Help with compact digital RF-concept

[Tarzak]

Perhaps a slightly more affordable way to compromise with those that would like to exchange lenses would be to have a variable focal length lens...not a zoom so much as something like the Tri-Elmarits but in 4 focal lengths instead- 28, 40, 50, and maybe 75 or 90 (all equivalent of course).

I suppose it would inherently make the vf/rf more complex and expensive...but still, it might be worth considering for someone.

I have a Minolta weathermatic (something like that) underwater camera that has 2 focal lengths. 35mm and 75mm. It is fully automatic and when the light is right takes surprisingly good photos. If only there was some way to fiddle with the exposures for tricky lighting situations this camera would get used (by me) a lot more.
The view finder changes view when you switch focal lengths. that works quite well.
Must have manual focus override. Well, that's what I'd like.

 

[Tarzak]

I don't think you need to have such a wide rangefinder base. It looks as if it would make it more complex (inside the case) to have it so close to the shutter release and ISO dial.

 

[nzeeman]

you could try and move rf window more to the middle. now its almost under shutter button so people could cover it with second finger accidentally. if you still want this long baselength you could make some kind of bump or place for finger under rf window in front of the camera so user will know where top hold it.
also i think you could put shutter speed selector in place where is distance selector on sigma DP1. that would allow changing speed easy with camera on eye..

you could also try to make top of the camera as flat as possible. you could look up at fed2 design for example. i think they did it very good.
shutter button like on your photo is ruining nice lines of camera.

 

[Haanes]

Thanks for your input, guys.
To be honest, I'm not sure how long rangefinder base i need, that's why I "safed it".

I'm glad you pointed out that the rangefinder window will easily be covered by your fingers, I don't know why I didn't think of that. It has to be moved.

Does anyone know how long the base actually has to be to be effective? The camera is currently 13 cm long.

As for a flat top, I kind of like how the dials stick out of the body, as a contrast to the sleek body. I think it emphasizes the mechanical functions of the camera, which are of great importance for the concept. But I'll look into it.

 

[tmfabian]

Thanks for your input, guys.
To be honest, I'm not sure how long rangefinder base i need, that's why I "safed it".

I'm glad you pointed out that the rangefinder window will easily be covered by your fingers, I don't know why I didn't think of that. It has to be moved.

Does anyone know how long the base actually has to be to be effective? The camera is currently 13 cm long.

.

the bessa has one that's something along the lines of 37mm (from http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtr2ar3a.htm) so that may be a good place to aim at...i don't really know all that much about it though.

that camera is looking pretty swank so far though, nice work.

 

[Haanes]

If I'm not wrong, the short base of the Bessa is compensated by the oh-so-bright focusing patch, making focusing precise. I think I'll place the rangefinder window closer to the vf, but maybe not as close as on the Bessa. Thanks!

 

[lubitel]

the camera looks great, reminds me a little bit a Fed3 🙂 Its a good idea with the thumb rest, because with the abscense of the winder it would be awkward to hold. I agree that the shutter release seems a bit too high. whats the dial underneath it? shutter speeds? and what's the dial on the other side? may be iso? Anyway, good luck with the project. I hope the sensor is full frame and the price is under 500 bucks 🙂 let us know when we can pre-order

 

[lubitel]

are you going to design some accessories as well, like an extra grip? may be it could even hold an extra battery in it 😱 Or may be even a 25mm screw on lens plus the viewfinder for it 🙂

 

[Haanes]

are you going to design some accessories as well, like an extra grip? may be it could even hold an extra battery in it 😱 Or may be even a 25mm screw on lens plus the viewfinder for it 🙂

I'll see what I can do. 🙂

You were right as to what the dials were. Now, I'm going to embed the iso-dial into the shutter dial. Also, I've made the camera considerably smaller, so for the time being I don't see the need for an extra grip (the leatherette covering is pretty sticky).

 

[Haanes]

Mockup #3

Mockup #3

I've now updated both the viu and the site.

I've made the camera more compact and changed some other things. Check out the changes at http://haanes.no/viu

Thanks for all your helpful feedback so far!

 

[2XLX2]

i was wondering, since this is a "concept camera, not aimed for production", whether it should have so much similarities [in form] to the leica-M, especially the M8- the one without film advance and rewind levers. just swap the locations of the shutter and the shutter speed dial, and put a red dot on the 'viu' mock-up-3, then you would have exactly what leica would put out, if they wanted to market a fixed lens rangefinder

if this is an exercise primarily in industrial design, i'm not too clear if it is, then i am not sure whether viu is that much innovative. i'm okay with leica continuing the simplicity of the M-line, but i was wondering whether other industrial designers [especially for conceptual/idea projects] should not try out other forms that too might achieve simplicity.

 

[Haanes]

Sandy,

I'm glad you raise the concern.

The course I'm doing this project in is a course in branding, so I have just so much time doing the physical design of the product. I actually first started out by doing a book-series which would be sold at gas stations, cafés and convenience stores, not being pulp fiction but great litterature. Most of my fellow students doesn't even have an actual physical product as part of their projects, the emphasis is on the visual brand identity.

Still, as I have chosen to include a product, I strive to make the design express the values of the fictional brand which is viu.

A large part of this project is making a digital camera that continues the legacy of Oscar Barnack, and later the compact rangefinders of the 70's. I want the viu to have similarities to these cameras to show that a digital sensor doesn't necessarily imply having hundreds of useless functions and jellybean-like camera bodies.

That being said, I agree that the viu in it's current design bears too much resemblance to the Leica M-line, and I'm struggling to develop a different form factor, which is equally or more simple. The problem is, that's really hard. And I've decided not to tweak the design, doing things I wouldn't ideally do, to make it look less like an m. If you see my point? If it's going to be very different from the leica (or zeiss, Bessa etc. for that matter) it's going to be so for a good reason.

Anyway, thanks for your feedback, it has inspired me to work even harder to try and design a more genuine form factor.

 

[Haanes]

mockup #4

mockup #4


In the newest mockup of the viu, I’ve changed the form so that only the side you hold in your right hand is cylindrical. Since the viu is manual focus only, the user will hold his or hers left hand on the lens anyway, so there’s no need for a grip on that side.

The shutter/ev/iso-dial is flush with the cylindrical grip, to afford more possibilites in turning the dial. You could use your thumb from the back, or any finger from the front, or pinch it between thumb and index finger.

I’ve also combined the viewfinder and the rf-line window into one opening, and added rubber grips at the front, and for the thumb at the back. The lens is now a tad shorter (physically) and wider, and I’ve streamlined it more.

 

[Avotius]

I like what I see in the concept here, I still think there should be a little something to hold on to on the right hand side, a little grip or the like but im sure there would be an accessory grip too, but that would add hight to the camera. Either way like what im seeing. Someone make it, I will buy it.

Next you should try to make some details on the shutter control and aperture control with DOF markings on the lens and such to round out the renderings.

 

[Haanes]

Here's an image of the latest, and probably final revision of the viu. You can see larger images from all angles at http://haanes.no/viu

Avotius: I decided not to add an extruding grip, but there's good friction on the right side, and there's a rubber grip for the thumb. In a professional context, where you actually hold the camera in front of your eye almost all the time, it would be more of a concern. But the viu is more of a carry-everywhere camera, especially for candids, it's not supposed to be a work horse.

Thanks so much for all the great feedback from you all!

Henrik