Daimon
Established
Hi folks. It looks that Matt from Reveni Labs is looking to produce a budget auto collimator.
I've been chatting with him on that in past but at that time he had other projects on roadmap. Now I see that he's starting to play with prototype.
There's ask in Facebook to share requestsfor useful features. Many people here have loads of experience - if you share your knowledge there, maybe we could end up with an affordable and useful autocollimator: Reveni Labs Autocollimator
I've been chatting with him on that in past but at that time he had other projects on roadmap. Now I see that he's starting to play with prototype.
There's ask in Facebook to share requestsfor useful features. Many people here have loads of experience - if you share your knowledge there, maybe we could end up with an affordable and useful autocollimator: Reveni Labs Autocollimator
WoodallP
Pragmatist Barnack lover
This definitely looks interesting. I suppose many of us make do with other methods, but if the price was right, who knows. The problem is, never having used one, it’s hard to make suggestions, as the limits of possibility are not clear to me. I’d like to check infinity and then know my lens scale was accurate at 1 or 2m for instance.
I’m ashamed really as I used to be an astronomer and then worked with lasers so I should know more 🙁 But that was another life.
I’m ashamed really as I used to be an astronomer and then worked with lasers so I should know more 🙁 But that was another life.
Duofold RF
Well-known
brusby
Well-known
I feel certain that most people don't have a clue what a collimator is and I'd bet that many if not most of those who do know in theory what they are don't know how to use one or what benefits can be had by using one.
'Long winded way of saying that it would be really helpful to have a video or series of videos showing what they are and illustrating common uses.
'Long winded way of saying that it would be really helpful to have a video or series of videos showing what they are and illustrating common uses.
reveni-matt
Newbie
It's very niche. The goal is to make something in the $500 range to get decent performance. Not sure of other readily available options that aren't just hacks.
Duofold RF
Well-known
I would suggest also creating a lens adapter with a front-coated mirror for the autocollimator. For instance, i used a Nikon Z 18mm Meike extension tube provides a 16mm flange distance of a Z-mount body, allowing compatibility with various lenses when combined with appropriate adapters. This approach can be similarly applied to Canon, Sony, and other camera systems by selecting extension tubes that match their respective flange distances and mounts.
Duofold RF
Well-known
reveni-matt
Newbie
That's not a bad idea. My only concern is that the adapters, generally intended for digital use, are not machined to the dimensional tolerances required to use them in a lens calibration setup. I'd worry the jig + adapter would not equal the flange focal distance it should since digitals can easily compensate.
Duofold RF
Well-known
Then you have to make the major brands specific adaptor in tight tolerance, like Gakosha, and others, or you make the base adaptor with mirror and adjust the matched lens adaptor to the spec.
Daimon
Established
Prototype:
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reveni-matt
Newbie
Here's the latest prototype, with image taken off film, K1000 with 50mm f2 lens attached.
WoodallP
Pragmatist Barnack lover
Hi Matt, please keep us informed. As a user if your camera tester I really appreciate the effort you put in to this.