Inside a Rare Dual Sensor DSLR

[@ZipperDetailing]

A bit sad that the camera could not be repaired. Perhaps one day you are lucky to find a broken one, but with the glas element in good shape.

[@unbroken1010]

Slap the camera 😂. Maybe it will wake up. Japan seems to have a great delivery system. Seems like a similar problem problem of the pentax k30. Aperture block failure.

[@snappiness]

That's what I'm thinking. Or just save it as parts for the working one I have.

[@zaprodk]

Even if he did, he would not be able to re-attach the two sensors again. They are assembled and calibrated with a jig and then glued in place. Without the jig there is no way to assemble it into a working unit again.

[@sparten17708]

@@snappiness contact some of the leica repair people. They might be able to split the prism and reglue/clean/kill whatevers happening there

[@themrworf1701]

@@snappiness check up my comment to see how to repair this. It's not that hard.

[@themrworf1701]

Dude, this is actually not too hard to fix. This two glass prisms are cemented with optical cement or canadian balsam (both will work) which create this prism block, and after some time they can start to "unglue" and this is exactly how it looks when that happen. Fixing this problem is simple. To unglue and clean this "block" or two glued prisms you need to boil some water in a pot and create dry island in the center of pot where you will place your glass block (because glass shouldn't be at the bottom of hot pot). After water starts to boil, place this peiece of glass on the island and close the pot with cover and let it boil for 5-10 minutes. After that, use some gloves (because glass will be hot) and try to seperate the two prisms with hands. After prisms are seperated, clean cement/balsam residue with 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and some cotton swabs. When two pieces are cleaned good, apply optical cement or canadian balsam. to reglue it back. If you use optical cement, you need to set the glue with UV light and that's fastest method, and if you use canadian balsam, you need to wait at least 2 weeks to balsam to be set and hard. If you're successful, reasamble everything back, and everything should be fine. So since you have two of this cameras, now you can sell one to get some money back.

[@lenshibo]

Wouldn't it be easier to just use a heat gun or hair dryer? i don't know how strong that type of glue is but generally a heat gun can separate any adhesive

[@themrworf1701]

@@lenshibo Heat gun can reach serious temperatures and glass can crack if you use it unevenly and too close, and hair dryer is too weak. The best method is with hot water vapor.

[@EdgarsLS]

@@themrworf1701 steam also creeps into small gaps which helps

[@SalvagedCircuitry]

Very much this! If the prism turns out to be plastic and not glass, I have had success using wd-40 / silicone spray lubricant to make foggy optical plastic clear again.

[@Ildskalli]

You could get a replacement split prism/beamsplitter. It won't be easy, but if there's a university with a solid physics or engineering department near you they might be tempted to take a stab at finding the proper replacement. And if you're close to Rochester, NY, then please take the faulty RD3000 to the Institute of Optics. It's like the Mecca of optical design in the US.

[@lihtan]

There's companies that sell optical components that might have an off the shelf beamsplitter that fits. Many of these companies also make custom optical components too.

[@Ildskalli]

@@lihtan Indeed, but it's hard to know what to order for non-optics people, and thus my recommendation. Beamsplitters aren't super cheap, a trial-and-error approach is gonna hurt.

[@actionimagesphotography]

You're a brave man! I've fixed a Panasonic screen but that is next level. Love the images and your passion.

[@GGrev]

Sony took this when they bought Minolta and made it into (I don't know what to call it now), a separate focusing sensor through a translucent mirror, the live view focusing speed was very quick, I think it was the a380, but definitely the a99 and a77. I want them to continue develop that...

[@taylorhickman84]

I had the translucent mirror Alpha 55. You lost a stop of light from the translucent mirror, but it could shoot 10 fps so I thought the trade off was worth it. I wish I still had that camera so I could compare how bad the electronic viewfinder was compared to Sony's new OLEDs.

[@counterfit5]

So kinda like the pellicle mirror versions of the EOS1

[@SokolHazizi]

The only thing I can think of for a solution of the hazy mirror thing, is a post i pentaxforums about removing haze in the fa 28-70 lens. There's a detail where they take appart the cemented elements, clean them and put them back together by applying fresh cement. Amyway, naw that you have got a new working one, I guess you're not interested anymore. I really like how at the time the designers and engineers didn't cut corners to get to a solution, they made it as complex as it needed to be, albeit with mixed results. Thanks for the video James!

