RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Projector’

Video: Weird lens guru turns $20 Carl Zeiss projector lens into a swirly-bokeh camera lens

26 Oct

Weird lens guru Mathieu Stern is back at it with a new video that shows images captured with two $ 20 Carl Zeiss projector lenses he converted into camera lenses.

As with many of Stern’s DIY projector lens projects, both of these lenses — a 120mm F1.9 and a 105mm F1.9 — lack any way to focus and don’t have any adjustable aperture. While the adjustable aperture isn’t quite so easy to address, the video briefly shows how he uses an M65 Helicoid ring adapter to give manual focus abilities to the lens. Although not shown in the video, Stern then uses an M65 to Sony E-mount adapter to use the custom lens to his Sony camera.

The resulting imagery captured with the lenses produces pronounced ‘swirly’ bokeh and gives a very sharp separation between the subject and the background. It’s not going to win any resolution or edge-to-edge sharpness contests, but considering you can pick up similar projector lenses for around $ 20 or so online and a set of adapters for your camera for roughly $ 50 or so, it’s a cheap way to get some unique shots.

Stern has a full list of the components he used in the video’s description on YouTube. You can find more of his work on his YouTube channel and website, which also features his always-growing ‘Weird Lens Museum.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Video: Weird lens guru turns $20 Carl Zeiss projector lens into a swirly-bokeh camera lens

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Video: This rare projector lens has been deemed the ‘Swirly Bokeh Emperor’

22 Aug

Photographer Mathieu Stern of the Weird Lenses Museum has published another video showcasing an old projector lens used with a 3D-printed adapter to shoot a video featuring beautiful, crazy — and in this case, swirly — bokeh.

As with the projector lens video Stern published earlier this year, the latest project involves an old projector lens designed for cinema projectors. Stern explains on YouTube that he paid €2 for the lens at a flea market, later determining that it is an ‘extremely rare’ Cinestar 75mm F1.9 model.

View this post on Instagram

New video is on YouTube ! Reviewing an insane swirly bokeh lens ( DIY) Check the link in my bio to see my YouTube channel #vintagelens #bokeh #bokehphotography #bokeh_kings #swirlybokeh #bokehphotofan #igersparis #bokehlicious #swirly #portraitmode #green

A post shared by Mathieu Stern (@mathieustern) on

Stern used a 3D-printed adapter to insert the lens into a helicoid ring, enabling him to focus the lens. The ring was then used with an M42 to E-mount adapter for use with a Sony A7III camera. The result, Stern says, ‘Is the most amazing swirly bokeh I [have ever] seen.’

Stern showcases a number of unusual lenses on his website, including one that he made using ice from an iceberg.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Video: This rare projector lens has been deemed the ‘Swirly Bokeh Emperor’

Posted in Uncategorized

 

10 years ago today, Nikon launched the S1000pj, a compact camera with a built-in projector

06 Aug

Ten years ago today Nikon unveiled a handful of cameras including the CoolPix S1000pj, a compact camera with a built-in projector capable of projecting a 40-inch screen.

Who didn’t relive family camping trips on the glorious 40-inch screen the S1000pj was able to project on your family room’s wall (which just happens to be devoid of a television despite having a couch face the wall)?

Aside from the built-in projector, the S1000pj featured a 12.1-megapixel sensor, a 5x wide-angle Zoom-Nikkor lens (28-140mm full-frame equivalent), an ISO range of 64-6400, 5-way VR Image Stabilization System, Subject Tracking and a 2.7-inch wide-angle LCD display on the rear. Nikon’s MSRP was $ 429.95 when it was eventually released a month after its announcement in September 2009. Below is a video presentation from Nikon France showing the S1000pj in action:

The CoolPix S1000pj still has its own product page on B&H, but as you might suspect, it’s listed as ‘No Longer Available.’ It’s also one of the cameras we previously featured in our 2013 article titled ‘Ten one-of-a-kind cameras from the 21st century.’

Here’s the original press release, which can still be found on Nikon’s website:

Nikon announces the COOLPIX S1000pj

The world’s first compact camera to feature a built-in projector enhances the fun of sharing special moments anywhere

TOKYO — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX S1000pj. Packing the pleasure of a personal go-anywhere theater into a stylish compact enclosure, the COOLPIX S1000pj delivers a fun new way to share pictures with friends and family in most any location.

