A few weeks ago, Martin Beek helped me to upgrade the optics and swap the RotoRazor element of my sgBlade. All very nice, but i ended up with a unusable DOF convertor that now showed strong vignetting – like looking through a tube – but eventually i learned that this is called a “hotspot”.
The hotspot effect occurs, because the distribution of light through the RotoRazor-3 element is far from ideal. Shoot35 has made the element too translucent, in order to gain more light, thus resulting in a strong hotspot. The light from the 35mm lens is leaking through the element, instead of being projected on it.
An aperture of F4 is already enough to produce an image that is unusable. Like looking through a tube. Tried different lenses and even took the whole sgBlade apart again to check if i’d done something wrong, without much avail.
Eventually, we have replaced the old RotoRazor-1 element again… The optics are upgraded (condensor lens and achromat), but the old RotoRazor-1 still giving me problems with flicker – even at a normal 25fps. I have to calibrate the speed control on the sgblade in such a manner that the histogram stops jumping up and down. THAT problem is due to an uneven matted surface of the RotoRazor-1. It looks like it’s made by hand, OR i have a monday-morning product….
All in all… we have to do with the sgBlade as-is. I like the new optics, but i feel that the new RR3 is not a very well developed element.
Karl.
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My picture profile of the ex1
People regularly ask me about the picture profile settings is use for the EX1 to achieve a filmic look with the sgBlade.
I use the profile as published by Martin Beek of Marvels Film. You can find it at marvelsfilm.wordpress.com
In fact it’s a pretty straight forward profile, with a few tweaks to the “Phil Bloom” EX1 profile. Important tweaks though, specially regarding sharpness and noise reduction.
Cheers!
Karl
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Showing off my rig
Sorry for the Cinevate sticker on the french flag. Removed it with great enthusiasm recently… I had some serious trouble with the Cinevate Brevis DOF adapter. Unit flogged, sticker remained.
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We received the sgBlade optical upgrade AND the RotoRazor-3 imaging element a few days ago. I can’t wait to do the conversion, but i have to wait for MarvelsFilm for them to let me have the EX-1 camera for a weekend. I hope they can spare it this coming weekend. I’ll post a step-by-step conversion tutorial here with pictures.
If you own a sgBlade depth of field adapter, make sure to buy this important upgrade from www.shoot35.com!
It will eliminate chromatic aberration and improve the overall sharpness and it’s only 79 UK pounds!
The RotoRazor-3 is a replacement imaging element (spinning groundglass) that has very low light-loss, but a different kind of “bokeh” – i have been assigned the task of comparing the sharpness of the different rotorazors.
This specific optical element costs 99 UK pounds and is ideal for low light shooting.
Karl
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Exciting! My first weblog!
Hi you digital film shooters out there! My name is Karl Rasmussen and i am a happy owner of the sgBlade depth of field adapter. I use it in combination with the Sony EX-1 full HD camera.
I have to be honest 
I don’t own the sgBlade and Ex-1 myself, but i have unlimited access to these babies through the company where i did my internship. I was made ‘head of sgBlade operations’ as a joke, and eventually one was given into my custody.
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