[@snappiness]

I didn't think about that, but maybe those same techniques for the rear cemented elements would work here. Good thinking. I thought maybe heating it up or something, but even after I get it apart I don't know what exactly I could do to clean it up.

[@CircuitBoardcokr]

well, multiple sensor camera would be not quite common case, but some major cinema cameras, such as RED V-Raptor and ARRI Alexa 65. These cameras are basically digital film cameras, stitching multiple smaller sensors.

[@snappiness]

I never realized that until another person commenting the same thing about cinema cameras. That's a whole world I know nothing about! Cool!

[@syu9281]

First, i really admire your passion! Second, glad you reviewed a Minolta. I am kinda hooked on Minolta vintage lenses. They are really fantastic and under the radar.

[@tc227]

Amazing video. It's truly one of a kind. It's fascinating to get a look under the hood of this late 90s engineering marvel. And I'm glad you fond a working one.

[@ToniTechBoi]

really cool to see how it sticks together. quite surprised how accurately they can match the images with the prism

[@DanielLopez-up6os]

I would ask the Camera repair wizards at Kamerastore in Tampere Finland if they can fix it. They're known for fixing a lot of different cameras.

[@taylornoel]

Heck yeah! Glad those diagrams came in clutch for you dude!

[@snappiness]

Dude, thanks! :D Helped me figure out where to go next after taking it apart.

[@alan-sk7ky]

And still the Minolta warm colours :-)

[@merlinmarquardt]

Amazingly complex camera. What exactly was/is the problem with the tiny glass box?

[@lihtan]

The beamsplitter was made from two prisms that are bonded together with optical cement. It seems that the joint has failed, and some contamination has gotten between the two surfaces.

[@merlinmarquardt]

@@lihtan Thank you.

[@Leo-bk4me]

I feel like the half dark half normal looks cool

[@erichramone7812]

Amazing video. Well done. I like old minolta cameras have a couple myself.

[@tomjanowski8584]

fascinating camera

[@MaunoKoivistoOfficial]

So, this camera is is capable of increasing the image circle of a lens while maintaining the focal length? Am I understanding correctly?

[@Industry-insider]

It would be cool to get an optical splitter like that and put two modern sensors together

[@andrew_hd]

A photo detective. Nice!

[@tankivulture148]

That littlr mirror you found might be for the autofocus, but I dont know. Since you already disassembled the camera you could try to heat the block up and see if you can make it come apart

[@snappiness]

That might do it

[@108u9]

Curious if light didn’t reach one of the sensors, would it mean that the camera only records half side of an image and the other goes black? Curious the creative possibilities if one of the two sensors recorded a tweaked or alternate image to the other. Maybe like one is inverted or upside down. Maybe the output would be a double exposure like effect but in one shot

[@willcarter7079]

Dude! That repair was so smooth! You are good at what you do

[@peek2much3]

Dude this vid just popped up for me. Not a photo guy, don’t know jack about this stuff. BUT! I do love both your way of presenting the topic and stuff like this. I’m a sub now!

[@snappiness]

Cool! I love that about YT. Love seeing the random stuff other people are into. Thanks for stopping by :)

[@wewuwewu]

Right in the center of the frame there's like a smudging line effect where the two sensors meet

[@abaev]

noticed that too, like if two pictures are not aligned

[@prowoto]

4:46 there was a physical game called laser maze that has a similar concept haha completely forgot of its existence until this

[@snappiness]

I know what you're talking about!! Haha. The engineers were masters at it!

[@SiggyPony]

Really neat camera. Call me a pesimist but unless you took a video of the process and cataloged all the parts... there was no way that camera was going back together 😅😂 I saw that ile of different sized screws.

