"Smart Glass" for OLPF & Internal ND

[Kyle Mallory]

Maybe not the best topic for this, but... A random thought that could be applied to Epic and RED cameras in general.

I was searching around the net today for "Smart Glass" (LCD-type glass that goes from clear to dark w/ electricity).

Most of the specs for these types of glass have a haze coefficient of around 8% at best, and this got me thinking. Could such glass be used internally in a camera like the RED to double as both an OLPF, and also an internal, electronically adjustable ND filter?

[I Bloom]

Maybe not the best topic for this, but... A random thought that could be applied to Epic and RED cameras in general.

I was searching around the net today for "Smart Glass" (LCD-type glass that goes from clear to dark w/ electricity).

Most of the specs for these types of glass have a haze coefficient of around 8% at best, and this got me thinking. Could such glass be used internally in a camera like the RED to double as both an OLPF, and also an internal, electronically adjustable ND filter?

The OLPF isn't actually a diffuser, it's a birefringent crystal that double refracts the image in two directions to spread it across each pixel.

I imagine it's somehow possible you could use a diffuser but the filter would probably need to be in direct contact with the sensor, as randomly scattered beems diverge more the further you get from the diffusion.

Otherwise you idea is interesting. But why not put something like what you are asking for infront of the lense instead of inside the camera?

IBloom

[Dave Blackham]

Im very interested in this. If it works and is opticaly good then it has some really good applications. When working with an underwater housing apart from pre fitting an ND filter in the optical path its almost impossible to switch in a filter with when the camera is in the housing underwater. So something of this sorts would be very useful.

Dave
UK

[Kyle Mallory]

My original thoughts as a replacement for the OLPF had to do with a natural amount of diffusion in the glass, around 8%, which while small, is still some. Also, the glass is pretty expensive, and power to enact a change is a factor of the size of the glass. Smaller = less cost, and less power drain. So, as an OLPF replacement, you kill 2 birds with one stone. Small amount of diffusion, and ND, at least cost, and lowest power drain.

However, in doing some more research, there are some new technologies that are in the 2-3% range for haze (new technology = higher price), which could work well as drop in replacements for ND filters.

Another problem I'm finding is that the glass, as it gets darker, generally has a blueish tint, as opposed to being neutral gray. I'm checking with manufactures to find out if this is something that can be changed, but doing so will probably be costly.