3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

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Greg_E

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostMon Sep 23, 2019 8:21 pm

Where possible, I would use a matte finish plastic or cover the inside with flocking. Flocking would be best.
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robin_martin

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostMon Sep 23, 2019 8:48 pm

Nice! I like the T5 holder, too. I'll throw some prints on my machine and try to score a DIY kit. :)
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Diego Pohl

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostFri Oct 11, 2019 6:33 pm

Hi Kim,

I'm Diego from Barcelona. First of all thanks for sharing the 3d printable files!!

Normally I use my pocket hand held under sunny conditions and the camera screen is not bright enough. At least in may case, it also is extremely difficult for me to see the focus assist. So I decided to try your design in print the parts and here they are:

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The loupe fits really well to the camera body and looks amazing!!!

I do not know If there are still one of the 3 DIY free kits available.

Thanks and Regards,
Diego
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Diego Pohl

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostFri Oct 11, 2019 8:53 pm

OK I will send you an e-mail.

Again, thanks for sharing this.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostTue Oct 22, 2019 9:17 pm

Thanks very much to Kim for sending me an "unfinished" 3D printed LeViteZer loupe body and parts kit for the Pocket 4K & 6K cameras!

I cleaned-up the printed plastic parts (there were a few rough edges which required a little filing) and followed Kim's instructions to assemble the loupe. The completed loupe works really well!
IMG_6665-1080.jpg
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Here's an iPhone 6 photo of the inside of the loupe taken through the loupe's eyepiece glass lens, after I painted the interior of the loupe with flat black spray paint:
IMG_6704-after.jpg
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Pros:
- Less-expensive compared to most external monitors & EVFs.
- The loupe's glass lens provided by Kim produces a sharp view of my Pocket 4K cam's monitor. With the monitor set at 50% brightness I have absolutely no problem seeing the screen, even in bright outdoor sunlight. Critical focussing is a breeze. At 50% brightness (instead of 100%) the cam's battery should last a bit longer, too.
- Compared to using a monitor, a loupe (or EVF) helps steady handheld shots by providing an additional point of contact (your head). IMHO, the view thru a loupe or EVF is more immersive compared to looking at a bare monitor because there are no visible distractions surrounding the screen -- so it's easier to pay attention to small details within the frame. Makes a big difference!
- The loupe is lightweight but seems very sturdy. Compared to an external monitor or EVF, the loupe is lightweight, doesn't require power or cables, and of course can't cause wear & tear on the cam's HDMI port.
- Loupe has a large opening on its bottom side which allows for very easy access to the touchscreen. It's a little weird watching the silhouette of your "giant" finger reaching in to use the touchscreen! :-)
- The built-in flip-up screen-protecting sun cover mechanism works great! The sun cover prevents direct sunlight from being magnified by the loupe's lens and damaging the cam's monitor. The loupe's sun cover mechanism is clever & effective.
- The loupe protects the cam's monitor from bumps, scratches, etc.
- Kim's design includes a bracket to hold an external T5 SSD, but I haven't tested this yet.

Cons:
- Unlike an external monitor or EVF, a loupe doesn't articulate. So a loupe may be poorly-suited for low-angle and other awkward shots.
- The loupe adds about 6" to the camera's overall length. IMHO this isn't a major problem considering the loupe's benefits.
- The standard design of Kim's loupe is intended for use with a "bare" Pocket 4K/6K cam. As-is, it doesn't mount to a cage. However -- if you know how -- you can edit the 3D files to modify the loupe to make it fit your cage. Or, you can modify the standard 3D printed plastic itself so it mounts on a cage, as I've done for use with a SmallRig cage:
IMG_6683-1080.jpg
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Scroll down to see additional build details below ...
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:26 pm, edited 9 times in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostTue Oct 22, 2019 11:02 pm

A close-up of the loupe's built-in flip-up screen-protection sun cover mechanism. Note the location of the "large" magnet (silver disk) provided in Kim's parts kit. I secured it with a drop of super-glue (didn't need to use the provided screw). Also note the 2 very small black set screws provided in the kit. Because I didn't have a small-enough tool to install these properly, refer to the photos below for a description of an alternative installation.
IMG_6654-1080.jpg
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Instead of using the 2 small black set screws, I used a <2" piece of insulated solid copper wire ...
IMG_6666-1080.jpg
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... and inserted it into the neck of the loupe -- and through the hinge of the sun cover -- instead of using the set screws. The collar of the lens eyepiece holds the wire securely in place. Works perfectly.
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Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostTue Oct 22, 2019 11:11 pm