[@SiggyPony]

I once repaired a EOS 1. Took sooo many photos and cataloged all the parts and got it working again but 0/10 would not recommend lol

[@Scyth3934]

​@@SiggyPony I can confirm- repairing cameras is seriously difficult

[@RudolfLamplmair]

Hello retro colleague, I have the same problem with my rd3000, I have all the lenses and all the accessories, everything except the camera in their original packaging 😁 I hope you find a solution to clean the lens 😉 Kind regards from Austria

[@snappiness]

Cool! Nice to meet another rd3000 owner. There can't be that many of us out there :)

[@Lukas_DaCruz]

What happened to the c70?

[@un_cetatean]

Genius!

[@waliabbas]

You might be not that crazy but you definitely make crazy good videos !

[@snappiness]

Glad you like them!

[@AlphaCentCom]

I hope a Minolta tech finds this video and can help you.

[@sundarAKintelart]

I still miss Minolta in the market now. A beautiful manufacturer. Very innovative in their work. Loss.

[@garoldcarlisle5637]

Never give up!

[@drum009]

Never surrender!

[@unbroken1010]

😂. You must be a central banker. Go gi Joe!!!

[@mostlymessingabout]

You can buy them... they're split prisms

[@blainelevine9344]

Try a UV light treatment ?

[@samuelschwager]

Well, now you have some spare parts for the working one ;)

[@snappiness]

That was my thought!

[@Badgerheist]

I wonder if someone pointed it at the sun for too long and scorched the interior surface.

[@Frisenette]

You were not photographed with a digital camera in the 90s. And certainly not at that quality. The Minolta RD-3000 was very expensive and from 1999.

[@albertomatas]

bru check the site

[@ksheer]

isnt _magnifier_ just a lens? why do you keep calling that particular lens a magnifier?

[@breadofcomfort]

Looks...............vintage 😂

[@milesribouturruella411]

is it just me oor does it look like he just came out of the shower before making this video?

[@snappiness]

Can confirm. I had a short window where the kids were out of the house, and the road work outside my window had taken a pause and just went for it xD

[@JaySilva88]

Wearing gloves to avoid fingerprint every fucking lens would maybe help, if you ever intended to assemble it back up...

[@DatMelloOne]

Not dslr, dmlr😊

[@snappiness]

Haha! Many, many mirrors :)

[@RonaldMoD]

A complete waste of time and money. Nice!

[@revaaron]

omg... all those finger prints on glass and mirrors drove me bananas.

[@wuzihuzi]

I was thinking how he even managed it

[@cameralabs]

Thanks for sharing this one, an amazing looking camera! Sadly I do remember it, albeit only faintly... Gotta love any camera with a SCSI port! You're a brave person for opening it up, that's never ended well for me.

[@snappiness]

My hit rate is about 50/50 fixing or breaking electronics, but I figured I didn't have much to lose here. And now I'm super happy because the inside was so much more interesting than I thought.

[@cameralabs]

@@snappiness it's always incredibly rewarding when you get an older camera working again - keep up the good work!

[@iyason6878]

Hi Gordon....love your channel, always

[@6WeeksTV]

Not sure about double CCDs but triple CCDs were very common on digital camcorders. I have a couple of DVX100Bs with triple CCDs. A prism behind the lens splits the image into red, green, and blue images that go into their respective sensors. The camera combines these red, green, and blue images to achieve realistic and vibrant colors, moreso than a single CCD. My DVX100Bs have absolutely beautiful colors, it's crazy. Some modern camcorders use triple CMOS sensors.

[@scott2100]

I remember hearing something like that when I was a child and I didn't understand what it was

[@nikytamayo]

Such an awesome idea. Wonder if they could do something similar with those periscope cameras in modern smartphones, to get around the sensor size restraints caused by the flat packaging.

[@spark198rus]

I've been thinking the same for years now

[@LostbySoul]

You mean something like Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra periscope camera ? ;)

[@nikytamayo]

@@LostbySoul those are rather small. to get to 10x, they're using a 1/4" sensor. Wondering if they could pair two for better light gathering or a composite 5x.

[@LostbySoul]

@@nikytamayo They will rather use pixel shifting for composing image. It is cheaper, than another sensor... as Fuji doing it... But one thing will be still missing in phone camera... depth of field.

