Viewfinders and hackers

[Stan Patz <skp113@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

To the group,

As I wrote in a recent post, I am currently building a 6x16 camera. The 
latest string on viewfinders was particularly interesting because that is 
what I am working on now.

I had planned to use the usual, inexpensive wide angle solution, the 
"peephole" or door viewer. But it produces an image that is small, dark and 
wider angle than I need. I found that by removing the last dome shaped lens 
and substituting an auxiliary WA lens for a point-and-shoot camera, I got a 
bigger, brighter more suitable image. The angle of view was reduced from 
about 150* to 80* or so, with less distortion.

I decided to continue experimenting and bought some glass from Edmund 
Scientific. I happened to have some telescoping 1" tubing in my workshop 
(from another project); the Edmund 25mm lenses fit right in. Since the 
shortest negative focal length they sell is -25mm, I also bought a -50mm and 
paired it to give me -12mm(?). At the other end of the viewfinder I got a 
40mm positive lens to enlarge the scene.

I have not yet mounted everything, but it works. I get a big, bright image 
of approximately 90* which I will mask to my format proportions. Cool, but 
not as cheap as the "peephole". The coated lenses cost about $20 apiece, and 
if you get their nicely machined black mounts the system will run over $100.
   -   -    -   -    -     -     -

On an unrelated matter, I would like to cast a vote against the 
rehabilitation of the word "hack". When someone "hacks" it sounds like he is 
doing something bad or crude; I think it should stay that way.

For my own efforts to make a viewfinder without benefit of design or 
manufacturer's facility, I prefer to think I am improvising or adapting but 
definitely NOT hacking.



Stan Patz   NYC

SKP113@xxxxxxxxxxx
www.PatzImaging.com

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