The COOLPIX S1000pj is the first compact digital camera* in the world to feature a built-in projector. With a simple touch of a button, the camera projects favorite photos or movies clips on any flat surface at up to 40 inches in size. Pictures can be projected individually, or as slide shows complete with music and added effects that enhance the experience. It’s the fun new way to share pictures with family and friends in most any location.

This capability to project still images or movie clips gives birth to an entirely new form of communication as all participants visually share the passion of special moments together. For example, the COOLPIX S1000pj can be used to capture photos on a family vacation, and then serve double-duty as a personal theater in the evening as everyone enjoys viewing the highlights of the day projected on a wall or a ceiling. Whenever and just about wherever friends gather, the COOLPIX S1000pj’s projector can add whole new life to the party by displaying nostalgic pictures or freshly shot images for all to enjoy. Parents can even use the COOLPIX S1000pj to display photos of their own artworks or other images on the ceiling to complement bedtime stories they tell their children.

A handy projector stand is included, as is a remote control that can be used to operate the projector, release the shutter, and more.

Also featured are the precision optics of a 5x zoom NIKKOR lens that provides the compositional freedom of 28mm wide-angle coverage and macro shooting ability from as close as 3 cm (1.2 in.). This combines with the image quality and performance benefits of Nikon’s innovative EXPEED digital image-processing concept to help ensure consistently beautiful results produced at the high resolution of 12.1 effective megapixels.

The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available in Black or Warm Silver. (Color name and color availability may vary according to region.)

  • *Among digital cameras as of August 4, 2009 (according to research conducted by Nikon Corporation).
  • Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj Feature Highlights

Sharper results with five advanced Nikon image stabilizing features*1

Nikon’s Optical lens shift and Electronic VR image stabilization systems combine to help produce blur-free images. High ISO 6400*2 capability allows faster shutter speeds when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. Motion Detection automatically controls shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for subject movement and camera shake. And, Nikon’s original BSS (Best Shot Selector) function automatically shoots a series of sequential frames and saves the one with the sharpest focus.

  • *1The camera selects and uses only the features required to optimize each image.
  • *2ISO 3200 and 6400 are available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.

Nikon’s Smart Portrait System with Skin Softening

Face-priority AF helps produce more satisfying portraits by adjusting focus and exposure for as many as 12 faces in the framed shot. Skin Softening function detects and analyzes a framed subject’s skin, and then adjusts smoothness to produce enhanced results. Smile Timer automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles, while its Blink Proof function shoots two sequential frames, then saves the one in which the subject’s eyes are widest open. Blink Warning presents an alert when it suspects that someone in the shot has blinked. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically corrects any perceived red-eye effect before saving the image to memory.

Intelligent automated shooting modes that promote carefree shooting

Nikon’s Scene Auto Selector makes it faster and easier to capture the moment by eliminating the need to manually select a scene mode to match the intended shot. This intelligent function determines the subject, analyzes the surrounding settings, and then automatically selects the appropriate scene mode for optimal results. Subject Tracking enhances the shooting experience by following the subject’s movement to ensure clear focus and quick response when that special shutter opportunity presents itself. Subject Tracking even functions if the subject moves out of the frame for a second or two.

Quick Retouch

Quick Retouch automatically adjusts the contrast and saturation of selected photos to create an enhanced copy with the right finishing touch.

Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj Other Features

  • 2.7-in. high-resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflection coated cover
  • 16 handy scene modes for optimized shooting in various settings
  • D-Lighting
  • Active Zoom
  • Auto Sort and Favorite Pictures functions
  • Four movie modes with sound
  • Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
  • Approx. 36 MB of internal memory
  • Hi-Speed USB connectivity

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on 10 years ago today, Nikon launched the S1000pj, a compact camera with a built-in projector

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Video: This $100 projector lens has beautiful bokeh and is perfect for portraits

02 Apr

Photographer and YouTuber Mathieu Stern is no stranger to finding and adapting unusual lenses, but his latest find might just be the best projector lens he’s ever come across.

The Isco MC 65mm F2 lens, which can be found for around $ 100 on eBay, is an old projector lens that was used for 35m cinema projectors. As with most previous projector lenses Stern has adapted, there was no official way to adapt it to a modern lens mount. So, Stern got creative and used a little bit of rubber from a bike inner tube along with the barrel of an Helios 44 lens to create a worthwhile body for the adapted lens. From there, Stern used a proper adapter to give the lens infinity focus and it was ready to roll.

