I have been experimenting for a few weeks now with different focusing aids, masks.
So far I have tried four different types of masks.
1) Standard 3 hole Hartman Mask
2) Triangle 3 hole Hartman Mask with offset triangles.
3) 3 hole Hartman mask with two round and one triangle hole.
4) crossed hair type mask using different thickness crossed hairs
See picture that shows 3 of these type, with the 3 hole Hartman modified to have one triangle and two round holes.
Each of these masks seems to have a good side to them. But certain ones seem to be much easier to judge the focus. These are the crossed hair type. I then decided to try different thickness of crossed hairs ranging from thread to 1/2" strips of ABS.
What I have found so far is this.
The thin hair shows a thin long spike arrangement that is pretty easy to see and judge.
The very wide 1/2" is ok, but does seem somewhat harder to judge.
The medium thick, in this case coat hanger wire hairs seem the best overall.
The 1 triangle and 2 round holes is next in line for ease of focus.
The 3 round hole mask to me is the hardest to judge.
The coat hanger size hair does something unusual, I guess due to the round wire and thickness. Where the hairs cross the star creates a bright cross as it gets close to focus, then just outside of this cross, a single almost diamond shape appears in the spike. It gets brighter as focus is closest and dims as you pass prime focus. It makes the reading of the spikes a bit simpler as there is less distraction with trying to judge the entire spike as a whole. Not sure whether this is a fluke in my design and materials, but it certainly is a good thing.
I will next post a picture of the coat hanger wire mask for reference. It was made from a small plastic pot for plants that you get at Lowes.
So far I have tried four different types of masks.
1) Standard 3 hole Hartman Mask
2) Triangle 3 hole Hartman Mask with offset triangles.
3) 3 hole Hartman mask with two round and one triangle hole.
4) crossed hair type mask using different thickness crossed hairs
See picture that shows 3 of these type, with the 3 hole Hartman modified to have one triangle and two round holes.
Each of these masks seems to have a good side to them. But certain ones seem to be much easier to judge the focus. These are the crossed hair type. I then decided to try different thickness of crossed hairs ranging from thread to 1/2" strips of ABS.
What I have found so far is this.
The thin hair shows a thin long spike arrangement that is pretty easy to see and judge.
The very wide 1/2" is ok, but does seem somewhat harder to judge.
The medium thick, in this case coat hanger wire hairs seem the best overall.
The 1 triangle and 2 round holes is next in line for ease of focus.
The 3 round hole mask to me is the hardest to judge.
The coat hanger size hair does something unusual, I guess due to the round wire and thickness. Where the hairs cross the star creates a bright cross as it gets close to focus, then just outside of this cross, a single almost diamond shape appears in the spike. It gets brighter as focus is closest and dims as you pass prime focus. It makes the reading of the spikes a bit simpler as there is less distraction with trying to judge the entire spike as a whole. Not sure whether this is a fluke in my design and materials, but it certainly is a good thing.
I will next post a picture of the coat hanger wire mask for reference. It was made from a small plastic pot for plants that you get at Lowes.
Attached Image:
[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue
Amateur Imager
You can also buy the pots very cheaply.
