Action camera and a HUGE old lens!

Today I will combine an action camera and an old huge lens. Let's see if something worthwhile comes out of this. For such a modification, we will need to work on a lathe and milling machine, but the result will be interesting. Enjoy watching!
************************************************************
Welcome to "W&M Levsha" channel. Here you will see manufacturing process of some interesting stuff, made of metal, wood/etc. Toys, souvenirs, complex and simple mechanisms, unusual gifts for boys and girls - all that things you will see in my videos. Of course, you can request your ideas and if possible I will realize it.
If you love DIY and If you are a creative person, this channel is for you!
#diy#action_camera

[@nogerboher5266]

This just shows how much more important it is to have a good lens compared to a good camera.

[@nikostalk5730]

dude, bigger sensor will make difference on the same lens.

[@sebastianbermudez4081]

​@@nikostalk5730it depends on the lens and the look you wanna achieve

[@DoubleMonoLR]

@@sebastianbermudez4081 It's not only that the larger sensor could capture more data, it's that the action camera sensor is only using a small part of the lens. Particularly only a lower quality lens, it would be considerably softer than with a larger sensor.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

The lens is of course important, but a wide angle lens is also capturing much more image variety, it's much tougher to capture in high quality, likewise the video compression struggles much more with much more variation in the image. Wide angle lenses are also more difficult to make to capture high quality, and tend to cause distortion etc for anything but the most expensive models. You regularly see video cameras that look great close up, but look considerably worse when further away/zoomed out. A better example for image quality alone, would have been to place the cameras closer/further from the objects being imaged, to have the same images in the frame of each camera. Replacing the lens with a much smaller, but high quality, lens such as for security cameras etc would've also been interesting. Similarly I wouldn't be surprised if replacing the original lens with a large wide-angle lens would look at least as bad.

[@AKG58Z]

Both sensor and lens matters but the sensor matters more then the lens as seen before the modification it was very much useful but after it got better but the lens got what 500 times bigger to make that change to pictures quality.

[@maidiremirko]

10-100mm f/1.8 is an impressive lens. Consider also the "zoom effect" due to small sensor dimension of the camera.

[@theothertonydutch]

Typical television lenses tend to have these sorts of ranges because they have to be able to reliably do a lot of things at the same time.

[@stevensoether]

absolutely! Having this wide apeture in a zoom lens is phenomenal. Unfortunately the sensor is way too small to even get the real benefits of having such a wide apeture

[@ryanngat]

@@stevensoether actually, considering that this lens is made for 16mm film, this 1.8 aperture is equal to F3.2 in full frame 35mm film or sensor

[@Thunderbird1337]

@@ryanngat How do you know that the crop factor of this actioncam's sensor is 1.77778? Is that correct? I don't find anything about the sensor size on the SJCam website. If so, the focal lengths 10-100mm of this lens would be equivalent to 17.8 - 178mm on full frame, which is not impressive.

[@pierrevilley6675]

@@Thunderbird1337 he was talking about the crop factor of the 16mm film, for which the lens is intended. The crop sensor of such a camera is around 5.

[@ikannunaplays]

Old lenses are a gold mine, I've added a few to my collection and just use adapters and operate them manually. Very inexpensive mega upgrade if you don't mind the lack of auto everything

[@faggabumm]

any specific recomendations?

[@xinli3164]

@@faggabumm I got the canon nfd 200 2.8 and 135 2.8 and I love them

[@harrybyaqussamprayuga1756]

​@@faggabummNot an old lens, but cheap for it's class, the Samyang VDSLR 85mm t1.5, cine, all manual, prime, extremely sharp and insanely fast.

[@AppallingScholar]

A lot of improvements in new lens tech is better MTF performance and overall better quality

[@ikannunaplays]

@@AppallingScholar While the newer lens may produce a more favorable line on a graph in my experience and personal taste there is much value in the visual product of older lenses that are more than is quantified on a chart.