[@nikytamayo]

@@LostbySoul the only manufacturer I've seen do something similar to pixel shift is Honor Huawei with their full resolution AI, And it's more of straight exposure stacking. Pixel shift should indeed be possible with modern OIS phones, but how accurately they can do it with tiny pixels is unknown! And yes, DOF still sucks whatever you do.

[@jerryrichards8172]

Minolta never stops amazing. They invented so many thing that camera companies use today.

[@rerewewrwrwrw]

To see this in bits is nice, wonder if the photos could be somewhere. That final part is a cube beamsplitter, which is cemented together, and it seems something has fouled at that cementing point. I can't say if the beamsplitter is specially treated, but you could try finding a 50/50 non polarised 'broadband' cube beamsplitter of roughly similar size to replace it with and start there - a visible spectrum two way splitter. It seems to be of a size you could readily get.

[@nikytamayo]

Yeah... that does look like adhesive going bad. I wonder if you could heat it and gently pull it apart?

[@rerewewrwrwrw]

@@nikytamayo I didn't think to mention unglueing just yet. And out of what's required, the temperatures are either oven or on the hob (to memory of some methods).

[@snappiness]

I'll have a look around. That would be good fun to find a replacement that at least would fit and then see how it works out back together. I did think about heating it up but haven't tried it. But your thoughts that it's the adhesive between the two sides seems right based on what I can see in person (I know it's hard to see from the video exactly)

[@HumanAreYou]

@@snappiness Well you have a working camera now, already - so go experiment and try to get the cube apart. (Can you modify it, do something interesting with it? Turn the second faulty camera into something different?) If that fails searching for replacement still is an option.

[@rerewewrwrwrw]

@@HumanAreYou they will need to look at camera repair forums for it. The temperatures, cleaning and alignment involved, then also buying the right ""glue"". A cube beamsplitter for a reasonably common purpose is a standard part, and affordable.

[@TBN1]

These old cameras are nostalgic for me. Being around 30 it reminds me of that period in the 90’s and early 00’s where things were evolving so quickly. I love how things looked fun and interesting back then far more so then today. If you look at phones for instance, they haven’t changed significantly in design in 15 years. I would love to get more into this old tech but have found the Olympus E1 my favourite camera for a nostalgia trip. As you say some of these items are still pricey so you need to buy in moderation as otherwise you may be stuck with it when people don’t value it again. I do think being frugal in the camera hobby is important.

[@snappiness]

The Olympus E1 sounds great! I'm a big fan of the four thirds cameras!

[@daniel635biturbo]

Around 2008 maybe Sony used two sensors as well, in their DSLR models, from a300 to a580. (maybe some more) This was before mirrorless, and the second sensor was a lower resolution, only for live view, with mirror down. (not for taking photos) The idea was to still have fully functioning autofocus in live view, whereas Canon and Nikon only used contrast detect, which did not work at all really. Interesting video !

[@Badgerheist]

SLT was the next generation and a really interesting solution to the liveview PDAF problem. I have an a35 SLT as well as a few Sony DSLRs (a350, a290, a200). Also a Canon Pellix, just for fun.

[@daniel635biturbo]

@mipmipmipmipmip SLT had only one sensor, and were one step more towards mirrorless.

[@daniel635biturbo]

@@Badgerheist I've got a a300 that works fine, and sadly a dead a580. The a580 seems to be very rare.

[@Badgerheist]

@@daniel635biturbo I've never encountered an a580, but I vaguely remember searching for an a590, I think. I was CCD hunting at the time. I've heard the a300 is a nice machine. I have yet to take any of my Sony CCD DSLRs out for a walk, but I did manage to try my hand at a Minolta Maxxum 7D, which was lovely. I have a schizophrenic a200 that exhibits some very strange and glitchy behavior that I'd love to troubleshoot someday. My first thought is one of the buttons is being permanently and falsely activated, but it could be a case of corrupted firmware. At least it was fairly inexpensive and I was able to repurpose its battery door for my a350. Sorry to hear your a580 is dead. I wonder what its root issue is.

[@ecmjr]

“Only From the Minds of Minolta”… Cool Video!!!

