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Custom watchmakers video and repair camera


systeman

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Welcome to my custom made watchmaker and repair video camera.

 

Paul Stuart’s Professional Watchmaker
Video Camera Project

Historical methods of magnification

There are many well established historical methods still used today by watchmakers to magnify watch movements while working on them. Without suitable magnification, it is almost an impossible task. To this day, these historical methods still serve the industry well.

 

Stereo and USB microscopes

Modern technology has come to the aid of the watch manufacturing and repair industry. Many watchmakers/repairers use stereo and USB microscopes to assist in their work. These have proven to be of benefit for work on extremely small parts such as pivots, hairsprings and so on. Some of these types of microscopes can be connected to monitors so that one can see, magnified and in real time, exactly what is being worked on. However, sometimes the working distance between the watch and the end of the microscope can make life difficult. Microscopes with a reasonable working distance of say, 30cm to 50cm, or even more can be very expensive. Not that one would require more of course.

 

My watchmaker/repairer video camera project

As an amateur watch repairer, I have often wished for a better method to magnify and view watch movements in real time on my computer so that I can, without straining my eyes so much, take movements apart and reassemble them.

I’ve already mentioned working distance, I think 30cm to 50cm would be a good with its obvious benefits. Also, being able to capture reference photos and HD video is important. To have that capability to stream live video, and upload to YouTube etc. would be an additional benefit.

Well, I had an idea for a lightweight camera that should be able to achieve the above. I think my idea may appeal to others. The project cost was reasonable. More on that later.

 

Could I adapt a webcam to suit my requirements?

No doubt the idea of using a webcam has been tried before. However, the zoom capability of most webcams is rather limited and they have wide angle lenses. Nearly all have a fixed lens. But a plus point is the webcam management software some manufacturers provide.

To be fair, I have never tried using a decent DSLR or camcorder to achieve the above, but I believe I’m correct in thinking firewire connectivity is a problem between modern cameras and computers to monitor in real time. I think it is something to do with the fact they have SD cards. For me though, they seem a bit bulky and expensive for this purpose.

I like tinkering with things, my idea was, what if I removed the fixed lens from a webcam and replaced it with one that could be manually adjusted for zoom and focus, together with an acceptable working distance capability and narrower the field of vision.

 

The following is how I went about testing this idea out.

How I modified a webcam

After researching several different webcams specifications, I decided t adapt a Logitech c920. The c920 has proven to be one of the best webcams and was recently succeeded by the c922. But it is the c920 I used for this modification. The c920 can do real full HD streaming of 1920×1080p @ 30fps with image size up to 2304x1563p.

 

This is how I went about it:

  • I took a Logitech c920 apart to expose the circuit board, its fixed lens and USB wiring assembly.
  • I removed 2 screws securing the lens assembly, then unsoldered the lens and USB screening wire. The lens, complete with its IR low pass filter, came away from the PCB quite easily to expose the CMOS sensor and its infrared (IR) part of the spectrum. For my purpose the IR part of the spectrum is not needed, so I had to add an IR low pass filter. More about that later.
  • I solder connected 30 gauge (0.5mm) single strand wire between the main circuit board and USB board as follows:
    TP3 to USB board D+
    TP2 to USB board D-
    TP1 to USB board Vcc
    Removed green solder mask adjacent to TP25 on the main PCB for the GND connection and GND on the USB board.
  • Used the existing shielding solder tab on the main PCB for a shielding connection to the USB socket housing.
  • Unsoldered the four LED’s from the main PCB at D3, D5, D6 and D8. I could have left the diodes in place and simply put some black tape over them.
  • Both the modified circuit board and new USB socket were then mounted into a custom-made aluminum housing having a CS lens thread. Because the original filter was removed with the lens assembly, it had to be replaced with an IR Low Pass filter and mounted with double sided tape in the new custom housing.
  • I then attached a 5-50mm CS varifocal lens with manual iris and focus. This was a f1.4, 3 mega pixels, 1/2.7” lens and suitable for the original Logitech 1/3” format CMOS sensor.

 

Custom watchmaker camera case, rear view.

case-1.jpg.b3a58709358b31805b0b96edab7b6b76.jpg

With Logitech c920 lens removed, custom wiring done and circuit board assembled.

case-2.jpg.f9f00338894093ee07e9b64d5770108d.jpg

Front view without the new lens attached, new IR low pass filter is assembled.

case-3.jpg.c705c64566884bd2599f942b3ab2745b.jpg

 

Parts required

1 x Logitech c920, these can be obtained at a very reasonable price from auction websites.
1 x Custom made box for the reworked c920 circuit board, and with CS type lens mount.
1 x IR low pass filter (to replace the one removed with the c920 fixed lens).
1 x CS lens – f1.4, 5-50mm, 3 megapixel, manual focus and manual zoom.
1 x 5mm CS lens extension ring.

 

Result

I now have a camera to zoom in close and a respectable working distance between 30cm to 50cm or more. It can stream live, record videos and take snapshots. I can see all this on my computer, live as I’m working on watch movements.

 

Example full screen captures at a working distance of 30cm

webcam-test1a.jpg.18f349150fe014a8371d67e2c7ec0a7e.jpg

 

At 50cm

58b5a73eac802_Picture3a.thumb.jpg.8d28873724dfe878ecdadf570cf7d324.jpg

 

Paul Stuart’s Professional Watchmaker
Video Camera Project – Parts and
Specifications

 

Parts price list

Logitech C920 webcam
£27.00. I got mine off an auction website cheap because the USB wire was broken. This was not needed anyway because of the new connection I was going to make to a new USB output port in the new case.

