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View Full Version : AV downlink does your SLR....

Cryofix
11-02-2006, 09:04 PM
Does your SLR show a full time view of what the lens see's similar to a point and shoot? My olympus will only show the photo taken but not what I am looking at..

it only displays the readings and settings as the default view, so I am not sure how I can frame a picture with the AV downlink if I cant see what I am looking at.
MLaBoyteaux
11-02-2006, 10:23 PM
Nope. I've got a color board camera that inserts into the hot shoe and looks through the view finder. It's home made, but there are some for sale already built.

I think Black Widow sells one.
oscillator
11-03-2006, 12:26 AM
No true DSLR will show a preview on the screen. This is because the sensor is behind the mirror. The mirror is reflecting the image up into the viewfinder. Once you press the shutter button the mirror flips up out of the way and the shutter opens to expose the sensor.

You might be able to get full time preview on some of the "prosumer" or "hybrid" cameras that are billed as a step up from the point and shoots but aren't true DSLRs.
LoopBaCK
11-03-2006, 08:11 AM
Nope... same as Mark. Home-built setup using a board camera that fits on a Canon EP-EX15 Eyepiece Extender whichin turn mounts to the camera.

Even though it was extra work I kinda like the setup...
MLaBoyteaux
11-03-2006, 08:13 AM
Hey Wes, where did you get the eyepiece extender?
dreslism
11-03-2006, 09:09 AM
Hey Wes, where did you get the eyepiece extender?

I am doing the same thing Wes is doing. It is the canon ep-ex15 eyepiece extender.

Here is a picture of it.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EP-EX15-Eyepiece-Extender-Cameras/dp/B0000AQI9E

I have the blackwidow 161 with 17 degree fov.

http://www.blackwidowav.com/CX161_17.html

I took some 3mm 35 or 30mm long bolts and drilled and tapped the back of the eyepiece extender to basically thread the camera onto the eyepiece extender.

The cool part is I just slide the ep-ex15 onto the back of the camera to fly, and slide it off when done for ground use. I already had a downlink, so total for the camera and eyepiece was under $100.

With that camera and eyepiece extender, you can set it up to view the whole viewfinder, exposure settings and all.

You can probably get the ep-ex15 at a local camera shop.
MLaBoyteaux
11-03-2006, 09:29 AM
Sweet! I ran into a problem with my Rebel on the arch frames. Because my eyepiece camera is kinda large, it hits the frame on the gimbal if I try to tilt it down past about 60 degrees. If I could fabricate it like yours is, I would have enough clearance.

Usually, it's not a problem, but last weekend we were trying to photograph a construction site and needed a nearly vertical image. Cameraman couldn't line up the shot he wanted. Gotta keep the cameraman happy!
LoopBaCK
11-03-2006, 09:49 AM
I think I bought two of them off eBay for about $7 each.

I originally made a box like yours - that connects into the hot-shoe. But it bumped into the mount fairly easily so started playing with the eyepieces because they could be solidly mounted and provide great clearance. Uses the same board cam as Scott.
Cryofix
11-03-2006, 03:31 PM
Thanks for all the info, now its off to find the best solution.
LoopBaCK
11-05-2006, 03:52 PM
Here's a few pics of my little creation. Not too pretty but it works...
Cryofix
11-05-2006, 10:58 PM
That looks good, is the camera flush with eyepiece?
LoopBaCK
11-06-2006, 09:43 AM
The barrel of the camera lens actually fits into the eyepiece opening about 1mm - just touching the eyepiece lens. I had to adjust the camera lens focus a bit but flush seemed to work the best.
MLaBoyteaux
11-06-2006, 09:47 AM
Thanks for the tip Wes, I picked one up at a local camera shop on Friday, now I need to find the time to reconfigure my board camera.
goolfietis
11-10-2006, 07:47 AM
Check out Olympus E330 - it`s the only DSLR now, that has a live video out...
TopView
11-12-2006, 06:49 PM
The barrel of the camera lens actually fits into the eyepiece opening about 1mm - just touching the eyepiece lens. I had to adjust the camera lens focus a bit but flush seemed to work the best.

Hey Loopback,

On what type of canon do you use this beatifull solution. Do you get a fullscreen image on your monitor. What kind of camera do you use and with what lens.

I build a simmilar solution but won't get a full pic on my monitor.

Rene
dreslism
11-12-2006, 07:34 PM
The barrel of the camera lens actually fits into the eyepiece opening about 1mm - just touching the eyepiece lens. I had to adjust the camera lens focus a bit but flush seemed to work the best.

Hey Loopback,

On what type of canon do you use this beatifull solution. Do you get a fullscreen image on your monitor. What kind of camera do you use and with what lens.

I build a simmilar solution but won't get a full pic on my monitor.

Rene

As stated above, both Wes and I are using the same camera, this one here:

http://www.blackwidowav.com/CX161_17.html

17 degree lens on it as shown in the link above. It provides full view on our screens.