[@muramusan]

Wow the quality change in the image is crazy for sure something I'd like to do for better shots thanks for the awesome project this is a must do ☺️ the favorite part for me is that mount you made for the lens wow does it look good and solid nice work

[@JeffBourke]

I mean, you COULD buy an actual camera with an actual Lena’s if you wanted better shots. It might be easier than this.

[@muramusan]

@@JeffBourke it's not about the money it's about how you can beat something that is 5 to 10x more expensive for cheaper because.....it's fun and exciting to do 😊

[@theothertonydutch]

@@muramusan But you can't beat it. There is colour fringing and because of the type of shutter you also get a wonky image when panning.

[@nogerboher5266]

This just shows how much more important it is to have a good lens compared to a good camera.

[@sathsarapasansenadheera2854]

Yes, I agree. What an amazing work.

[@ObliviousArt]

I used to use a Gopro for everything before i eventually decided to upgrade to a DSLR + Mirrorless Camera. I really enjoy using a full sized camera because it has a different feel to it, but i often think back to the Gopro days and wonder if its possible to rig it out with a lens. The fact that you went through all this work to actually make that a reality is just amazing, and I absolutely love you for it. Thanks for the effort, and for potentially inspiring others to do the same! Keep experimenting, and God Bless you man!

[@crazylarryjr]

Love seeing people adapt or create a new use for old tech. Always wondered if these old (technically) photo formats could be adapted to newer tech. I know there are lenses for dedicated cameras, but this was a cool exercise in creative use of old parts in a new way

[@steveholland1163]

you can buy adapters to fit a lot of old lenses to modern cameras

[@crazylarryjr]

@@steveholland1163, Where's the fun in that? Part of the fun is making it yourself, If you have the ability. Besides, I'd rather make something I know will work better, than trust a Chinese part made with the cheapest pot metal they could find, that might work

[@littlejackalo5326]

@@crazylarryjr who said anything about a cheap Chinese pot metal part? LOL. YOU added that.

[@crazylarryjr]

@@littlejackalo5326, Cheap labor cheap materials, Chinese pieces are almost always inferior. Just my opinion. Love to see someone just make something than trust cheap labor and materials

[@RoganGunn]

@@crazylarryjr I think Steve's point was in reply to this: "Always wondered if these old (technically) photo formats could be adapted to newer tech." The answer is yes, they can, and people have been doing so for years. Some camera mounts, like the Nikon F mount, are shared between their old film SLRs and modern DSLRs (since 1959 til today!), so you could mount an old 1970s Nikon lens straight onto a modern Nikon DSLR, no adaptor required. However, since moving to mirrorless, the flange distance has changed (no need for a flappy mirror) so on their mirrorless models, you do need an adaptor these days.

[@lidge1994]

There's just something so satisfying about seeing someone just make a precision bit of whatever they need. Adapter, mount, strap, holder, anything.

[@Dettengines]

I didn't see if anybody already commented but the tripod mount thread size is 1/4" x 20. That is if you were wanting to purchase a tap for it. The amount of work you put into this is impressive and it pays off in my opinion. Great job!

[@static-san]

This was really quite relaxing to watch. I dabbled briefly with lathe work and milling in high school but chose a different path as an adult. In another life, I could've done this, too, and I do appreciate the skill you have to do this.

[@iamtheomega]

5:01 6:09 Yes, absolutely this was the most fascinating aspect of the build/project. Ca Lem made a similar setup for cutting the 'spiral worm gear' [manual scroll chuck]. The parallels of your project and his are quite similar, yours cutting threads and his cutting a spiral worm, both requiring a constant feed/speed and stepped depths of cuts, yours with software, his with custom gear size.

[@littlejackalo5326]

Ca Lem's setup was WAY more involved. This one only needs to move a single linear axis. Ca Lem's needed to run both axes simultaneously, and he did it manually. He manually coupled the two planar axes (x and y), so that they would translate in relation to one another. The method used in this video is pretty common.

[@SovietLensReviews]

Love seeing the old Variogoir put to work on a modern action cam! Shows just how valuable good lenses are, whether they're old or new. Great video!

