loose sharpness. Most camcorders performs best at approx. f2.8 - f4.0.

3. If the image is too bright use the integrated ND filter (neutral density filters) from your camcorder or external ones. Avoid to compensate by closing the aperture of your camcorder or SLR lens!

4. For best results don't use a shutter speed above 1/50.

5. For focusing use an external 7" LCD screen. It's hard to focus with the small integrated LCD or viewfinder of most camcorders.

6. If you are serious about filmmaking go and learn lighting techniques. There are also special movie lighting techniques. Checkout the internet. If the lighting is poor than you can't get good footage even if you own a very expensive dof adapter!

7. Only if you want to add a slow motion effect to your footage later in post production then shoot using a shutter speed of 1/250 or 1/500. This will only work with static dof adapters or very fast spinning dof adapters! On vibrating dof adapters the image will start to shake. Turn your vibrating dof adapter off and use it static!

 

12. Is the image upside down on diy dof adapters?

The image is always upside down on all dof adapters unless you use a flip unit or get a workaround
like explained below.

1. You can use an external 7" TFT to get an upright image
(its also much better for focusing than the small LCD from the camcorder!)

2. You can do the flip-hack on most camcorders (checkout the forums for further information) and also mount your camcorder upside down.

3. You can buy a flip unit.

4. Or there will be someday a firmware hack that will accomplish this issue.

13. What parts do I need to build a vibrating dof adapter? I have this camcorder "..."

If you dont know what parts you will need please use the new DOF O-MATIC (parts list wizard)



Click on above image to start the DOF O-MATIC parts list wizard. It will guide you through 3 steps.

 

14. Help I can't get focusing working! How do I adjust my dof adapter and camcorder correctly?

THIS IS IMPORTANT OR YOU CAN'T USE THE WHOLE FOCUS RANGE OR INFINITY FOCUS OF
YOUR SLR LENS!

You have to cut a piece of pipe exactly (preferably with a LATHE) to the according length shown (here) to use it as a distance holder or can do it also by eye.

1. Take off your camcorder and look with your eye through the dof adapter.

2. Point it on something far far away and turn the SLR lens to "infinity". (Its easier if you use a telephoto SLR lens i.e. 200mm because you can recognize the details better)

3. Now try to move the gg-holder with the focusing screen back and forth until the image far far away is getting sharp. (On the VH-57X Ver. 2.0 gg-holder this is not necessary because its already adjusted! Skip to step 5.)

4. If you found it fix the gg-holder at this distance and dont move it again or you will have to readjust it again.

5. Now you have two choices on how to setup your camcorder:

6a. Attach your camcorder to the dof adapter zoom in (until the focusing screen fills your viewfinder completely maybe a little bit more) and focus on the grain or dust particles of the matte side of the focusing screen. For this you have to close the aperture of the SLR lens or you wont see the grain! If you have the Canon EF SLR lenses you will need a DSLR body to adjust the aperture.

6b. Turn the SLR lens to infinity and point the dof adapter to something far far way like in step 2. Now attach your camcorder to the dof adapter and zoom in (until the focusing screen fills your viewfinder completely maybe a
little bit more) and focus on the focusing screen until the image far far away is getting sharp. (Its of course important that step 2 and 3 is done correctly!).

7. Fix the manual focus wheel and zoom wheel on your camcorder with tape and dont touch it or you have to readjust from step 5 again. Zooming and focusing are now done through the SLR lens only!

8. You should now be able to use the complete focus range from your SLR lens.

 

Informative links:

Here are some basic infos about dof adapters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field_adapter