Barneys and Blimps for Commiecams

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Barneys and Blimps for Commiecams

It's no secret that the Konvas 1M/2M cameras are noisy beasts; while they may be purchased with crystal sync motors, the 55 to 60db thrumming of the motor and gear drive negates shooting close-quarters lip sync material. What to do? Well, borrow a page from history, friend, and build a barney or blimp...

Several people on the [Konvas.org] discussion group have talked of building these contraptions, although I haven't yet seen the results, save the ones below. Perhaps these photos can be used to inspire modification designs in progress by other readers of the [Konvas.org] discussion group.

For inspiration/comparison, I offer these photos of an Eclair CM3 blimp due to the fact that the Konvas 1M is quite similar in design...

35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp (left/viewfinder side)
35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp (left/viewfinder side)
35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp Door
35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp Door

35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp Open
35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp Open
35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp Inside
35mm Eclair CM3 Blimp Inside

Photos sent by Mike R.

I personally have never used one of these. Is their anyone out there that can enlighten us as to its operation, construction and materials used?

The [Konvas.org] group received a link to the photo below last fall. It is Matt Zatkoff's crew building a blimp for their Ostcam. Email Matt (gramastrangepet at hotmail.com) if you have questions on his approach.

Matt Zatkoff's crew building a blimp for their Ostcam
Matt Zatkoff's crew building an Ostcam blimp

Photos courtesy Matt Zatkoff

Here is Matt's original [posted] message:
"Hi Lee, and whoever else is interested.
http://www.geocities.com/stuffgo/blimp.jpg
There is the link to the poloroids we took. I put a little a few notes on each. The only things we didn't photograph yet are the studio foam in the inside, the latches holding it together, the final car paint job with lightning bolts on the sides, and the mount to hold the camera in, we also built a piece of wood into the bottom for support, and also ended up putting a piece of sheet metal on the bottom to hold it perfectly steady on the tripod. It's pretty heavy all together, probably about 40 or 50 Lbs. I haven't weighed it yet."

For flexible, form-fitting barneys that reduce (not eliminate!) noise, I offer these photos from Lee Gaither of Custom Upholstery Products (email him [cupcamera at aol.com] with questions):

Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products
Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products

Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products (side)
Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products (side)

Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products (top)
Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products (top)

Three shots of the Konvas body and 200 foot magazine barneys. Although these components are for the Konvas 2M, Lee could easily modify his design for the three lens turret of the 1M.

Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products (finder opening)
Konvas 2M Barney from Custom Upholstery Products (finder opening)

Konvas Magazine Barney
Konvas Magazine Barney

Konvas Magazine 200 and 400 foot Barneys
Konvas Magazine 200 and 400 foot Barneys

On the left is a shot of the viewfinder opening; a 400-foot mag barney in the middle--notice the port for the tachometer face; 200-foot and 400-foot mag barneys

Kinor 35H 1000ft magazine barney
Kinor 35H 1000ft magazine barney

Kinor 35H 500ft magazine barney
Kinor 35H 500ft magazine barney

Motion Picture Barney Stitching
Motion Picture Barney Stitching

Kinor 35H 500 and 1000 foot mag barneys, and a closeup on the stitching. Although the 35H is an extremely quiet sync camera, age and usage of the mags can cause scraping or chattering. Donning one of these can dramatically reduce the audiability of these unwanted noises.

Kinor 35H body barney
Kinor 35H body barney

A shot Lee sent me of a Kinor 35H body barney...

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