RichC
Well-known
I dislike the 35mm aspect ratio - it's too wide. I much prefer 645.
My previous camera was a Nikon D800E, and I modified a viewfinder screen (they're removable) by carefully cutting strips of thin black self-adhesive vinyl and accurately placed them on the left and right edges, to crop the view.
Why did I go to all that effort? I compose right up to the frame edges, but cannot accurately compose a cropped image smaller than what I see in the viewfinder. Just the way my brain works! I've been photographing for years and even have an MA degree in photography - but still cannot crop "in my head".
My Nikon did not have 645 as an image size option. Hence the viewfinder hack. Worked brilliantly.
I now use a Sony A7R II. But 35mm is the only aspect ratio it allows (except 6:9 - even worse!). So, I've been stuck with 35mm for the last few years, but it's getting more and more annoying. I don't want to change my camera.
Anyway, I had a thought this morning:
What about sticking self-adhesive vinyl on the sensor, to black out one edge?
The sensor is glass, so that shouldn't harm it. Not worried about removing it, nor resale value, etc.
I've Googled but found zero online about modifying a sensor this way...
So, thoughts, web links? Even better - anyone got an ancient or broken junk dSLR they fancy experimenting on as a service to RFF members!?
My previous camera was a Nikon D800E, and I modified a viewfinder screen (they're removable) by carefully cutting strips of thin black self-adhesive vinyl and accurately placed them on the left and right edges, to crop the view.
Why did I go to all that effort? I compose right up to the frame edges, but cannot accurately compose a cropped image smaller than what I see in the viewfinder. Just the way my brain works! I've been photographing for years and even have an MA degree in photography - but still cannot crop "in my head".
My Nikon did not have 645 as an image size option. Hence the viewfinder hack. Worked brilliantly.
I now use a Sony A7R II. But 35mm is the only aspect ratio it allows (except 6:9 - even worse!). So, I've been stuck with 35mm for the last few years, but it's getting more and more annoying. I don't want to change my camera.
Anyway, I had a thought this morning:
What about sticking self-adhesive vinyl on the sensor, to black out one edge?
The sensor is glass, so that shouldn't harm it. Not worried about removing it, nor resale value, etc.
I've Googled but found zero online about modifying a sensor this way...
So, thoughts, web links? Even better - anyone got an ancient or broken junk dSLR they fancy experimenting on as a service to RFF members!?
shawn
Veteran
Clearance between shutter and the sensor would be a big concern, as would the sensor shift for stabilization. Have you tried turning on the square framing grid? That can be used to frame a bunch of other aspect ratios. I use that for 1:1 and 3:1 for example.
Could also mask the lcd easily.
Shawn
Could also mask the lcd easily.
Shawn
RichC
Well-known
Had considered both. The grid lines are a bit annoying and don't give 645 - though they they allow 4:5 (I think).
Tape on the LCD has a couple of drawbacks:
• Transparent tape needed so I could see the menus
• I prefer composing through the viewfinder.
Regardless, that's what I intend to do for now - I can review my images after taking them, though that's not as ideal as doing that when taking the photo.
Self-adhesive vinyl is about 0.1 mm (0.0005 in.), so the shutter will be fine. I forgot about image stabilisation: the sliver of vinyl will weigh only about 0.02 g/mm² (0.000001 oz/in²) - hopefully too light to worry about.
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
Just use a micro-4/3 camera and be done with it. 645 format IS 4:3.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
"I've Googled but found zero online about modifying a sensor this way..." I wonder why.
Micro 43 or a Fuji gfx...
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
A7RII cover glass is 2mm. Not sure if it will withstand sticky tape removal.
DSLR might have it even thinner.
DSLR might have it even thinner.
retinax
Well-known
Ludicrous idea, I like it! You use a camera with an evf, if necessary I'd think it would be a lesser risk to open the evf and mask the internal lcd, rather than the certainly more expensive sensor. Or perhaps you find or can get custom firmware written.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
my mind 'Thinks' forget this crop sensor crap. :angel:
Get what You really want and sell what's causing You aggro...
Get what You really want and sell what's causing You aggro...
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
Do you work for the government?
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I'm sorry if my comment comes off as brusque, but this sounds a bit like going in through the anus to fill a cavity in a tooth.
