3D print a Konica half frame mask ?

[MarkWalberg]

Konica IIIM had a half frame mask that one could place to get half frame shots on 35 mm film. Although I've had several Konica IIM cameras, I have never been able to find the half frame mask. Does anyone have one? If so, would anyone be interested in 3D printing them?

 

[BillBingham2]

3D printing of this sort is something I'd love to start a sub-forum to help highlight and organize.

Anyone out there help MW out and could add photo-related designs we can highlight? Designs would be hosted elsewhere (as it's already in place and silly/expensive to duplicate).

Thoughts?

 

[JeffS7444]

Pacific Rim Camera has a good photo of the part in question:
Pacific Rim Camera Photographica Pages
But as a 3D-printed object, I don't know: My hunch is that it might be better as a DIY craft-type project and built from a material like brass. While it's possible to produce sintered metal parts by 3D printing techniques, I don't have experience in that area.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

Does it have to be metal?

 

[MarkWalberg]

Does it have to be metal?

I don’t think it needs to be metal. If it was just a mask, it would be easy to make one from a sheet of metal or plastic. However, there is a protrusion that fits into a slot to push a lever. That alters the camera wind to half frame. Without seeing one, it is hard to know how to make that protrusion. Even seeing the picture at Pacific Rim doesn’t help very much to get that part right.
Does anyone have one that could be measured?

If an enterprising person could 3d print them, I’m sure that a lot of IIIM owners would buy one. I know I would.

 

[Alpsman]

IF you have the dimensions that part should not be to difficult to redesign an print.
(The best is to have it by your side while drawing it)

BUT the question is, how thick is it or how thick can it be?
If it is to thin, there MIGHT be the danger of light falling through the printed plate and fogging the film left and right of the window.

The light transmission might be prevented by choosing the right filament (which ever) and the printer settings.
Just because the filament is blach it must not be lighttight - as I realized to my suprise 😭

Thats the only thing I consider.

At the end, the only thing that will prove it is: try and error.
(only the destructive experiment leads to true knowledge)

 

[JeffS7444]

If you have an actual 3M in your possession, I think the photograph provides enough information to reverse-engineer the part.

It's possible that the part could be created entirely in PLA (Proto-Pasta offers an "opaque" black), but the physical properties of PLA are very different from those of brass, and certain details, like the small tabs which hold the adapter in place, might be prone to simply shearing off. So some alterations to the original design might be required.

 

[MarkWalberg]

If you have an actual 3M in your possession, I think the photograph provides enough information to reverse-engineer the part.

It's possible that the part could be created entirely in PLA (Proto-Pasta offers an "opaque" black), but the physical properties of PLA are very different from those of brass, and certain details, like the small tabs which hold the adapter in place, might be prone to simply shearing off. So some alterations to the original design might be required.

You're right Jeff,
I got out the IIIM and I see that it will be easier than I thought.
There is a spring loaded small bar at the top of the film chamber that the nubbin on the mask pushes against. Very accessible. I think I could make one, even with my very limited tooling. Will try.

 

[JeffS7444]

I got out the IIIM and I see that it will be easier than I thought.
There is a spring loaded small bar at the top of the film chamber that the nubbin on the mask pushes against. Very accessible. I think I could make one, even with my very limited tooling. Will try.

Happy crafting! Maybe it could be simplified even further by thinking of the bar-presser and the mask as two separate pieces. Because the mask itself could be cut from the opaque black plastic used for throwaway food containers, and taped into place. Not quite as handy as the factory solution, but if you've got more than one 3M, you could dedicate one for half-frame use.