Miniature video camera through the viewfinder

[leejinks]

I'm looking for an old thread from some time back (before the availability of live view for dSLR's) were there was some discussion about attaching a miniature wireless video camera to the viewfinder of a dSLR to provide a video downlink at the bottom of a PAP system. Can anyone help me find that thread?

Back then, I didn't see the point of going to all that trouble when you could just get a video feed from a P&S so much easier. Now that I'm using a dSLR, I really don't like the sluggishness of the camera in live view mode. I'm really thinking about going with the miniature video camera option. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Hellsiege]

I'll have to get the name for you tonight - company is out of Canada. Makes on that slides on the same rails the rubber eye cushion uses on my Canon DSLR. I need to try more lenses on mine though as view is significantly shrunk when doing this - kind of like looking through a telescope it works but not like you think it does. Perfect for framing buildings / shots but trying to see stuff moving on the viewfinder as it flys by for example (airplanes) is near impossible in comparison to getting "video out" from our HD cam.

[leejinks]

What I'm really trying to find out is which lens to use on the little video camera. I'm almost thinking it should be 40 degrees angle of view, but I'm not really sure about that.

[Guido44]

I thought Hogster posted something like that a long while back, but I don't see the right photo.

http://www.aplanding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1751

Dan

[RVV]

The KX131 camera for viewfinder takes a 12mm lens.
This cuts off a little of the edges of viewfinder.

There are a few later cameras that would be better with 8mm like the 7D where the 12mm cuts off quite a lot.

[tjohndoe]

I too remember a thread but cannot find it. I did look into this a little as I have a Nikon D200 with no live view. I found the Pro-View set-up (link below) It's a complete package with monitor for $395. Says up to 500 feet with line of site. Maybe a bit pricey if you already have tx/rx and monitor.

http://www.proviewsite.com/

Also, is the link I had to the Black Widow site for the KX131.

http://www.blackwidowav.com/productcameras.html

I have not used either, so can't say how effective they are.

Hope that helps!

Tim
www.tjohndoe.com

Originally Posted by leejinks

I'm looking for an old thread from some time back (before the availability of live view for dSLR's) were there was some discussion about attaching a miniature wireless video camera to the viewfinder of a dSLR to provide a video downlink at the bottom of a PAP system. Can anyone help me find that thread?

Back then, I didn't see the point of going to all that trouble when you could just get a video feed from a P&S so much easier. Now that I'm using a dSLR, I really don't like the sluggishness of the camera in live view mode. I'm really thinking about going with the miniature video camera option. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[leejinks]

I've seen the Pro-View and think it's a great solution.
Here's something to consider
Here it is again for a pretty good price
For most of us, it would be better to go with the Pro-View, but seeing the Pro-View made me think of the earlier post. I'm starting to think it's an 8mm lens that will work in the viewfinder. The biggest problem is mounting it on the SLR. I think I've worked out an alternate method of mounting the video camera. I just need to work out the details and produce a prototype.

[Hellsiege]

SkyEye Corp - is where I got mine from. http://www.skyeye.com/home.html

Pic of it:

[Gardo]

Originally Posted by leejinks

I just need to work out the details and produce a prototype.

Any progress yet? I'm curious as I am going to send my Nikon D80 up into the clouds. Nope, no AV-out.

I do have a small videocamera 20x20x20 mm to attach (with hot melt adhesive i think) but with the original lens the viewfinder image is much to small.

Any input is gooood input.

/Peter

[Skylark]

what about this gadget
http://www.phottix.net/shop/default....oduct_id=1449#

[leejinks]

Yes, Phottix Hero is one and ProView is the other that uses through the view finder method of providing a remote monitor view. From what I've been able to gather, I think an 8mm or 6mm lens on one of these pinhole video cameras is what is needed to provide a good image through the viewfinder.