I discovered I only needed to use 2 of the provided magnets (a large one & a small one) to make the sun cover mechanism work. I installed the small magnet like this ...
IMG_6671-1080.jpg
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... and the large magnet can be seen installed in the sun cover mechanism below. Orient the magnet in the loupe body and the magnet in the sun cover part so they REPELL (push away) each other. Works great.
IMG_6654-1080.jpg
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Note: Kim's instructions are different, using a total of 3 magnets (2 in the sun cover part & 1 in the body). But the way I did it only requires 2 magnets & seems to work fine. See:
viewtopic.php?p=557747#p557747
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:13 pm, edited 7 times in total.
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rick.lang

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostWed Oct 23, 2019 3:36 am

Peter, might be a little bit trickier but I think lining the interior with black felt or the matte material used (to prevent reflections between the rear of a lens and a camera sensor) in camera mounts.


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Andy Coulthurst

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostWed Oct 23, 2019 4:31 am

rick.lang wrote:Peter, might be a little bit trickier but I think lining the interior with black felt or the matte material used (to prevent reflections between the rear of a lens and a camera sensor) in camera mounts.


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Perhaps try Black 3.0

https://culturehustle.com/products/black-3-0-the-worlds-blackest-black-acrylic-paint-150ml
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rick.lang

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3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostWed Oct 23, 2019 1:14 pm

Andy, how fitting to use Black Magick.


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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostThu Oct 24, 2019 3:57 am

As noted above, I modified the 3D printed plastic body of Kim's loupe so I could mount it on my SmallRig full cage. Even after these modifications, by adding a few additional metal washers as spacers the loupe can still be mounted onto a bare cam without a cage.
IMG_6683-1080.jpg
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Using a hacksaw I carefully cut the loupe's top bracket, and drilled a hole through it. To reinforce the hole I glued-in a 1/4-20 threaded brass insert:
top support cutaway.jpeg
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I also trimmed the loupe's bottom tabs:
cutaways side views.jpeg
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I made a small aluminum mounting plate with 2 holes drilled in it. One hole allows the plate to be bolted to the loupe body (into the threaded brass insert) using a 1" long 1/4-20 bolt, and the other hole is for a short 1/4-20 bolt into the top of the cage. The result is very strong & secure.

The modified loupe body can also be mounted to a camera cage using a small magic arm. See:
viewtopic.php?p=561310#p561310
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:17 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostThu Oct 24, 2019 4:03 am

As noted above, to reduce reflections inside the loupe body I'll spray paint it flat black.

Here's a before & after paint TEST using an spare 3D printed part.
flat black paint.jpeg
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To see the interior of the loupe before & after painting, see:
viewtopic.php?p=561267#p561267
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:19 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostThu Oct 24, 2019 5:52 am

I think this particular paint will work well for the interior surface of the loupe. It’s quite flat (matte). I’m not certain, but I don’t think it would be durable enough to use on the loupe’s outside surface.

The top of the loupe’s T5 clip/bracket is EXACTLY the same height as the top of the SmallRig cage. :-)

A sweet future version of the 3D files could be a 2-piece body: A rectangular frame around the monitor with embedded magnets and bolts to the top & bottom of the bare camera, and the main loupe body which mates to the frame via magnets. Different versions of the frame could be designed to fit specific cages.

Cheers.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostThu Oct 24, 2019 9:31 pm

The photos below are before & after painting the interior of the loupe body with flat black spray paint, as viewed through the loupe's glass lens. In actual use a noticeable improvement.
IMG_6678-before.jpg
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IMG_6704-after.jpg
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Note: The reflection seen on the lower surface is the "face" of the protective sun cover in its open position. I haven't painted it yet.
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostThu Oct 24, 2019 11:34 pm

Magic arm, quick release, SmallRig cage, and LeViteZer loupe for the win!
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I also have a matching QR plate bolted onto the bottom of my 7" external monitor, so it's easy to swap between it and the loupe if required.

If a small lens is mounted on the camera, the magic arm allows the loupe to be positioned so it nests/covers the lens for compact storage in a camera bag.
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:25 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostSat Oct 26, 2019 6:49 pm

Using some spare rig parts, I improvised an offset bracket for my shoulder rig to see if the loupe's eyepiece would line up with my eye. Happy to say that it works great. Very comfortable & stable. The battery sits on my shoulder & helps balance the rig.
IMG_6708-2160.jpg
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I'll probably buy an offset bracket like this one because it'll weigh a few ounces less compared to my solution:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... k_red.html
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alexthevideoeditor

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostTue Nov 05, 2019 11:55 pm

Image

Review incoming...
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alexthevideoeditor

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostWed Nov 06, 2019 4:59 pm

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostFri Nov 08, 2019 12:18 pm

Kim Janson wrote:
If there is demand, I will make a 3D print that fits different cages, but need the cage to do the fitting, so if Tilta, or Small rig etc. is reading, maybe providing me one ;)



Yes for the small rig full cage please - The pellets have just arrived and we're about to press the go button. Any idea how long it might take?

