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New collimator lens for RED!

Oliver Koeppel

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There´s a new collimator lens for digital 35mm cameras from Denz.
"The Flange Depth Controller "FDC" is a new development with two lenses in one.... Two different masks will be projected on the CCD-chip... When the position of the red bar is exactly between the two green bars you can read out the precise flange depth on the scale of the adjustment wheel."
So it´s seems to be even more effective then the null lens. Price is low. It costs about 3285 Euro, what is 4657$ right now

http://www.pure4c.de/dynasite.cfm?dssid=5468&dsmid=98553#dstitle_811335
 

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The Denz unit is a very nice item as it is a true complete collimator, triangulating for correct depth. But since the RED One has an adjustable lens mount one does not need the adjustability of the Denz FDC -- it would be left to zero and the mount adjusted instead. And then there is the price tag, which is three times that of the NULL Lens.

I'm not knocking a competitor's product. This thing is great. I just wonder if it is more than most people would ever need.
 
There´s a new collimator lens for digital 35mm cameras from Denz.
"The Flange Depth Controller "FDC" is a new development with two lenses in one.... Two different masks will be projected on the CCD-chip... When the position of the red bar is exactly between the two green bars you can read out the precise flange depth on the scale of the adjustment wheel."
So it´s seems to be even more effective then the null lens. Price is low. It costs about 3285 Euro, what is 4657$ right now

http://www.pure4c.de/dynasite.cfm?dssid=5468&dsmid=98553#dstitle_811335

we've already done this

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=32738 :dupe:
 
The Denz unit looks like it'd be more accurate to me. Problem with the Red mount is of course that it moves so much when tightening back up. With the Denz unit it looks as though you can check how much you are out having tightened the mount.

Isn't the Null lens basically a reference lens rather than a true collimation device? I mean it'll get very close (To the point that it probably doesn't matter) but there is the possibility of being out even if only slightly, no? Seems like the Denz is giving a tangible measuring device whereas the null is giving an eye reference, would this be a fair judgement or not Mitch?

I'm not knocking a competitor's product. This thing is great. I just wonder if it is more than most people would ever need.

Problem is that there is the possibility that neither this OR the null lens will be necessary with the Epic/Scarlet if they have the ability to collimate the mount accurately. They become merely an expensive means of checking that what the camera is doing is correct. Whilst you might argue that having both is a great idea either one could quickly become another piece of kit that sits on the shelf collecting dust if that collimation proves to be accurate enough over time.

I also don't wish to knock either of course, they both do an excellent and most of all important job.

Paul
 
You are correct Paul. The NULL is an optical reference while the FDC is a true collimator. But the NULL is accurate "below Nyquist" on the RED, meaning that it is more accurate than the RED itself could resolve.

I don't see how the EPIC or any other camera could have a self-collimating ability. At a certain point there has to be a reference measurement and it will have to be done with a secondary device. I don't see any collimation device being obsoleted any time soon.
 
Fair enough Mitch. I see you have the Null Target in the other thread as well which would also make the device measurable i presume (Though I'll leave discussion on that to the other thread).

Agree with the reference measurement, but then again anyone worth their salt ought to notice pretty quickly just by using their lenses if something is awray. Having access to something like the Null or Denz every so often at least is of course a must to make sure that mount is still working as intended.

Paul
 
another one for you

another one for you

While we are on the subject:
OptiTek's Optimator has features that none of the others posess
1. Full frame coverage to evaluate not only back focus, but sensor performance, tilt, centering, etc. See pics below.
2. High resolution target with resolution numbers for reference
3. Optional micrometer head for measuring shim thickness, amount of tilt, etc.
Many others.
Here is the link to the web page>http://optitek.org/optimator.php
and the video>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0qQ3yuIng&feature=PlayList&p=89CA5464BE996A83&index=2
As they say- the more choices the merrier:sifone:
 

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A price indicator would be great. I'm probably going to go with a Null and a Null target or a Denz unit but if your in the same ball park price wise (i suspect not) I'd rather have the fuller feature set...

I suspect there is loads of us in the same position.

kind regards

Michael L
 
the tool you choose

the tool you choose

A price indicator would be great. I'm probably going to go with a Null and a Null target or a Denz unit but if your in the same ball park price wise (i suspect not) I'd rather have the fuller feature set...

