Scot McPhie Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 The end result of the idea of making a new camera is this: we?ve decided the costs of making a new one or modifying an existing one are beyond our means - with other work loads and priorities in place (I think I mentioned this at the end of those threads http://www.8mm.filmshooting.com/scripts/fo...opic.php?t=5996 ) - however what we have decided to focus on is camera control units. We?ve done a fair bit of research and worked out they?re well with in our technical grasp and can be produced relatively cheaply too. We want to tailor this to the market and so would like some feedback on these ideas/proposotions. There are two units we?re looking at making. MARK 1 Crystal synch control unit Featuring settings of 18, 24, 25 and 29.97 fps LED light to indicate synch speed reached Onboard rechargeable battery Auto power off when not in use MARK 2 Combined crystal synch unit and intervalometer Synch settings of 18, 24, 25 and 29.97 fps LED light to indicate synch speed reached User defined intervalometer frequency 2 Line LCD menu Onboard rechargeable battery Auto power off when not in use There are two pricing structures/conversion methods we?re looking at: METHOD ONE The units are sold directly by us with the internal camera conversion being carried out by the user?s regular camera serviceman. This is to keep costs and freight down (remember we?re in Australia). The internal conversions necessary in the camera are quite straight forward and we would provide basic documentation and keep in touch with the user and serviceman to advise as necessary. METHOD TWO The internal camera conversions are carried out here in Australia. At the moment we have an in principle agreement with Milan Smetak of Beaulieu Cinema Services, Australia to do the Beaulieu ones. But we have not sounded out anyone else yet (and to be honest I don?t think there are going to be that many qualified Super 8 camera technicians in Australia). Doing it this way will significantly add to the cost as there is freight to and from Australia, as well as internal freight here in Australia and the cost of the converion as well - although I don?t know how that will compare to overseas service rates. What we?d like to do at this stage is get some feedback from people - what do you think of the features and what do you think of the conversion methods - and would you seriously be intersted in buying one. We estimate we?d need to sell about 25 orders initially to make it worth our while. Price wise we are thinking approximately AU$350 (US$250 ) + freight for the Mark 1 and AU$500 (US$350 ) +freight for the Mark 2. This is for the first conversion method where your serviceman does the camera internals; we have not priced the labout or freight for the second conversion method yet. As it stands at the moment the basic schematics have been done and we are looking to have the prototype built by August. The units will then be tested on my Beaulieu 4008 ZMII and Beaulieu R16, with Milan doing the camera internals. I?ll start a web page as well so people can follow the testing and development of it. A Mark 3 is also possible with a radio frequency remote control to allow activation on jib arms and when filming wildlife as well - although we haven?t priced this yet. So any feedback is welcome please tell us what you think about these features and pricing methods and which of the three units is most appealing to you. Scot _________________ http://www.mango-a-gogo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Downes Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 The first unit, actually. The features of the second one will be unused by me in my work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Last Posted July 4, 2004 Share Posted July 4, 2004 I'll take 2 Mark 1's for my Canon 1014xl-s and Leicina Special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Terry Lasater Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 I'll take at least one for my (3) Beaulieu 4008 ZM IV's. :P Please let us know ASAP if you plan to make these as I'm in the market for something now. Currently, my options are the original Beaulieu Pilote Tone sync (expensive and hard to find) or the unit offered by The Film Group (expensive, but not hard to find). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot McPhie Posted November 23, 2004 Author Share Posted November 23, 2004 Just so everyone knows Rob and I decided not to pursue this anymore for two reasons - 1) the amount of interest expressed was good but still borderline in terms of how many sales we felt sure about getting. There was probably about 10 fairly good expressions of interest and if we pushed it and got it out there we did feel there would be more - but that leads to the other problem- 2) we can't do the camera modifications ourself and this is where it just gets too complicated - ie trying to set up relationships with camera repairers - or the saleability of selling something where it's up to the end user to get the modifications in their camera So weigh that up with the amount of work etc it's not worth it - we did have fun though experimenting on a few cameras - and one thing that is quite clear to us is that if anyone wants something like this for their own camera then it's quite do-able if they team up with someone with the appropriate electronics knowledge - if you're prepared to take it on yourself there's no need to fork out the big money to get it done in places that offer it as a complete package. Scot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Salzmann Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 If you figured out a way of making an intervalometer for the Canon Scoopic I'd buy one straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeSelinsky Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 Being in the camera business is being in a trade different from filmmaking and cinematography, even if somewhat related. I know I wouldn't make enough money in this field. I need tools for myself primarily, so if I make something it will be a one off for me. I'd gladly post the plans on the internet for other people to copy if they want to make one for themself - I'm all for sharing the knowlege. But going into business? I don't see it being worthwhile, especially for such a small specific market. - G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot McPhie Posted November 24, 2004 Author Share Posted November 24, 2004 Being in the camera business is being in a trade different from filmmaking and cinematography, even if somewhat related. I know I wouldn't make enough money in this field. I need tools for myself primarily, so if I make something it will be a one off for me. I'd gladly post the plans on the internet for other people to copy if they want to make one for themself - I'm all for sharing the knowlege. But going into business? I don't see it being worthwhile, especially for such a small specific market. - G. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes quite right George - well said Scot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeSelinsky Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 To add, I do think it would be interesting to have a page on the internet where you can share do it yourself motion picture gadgets. Like a movie processing tank for instance. I started my own movie processing page at http://www.geocities.com/gselinsky Thusfar nobody has posted any plans, I guess digital is taking over :lol: My favorite wish list item would be a home transfer device for 16mm (and it would be nice to have a 35mm version, too), so I could do dailies at home. That is probably the one thing that I would find potentially marketable too, because the prices that transfer houses charge are high and we don't always need that quality. I was thinking, what you might be able to do that would be marketable in Super 8 is to find some of the old Kodak Super 8 cameras that are no good anymore because they used this dumpy "cheese gear" as Clive Tobin calls them. You could probably buy them awfully cheap and rebuild those to have a new motor inside of it, maybe even find a way of blimping it. But don't let me talk you into this, I'm notoriously evil about doing that to myself sometimes <_< - G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeSelinsky Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 From Clive Tobin's site http://www.tobincinemasystems.com/ Cameras That Are an Accident Waiting to Happen. This includes virtually all of the super-8 cameras made by Kodak. The only exception is the original M-2 of 1965, which has long-lived Nylon or Delrin gears and may run forever. The M-4 also has good gears but it used a cleverly hidden mercury cell for the light meter, which by now has most likely sprung a leak and literally eaten away all of the copper light meter wiring and galvanometer. Even if not, mercury cells have all been banned so you will not find a replacement. The M-12 and up, all of the XL cameras, and all of the Ektasound cameras have I believe a fatal flaw in the form of a motor gear made out of some kind of experimental rubbery plastic. It has by now turned to cheese-like strength and appearance, and is likely to fall apart in the middle of your first roll, if it has not already self-destructed and crumbled to powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot McPhie Posted November 25, 2004 Author Share Posted November 25, 2004 My favorite wish list item would be a home transfer device for 16mm (and it would be nice to have a 35mm version, too), so I could do dailies at home. That is probably the one thing that I would find potentially marketable too, because the prices that transfer houses charge are high and we don't always need that quality. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> George - if you haven't already you should check out shooting 8mm there's heaps of talk and examples there of people who have done this - basically by fixing video or web cameras onto projectors and filming off the film plain or from a condensor lense - Roger Evans makes and sells his own Workprinters too Scot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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