[@menonbhavya]

As a Cinematographer/Music Producer I always looked at the conventional streams such as; engineering, science (obviously not true) as boring and not creative. but this video has made me realize that Engineering is as artsy if not more than any other creative field. I wish such videos are shown to high school kids to show the possibilities of creative minds in conventional fields. (This video just set me off to a different train thought) Thanks for your time and expertise on this :) Love from India :)

[@Choetaesun]

I agree to you!!!

[@Athiril]

I’d made one from some stepping and filter rings, and a piece of IR cut filter glass glue in to the adapter. I’d had extremely good results from a super Takumar 50mm 1.4 and 200mm 4.0, but not from a 135mm 3.5. Depends on the lens. I did it originally on a ThiEYE T5e

[@theothertonydutch]

It depends very much on the glass you put on, yeah. But having "bad" glass can be great for creative purposes too. I still wouldn't go for anything less than APS-C though. A used but decent EOS camera will give you pretty good HD footage with a variety of lenses and adapters. Fun to play with. :) I am kind of looking to upgrade to full frame but with the current world crisis there's no way for me to dish out that sorta cash.

[@Athiril]

@@theothertonydutch I had and still have an A7s at the time, but was curious because of the pixel density. Allows extreme telephoto footage with a long lens like a 200mm. Even with the 50mm was still around 400mm equivalent.

[@WillLeingang]

A true craftsman at work… every single time! Thank you, and also you live in a beautiful place!

[@JoseCarvajal.]

Man, that was impressive. I loved how you were driven by pure curiosity and built that awesome mix, it looks great.

[@Prerejection]

This is such an amazing and unique upgrade with so much work and effort put into it! I love it!

[@nikostalk5730]

Canon Powershot SX or Nikon Coolpix P-series will be much cheaper and more confident option to work.

[@SilverSpoon_]

beautiful work, watched it with my cat. love the build and smoothness of these M42 lenses, i often use them for fun with my sony alpha, and it gives that film feel to photos. anyways, paint your adapter and chassis black for max credz, and engrave your logo printed on it, that will be satisfactory!

[@JMB676]

Thank you, it’s very impressive to watch and listen to what and how you do these different things. It’s also very encouraging because everything you do is not of one specialty but of many different things and it shows how you can do many things if you just try. Thanks again brother.

[@nikostalk5730]

try to look older video, like "gopro moon lens mod" or "gopro c-mount" or "gopro barebone mod", you will left this video after them

[@aserta]

Since the rig is already this big, it wouldn't hurt for you to make a custom focus/adjustment setup for easy control. There's a few 3D printed and professional rigs made online.

[@ScaleDreamsStudio]

That Luiz Ally tool post is remarkable! I've bought two of them for my lathes.

[@victoracostamartinez631]

That looks amazing. It would be nice if some company sold those Good enough cameras ready to use with vintage mechanic lenses. Great job man 👍

[@winfordnettles3292]

Thanks so much for posting the video. You have great machining skill and attention to detail. Nice to see a craftsman at work! Love the way it turned out.

[@mitHundundRad]

Lenses from 8mm cameras fit perfectly with the sensor from Gopro and Co. Even I'm trying to convert an old Bolex to digital. With the three lenses that can be changed/rotated in a second, it would be awesome.

[@jameslochridge4265]

It's a joy to watch an artist at work.

[@DanielBall]

Amazing engineering work. Very impressed with the results.

[@mihaiserbanescu8676]

What a nice project! The change in image quality is tremendous!

[@channingbeacham2493]

Fantastic work. Well planned and well done. I just wish these were commercially available.

[@BGRestore]

Another great project, really loved the results! Keep up the excellent work!

[@UHStudio]

Super intersting and nice to see a mix of old school tech in new ways. Curious though, whether some of these adapters couldn't be easier to do with PETG and 3d printer?

[@foxtrotjeff]

Really shows how much the lens matters, pretty cool seeing this, amazing project!

[@MitutoyoAmerica]

The lens is very important!

[@princequestly2218]

That’s why good glass is always more expensive than bodies.