I suspect there is loads of us in the same position.

kind regards

Michael L
Here are some thoughts:
You can buy a tool that was designed from ground up with all the necessary features in mind or you can buy one that had the features added on as an afterthought. By the time you are finished buying and paying the difference in price will be negligible-if any-and the difference in your tool's usefulness, accuracy, lifespan, etc. will be stagerring... your choice:patriot:(BTW Optimator is made in the USA)
 
h'mm

I'm made in the UK;-)

We are not a camera/lens hire outfit.. simply 2 users who own a few cameras and lots of lenses.

The first think we need is Red back-focus checking. We would rather we had this without the need for near infinity visibility (this is why we are waiting for the Null target). We do shoot on other electronic PL mounted cameras so the ability to work out the shim needed may be useful (hence my interest in Denz's offering? Everything else is just icing.

Any idea when you might know pricing?

kind regards

Michael L


Here is some thoughts:
You can buy a tool that was designed from ground up with all the necessary features in mind or you can buy one that had the features added on as an afterthought. By the time you are finished buying and paying the difference in price will be negligible-if any-and the difference in your tool's usefulness, accuracy, lifespan, etc. will be stagerring... your choice:patriot:(BTW Optimator is made in the USA)
 
made in the USA

made in the USA

h'mm

I'm made in the UK;-)

We are not a camera/lens hire outfit.. simply 2 users who own a few cameras and lots of lenses.

The first think we need is Red back-focus checking. We would rather we had this without the need for near infinity visibility (this is why we are waiting for the Null target). We do shoot on other electronic PL mounted cameras so the ability to work out the shim needed may be useful (hence my interest in Denz's offering? Everything else is just icing.

Any idea when you might know pricing?

kind regards

Michael L
I hear you Michael, I'm made in Poland myself.
The two reasons I mentioned that the Optimator is made here:
more than half of my customers are based in the US and there is certain amount of pride here about buying domestic products to support the domestic, now limping economy.(I hope that I don't sound chauvinist here, certainly not my intention)
Also in my travels over 20years in the industry I must say that the film industry here is more "mature" and the professional tools developed more "with the end user in mind" more practical, if you will...
I realize that I'm walking tight rope here as this is a global industry and global market place but this is my opinion...

As far as pricing there will not be a major hit- we must stay competitive here.
I'll contact you as soon as it's available.
Now to the technical part: Being owner/operator type wouldn't you want to check things like sensor concentricity, tilt, dynamic range in "lab conditions"
And using different brand cameras wouldn't you want, or even need to compare sensor performance, match LUTs, check RGB channel response with your tool?
Many other tests as well.(Canon, Nikon, PV, or even B4 mount adapters available)

To use your "icing" analogy I think of it more as the main entree...
Best regards
 
Nice Jacek...as DigitalFx said...
I would appreciate a demo as well.
Count me on this...


Cheers
 
There is room in the world for all manners of product. There is certainly a place for the Optimator as there is for the UniqOptics Diascope, the Denz FDC and the NULL Lens and its accessories. What we like in the NULL is that you buy what you need, and I would say that 90% of the clients out there do not need all the features on some of the other devices. Thus a buy-what-you-need model can give considerable cost savings.

I would also take issue with characterizing the NULL Target or any of the other planned components of the NULL family of products as an "afterthought." These devices were always part of the design concept and the system is engineered to deliver optimum performance with or without various components involved. Sometimes a component can be devised to perform a particular task that may be more precise than a different device that does many tasks. It from with these concerns and testing that that the NULL family of products evolved. The simple fact is that we could build the NULL Lens first and get it out to clients as a useful tool while still working on the other components to the system.

I'm sure that the Optimator is a very nice device that can do a great many useful things. But that does not mean that the NULL Lens and the rest of the NULL products do not have value as well. I choose not to take an adversarial position in such things, as in the end it is best to provide choices to the market and let the end users decide. We have a friendly relationship with Optitek as well as UniqOptics and Denz. in fact, we even sell some of their products.
 
Many other tests as well.(Canon, Nikon, PV, or even B4 mount adapters available)

Will any of these products be useable with c-mount lenses?
 
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