In some scenes, it almost has a tilt-shift-like effect, making the subjects appear as though they’re miniature models instead of real life. As visible from the comparison images below, the DIY lens has an ultra shallow depth of field, giving a look similar to what you’d expect from large format cameras or using something like the Brenizer Method. With all of that complete, it was time to take a look at the results. If you thought nailing focus on an F1.2 lens was challenging, this lens will make that look easy by comparison. To cap it all off, Perks added bellows made from folded black paper and a motorized focusing system with 3D printed parts and gears, as well as some bearings and other components. To combat this vignetting Perks took lessons from his DIY projector project and placed fresnel lenses on both sides of the diffusion screen to better redirect the incoming light into the camera opposite of the episcope lens. When looking at the projected image, Perks noticed heavy vignetting that rendered the image almost unusable. Or, at least, it looked like it was.Īn illustration shared by Perks showing the fresnel lenses (green) sandwiching the diffusion panel to better focus the light from the lens to the camera. With this in place, the rig was completed and ready to roll. Focus is done by moving one side of the rig forward and backwards on a set of steel rods via linear bearings. He then makes another frame and effectively mirrors it so he can then mount the lens on one side, have a camera on the other side, and capture the projected image onto the image projected onto the diffuser film. Since the screen would lack contrast without being enclosed, Perks uses flocked pieces of aluminum to build out the frame of what is effectively the lens’ body. But Perks takes it a step further buy building an entirely custom framed light screen. Even in its primitive form, it’s possible to see the image projected from the lens. So, how do you make use of this half-meter image circle when even medium format cameras would struggle to capture a small percentage of the scene? Well, in Perks’ case, you create a custom light screen using a large piece of diffuser film sandwiched between two pieces of plexiglass. In the case of this particular lens, Perks says the image circle is an insane 500mm in diameter. Due to needing to capture scenes behind the lens, the image circle these lenses project is absolutely massive. One of the unique characteristics of these lenses is their extremely large image circle when used to capture light instead of projecting it. Matthew Perks, creator of the DIY Perks YouTube channel has shared how he built a ‘35mm F0.4’ equivalent lens built around an episcope lens taken from some of the earliest projection technology.Īs Perks explains in the video’s introduction, the episcope lens was the optical element used in epidioscopes to project well-lit objects onto a wall or screen in a dark room.

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