"Gene E. Bloch" <hamburger@NOT_SPAM.invalid> wrote in message

news:Xns94B3B0899D660Astrolabe@204.127.204.17...

> "David Ruether" <rpn1@no-junk.cornell.edu> wrote in

> news:_Yo7c.15323$GT2.13653@nwrdny01.gnilink.net:

> > "Derek Hawkins" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message

> > news:XOl7c.490$oF.12279@eagle.america.net...

 

> >> I'm looking for a camera that when hooked up to a monitor could

> >> aid in the drilling of printed circuit boards. It doesn't even

> >> have to be color. Basically, the effective magnification would

> >> have to be about twice (or more) than that in the following link;

> >>

> >> http://image.pbase.com/u41/eldata/large/27140910.CRW_8443_1.jpg

 

> > This is easily done by adding a simple "close-up lens" to the

> > lens of almost any video camera. Some are as cheap as $10 or so...

 

> Yes, but :-)

>

> There has to be room for the drill and bit, and you also might not

> want fiberglass dust getting onto and into the camera.

>

> I'd suggest a long focal length lens - or accessory lens - that can

> give a large image from a safe distance.

>

> Of course, if the OP just uses the camcorder to set the drill up,

> then moves it away during the actual drilling, it might be OK. Let

> him decide...

>

> Gino

 

Since most camcorders with built-in zoom lenses focus VERY

close at the "WA" end (useless - the camera is too close to the

subject), but not very close at all at the tele end (the distance

is useful, but the magnification is too low at correct focus),

adding a diopter ("close-up lens") of the appropriate power  to

the front will give both long space between camera and subject

and correct focus at the desired magnification (field-size) with

the zoom set longest-"tele". Some experimenting will be needed

to get the diopter power right, but sets of three threaded

"close-up" lenses of suitable mounting size are generally very

inexpensive (and these can be quite sharp on video cameras).

The cheap close-up lens itself can serve for front-element

protection, and a taped-on shield can easily be made to

protect the camera...

--

 David Ruether

 d_ruether@hotmail.com

 http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com