my up coming project a beaulieu 4008 with out the viewfinder

[ALFREDO]

Ha! A beaulieu with out the viewfinder, how can ya focus? very easy! im removing the viewfinder assembly, im going to install a low lux 000.3 ccd
bullet camera in place of the viewfinder assembly, lets just call it an internal video tap, the ccd camera will sit right in front of the reflex glass vs. being mounted on the end of the viewfinder, this will give me a full frame and reduce loss of light, Im going to re-run the wiring from the reglo zoom motor, this will allow me to attach the camera to a boom and also allow me to zoom in and out while I watch on a monitor just like a video camera.
estimated cost: ccd camera $175.00 (color)

[sciolist]

I'd like to replace or modify the reflex viewfinder on my Bolex H8 RX4 camera with such a device, so I'll be interested to read your updates on this project. If this works on your Beaulieu, I expect it would work on the H8 RX4, where there's a bit more room and the camera body doesn't have to be disassembled.

[ALFREDO]

I tried this last year on a bolex rx1 using a cheap ccd camera and it worked, I removed the viewfinder all together and adapted the camera to the top of the opening, the trick to adding a video tap on a camera is finding lowest lux cdd cam but there's a video tap made for the bolex that couples to the viewfinder for around $500.00 so theres no need to invent one! there's nothing for the super 8, the beaulieu is light weight, easy to mount on a boom and the perfect camera to fit with an internal tap, you also have the option of controlling the zoom at a distance vs a bolex that dosent have a zoom control, I never seen a Bolex mounted on a boom and once its up in the air how would you zoom in or out? this would have to be done manual, I dont think its not worth the effort! The super 8 is very close to a small video camera, im trying to add the same features as one thats user friendly, I pitched all my ideas to kodak, they asked me alot of questions in regards to what I want to see on a super 8mm camera, I told them the future super 8 camera should have a ldc screen and a built in chip that records the footage for instant play back and it should run in real time, after this long list of questions the feed back was sent to the engineering dept and then i was asked to copy right my ideas, I told them they can have it for free just make the dam thing! I was also asked what I would pay for such a camera, I said about $4000 to $6000
I havent heard from them since! so in the mean time I will invent my own add on features as needed.

[ECNtoo]

yeah ill be putting a video assist in my pathe and newly aquired bolex cameras.thank jerry lewis for that. but focus without a viewfinder?piss easy.its framing thats ultra hard.

[ALFREDO]

yes jerry lewis is the video tap inventor! I would never take that credit from him!

[sciolist]

. . . there's a video tap made for the bolex that couples to the viewfinder for around $500.00 so theres no need to invent one! . . . I never seen a Bolex mounted on a boom and once its up in the air how would you zoom in or out? this would have to be done manual, I dont think its not worth the effort! . . .

If the tap you mention is that offered by Du-All, my feeling is that it extends too far from the camera body and makes damage to the viewfinder eyepiece just about inevitable. The cheapest I've seen these offered is $650.00, and, anyway, I want something that takes the place of the existing viewfinder, not something that's added to it. The video assist I envision wouldn't be for boom work; it's only to brighten the otherwise miniscule and dim beamsplitter image of the H8 RX4.

[kentek]

Alfredo,
Could you possibly provide us with your parts list?

I'm searching CCD camera. Biggest source seems to be off-shore:
http://www.alibaba.com So. Korea.

Looks like a neat project. I have a Beaulieu 3008 that could benefit from a new view system.

I would love a setup that would run from a boom. Even if one had to re-adjust manually having a remote screen would be great.

[ALFREDO]

I found a ccd camera that is the shape of a bullet in color, low lux, since the viewfinder and the ccd camera is the same shape I decided to extract the viewfinder assembly and replace it with the bullet cam, the ccd camera is sold local where I live, I dident buy it off the internet, the store is called U do it electronics needham massachusetts, I dont know anything about 3008 whatsoever! ask me about a 4008 then I can help you but there is no parts list because the brackets that hold the viewfinder is going to hold the ccd camera so its just a job where you remove one part and replace with another. the lower the lux the more in the dark it can see so you want something thats 000. followed by a number, something like 000.5 000.3 000.1 but the lower you go the more you pay and the more it see's not buy no laser type camera with red lights that wont work for you!

[ALFREDO]

Bolex video tap, I made mine from foam, prototype, test it with the ccd camera, write down the measurements send it to a machine shop that uses that machine that cuts and shapes parts, I dont remeber the name but I see it used on american chopper tv show, its a wet laser cuting machine, they enter the measurements into the cad software and it cuts out that same piece in alloy, maybe $90 to $120 or so, its been a while! this machine is used to make car rims and all kinds of parts! keep in mind the futher back the ccd camera the more frame it covers the closer the smaller the frame!

dark viewer on bolex, yes they are dark from factory, go to http://www.super16inc.com and see if berni can laser bright that camera for you, it cost under $200 and he will make night turn to day! all the information is on his site right now! good luck! I cant help you any more then just advice, I would just pay the $600.00 or get the laser bright or replace the viewer with 14x or something like that good luck!

[wado1942]

In feature films, the focus is usually done by pulling a measuring tape from the film plane to the subject and dialing in the focus ring of the lens to match. Works perfectly every time. Much more reliable than prismatic focus too.

[super8man]

Like this?

http://www.micromark.com/prodimgs/83162.jpg

[ALFREDO]

No that tiny ccd camera is crap!

[ALFREDO]

wado 1942 you feeling okay? the topic is about video taps, not frame distance, are you the type of person that likes to twist the forum topic around? thank god im closing this account!