[@nikostalk5730]

@@princequestly2218 they expensive only due to wide aperture. Try to this lens to cheapo kit like Canon 18-55 or Nikon 18-55, it will be hard to say difference with this lens

[@antoniodellaragione6091]

Ottimo LAVORO di precisione 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Maggioretom]

Man, you are a modern Galileo! it's fascinating watch at your hands and mind at work! Thank you for this clip, is really impressive!🙏

[@F3Aer]

Real amazing job. Love to see all the process, and the Mitutoyo precision tools too! Congrats for the job!

[@arisskarpetis]

The colour improved a lot with the new old lens. Good job putting that together.

[@artemorbid]

my mind is blown, love the results

[@morganfayel9329]

Unfortunately I do not have the tools showed in the video 😢, but I did a similar conversion a couple of years ago. I changed the webcam lens, by telescope adapter instead (telescope adapter has the same thread than most webcams), I had an old camera and its lenses M42 thread (as showed in min 1:07). I adapted a threaded tube (also telescope accesory). All modifications I spent less than 20 dls, BUT many tests and patience hours and finally worked. I plug the modified webcam to my cel phone now, with a otg cable and record in my mobile with the quality of a photografic lens 👍🏼. Thanks for share.

[@scotdotwtf]

it looks amazing and gives it that classic film winter look

[@cribbsprojects]

Very good. Totally inspiring to get me recycling some old gear. Thank you.

[@devilio]

I`ve seen similar mods for gopro. This is very good idea to use acrion cams as quite high quality camera devices with changeable lenses.

[@dangoldbach6570]

Machining and cameras, two of my favorites! Always wanted to figure out how to use pentacon six Zeiss Jena lenses on a black magic pocket cine!!

[@JamesSmith-ui1iu]

Just watching the machining is super satisfying. Love it!

[@SplactenXlanse]

This was mesmerizing to watch, thank you for sharing!

[@deepseasearch]

This was a very interesting video! It was great to see retro photographic equipment from the USSR.

[@Calicarver]

It would be interesting to see this combination in action at night or sunny conditions that can create bokeh, but I can also see lots of purple-green fringing in the whole image so the lens likely has intersting characteristics

[@nicholasr82]

Absolutely brilliant to watch.

[@HereIsKhansu]

THIS DESERVES SOME MEDAL. GREAT JOB DUDE

[@anachronicmind1922]

Thanks !!!! This idea popped into my head a few weeks ago. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@tac3260]

amazing work you have done here. Great machining and overall a great outcome. Keep up the good work.

[@mikithealien]

This is amazing, I love how precise you work! You know how GoPros have interchangeable lenses, do you think you could create an adapter for one?

[@hengeveldbram]

Absolutely stunning work!

[@1236ddarling]

The firs set of lenses I purchased was a set of de-clicked Canon FD prime lenses. I have since then purchased a wide array of lenses and camera bodies. I have sold off, traded or upgraded all but my set of FD primes. I still go back to that glass. BTW, I still have my old GH4 MFT camera. Enjoyed your story!

[@meinhardmeinhard]

Perfect filmed and explained - looks so easy! but only looks so! chapeau!

[@onlykidstv273]

How lovely. Thanks for sharing this.

[@helveticanian1490]

This is the best video I have ever seen in my life on KZbin.

[@bencornford5221]

Amazing work and description. Thank you!!

[@bsant7]

the results are insane , you're a mad lad indeed this is awesome !!

[@captainjerk]

I love this mod! Thank you for the idea! 😃

[@ClearComplexity]

That's pretty reasonable if you compare it to some of the rigs people put together with Pentax Q's. The smallest part of a telephoto Q rig is the camera itself most of the time lol. I've done similar builds in the past but used one of the newer Pi Camera Modules. They use a decent Sony sensor, but more importantly it allows me to easily write and refine image processing and replicate the important features of a standard camera firmware. I usually use a tamron mirror 500mm lens passed through a 2x teleconverter. It's not the best setup image quality wise, but for astral it isn't terrible to play around with.

