EEVblog #282 - DIY Video Soldering Microscope

How to easily transform a video camcorder into a very useful and practical soldering microscope.
And it disassembles in seconds to let you still use the camcorder as a regular camera!

[valveman]

I did the same thing a few years ago with an old video camera. I built my own holder and used the magnifying glass from a third hand. For a screen, I used a video game screen i converted. Works great and lots of zoom. If interested in seeing it, I can send some pics.

[EEVblog]

Yeah, it is likely usable, and will play some more. The problem is I don't want to capture straight to the PC unless I have no other option, because it's just way too messy with cables and software setup, plus separate audio. Much nicer to use my existing video camera rig and workflow. The only cable I have is the LED light, and external mic if I chose to use it.

[abpccpba]

Dave; Most of the old cooking TV shows just used a large mirror above the work bench. Tilted at a 45' angle. It realty worked hood for them. That way you can keep you Canon camera in tact.
An old Idea. Thought you may never heard about this technique.
You are doing great work.

[EEVblog]

Mine is a 48 LED one from a seller called sun_mart with an inner diameter of 61mm, and comes with a 48mm metal threaded ring for my olympus microscope.

[EEVblog]

Yes, but how can you get really detailed stuff doing that? Fine for cooking, but soldering 0402's? I can chop and change between my normal rig and this microscope one in under a minute, that's the beauty of it.

[pcuser]

Very nice setup, the 10x lens + led ring is perfect for teardown time.

[EEVblog]

What's different with this one? The camera is just more moved to the left compared to my usual position.

[kwgm]

I've always suspected it was so, but never before have I seen video proof... when you're down under, everything appears to be upside-down!

Dave, thanks for the video, belatedly. I've been viewing your videos for a couple of years -- since the pandemic made us all come in out of the rain -- but I'd never before seen this. What a great idea for working in small spaces. But, also a fun opportunity to make a joke, which I can't resist.

[ergcentric]

The difference between a $50 add on lens and a $500 macro lens seems to be field of view and chromatic aberration.

[kellyklaasksu]

You have inspired me. I took a little different approach since I did not need to record anything...I have an old Win7 Skytab tablet that was not being used. I hooked it up to a USB microscope that also was not being used and made my own SMD soldering setup. All this because I watched this video from you. Thanks for the inspiration!

[chrilla]

Ohh boy you gave me some ideas need more engineers like you out there.

Thank you

[FullElectronic]

Hey man, you can change this, use a usb easycap on the video out of the cam to a pc, the monitor will be very large than this.

[LazerLord]

I just use macro extension tubes on my Nikon d3200 SLR with an old film lens. Great picture, great performance!

[CarltonDodd]

Gonna try this with an HD webcam and a netbook. Might have to mod the optics on the webcam a bit, but I bet it could work!

[doodh_jalebi]

I think the distortion is because of the 2X lens.

[ivanv]

@EEVblog:
I like how you framed the picture, I find it nicer, because I don't see just a floating head centered on the camera.
I recommend you to learn about the rule of thirds, as it produces very visually pleasing picture. In this video you are using it, possibly accidentally. Look it up on Wikipedia

[SuperAhmed]

If you have a DSLR with live view/tethering, you can get yourself a bellows, a enlarger lens (used for photo enlarging, now sold really cheaply on eBay) or just a good old prime lens and a reverse mount adapter...

That should provide even better edges and good working distance.

[urquimv]

I'm assuming you, specifically, would only use this to record.Not as a substitute for your stereo microscope, since that might seriously reduce the operating life of your camera.(?)

[dbagnis]

I think it's a good idea, practical, inexpensive, useful and a good choice. Thanks you very much. Good video as always.

[Andrew_Sparrow]

Death ray camera was cool :) As for the makerbot comment, I would like to see more, indeed there are lots of videos but the ones I've seen (I prob just need to look harder) are "maker" type people that want to print their art work, or the "still trying to get it to print" ones. Some people rave about them but from what I've seen I'm very underwhelmed for the price of the machine people seam forgiving about imperfections so I would welcome more of your take on it, review, design, improvements etc