Surprisingly, the lens produces impressive results in both photos and video, despite its limitation of being permanently stuck at F2 due to the lack of an aperture diaphragm. In the center, it appears to be sharp, but it does get soft quickly towards the edges. Colors render beautifully and the bokeh looks both distinct and pleasing.

Sure, it might not have the best resolution, but it certainly has a distinct look and considering it only costs $ 100, a few spare parts and a little elbow grease, it’s relatively cheap. To see more unusual lenses from Stern’s collection, head over to his Weird Lenses Museum.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Video: This $100 projector lens has beautiful bokeh and is perfect for portraits

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Video: Old projector lens adapter to A7 III body surprisingly makes for beautiful photos, bokeh

24 Jan

In pursuit of something different Mathieu Stern, who runs the Weird Lens Museum website, has adapted an old projector lens to fit on the front of his Sony a7 lll.

The lens he used is a Rollei 90mm f/2.4 MC that would have originally been fitted to a 35mm slide projector. Mathieu says he found the lens without its projector in a yard sale, and paid $ 5 for it. In the three minute video above Mathieu shows the lens in action and a number of photos captured in the sun that seem to have well controlled flare and low contrast.

As the lens has no iris the aperture can’t be varied from F2.4, but based on the results he attained, that doesn’t appear to be a problem. Mathieu discovered the lens fit perfectly into a M52 helicoidal tube which then allowed him to vary the apparent length of the lens so he could focus at a normal range of distances.

The helicoidal tube has an M42 screw mount, so all he needed to do then was find an M42 to Sony E mount adapter so the whole kit would fit on his a7 lll. Sure, it’s not the most elegant solution, but it got the job done. Below is a gallery of images captured with the setup and shared with permission from Mathieu.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_1210874026″,”galleryId”:”1210874026″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

To find more of Mathieu’s work, head over to his website and YouTube Channel.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Video: Old projector lens adapter to A7 III body surprisingly makes for beautiful photos, bokeh

Posted in Uncategorized

 

How to Turn Your Phone Into a DIY Photo Projector for $1

31 Jan

Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3

Slide projectors are great but outdated. And digital projectors cost a bundle. What’s a photographer to do when they’re looking for a bigger picture?

We’ll show you how to turn your phone into a photo projector for just $ 1.

Yep, for a buck you can have Instagram on overdrive and Flickr living large.

The project is so easy, you might even have time to sneak in a cat video or two.

Make a DIY Projector for $ 1

Why it’s Cool:

paint-smA phone based projector is a great way to show off your mobile photos and your phone hack savvy.

Just picture laying in bed browsing your feed or watching a movie on a ginormous screen.

A projector provides a new way of looking at your shots, and for $ 1, who can afford not to try this project?

The Ingredients:

paint-sm

  • Shoebox
  • Paperclip
  • Smartphone
  • Magnifying glass (get it for $ 1 at Dollar Tree), or a large aperture lens
  • X-acto knife or similar
  • Electrical or black duct tape

Optional:

  • Matte black spray paint or black paper

 

Step 1: Trace a Hole on the Box

paint-smA shoebox or similar will work great for your new projector.

If the inside walls of your box are a bright color, you may want to spray paint them black or tape up some black paper for best image quality.

Once your box is ready, trace the outer edge of your lens or magnifying glass onto one of the short sides of the box.

Step 2: Cut a Hole in That Box

paint-smCut out the inside of the circle you just traced.

You don’t want light leaking around your lens so try not to cut too much.

At the back of your box, cut a small hole for your phone’s power cord.

Step 3: Attach Your Lens

paint-smNow you’ve got a porthole cut in your shoebox its time to stick on that lens.

If your magnifying glass has a handle, you may want to remove it first.

Line up your lens with the hole and apply tape around the entire edge of your lens.

Make sure your lens is held securely and there are no holes between the tape for light to escape.

Step 4: Take a Stand

paint-smWe used this very helpful tutorial to make a stand for our phone out of a paper clip.

Other stand ideas include this ultra-portable Tiltpod, this hand dandy Gorillapod, or this super creative lego stand from this cool tutorial.

Step 5: Flip Your Screen

paint-sm When light passes though a lens (including the lenses in your eyes), it gets flipped, which means the picture from your projector will come out upsidown.

No fear though, we have a fix!

For the iPhone go to Settings > General > Accessibility and turn on AssistiveTouch.

Once activated, a little white orb will pop that you can drag around the screen.

Click on the orb and go to Device > Rotate Screen.

This will allow you to flip applications like the Photos app which would normally rotate itself right side up.