Most of the points have been covered, regarding possible damage and other concerns. Another problem you're going to encounter is the fact that at your new borders, you're going to have a tiny bit of adhesive which WILL attract cat hair, dust, spiders, whatever, and then you'll be doing post to clean and further crop the image. Your sensor is farther from the glass so you may get a diffuse diffraction effect at your new borders. Stopped down, the images are going to look like a nightmare on the edges.
I'm with others who say either get the camera that suits you or live with what you have. If you do end up modifying it, please document it here on RFF, along with the images that you get.
Phil Forrest
Most of the points have been covered, regarding possible damage and other concerns. Another problem you're going to encounter is the fact that at your new borders, you're going to have a tiny bit of adhesive which WILL attract cat hair, dust, spiders, whatever, and then you'll be doing post to clean and further crop the image. Your sensor is farther from the glass so you may get a diffuse diffraction effect at your new borders. Stopped down, the images are going to look like a nightmare on the edges.
I'm with others who say either get the camera that suits you or live with what you have. If you do end up modifying it, please document it here on RFF, along with the images that you get.
Phil Forrest
Fraser
Well-known
Get used to cropping when editing, do you always have the same shape final pic ?
narsuitus
Well-known
Over the years, I have used the following aspect ratios:
1:1 (square)
6:7
4:5
3:4
2:3
1:2
The 1:1 aspect ratio was once my personal favorite because while shooting, I did not have to worry about portrait or landscape orientation.
The 6:7 aspect ratio is my favorite for portraits because it enlarges to 8x10 and 16x20 inch prints with little cropping.
The 4:5 aspect ratio is a favorite because it enlarges to 8x10 and 16x20 inch prints with no cropping.
The 3:4 aspect ratio, which includes micro 4/3, 645, and 6x8, is a favorite because it enlarges to 30x40 inch prints with no cropping.
The 2:3 aspect ratio, which includes 6x9cm and 24x36mm, is my favorite for landscapes.
The 1:2 aspect ratio is my favorite for panoramas. A ratio of 1:2.5 is too wide for my taste and a ratio of 1: 1.5 is not wide enough for my taste.
1:1 (square)
6:7
4:5
3:4
2:3
1:2
The 1:1 aspect ratio was once my personal favorite because while shooting, I did not have to worry about portrait or landscape orientation.
The 6:7 aspect ratio is my favorite for portraits because it enlarges to 8x10 and 16x20 inch prints with little cropping.
The 4:5 aspect ratio is a favorite because it enlarges to 8x10 and 16x20 inch prints with no cropping.
The 3:4 aspect ratio, which includes micro 4/3, 645, and 6x8, is a favorite because it enlarges to 30x40 inch prints with no cropping.
The 2:3 aspect ratio, which includes 6x9cm and 24x36mm, is my favorite for landscapes.
The 1:2 aspect ratio is my favorite for panoramas. A ratio of 1:2.5 is too wide for my taste and a ratio of 1: 1.5 is not wide enough for my taste.
PKR
Veteran
I'm with Phil and others as per sensor damage, etc.
When working for others, in the film days, I used almost only 35mm and occasionally 4x5. I liked the 4x5 format a lot and often (suggested) those crops to 35mm film when delivering film to clients. If printing B&W, I might print my prefered crop in a separate print when delivering the goods to an AD.
I could crop the image in my mind in the finder. Not always exactly but, close enough. The same as knowing the borders on a panoramic crop. I always liked the added space as, my initial shooting crops were often modified a bit in the final print.
The Adam's Previsualization thing goes beyond converting reality into a compressed black and white tonal range. At least, I always thought of it as a complete conversion of some visual reality into something contrived, that hopefully looked like what I wanted or expected.
A little OT but, I found after studying Analytic Geometry, I was able to better rotate objects or scenes in my mind. I could look at something and quickly select the vantage point needed without having to try several views through the finder. I'm curious if others experienced this or, have a native ability to view a scene or object and quickly rotate or experience it in your mind from any angle? Cropping an image while doing this is part of the mind play.
I once cut a 4x5 hole in a piece of cardboard when I was learning to use a view camera. It helped me to get a grip on the format without having to set up a camera. Another Adam's tool.
This kind of thing is popular with AD's and Graphic Designers, though, most just use the fingers/thumbs on two hands to provide the frame.
http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/photography/composition/Composition_framing.htm
When working for others, in the film days, I used almost only 35mm and occasionally 4x5. I liked the 4x5 format a lot and often (suggested) those crops to 35mm film when delivering film to clients. If printing B&W, I might print my prefered crop in a separate print when delivering the goods to an AD.
