Modular Concept
Photowebs is a modular system camera, which means that by adding or subtracting components from the base camera, the end user creates a different system camera tailored to each particular application.
Base Camera
The Base Camera in it's simplest form is the foundation of this modular system and as such is not a functioning autonomous camera until you add one or more of the following components:
Image Sensor
Each base camera has room for two image sensors; one for each of the base camera's independent sub-systems. The image sensor is a swappable module that can inserted by the end user. Only one sensor module is necessary to make a functioning camera.
LCD Screen
If you do not have a remote computer or smart-phone at hand - with the necessary Photowebs Remote Control software installed - you will need at least one LCD Screen module to act as an MMI (Man Machine Interface). The LCD Screen module is locked in place such as a lens cap and covers the lens opening of one of the base camera sub-systems to make it possible to use the opposite sub-system as a single functioning camera.
Lens system
The Photowebs System camera has it's own proprietary SE mount lenses. The only moving parts in a Photowebs lens are those necessary to adjust the aperture.
Each Photowebs system camera has it's own sensor-based focusing system which also adjusts the back flange distance of the lens presently being used, making it possible to adapt nearly any lens with an appropriate lens adapter.
Photowebs lens adapters leverages the lenses' filter thread to make a two part lens adapter capable of inserting appropriate legacy lenses inside the camera. Larger lenses not capable of being inserted in the camera can be attached outside the latter using the Photowebs SE lens mount and SE-mount lens adapters.
Some of the features common to all base camera configurations are as follows:
Sensor-based auto-focus system: the image sensor module is set on a linear motion system enabling auto-focus capabilities when using legacy manual focus lenses and SE mount lenses.
In-camera aperture control ring drive: automatic aperture ring control is enabled via adapter on select manual focus lenses with an outside diameter up to 60 mm and with a total length up to 120 mm. SE mount lenses also use this aperture control drive without the need of an adapter.
Post-Processing unit
On its own, the Post-Processing Unit is a x86-based desktop-replacement mobile computer. As such it handles the post-processing duties of the RAW files created by the Photowebs cameras.
When two Base Cameras are attached to the opposite ends of the Post-Processing Unit, the latter is transformed into a multi-functional, multi-lens 2D and 3D system camera.
Optional Modules
Remote-viewfinder
If you do not have a remote computer or smart-phone at hand - with the necessary Photowebs Remote Control software installed - you will need at least one remote-viewfinder module to act as an MMI (Man Machine Interface). The remote-viewfinder is locked in place such as a lens cap and covers the lens opening of one of the base camera sub-systems to make it possible to use the opposite sub-system as a single functioning camera.
As an alternative, you can install the included lens mount cap and use the processor based remote-viewfinder as a remote control.
LCD Remote
This unit is similar to the viewfinder remote. The eye-level viewfinder is replaced by a a 2.8" LCD panel.
Ring Flash
When attached in front of a Photowebs lens or lens adapter, the battery powered, Bluetooth enabled ring flash offers flash illumination suitable for macro photography. The sensor-based focusing system of the base camera makes it possible for any lens to work in macro mode.
Introduction
Just as the Photowebs Camera System is modular, so is the SLD Project.
If you have not done yet, and for a more detailed description of each modular component please visit the "Modular Concept" page of this site.
The main structure of the SLD Project is divided in two main parts:
The Hardware Project:
Each hardware component that comprises the Photowebs Camera System has it's own project structure and name:
Base Camera: this is the foundation of the camera system. It consists of the base camera chassis, frame, focusing system, sensor rotation system, lens mount, lens support, cpu, and camera battery.
Sensor Module: each sensor module consists of the base sensor and the sensor module support.
Lens System: the proprietary lens system consists of the base lens casing, lens element module, and aperture control system.
Lens Adapter: Standard lens adapters for a series of active and legacy camera systems.
Post-Processing Unit : This unit serves two purposes: first as a mobile desktop replacement and second as a enhanced live-view and control unit when two base cameras are attached at opposite ends of the post-processing unit.
Optional Modules
Remote-viewfinder: the Remote-viewfinder is an enhanced eye-level LCD screen for the Base Camera that also acts as a remote control unit.
LCD-Remote
This battery powered unit is similar to the viewfinder-remote with the eye-level LCD replaced by a 2.8" lcd panel.
Ring Flash
When attached in front of a Photowebs lens or lens adapter, the battery powered, Bluetooth enabled ring flash offers flash illumination suitable for macro photography. The sensor-based focusing system of the base camera makes it possible for any lens to work in macro mode.
The Software Project:
Each processor-based hardware component has its own software project divided into four parts:
Operating System Environment: the Base Camera and Remote-viewfinder components each have a single RTOS (Real Time Operating System) operating system. The central Post-Processing Unit has a multi-boot environment consisting of a Linux-based RTOS, a desktop Linux OS, a desktop Android OS, and a pre-configured bootable logical volume for a user -installed desktop OS of their choice. The Post-Processing unit LCD-Remote Control has an Android and Sailfish OS.
User Interface: the RTOS operating systems each have their own custom user interfaces. The desktop Linux operating system runs under the KDE desktop UI and the KDE Plasma UI. The Sailfish OS uses the KDE Plasma UI. The Android operating systems use their respective default UIs.
Application Feature-set:
Desktop Linux: Digkam, Inkscape, Gimp, Droidmote, Gwenview, Libre Office, Okular, K3b, Kate, Amarok, Blender, Firefox, Opera, rekonq
Android : default and user-installed applications
RTOS Linux: camera control, sensor RAW processing, focus system, sensor rotation, flange-back positioning, remote control.
Network: each processor-based component has its own NodeJS-based server and is wifi enabled.
Downloads
The SLD Project uses Git to manage and distribute the software used with Photowebs Modular System Camera.
Join & Contribute
The SLD Project uses the Projectfork software application to manage and track all aspects of the design, engineering and development of the Photowebs Modular System Camera.
The Projectfork software application is based on two concepts: Projects and Groups.
Projects: Visit the Introduction page to get a better understanding of how The SLD Project is structured.
Groups: each component project of The SLD Project has one or more Groups assigned to it.
If you wish to contribute to a particular component project, you must first register and login to the Photowebs Site You then visit the Projectfork page choose one of the component projects and request to join one of the assigned groups:
Viewer Group
If you are an end user, download some of the applications offered to you on this site and try them on your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone and if you like what you have tried out, or if you have an idea to improve an application, log-in to the Projectfork component project of your choice and ask to join the Viewer Group to give your feedback.
Contributor Group
If you have a new or existing software application that has yet to be developed or integrated into the existing Photowebs software environment log-in to the Projectfork component project of your choice and ask to join the Contributor Group.
Developer Group
If you are a software developer and would like to participate in the improvement of a particular Photowebs Application, log-in to the Projectfork component project of your choice and ask to join the Developer Group.
Supplier Group
If you are a chosen or potential component supplier, consider offering samples of the relevant parts needed to complete prototypes of the Photowebs System Camera. Either send an encrypted email to the developer at 4021851_at_hushmail_dot_com and mention supplier in the subject line or log-in to the Projectfork component project of your choice and ask to join the the Suppliers Group.