Thank you.
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vonwallstrom

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostTue Nov 19, 2019 8:24 pm

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I’ve been testing the loupe out for sometime now and it’s been great. I’ve really missed a loupe for the pocket4k camera. The screen is useless without one because of sunlight, but also because the screen is too big to see if you hold it at the distance from your body that you need for stable shots. Hold the screen that close without a diopter and everything is a blur.

I added a padding from an old viewfinder which I liked. Otherwise it's too stiff.

Its great to have a small form factor setup for the camera and I found the build quality fine. I liked that I can reach the touch screen while shooting but it also created some problems because sunlight would reflect in some angles.

Diopter works great which was my main concern.

I did have some issues with the lens fogging up which I don't know is a material thing or how I'm using it. Something to look into.

I like the feature which protects the lens but it is a bit too bulky and fiddly to get to so I'd like a more simple and clean solution to that.

The size is pretty massive, which isn't something you can do anything about because it's a screen size thing, but it's very far from small :D I don't have a problem with that, but if you want small package it might be better with a small evf solution. For me the loupe is more versatile and creates a smaller rig when needed.

One thing I'd love is if the loupe had various mounting options. One for pocket, but also for other screens in similar size like my Shinobi. It would make packing and setting up much easier.

One big thing for me is that I have to have a snap on type of loupe for quick on and off switching. Screwing it become a bit fiddly. But even more so it has to be usable both with and without a cage. Now I found myself dragging to use it because I had to take the cage off to do so. But having shot a two very sensitive docs this summer I would have loved to have the loupe for that, now I either had just the screen to rely on (which sucked), or I had to use a GH5 instead of the pocket4k to get the shots. Having a loupe is perfect for those situations, and I don’t want to get lower quality footage just because of a thing like that.

I think the simple way of having a loupe has great potential and I really want to have one that's universal enough to work with my tilta cage.

Great potential and it's already a really good build, it's just about fine tuning and fixing the mounting to be more flexible so you don't need 5 different things to watch your screen :D

Jonny
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Phil999

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostWed Dec 11, 2019 2:47 am

Kim Janson wrote:Any sideways movement causes the camera to roll. To balance it I am planning to put a V-Lock battery below the handle. I think that would do the trick, to stabilise the roll.

good idea. Next to the eye/head attach point there needs to be a vertical balance.
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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostMon Jan 20, 2020 10:53 am

Work in progress.
I cut the T5 support for the cage and I put on an eyeloupe.
I think the project is very good.
Thanks Kim Janson
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LUCAIASE

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostTue Jan 21, 2020 9:33 am

Hello Kim. I printed a 3d file.
Thanks for share the project. Great job!
Thanks
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vyucil

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostMon Mar 02, 2020 11:18 am

Is the DIY kits already estimated in stock?
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Sami Sanpakkila

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostMon Mar 02, 2020 8:53 pm

Kim Janson wrote:shipping cost is 80 euro as it is big item.


Hi Kim! Are you in Finland? If you have a company I can instruct a way to ship these for 15-20 euros worldwide. PM if you are interested! :)
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostFri Aug 14, 2020 11:20 pm

A while ago I modified my Levitezer loupe so I could mount it on my SmallRig cage using a magic arm, a very versatile combination perfect for many situations. See:
viewtopic.php?p=561310#p561310

I've now modified an inexpensive steel hinge so I get most of the versatility of the magic arm, but in a smaller, lower-profile, and lighter configuration. Another advantage of the hinge is that it can be quickly raised & lowered with one hand (a magic arm usually requires two hands). Currently the hinge is secured with three 1/4-20 bolts.

I might modify it further so it can mount via a cold shoe, and add a couple of small magnets to "lock" it in its up and down position. But as-is it works really well, especially for shooting while walking around.

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Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: 3D printed loupe for BMPCC 4k and 6k

PostFri Aug 14, 2020 11:32 pm

FYI: Eye cushion which fits the Levitezer loupe: Bluestar "Oval Large" 103mm x 82mm #6012. I purchased it from B&H, but it may be available elsewhere.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _oval.html

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