[@ele4853]

Minolta was a great brand with great lenses. The famous Rokkor lenses. As good as The Nikkor or better. They were aggressive pushing autofocus system and I was looking forward to purchase their system when suddenly Canon came up with the USM technology and the rest is history. I've heard Sony has squired Minolta lens factory and now outing the name Sony on it. Great Minolta had its golden age. Too bad they went down...

[@kalinmir]

I really envy you the no import tax from Japan and i understand now what our Lord had against customs officers...after I've paid around 350 just on import taxes for my Pentax 150-450 telephoto

[@snappiness]

Oh no :( Yeah, that is a big slam.

[@kalinmir]

@@snappiness they say that the lens will make me forget the hole it left in my wallet...and im quite happy with it (tho its my first telephoto and i picked up photography a little over a month ago so what do i know)

[@shishkebab-i4z]

could you make an video on the nikon d200? its an amazing camera. like the d80 you made an video on but way cooler

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

Take the faulty one and frame it in bits. I have my old D610 on my wall.

[@unbroken1010]

I'm sure your wife and kids appreciate that. 😂

[@snappiness]

That's a really interesting idea! Do you have an example of how that turned out? In a shadow box?

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

​​@@snappiness its in a frame I made to suit. Quite deep with a glass front. It ended up quite big but I like it. Rewatching your video shows that this looks like it would work out even deeper than mine, I have some of my favourite pictures taken by the camera as a background.

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

​@@unbroken1010the joys of singledom

[@IsaiahPrestes]

I bought cameras already only to disassemble and try to understand how they work. My last cadaver was a Pentax K-10D. :D Wonderful video! I love this channel!

[@johanvanhuyssteen9217]

This has to be my favourite video of yours so far. It's also good fun to take a look inside the legendary Minolta 5400 Dimage scanner... if you ever go down that rabbit hole....

[@dermarv7569]

Pretty interesting, really! But: Can you PLEASE stop touching every dang shiny surface with greasy fingers?

[@brugj03]

No nostalgica for me. All i see is terrible first generation digital looks. Hard, colorless and flat pics. How far we`ve come.

[@williamchen5832]

The glass looks like a lens balsam separation, maybe heating it in oven to separate it, clean and re glue?

[@therealdeemz_]

I see your Buyee listing looking over the Epson R-D1... Is this a cheeky little spoiler you snuck for us?

[@snappiness]

wink wink

[@pgknippel]

Chonk! Thanks again, what a bizarro beast.

[@snappiness]

Super bizarre camera. Love it.

[@pgknippel]

Love your channel,@@snappiness…just got my second Sony DSC-F828….CCD heaven! Keep up the good work, much appreciated.

[@shadowgunner69]

I still have my RD3000 and my S-100 film camera. I have a few lenses and the flash. My RD3K took a dive and landed on the top plate damaging the shutter button. The RD still worked save the shutter button. It’s been sitting on a shelf for ten years. I miss using both cams.

[@rocheuro]

did you tried Sigma ? old Sigma with 1st version of X3 Foveon sensor ? ! its SO RARE vintage amasing sensor. you should try Sigma DP1 DP1s or DP1x. or DP2 .. or SD10 SD14 SD15. these are all APS-C almost size Foveon x3 sensor with AMASING analog look - indeed sensor works like a normal film.

[@seanchen9265]

Why Peter Parker (Tom Holland) here?

[@petepictures]

Cool. looking one, but very poor IQ. I have the APS film camera with the same flash and kit zoom lens, which produces better image. 😆

[@thedarkslide]

Insane. Both the camera design and your obsession. Legend channel status.

[@cameralegend1033]

Awesome video I love your channel! I bought this camera used ten years ago for cheap. I didn't shoot it much because it was a bit cumbersome and ate batteries pretty fast. I can't seem to find the early files but my first images looked fine. Then I didn't use it for a few years and when I used it again it had exactly the same problem you have shown with the contaminated half image. I admire your guts for taking it apart and finding out the problem! I don't have the skills nor the guts to take it apart but at least now I know I don't have to thanks to you! Hopefully the new one stays good enjoy it. This was very helpful thanks for doing this! 😍📸👍

[@snappiness]

Interesting! It must be some material that adheres the two sides and just goes bad under certain circumstances and time. Not sure why my other one is working fine after all these years then.

