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march 11, 2012 08:01am

INTVAL - Parts

This intervalometer arose as a proof of concept for a larger project - an optical printer. I needed an inexpensive way to control a film camera (in this case a Bolex). The projector required for the printer can be controlled with a single arduino and a motor shield but in order to capture frames in sync with the projector, I need a way to physically trigger a camera using the same program.

There are several models of intervalometer on the market that perform essentially the same task through different interfaces with the camera. To trigger the Bolex, you have 2 options: manually triggering the shutter release pin, such as in this approach: http://www.intervalometers.com/timeflow/index.php or using the Tobin style unit which utilizes the 1:1 shaft (below labeled 'j') on the side of later-model Bolexes, seen here.

A side-mounted unit that controls the shutter directly is ideal, but it requires a powerful motor and a way to mount it. Reducing it to the lowest amount of work, triggering a single frame really only requires a single pushing motion using the trigger labeled 'b':


With a shutter release cable, the motion is again reduced to pressing in the release. For that, a solenoid is ideal. Solenoids are actuators that close (or open) when a current is applied. They're commonly used to open and close valves in industrial machines. They're also cheap and easy to wire, making them an excellent simple solution for triggering an analog camera.

This project requires the following parts, which can be gathered for under $60:

1: Arduino (168+) (I used this one)
2: 24vdc Solenoid (this one)
3: TIP120 Transistor (this one)
4: 1N4004 Rectifier (this one)
5: Shutter release cable + Bolex attachment
6: Breadboard for prototyping or copper clad PCB board + etchant as pictured:
0312Capture_00039-small.jpg
0312Capture_00045-small.jpg


The rest: Power supply for the Arduino (I use 4 AA batteries) and power supply for the solenoid (I use 4 9v batteries). Jumpers or wire for connections.

Here's the arduino (v.022) code:

INTVAL.zip

Instructable to come. I'm making another one that's more than. If you're interested one, email matt@ this site.

Posted By: matt

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march 08, 2012 09:57am

Intervalometer Preview

Posted By: matt

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january 05, 2012 01:43pm

INTVAL - A cheap intervalometer for the Bolex

With only an Arduino microcontroller board, a single transistor and a solenoid you can turn any Bolex (or similarly spring-release triggered camera) into an animation camera capable of time-lapse and long exposures. Save those thumbs.

0112SHIELD_600dpi-sampled.png


(Solder mask for the board above, but the tutorial will be posted shortly)

Posted By: matt

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june 04, 2011 10:33am

Found uility

Forensic analysis of an old harddrive has yielded an old application for calculating DoF on different film formats. Uses the ASC Manual's math. (Note: The '8mm' setting should actually be labeled 'Super 8').

Enjoy:


0611dofscreen.png

Posted By: matt

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march 03, 2011 07:24pm

Editing 16mm Cheap

Check out Freekode: a free, open-source sketch to edit 16mm films in Final Cut Pro.

Taking advantage of FCP's XML Interchange features and the edge numbering on film, this program allows you to generate a cut list using any type of transfer--even just taping a projector off of a screen.

0311tranny.png


Download the source, modify it, make it better, give feedback.

Posted By: matt

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