What would you like to see invented?

[Manticorp]

Don't know if this is the most appropriate place to put this... but here goes anyway :)

Basically, I just wanna see what you guys would most like to be able to purchase from retailers that before we've had to cobble together with bits of cardboard and aluminium foil! :lol:

I Know I've certainly got shelves full fo things that I've made specifically to do jobs that you just can't buy in stores (or at least not for the right price! :rolleyes:)

So yeah, share your thoughts here! and maybe some pics etc? :)

Here's a couple of thoughts of mine:


Macro reflector rings that mount on 580/430ex's (cheap alternative to actual ring lights)
Readily available hotshoe stands for tripod mounting (saves buying another lightstand)
Rail mounts for hotshoe mounted flashes that allow small diffuser to be adjustably put infront of flash unitAgh the list goes on! I just wanna hear your thoughts! :D

Harry

[DC Fan]

Readily available hotshoe stands for tripod mounting (saves buying another lightstand)This already seems to exist. (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-umbrella-adapters.html)

[GordonSBuck]

A *small* external flash for digicams (I have the G9) fitted with hotshoe, manual adjustments and built-in slave trigger, tilt and swivel head. Probably would have to have only two AA batteries. For my purposes, could have the "Cactus" receiver trigger built-in.

[tim]

Cheap, reliable radio slaves.

[Wilt]

Can't just cobble one together from foil, etc. ...but I wish they would make a digital back that has FF-sized sensor and which permits removable-filmback SLRs like the Nikon F and Olympus OM-1 and OM-4 to be converted from film to digital!

[Curtis N]

Can't just cobble one together from foil, etc. ...but I wish they would make a digital back that has FF-sized sensor and which permits removable-filmback SLRs like the Nikon F and Olympus OM-1 and OM-4 to be converted from film to digital!How would that be superior to a full-frame digital SLR?

[Wilt]

How would that be superior to a full-frame digital SLR?

It would superior in that I could use the full investment I had made over the years in Olympus equipment, especially a 24mm Perspective Control lens! And I would have a FF camera at a fraction of the size and weight of even an XT, but with the viewfinder size that exceeds that of the 1DsIII, that's all!

[DC Fan]

Can't just cobble one together from foil, etc. ...but I wish they would make a digital back that has FF-sized sensor and which permits removable-filmback SLRs like the Nikon F and Olympus OM-1 and OM-4 to be converted from film to digital!
You just described one of the great vaporware products of all time, "Silicon Film." (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,145351-page,5-c,technology/article.html) :(

[Wilt]

They've made digital backs for removable back medium format SLRs, so why not make them for removable back 35mm SLRs, too? I suppose that the issue is the relative age of the 35mm stuff with removable backs, especially since manufacturers started to de-feature the film SLRs over time, getting rid of DOF preview and mirror lock up first.

[shutterfiend]

Rail mounts for hotshoe mounted flashes that allow small diffuser to be adjustably put infront of flash unit

Is this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/197439-REG/Photoflex_AC_B222SM_Adjustable_Shoe_Mount_Connecto r.html) similar to what you're describing?

[DC Fan]

They've made digital backs for removable back medium format SLRs, so why not make them for removable back 35mm SLRs, too? I suppose that the issue is the relative age of the 35mm stuff with removable backs, especially since manufacturers started to de-feature the film SLRs over time, getting rid of DOF preview and mirror lock up first.
That was done once, in 2003, for the Leica R8 and R9, and it hasn't been done since. Everyone else heeded the lessons learned by Kodak in the early 1990's - if you have a 35mm SLR and want to turn it into a digital camera, you need to rebuild the 35mm unit.

Back in 1994, Kodak had to dismantle Nikon F90's and turn them into DCS 410's and DCS 420's. They followed the same process when Kodak converted the Canon EOS-1n into a digital camera. When SLR manufacturers started producing their own digital cameras - the Nikon D1 in 1999 and the Canon D30 in 2000 - the cameras were built as one piece units.

And there was a good reason for that approach: digital backs couldn't be made practical with 35mm SLR's. No one proved that better than Imagek, which promised a "Silicon Film" digital insert or adapter for 35mm SLR's back in 1998. After four years of delays and missed deadlines, the company disappeared. By that time, Canon and Nikon were into their second and third generation of digital SLRs. Now, you can buy a fully useful digital SLR for half of what the "Silicon Film" gadget would have cost, which is one reason that the idea of a such a removable back for a 1990's camera is obsolete.

[gryphonslair99]

Here's a couple of thoughts of mine:

Macro reflector rings that mount on 580/430ex's (cheap alternative to actual ring lights)

http://www.expoimaging.net/?gclid=COOg0snX7JMCFQFvHgodVGdeVQ

Readily available hotshoe stands for tripod mounting (saves buying another lightstand)http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298709-REG/Impact_3117_Umbrella_Bracket.html
[LIST]
Rail mounts for hotshoe mounted flashes that allow small diffuser to be adjustably put infront of flash unithttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/197439-REG/Photoflex_AC_B222SM_Adjustable_Shoe_Mount_Connecto r.htmlAgh the list goes on! I just wanna hear your thoughts! :D

Harry

Google is your friend, It can find many things people think need to be invented, only to find that they have been.

