"How it's made" on Discovery channel

[Robert Brummitt]

How many of you watch the Discovery channels program, "How it's made"? Don't hold me to the title but it's what I believe its called. For those of you who don't know what I'm writing about let me share. Each episode has about three to four segments on how how things are made. From cheese to Helicopters. One time they did lenses. It was pretty neat on how the glass is grounded and shaped, the testing and the assembly.
At the end of each episode. It's announced if you wish to know more or have a suggestion, please contact them. I thought it would be fun to do an portion on large format cameras. My question to you all is who? I posted this on Apug as well.
:) :) :)

[cyrus]

There's actually a nice video on how camera lenses are made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7_wL0ZZi6k

[Eric James]

There was a Lee Filter (filters and gels) segment a while back which had a sequence showing rectangular resins being hand dipped into a dye solution. Ever wonder why the horizon on your Lee or Singh Ray GND filter isn't perfectly...horizontal? Watch the "How It's Made" rerun and you'll see, "How It's Made" to be a few degrees off.

[John Schneider]

LF cameras are rather straightforward conventional fabrication. Cast/mill/grind/assemble or saw/plane/shape/glue or mold/finish, then prime/paint or varnish or anodize I'd rather see how film is made.

[Scott Kathe]

There was a Lee Filter (filters and gels) segment a while back which had a sequence showing rectangular resins being hand dipped into a dye solution. Ever wonder why the horizon on your Lee or Singh Ray GND filter isn't perfectly...horizontal? Watch the "How It's Made" rerun and you'll see, "How It's Made" to be a few degrees off.

I always thought the Sing-Rays were poured not dipped. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Scott

[butterfly]

Love to see an Ebony being made!

[Greg Lockrey]

LF cameras are rather straightforward conventional fabrication. Cast/mill/grind/assemble or saw/plane/shape/glue or mold/finish, then prime/paint or varnish or anodize I'd rather see how film is made.

It would be a pretty dark tv screen though. :rolleyes: :D

[poco]

I've seen the program at a friend's house (no cable here) and thought it kinda silly how they ripped through each segment. Components you never heard of suddenly appear fully assembled and they often substitute just naming a feature for actually explaining how it's made.

Great idea, but poor execution.

[Eric James]

You're right poco, some of the segments are rather silly. They designate roughly the same amount of time for, say, golf tees, as they do scissor lifts.


I always thought the Sing-Rays were poured not dipped. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Scott

I have Singh Ray filters. When I saw the woman dipping the Lee grads I imagined that the same imprecise approach was behind the off-kilter horizon of my 3-stop hard Singh-Ray grad. I don't know how they make them at Singh Ray; I just know that the QC could be better. I returned my last filter, a 3-stop soft because the density was 2 1/3rd stops at the darkest margin.

[SAShruby]

How many of you watch the Discovery channel?

Literally, this is only program I watch in combination with History Channel, Space Channel, That's it. Those three are the best IMO. Rest of it - Brain wash.

[Scott Kathe]

You're right poco, some of the segments are rather silly. They designate roughly the same amount of time for, say, golf tees, as they do scissor lifts.



I have Singh Ray filters. When I saw the woman dipping the Lee grads I imagined that the same imprecise approach was behind the off-kilter horizon of my 3-stop hard Singh-Ray grad. I don't know how they make them at Singh Ray; I just know that the QC could be better. I returned my last filter, a 3-stop soft because the density was 2 1/3rd stops at the darkest margin.

At the prices Singh-Ray charges I'd return anything I wasn't 100% satisfied with.

Scott

[Robert Brummitt]

OK, I have one person who says Ebony cameras. Any other makers?
I Think a segment on the wood field cameras would be very interesting. Every time, I go out to photograph, someone is bound to ask me what kind of camera, how old is it and if I made it. They always state of beautiful it is.
There is a bunch of craftsmanship that goes into a quality camera. If I get more info from you and catch the website of the show? I'm going to make the suggestion.
If enough of us do it then maybe they will!
:) :) :)

[walter23]

There's actually a nice video on how camera lenses are made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7_wL0ZZi6k


Wow, that's so cool.

Canon had some promotional material / "tour of the lens factory" videos up once, but half of it was just this suave announcer voice repeating the phrase "The Canon five-hundred millimeter eph-four ell eye-ess you-ess-emm!". This tour of the JML factory is much more interesting.

[Gordon Moat]

OK, I have one person who says Ebony cameras. Any other makers? . . . . . . . .


My preference would be for Linhof, like a factory tour, or perhaps Arca Swiss. Lots of metal being turned and milled. However, I don't watch television much, so I have only seen this show a few times. Last I recall seeing was one about making imaging sensors, and I believe they were at Dalsa.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography (http://www.gordonmoat.com)

[Shen45]

There's actually a nice video on how camera lenses are made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7_wL0ZZi6k

Thanks for the link Cyrus. I really enjoyed that.

Steve