Custom c920 anodised aluminium (aluminium) case.
£56.00

0.5mm copper core silver plated bodge wire.
£2.00. From auction website

Lens
1/2.7" 5-50mm Manual Iris 3 Megapixel Lens.
Features:

1.      3 Mega Pixel, manual focus iris and zoom lens

2.      2.1/2.7" High quality 5-50mm varifocal CCTV IR CS lens

3.      Low distortion

4.      High resolution

£89.00

5mm C to CS lens extension ring.
£3.00. From auction website.

Total spend: £177.00

 

Edited by systeman
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Some more information on the project.

Obviously the webcam requires the latest software and this can be downloaded from the Logitech website.

I use a  Windows 10 laptop. Windows 10 come with a built in camera APP that when opened will show a full screen image of what the camera is viewing. The APP can be used for making a video with voice over using cameras built in stereo microphone, or, for just viewing live the item being worked on.

I have experimented with OBS (Open Broadcasting Software). This allows for more control over the Logitech webcam settings when pulled up for editing in OBS. OBS can also be used for making the recordings or simply viewing a watch movement while working on it. I must point out the importance of good lighting during filming.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 11 months later...

 

On 3/12/2017 at 1:50 PM, systeman said:

I thought I'd better upload a photo of the camera USB port wiring.

Mod_USB_board_wiring-1.jpg.945db583895d7ebb26fa79281c8b1ff0.jpg

Hi Paul

I am totally clueless about Cameras, but I want to be able to record, Take pictures and see on PC screen...Everything else I looked at with a good working distance seems pretty expensive so I decided to give this a shot.

I already own a c920 so I figure I can get this done for about $150 according to your price list. 

May I ask where you purchased the custom box. 

Also it you have any detailed construction pictures That would be great.. Most of my talent is   "Monkey see Monkey do" 

 

The picture above of USB port is perfect..Do you have a shot of where is gets wired to on the other end

 

Thanks 

 

Tony

 

 

 

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17 hours ago, adiorio110 said:

 

Hi Paul

I am totally clueless about Cameras, but I want to be able to record, Take pictures and see on PC screen...Everything else I looked at with a good working distance seems pretty expensive so I decided to give this a shot.

I already own a c920 so I figure I can get this done for about $150 according to your price list. 

May I ask where you purchased the custom box. 

Also it you have any detailed construction pictures That would be great.. Most of my talent is   "Monkey see Monkey do" 

 

The picture above of USB port is perfect..Do you have a shot of where is gets wired to on the other end

 

Thanks 

 

Tony

 

 

 

Hi Tony,

Here's a link to the website of a guy called Saulius Lukse

There's links on the website to everything you'll need to know about constructing one of these.

Just to let you know, The Logitech c920 software is now about 7 years old. Logitech still specify that it is compatible with Windows 10 plus other versions that you can conform on their website.

There's a couple of important points to bear in mind though:-
1, The software itself does not open up a full screen user interface, but you can record videos and take snapshots, and software zoom in etc.

2, To see full screen, you would need something like OBS Video recording software. What I do is use the Logitech software to set up, then save the settings. Open OBS, set it up to record with the c920.

3, If you intend to use it real-time to work on movements, there is slight niggling problem and that's a few milliseconds time lag.

To conclude, I would say it is good for filming to record close up videos of what you've worked on, but because of the possible time lag  factor I would not use it for working on movements real-time. It depends on how good your graphics card and processors are.

Hey, I found it cheaper than purchasing a Canon or something like that to records video at macro. What I constructed was a close up camera, not a microscope. I think you can achieve yours aims with a long distance recording microscope better. As you mention, it may cost more, but would be worth the extra outlay.

All the best.

 

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7 hours ago, systeman said:

Hi Tony,

Here's a link to the website of a guy called Saulius Lukse

There's links on the website to everything you'll need to know about constructing one of these.

Just to let you know, The Logitech c920 software is now about 7 years old. Logitech still specify that it is compatible with Windows 10 plus other versions that you can conform on their website.

There's a couple of important points to bear in mind though:-
1, The software itself does not open up a full screen user interface, but you can record videos and take snapshots, and software zoom in etc.

2, To see full screen, you would need something like OBS Video recording software. What I do is use the Logitech software to set up, then save the settings. Open OBS, set it up to record with the c920.

3, If you intend to use it real-time to work on movements, there is slight niggling problem and that's a few milliseconds time lag.

To conclude, I would say it is good for filming to record close up videos of what you've worked on, but because of the possible time lag  factor I would not use it for working on movements real-time. It depends on how good your graphics card and processors are.

Hey, I found it cheaper than purchasing a Canon or something like that to records video at macro. What I constructed was a close up camera, not a microscope. I think you can achieve yours aims with a long distance recording microscope better. As you mention, it may cost more, but would be worth the extra outlay.

All the best.

 

Thank you...Maybe I just bite the bullet and spring for the Amscope

http://www.amscope.com/3-5x-45x-simul-focal-stereo-zoom-microscope-on-dual-arm-boom-stand-with-144-led-ring-light-and-5mp-usb3-camera.html

Something I probably really do not need...But I like my gadgets and tools.

Regards

Tony

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