Hey gang, I was thinking recently about making a cheap attempt at building a DSLR using a pentax body and parts from a working digital camera. I know that this is an exercise in futility, as it would be more exspensive/work intensive to do, than to just buy a decent digital camera . . . but, I guess that is the Pentax Way . . . (or at least what they are indicating to their consumers).
My current thoughts on the topic: I would start out with a cheaper digital camera. I haven't selected one yet, but I'm thinking it would be best to take one of the smaller N***N cameras. Basically, the plan includes taking the camera apart, and jury-rigging a Pentax SLR body to accept the necessary parts. A back can be modified to hold the CCD and the necessary LCD panels. The mechanics of the camera can be removed to make room for necessary electronics, as well as the two compartments that would normally hold film. There would be a problem with getting the shutter and CCD to synch at the appropriate times. My fix for this would to be to totally remove the shutter curtain (digitals lack this anyhow). This would leave only the need to synch the mirror and CCD. My solution to this? Well, I know that some other camera manufacturers had modified bodies that the mirror didn't actually flip. The mirror was partially silvered, and reflected approximatly 50% of the light to the prisim, while the other 50% of the light moved through the mirror and into the film plane (what's this type of mirror called again?) . . . There would likely be a need to add an optic assembly in place of the shutter in order for focus to work right . . . This setup should allow for all the necessary electronics to be taken up by just the digital electronics. The prisim would be fully functional. If need be a battery pack add-on could be used to run the electronics using a dead battery. The camera back would have most of the necessary buttons associated with the digital camera. I think that covers most of the issues. Anyone see anythign else that might need to be addressed? Il Bill - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
