Movie photographers will quickly be capable of participate in a Kickstarter for a particular new high-quality half-frame 35mm movie digital camera that can permit them to increase the lifetime of their now expensive 35mm movie rolls. That digital camera is the Alfie Tych.
The self-funded Alfie Tych half-frame digital camera, which incorporates a number of lenses, is designed and machined by Dave from Alfie Cameras (based mostly within the UK) who named the household enterprise after his son, Alfie. The digital camera was named from a play on the phrase Diptych, which means two photographs aspect by aspect.
Alfie Cameras is searching for Beta testers forward of the Kickstarter marketing campaign. ‘Beta testers will probably be requested to offer suggestions on the digital camera and assist refine the product particulars forward of the official launch. In case you are all in favour of turning into a Beta tester you might be requested to register your particulars on the Alfie Cameras web site (www.alfiecameras.com).’ (supply: Alfie Cameras)
Dave was sort sufficient to talk with me about his new digital camera in addition to his background and what led him to create the Alfie Tych. He additionally gave me a video tour of his backyard workshop which impressively features a CNC machine (computer-driven machine device to provide elements out of strong materials). It was thrilling to see behind the scenes and listen to about Dave’s journey!
Picture courtesy of Alfie Cameras
The Design Stage & Alfie Tych Supplies
Having knowledgeable profession in design engineering and a ardour for images, it was a pure step for Dave to begin engaged on his personal product which started through the Covid-19 lockdown. He says he needed to create a household enterprise round movie images that would supply stunning and ingenious instruments for photographers, instruments that might permit them to create photographs in versatile methods whereas spending much less time on a display screen and having enjoyable.
I requested about Dave’s most well-liked genres of images, that are panorama and wildlife. He tells me thrilling tales of photographing native foxes and even badgers, which you must be very quiet round and certain solely have one or two probabilities to click on the shutter earlier than they scuttle away. He additionally enjoys engaged on initiatives and tells me about utilizing an Olympus XA2 to doc household holidays on the Isle of Wight but in addition to inform the story of his office closing resulting from an organization merger. You possibly can see extra of Dave’s work on his Instagram here.
We talked about one of many greatest advantages of movie images which is getting off that display screen. In the identical breath, we talked about the rising prices of movie and photographers’ consideration being turned to methods to economize however nonetheless get pleasure from their ardour. That is the place half-frame cameras are available and why Alfie Tych is properly designed to reach as we speak’s financial scenario.
Picture courtesy of Alfie Cameras
Supplies & Making
Within the course of of making an early design, Nikon DX shutters had been used, these cowl half-frame properly, and regardless of switching to a less expensive micro shutter the choice to make it a half-frame digital camera caught. An added good thing about the brand new shutter is it’s close to silent in operation, making the digital camera an awesome contender for avenue photographers taking pictures on movie.
The Alfie Tych is comprised of a number of completely different supplies and processes as there are each electrical and {hardware} elements. The non-electrical elements are part-machined and part-3d printed on the time of writing. These 3d-printed elements Dave has lately upgraded to machined aluminum items for the ultimate prototype to ship out to beta testers.
{The electrical} elements embody a circuit board which is first designed in CAD software program after which manufactured utilizing a photograph etching course of. At present, the tiny floor mount elements that make up the management circuit boards are soldered by hand, the ultimate boards will nevertheless be assembled by “decide and place” robots.
Picture courtesy of Alfie Cameras
Auto & Handbook Controls
The digital camera options each auto and handbook controls. Dave mentions to me that he was impressed by an Olympus Pen half-frame digital camera he picked up in a store. The one draw back was that he couldn’t select to make use of handbook controls if he needed to. This led him to design the Tych to have each. He needed customers like himself to have the pliability of alternative with regards to publicity modes.
The Tych additionally has the pliability of alternative with regards to lenses. There are three lenses Dave has designed and (drum roll) there may be room for a fourth.
Pinhole Enjoyable
The primary lens to speak about is the pinhole lens. Pinhole cameras are among the “easiest” cameras which are used to make photographs as we speak. The one main elements of the pinhole digital camera are the pinhole lens” and the field of the digital camera the place the movie is positioned inside. No mirror, no shutter mechanisms, no electronics, solely a tool to manage how lengthy the pinhole is open to mild. Nonetheless, making the “lens” just isn’t as straightforward as sticking a pin by way of a bit of fabric and calling it a day.
Dave writes in his weblog on the Alfie Cameras website, ‘You want a clear edge to keep away from unusual artifacts in your picture whether or not or not it’s flares or blurriness. A skinny materials is important as you don’t wish to create a lightweight tunnel for reflections, not too skinny thoughts as meeting turns into a problem. We checked out laser slicing, CNC machining and picture etching for our pinholes and ultimately determined picture etching was the most suitable choice for the Tych.’
Picture courtesy of Alfie Cameras
Recycling F8 Lenses from Disposable Cameras
The subsequent lens will probably be an F8 meniscus lens which Dave has repurposed from disposable cameras sourced from Analogue Wonderland. He says the Kodak Funsaver disposable cameras are one of the best choices out of all that he has examined. He does have plans to attempt to recycle the leftover plastic from the cameras however that’s a undertaking for an additional day.
Zone Sieve Lens
Essentially the most advanced lens to make on the Tych is a Zone Sieve lens. That is the third lens that’s designed for the digital camera. Dave talks me by way of the method and I’m amazed on the wonders that exist inside images.
Zone Sieve lenses are created in order that lightwaves intrude with one another giving the photographs a relatively dreamy look. First, the lens design must be created to be a particular sample that can obtain the specified look. Then it’s photographed with panchromatic movie with deep blacks. A very powerful half is getting the scaling proper. This movie is then used because the lens and acts like a filter.
Instance Picture – PC lens single and double publicity – Picture supplied by Alfie Cameras
Fourth Lens Developments
There’s house for a fourth lens which Daves hopes will probably be comprised of glass optics. Nonetheless, this course of requires a accomplice to fabricate the glass lenses. Dave has discovered one within the USA, however the course of is slower so this could be one thing in a future model of the Tych.
On the time I talked to Dave, he was ending the ultimate prototypes with the three lenses to have the ability to present to a number of beta testers. These beta testers will attempt the digital camera, present suggestions, and in addition share the phrase on social media channels.
Kickstarter & Future Plans
Proper now, Dave’s plan is to have two variations of the Tych accessible as a part of the Kickstarter. The primary will probably be a simplified model to have the ability to make it accessible at a cheaper price level. Nonetheless, when you concentrate on all that has gone into designing and producing this digital camera, in addition to the longevity of the supplies used, the digital camera is a high-quality, artisanal, well-engineered product. It’s meant to final. There will probably be a totally featured model for the next backing degree for those who need the full-featured Tych digital camera.
In case you have been lamenting the modern-day non-production of latest movie cameras by producers that aren’t plastic or disposable, that is your likelihood to help the Alfie Tych undertaking and household enterprise.
Dave is exhibiting the Alfie Tych on the Birmingham NEC Pictures Present this September 2022. Be sure you cease by the Analogue Highlight pod part the place you may discuss to Dave and take a look at this sensible new half-frame 35mm movie digital camera!
To remain up to date on Alfie Cameras’ journey, observe their social and web hyperlinks right here: Web, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, and Twitter!