[@cameralegend1033]

@@snappiness Thanks! It definitely sounds like some kind of delamination or separation of the elements. Interesting! Hope the unit you just got stays good. Keep us posted on your RD3000 adventures!

[@VariTimo]

The most elaborate speed booster ever.

[@giklab]

That curved mirror with electronic bits could be a flash exposure sensor. Could be something else, too, of course, but that's my first guess.

[@avtoVELOoperator]

Modern bicycle shot on the vintage camera... brrrrr um sleepin'))))) 😅

[@ghostl337]

I'm sure a glass maker could make a new prism for you for the first camera, maybe even a glass artist would be able to do it.

[@bhargavdarji518]

why do dslr/slr cameras brings more life to pictures then these phone cameras. I always wonder that!!

[@Blazor67]

2:58 one piece

[@sb7687]

An ultrasonic cleaner might be able to penetrate and clean up the gunk inbetween the prisims.

[@rawr7505]

If it’s moisture, you can put it in a dry “hot box” to possibly pull it out. Lmk

[@8lec_R]

buy another broken camera and fix the first one. Keep the third one around for parts

[@donwallace7354]

That is a dangerous website...for my wallet.

[@lokknn]

Could anyone tell me more about Buyee? Im seeing insane prices, but im not to sure if i trust it

[@marklawson8346]

What an unusual camera that I’ve ever seen thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@elektronischermeister]

You should use gloves to manipulate the lenses.

[@atruceforbruce5388]

That camera take beautiful colors.

[@Javaughnhenry_]

Absolutely lovely images at the end there. They do have a wonderful nostalgic look to them. Thanks for sharing this camera, such an interesting design!

[@vinylcabasse]

my first digital camera, half my lifetime ago was a minolta dimage 5, a 3.3megapixel "fixed lens SLR type" that i picked up slightly used on ebay (probably one of my first ebay purchases ever!) i used it for years and loved it even with its flaws (awful autofocus, for one thing) minolta liked to try wierd things. this dual CCD thing was one; the dimage 5 and 7 used an equally odd "ferroelectric LCD" EVF that i have never heard of again - but apparently was a full color single pixel design instead of 3 pixel RGB array.

[@StarrysLostandFound]

The upside is you know more about how it goes together and a spare parts kit. Enjoy.

[@TheHouseBugDJ]

What an adventure 😊

[@jerryrichards8172]

What a great find.

[@chuckcanfield222]

This is very cool. I had not heard of this camera before. I assume they did this to increase the pixel count because digital cameras in that era were fairly low. I'm curious what the pixel count turned out to be? I can't find any information in a quick search. Hard to believe with all the info we have online these days.

[@snappiness]

Each sensor was 1.5mp, but after a bit of a crop the final image was 2.7mp

[@oastabis]

wow

[@unbroken1010]

Careful, you might find the meaning of life in all the magnifyers. 😂

[@NightShooter87]

Great video and I'm glad you got it sorted.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

I DO remember that camera. Course I've read about it. Back in the day. But I'm also a kind of a nerd 🤣 But note that wasn't the only vintage digital camera with crazy solutions. Back in the day a collage of mine had the Canon EOS 1D (4mp), which had dual, stacked sensor. After years of usage, one sensor (or proprietary processor) got bad, so that he had one half of the image completely fine, while the other half was grainy as hell and with distorted colours, so that in the end the whole image was totally unusable...

[@pedzsan]

My only suggestion is to gently heat the fouled glass piece. Maybe the gunk will move, burn off, or dissipate.

[@snappiness]

Might be worth a try

[@geraldillo]

It sounds as if they had a large amount of lenses laying around somewhere and thought it would be a good idea to design a camera for it.

[@snappiness]

lol, I would love to know all the reasons for it.

[@POVwithRC]

Well, the not dark parts looked lovely.

[@lensineer]

Separate the prism and reglue it with norland lens adhesive, would be interesting if you could fix it that way.