[DocFrankenstein]

I'm with wilt.

I want a small manual focus full frame SLR with fully reflective mirror and a viewfinder to match that of OM-1.

Too bad I can't make it from tinfoil :)

[shutterfiend]

Smallest one out there is the 5D. They had to remove the on-board flash to make room for electronics. Besides, the OM cameras (and most older SLRs) are a pain to hold without a winder/motor-drive (grip).

[DocFrankenstein]

They had to remove the on-board flash to make room for electronics.
That's not the reason.

[irishman]

In camera, one-shot HDR images with perfect exposure. Probably 3 years out.

[shutterfiend]

http://www.expoimaging.net/?gclid=COOg0snX7JMCFQFvHgodVGdeVQ


300 bucks for a f...unny-looking adapter!!!

[gryphonslair99]

300 bucks for a f...unny-looking adapter!!!

I didn't invent it. I don't own it, just pointing out to the OP that it was already invented, per their wish.:D

[shutterfiend]

I didn't invent it. I don't own it, just pointing out to the OP that it was already invented, per their wish.:D

Since when did genies get so expensive to maintain.

[Manticorp]

wheyy loads of replies :D woop woop!

Seems from the replies that a lot of people would like to use their film equipment digitally? =O

But thanks for the replies to my post - problem is I live in the UK and things like Rayflash (which is blimmin expensive!) and stuff from b&h is REALLY hard to find here >_<

The only local camera dealers near me are jessops and they're...not the best =/

hehe but thanks guys for alln the replies! Maybe i should poll it :lol:

[shutterfiend]

How about a seamless backdrop lit by LEDs. You can program the color of your backdrop as you please. Monochrome, splatters, blurry shapes of objects, etc. Some pre-programmed settings for quick changes. You can also adjust the brightness for back-lit images.

[Manticorp]

Hmmm an interesting idea Shutterfiend...might not be too hard to do either with current LED technology...might be a bit pricey though =o

[Chet]

Much lighter lenses with the same IQ as the current "L" series but 1/2 the weight.

[m3rdpwr]

In my imagination land I would like a Camera Transformer.

That way when I new model comes out, I can just scan and upgrade.

Okay, lame...

-Me

[nadtz]

A time machine!

And a modular DSLR. To follow wilts idea, give me the body as a modular unit so I can swap sensors instead of having to buy a whole new body every time round (or so I can keep the sensor I'm happy with). I know this isn't really realistic, but Id like to see it happen

affordable digital rangefinder - A nice rangefinder with a pancake 50ish equiv lens. Full size or aps c/h sensor. if it takes all those MF lenses out there in m42 so much the better. What the dp1 could have been, and that fabled compact digital so many have wanted for so long.

Smaller square format camera.

[shutterfiend]

affordable digital rangefinder - A nice rangefinder with a pancake 50ish equiv lens. Full size or aps c/h sensor. if it takes all those MF lenses out there in m42 so much the better. What the dp1 could have been, and that fabled compact digital so many have wanted for so long.

Smaller square format camera.

The M8 is affordable to some... I'm not sure how the RD-1 holds up in today's market.

[jbergdoll]

Modular DSLR would be great, like the medium format cams with the swappable backs. I want a waist-level viewfinder :)

[shutterfiend]

... I want a waist-level viewfinder :)

They do have an L finder with better eye relief.

[jbergdoll]

I'll rephrase--I want an affordable DSLR that looks like a vintage hassy or bronica

[DocFrankenstein]

They do have an L finder with better eye relief.
What finder is that?

I want the option to replace the viewfinders, just like nikon offered. A high eyepoint viewfinder, a good magnification viewfinder...

[shutterfiend]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Angle-Finder-C-Review.aspx

[elysium]

Don't know if this is the most appropriate place to put this... but here goes anyway :)

Basically, I just wanna see what you guys would most like to be able to purchase from retailers that before we've had to cobble together with bits of cardboard and aluminium foil! :lol:

I Know I've certainly got shelves full fo things that I've made specifically to do jobs that you just can't buy in stores (or at least not for the right price! :rolleyes:)

So yeah, share your thoughts here! and maybe some pics etc? :)

Here's a couple of thoughts of mine:

Macro reflector rings that mount on 580/430ex's (cheap alternative to actual ring lights)
Readily available hotshoe stands for tripod mounting (saves buying another lightstand)
Rail mounts for hotshoe mounted flashes that allow small diffuser to be adjustably put infront of flash unitAgh the list goes on! I just wanna hear your thoughts! :D

Harry
Already around
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/images/Flaghead%20Ringflash%201.jpg

[jbergdoll]

Wow, thank you for the link... looks like I'll be getting one of those viewfinders for shooting skate fisheye stuff.

[DocFrankenstein]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Angle-Finder-C-Review.aspx
Oh... but it doesn't offer high eyepoint. It offers sufficient eyepoint to be used with glasses, but it's not better than the eyepoint of the original viewfinder.

[shutterfiend]

Already around
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/images/Flaghead%20Ringflash%201.jpg

Who makes this one and how much is it?

