Re: Some (more) photo projects.

[Tom Deering <tmd@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 10/19/99, Tom Deering wrote:

>I'll bet I'm forgetting something, but this is a good start.    Any comments?

I thought of two other projects I've worked on recently.

(9) Sputnik tripod adaptor.  I have a couple of cameras with the big 
3/8 thread instead of the modern 1/4 thread.  On my way up to Baxter 
State Park, I stopped at my uncles in Portland.  He let me borrow his 
shop for an afternoon, so I made two adaptors.  Basically just a 
small tube threaded on the outside and on the inside. I have a couple 
tripod heads that have both threads, so I only need this for special 
cases.

(10)  MAOFD calculator.  As some of you know, I like to know what my 
stereo parameters are.  I have used spreadsheets in the past, but I 
don't tote a laptop into the fields very often, and paper graphs are 
a poor alternative.  About six months ago I bought some inexpensive 
programmable calculators.  Just got off my butt and programmed one to 
calculate all of the stereo parameters, based on Bercovitz's MAOFD 
formula.  I punch in the far distance, and it responds with the near 
point.  It also leaves other information in the memory, such as 
hyperfocal distance, optimal focus target, etc.  A second program can 
calculate camera shift for slidebars, but I haven't used it yet.

Is John Bercovitz still on the list?  :^)

(11) Spot meter adaptor. This was pretty simple to do, I wonder why 
more people don't do it.  I made an adaptor for my Gossen Luna Pro 
light meter to let me take spot meter readings.  The main part is a 
piece of 3/8 ID plastic tubing with a tube of shiny mylar slid 
inside.  A little frame keeps it centered over the photocell.  It's 
the same effect you would see if you looked down a toilet paper tube. 
The mylar brightens the sample, but I still lose 2 stops.  My meter 
lets me dial in a correction factor, and presto.  Perfect for the new 
modified zone system I've been using lately with great success.

Comments from the studio audience?  :^)

Tom