[@Donbros]

This is actually nice. Dated lens and a bit outdated action cam made pretty nice combo

[@W3DEStudio]

That is so cool. I made some old lens adapters using 3d printer, and I thought wow, this home made adapter is great. But then I saw your video, that is another different level, so awesome 😁👍👍👍

[@yeagerxp]

Excellent work 👍👍👍 . Thanks for sharing

[@magicscorner]

This is fantastic, how much effort you put into this, where you could just get an adapter and a small sensor camera and get the same effect almost immediately.

[@muhammedhuseyinayrc5225]

This is just magical. I love the effort and result. Keep going man

[@TaggingTechnician]

Bravo! I've wanted to do something like this for a long time, to attach to a navigation system on a boat to help me with autopilot control. The video contains a lot of technical work but you made it look so easy! Well done! Warm regards for a happy New Year from the United States.

[@unicorntulkas]

You can actually buy adapters for a lot of modern cameras, these old lenses mostly use an M42 mount and ready made adapters are often widely available to most DSLR or DSLM cameras.

[@0326Hambone]

Love the crossover with shop knowledge and photography

[@DaliborSaula]

This is an insane upgrade. Great work!

[@The.captive.eagle.14]

Wow wonderful work you are creative I hope that there will be a ring to turn such an old lens into a visual endoscope for long distances Thank you

[@ErickBuildsStuff]

I didn't expect such a great quality. Awesome for wildlife videos 🤔

[@ddaveeddd]

This, hands down, is amazing

[@ArrAnheAton]

Those results were amazing!

[@cesarecannavo1134]

Great idea, and great job.. I liked how you changed this system lend and cam..

[@teeviy1391]

Отличная работа! А главное золотые руки! Так держать!

[@AlexanderTrivedi]

there is more work and skill in this channel than 99% of KZbin has to offer.

[@tracybowling1156]

Boredom is an impossibility when we have your channel to watch. I can't wait to hear about/see all the improvements you are doing. P.S. I want to make snow angels in your yard/garden!

[@Annihilator2011]

Highly skilled and well done, as always.👍

[@TechwithStefan]

very nice machine work and the camera results are incredible! keep up the good work!

[@swilhelm3180]

That was wonderful!

[@kcliffordphoto]

Your idea to amp this up would probably deliver some very high quality results, not to take away from the amazing work you did in this video though

[@juangarcia1974]

So great, thank you for sharing!!

[@RVMediaCreators]

That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@ovalwingnut]

Very CrEaTiVe and outstanding work. 500 points awarded 🏆

[@barry10ish]

I was transported to the world of wonder ...........Thankyou...........

[@MitutoyoAmerica]

Very interesting project.

[@Christophe_L]

I've been wanting a tiny body camera to mount a 35 or 50mm prime... that sounds like it would be fun to carry everywhere. Just make it so that it has a couple of dials, a small display and that's all I need.

[@Mr.Moe...]

Fantastic workmanship as always. Keep up the good work friend

[@DanielH]

Wow. I love it 👍

[@Glasgowurbanwildlife]

Watching your machine work was amazing! top video my friend

[@AudioVideo_IT]

Very good end result! You also got lucky using a sharp vintage lens. Most old lenses are soft because the standard film resolution was worse than those old lens resolutions.

[@jolujo5842]

Excellent work 👍 Thanks for the great videos. From California 🇺🇸

[@is-it-magic]

how cool is that. I would be opting for a 3D printed version as working metal is too difficult for me

[@computersales]

I wish I had some optical zoom on my GoPro but this is a whole nother level.

[@JaySilva88]

Coming from a plastic lens sure feels like a new camera, great improvement!

[@kurtnet]

satisfying to watch...great tools...amazing talent and skills...nice...keep it up👍

[@AmmarHabjouqa]

Amazing work...thanks for sharing

[@RussellGann]

Outstanding. You are extremely talented!!

[@greatday2224]

Wow. Amazing.

[@NottsBobUK]

Very Interesting. Thank you for showing us.

[@zolatanaffa87]

Astouding enhancement of the image .... and those zoomed you could not do them with the original lens. Really a very nice work

[@mali_creates]

This needs a million views, so much work

[@cguralol]

Ofc there's some color aberration but the results are impressive for what an action cam is. Now I'm tempted to do it myself