Andriod users can download the app Ultimate Rotation Control.

Or if all else fails you can just stand on your head.

Step 6: Finding Focus

paint-smIf your walls are plastered with pics you will need to clear out a little space for your projection.

For a screen you could use a white bed sheet, turn a poster around, project onto a shower or window curtain, or just use the bare wall.

Without a focus ring on your magnifying glass you’re going to have to foot focus.

Position your phone in its stand near the back of the box and walk forwards or backwards until your image starts to come into focus.

Once you’ve found a good range you can fine tune focus by moving your phone forwards or backwards in the box.

If you used a camera lens for your projector, you get the bonus of a focus ring that gives you some extra flexibility in terms of screen size and focus distance.

Step 7: Don’t Fight the Light

paint-smIt’s not the power of your projector. It’s how you use it!

For best viewing, turn the screen brightness of your phone all the way up and turn the room lights down.

Set your phone’s photo app to slide show mode for a hands free experience.

Your power cord can go through the hole you cut in the back of the box and a little tape will seal the deal.

Taking it Further

  • Use your magnifying glass to get an up-close perspective on your phones pixels.
  • Try using your computer screen instead of your phone as the display in a new projector project.
  • Check out this crazy sophisticated DIY digital projector that can create a 120″ HD screen!
  • This mini film projector fits in the palm of your hand and was made from an Altoids tin!
  • Leave it to the Japanese to do something this awesome with a projector. Hint: Samurai swords, shadow battles.

Related posts:

  1. DIY: Turn Phone Photos into Mural-Sized Prints! Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3 What’s on every…
  2. How To Make Your Cell Phone Look Like Your Favorite Camera! Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3 Photographers. We’re a…
  3. The Polaroid iPhone Decal: Turn Your Phone into a OneStep! Your iPhone4 is the Swiss army knife of the mobile…


Photojojo

 
Comments Off on How to Turn Your Phone Into a DIY Photo Projector for $1

Posted in Equipment

 

Brookstone HDMI Pocket Projector Vs 3M Streaming Projector ROKU

20 Dec

This is a video to compare these two pico projectors. Both come with 0 price tags and 480p native resolution. Battery life of each just under 2hrs for the Brookstone where the 3M comes in around 1:40min. The 3M is a first of its kind to be truly portable with its inclusion of ROKU’s new streaming stick. Both are bright but Brookstone’s image quality does best the 3M..

 
20 Comments

Posted in Nikon Videos

 

DIY 3D home cinema for $1 (and a spare projector)

16 Oct

By using the filters from a pair of RealD 3D glasses from the cinema you can easily create your own 3D Home cinema. I happened to have my old projector lying around after upgrading so I thought I’d demonstrate how simple it is. RealD 3D glasses are circularly polarized so to make a home-cinema that works with these glasses you also need circularly polarised filters for your projectors. By opening up a pair of glasses you get two filters for about a buck. (If bought at the cinema.) Place each filter infront of the projectors so that the light shines out through them as if the light was shining out of your eyes. When viewing, you wear the glasses normally so the light passes the other way through the filters. I recommend you use a program like Stereoscopic Player from 3dtv to display a test-image on both projectors for alignment. It’s this easy. No magic, no expensive stuff. (Except that extra projector ofcource.) Oh, and you need a video-card with dual-monitor support. One thing I forgot to mention in the video: You need a silverscreen or a reflective screen. Regular white will not work. The reflective surface will allow the light to return with the same polarization as the projector gave it so it is absolutely essential. If you already own a screen that is somewhat reflective for daylight viewing then it should work.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Video Rating: 0 / 5

 
26 Comments

Posted in 3D Videos

 

DepthQ 3D Single Projector Polarized Installation – Parsons Brinckerhoff, Seattle –

26 Aug

An overview of new 3D visualization lab at Parsons Brinckerhoff, Seattle. PB is one of the world’s leading planning, engineering, and construction management organizations. 3D equipment integration and installation by Lightspeed Design, Inc – DepthQ Stereoscopic: DepthQ Player, running crosstalk reduction code (ghost busting) — DepthQ Polarization Modulator Circular Small 80×86 mm — Stewart Filmscreen 150 rear projection polarization preserving screen — Da-Lite bounce mirror — ProjectionDesign F10 AS3D single lens 3D projector.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

 
Comments Off on DepthQ 3D Single Projector Polarized Installation – Parsons Brinckerhoff, Seattle –

Posted in 3D Videos