[elysium]

Who makes this one and how much is it?

Pass, Calumet were selling - £150 does make it pricey
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/134-006W/

My version - £12 with beer!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=461472

[shutterfiend]

Pass, Calumet were selling - £150 does make it pricey
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/134-006W/
...


That's $300+ also!!! F...rustrating economy.

...
My version - £12 with beer!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=461472

Seems like my only option at the moment.

Thanks for the links.

[elysium]

That's $300+ also!!! F...rustrating economy.

Seems like my only option at the moment.

Thanks for the links.
Beer and camera gear, who can complain :lol:

No worries

[amonline]

Readily available hotshoe stands for tripod mounting (saves buying another lightstand)
I know I'm chiming late on this, but many coldshoe adapters have tripod threads in the bottom. You just have to look/search for them. ;)

Cheap, reliable radio slaves.
LOL Ain't that the truth.

[nadtz]

The M8 is affordable to some... I'm not sure how the RD-1 holds up in today's market.

Well I meant affordable to me =). Last I looked the RD-1 was still a couple grand, more than I wanted to pay for its flaws certainly. Im talking along the lines of the 'cheaper' rangefinders, but there must be something that makes them so expensive. Perhaps because they are something of a niche camera now a days.

[shutterfiend]

Well I meant affordable to me =). Last I looked the RD-1 was still a couple grand, more than I wanted to pay for its flaws certainly. Im talking along the lines of the 'cheaper' rangefinders, but there must be something that makes them so expensive. Perhaps because they are something of a niche camera now a days.

flange to film (sensor) does not support perpendicular incidence. I think the M8 uses internal elements. I'm not sure how the R-D1 handles it.

[speedeep]

How about extensible/programmable firmware on my DSLR so I can be completely creative with my camera? I'd like to be able to program it for multiple exposures on the same image. I like to be able to to top half/bottom half or left/right on separate exposures with a preview on the display. How about programmable multiple exposures for action shots with a 1/x second delay between exposures on the same image? I could think of long lists of things I'd like to be able to do. I think all electronics should have stable firmware and provide an API so that so additional functionality can be added. Unfortunately companies want to hold their product's capabilities hostage.

[shutterfiend]

... How about programmable multiple exposures for action shots with a 1/x second delay between exposures on the same image? ...

This you can do using a strobing flash. For the rest you need layers.

[Wilt]

Seems from the replies that a lot of people would like to use their film equipment digitally?

Put into a different way, I'd like dSLRs with the size and weight of the small and light film SLRs from Olympus and Nikon and Pentax and others!

[danielyamseng]

chip in dslr into our brains

[mercury-666]

P&S size FF slr, 50fps with 5-1200mm f/-2. pretty please.

[Headshotzx]

I want to see a small (but well built and able to take abuse) device the size of a thumb get invented. It'll be pocketable, and it'll send signals to the camera. With this signal, the camera will detect distance and focus the lens to it when a specific button is pressed. It'll make servo tracking in sports a lot easier imo. Useful during events as well. But definitely (and probably) not that useful when used with a very wide-aperture lens like f/1.2 or f/1.4 (unless you're shooting from a distance).

[hobbes2112]

White balance metering like exposure metering.

Rather than having to fill a frame with something white and dig to a menu to set as custom how about a button that would allow me to spot sample, or centerweight average sample....etc. Also show me the histogram so that I can see if the RGB line up well on what I sampled.

Live histograms would be awesome also...does this exist already?

[Wilt]

White balance metering like exposure metering.

Rather than having to fill a frame with something white and dig to a menu to set as custom how about a button that would allow me to spot sample, or centerweight average sample....etc. Also show me the histogram so that I can see if the RGB line up well on what I sampled.

Live histograms would be awesome also...does this exist already?

Color balance meters have existed for a long time. Minolta used to have one, Sekonics has one. Horridly expensive for the non-pro, though.

[hobbes2112]

Color balance meters have existed for a long time. Minolta used to have one, Sekonics has one. Horridly expensive for the non-pro, though.

I didn't know that...but the horridly expensive part is what scares me ;)

[adam8080]

DSLRs with electronic shutters and fixed semi-transparent mirror. 1, 2, 3, quiet mouse!

[DocFrankenstein]

Color balance meters have existed for a long time. Minolta used to have one, Sekonics has one. Horridly expensive for the non-pro, though.
Very few people actually need them.

[Wilt]

I didn't know that...but the horridly expensive part is what scares me ;)

It's not that bad. Neither Bill Gates nor Larry Ellison would think twice about buying one. :rolleyes:

[Photon Phil]

My wish list..

1. A Canon 1D Mark P.O.T.N. just imagine what it could be
2. carbon fiber L series

[Headshotzx]

2. carbon fiber L series

That shatter when dropped from 10 feet, versus a 70-200 2.8IS that can take 10feet drops off an elephant (said by Ken Rockwell, lol).

[NickSimcheck]

That shatter when dropped from 10 feet, versus a 70-200 2.8IS that can take 10feet drops off an elephant (said by Ken Rockwell, lol).

You sure it wasn't Ken Rockwell that fell 10' and landed on his head?