I could crop the image in my mind in the finder. Not always exactly but, close enough. The same as knowing the borders on a panoramic crop. I always liked the added space as, my initial shooting crops were often modified a bit in the final print.
The Adam's Previsualization thing goes beyond converting reality into a compressed black and white tonal range. At least, I always thought of it as a complete conversion of some visual reality into something contrived, that hopefully looked like what I wanted or expected.
A little OT but, I found after studying Analytic Geometry, I was able to better rotate objects or scenes in my mind. I could look at something and quickly select the vantage point needed without having to try several views through the finder. I'm curious if others experienced this or, have a native ability to view a scene or object and quickly rotate or experience it in your mind from any angle? Cropping an image while doing this is part of the mind play.
I once cut a 4x5 hole in a piece of cardboard when I was learning to use a view camera. It helped me to get a grip on the format without having to set up a camera. Another Adam's tool.
This kind of thing is popular with AD's and Graphic Designers, though, most just use the fingers/thumbs on two hands to provide the frame.
http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/photography/composition/Composition_framing.htm
Michalm
Well-known
I would modify EVF with some sort of mask if you cannot afford Fuji GfX system . I would never lay my finger on the sensor let alone gluing anything to it. Alternatively you could send you camera for conversion to be done professionally.
Hahaha... my god Phil, that’s poetry.
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
Might I suggest picking up a Fuji 50r?
The native format is 4:3 and you can in camera crop too.
The native format is 4:3 and you can in camera crop too.
Evergreen States
Francine Pierre Saget (they/them)
I’m currently using the Fuji X series as my digital cameras and too dislike the 3:2 aspect ratio, wishing more mirrorless cameras would have selectable 4:3 and 5:4 crop masks. EVF technology easily allows this, so why have so few manufacturers been implementing it?
I'm going to leave aside the issues of effectively destroying your camera, which others have enumerated already, and point out something else: masking only one side of the sensor will cause you to lose the symmetry of lens characteristics such as vignetting, color shift, cat’s eye bokeh, bokeh swirl, the sharpness falloff from the center to the edges… your pictures will look weird. Please don’t do this. Get a camera that better suits your needs.
As far as I can tell, your options are:
All full frame Canon EOS R series cameras have 4:3 AR crop masks.
You can get a Nikon Z7 and learn to live with 5:4 (4:3 is not supported on any Z series body so far and 5:4 is only available on the Z7).
Get a micro 4/3 system camera which have a native AR of 4:3
Get a Fuji GFX or Hasselblad X series medium format camera which has a native AR of 4:3. All of these also offer 1:1 and the Xpan AR of 64:24. The Fujis also offer 5:4 and 7:6.
You should be able to adapt your Sony lenses to Canon R and Nikon Z mount with little difficulty.
If none of these are truly acceptable, send it to a specialist. Leica modified an S2 for Josef Koudelka by masking off the sensor into a panoramic ratio.
I'm going to leave aside the issues of effectively destroying your camera, which others have enumerated already, and point out something else: masking only one side of the sensor will cause you to lose the symmetry of lens characteristics such as vignetting, color shift, cat’s eye bokeh, bokeh swirl, the sharpness falloff from the center to the edges… your pictures will look weird. Please don’t do this. Get a camera that better suits your needs.
As far as I can tell, your options are:
All full frame Canon EOS R series cameras have 4:3 AR crop masks.
You can get a Nikon Z7 and learn to live with 5:4 (4:3 is not supported on any Z series body so far and 5:4 is only available on the Z7).
Get a micro 4/3 system camera which have a native AR of 4:3
Get a Fuji GFX or Hasselblad X series medium format camera which has a native AR of 4:3. All of these also offer 1:1 and the Xpan AR of 64:24. The Fujis also offer 5:4 and 7:6.
You should be able to adapt your Sony lenses to Canon R and Nikon Z mount with little difficulty.
If none of these are truly acceptable, send it to a specialist. Leica modified an S2 for Josef Koudelka by masking off the sensor into a panoramic ratio.
farlymac
PF McFarland
If you want to mask the finder, use some clear plastic the same size as the full finder window, draw the frame lines on it, and clip it in place (perhaps by removing the finder surround, then putting it back on over the mask). That way it won't interfere with the information readouts.
PF
PF
Oren Grad
Well-known
EOS M cameras also have a 4:3 setting, as do Canon DSLRs, both full frame and APS-C, when used in live view mode.