Sprocket Rocket Filter Ring Mod

In our last episode, I found myself taping a green filter to my Lomography Sprocket Rocket. I liked the results very much, but didn’t like the tape job. Also, the Bay-1 filter I used was actually visible in some frames depending on focus. So, it’s time for a mod!

I got a 43mm -> 52mm filter step-up ring. There are two screws on the face of the Rocket, but get this: those are ornamental. I tried to unscrew them but they don’t catch. I think they’re rivets. So the circumference of the area between the “screws” and the lens is perfect for 43mm. I happen to have a bunch of 52mm filters so this works out well. Given the extreme wide field of view I worry that something narrower, say a 48mm filter plus the step up ring, might actually extend out far enough to be visible in the frame. 52mm seems perfect.

I sanded the back edge of the step up ring to remove the anodized black and give my cement a better chance to hold. Then I used contact cement to affix it to the face of the Rocket. The seal feels pretty solid to me.

Now I’m ready to shoot some Tri-X pushed to 1600.. and beyond!

UPDATE: See results here.

And yes, if you missed my custom covering for the Sprocket Rocket, details on that are here.

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8 Responses

1. Felix Sanchez says:

   13 May, 2012 at 5:23 am

   For a fellow Sprocket Rocketeer this is outmost interesting. Where can I see some of the photos you’ve shot with this setup?

   Reply
   • MickO says:

     15 May, 2012 at 12:53 pm

     I will be shooting some this week!

     Reply
2. Sprocket Rocket Filter Ring Results - redfishingboat says:

   28 May, 2012 at 10:39 pm

   [...] results of the Sprocket Rocket Filter Ring mod: Here are some shots with a red 52mm filter. The pickup is white and faded green, and the red [...]

   Reply
3. Michelle says:

   15 July, 2012 at 9:25 am

   I love my Sprocket Rocket and being able to put a filter on it is good news! I’m no professional photographer and just shoot for fun, so excuse my ignorance with the following question: how do you remove the filter if you place it on with cement? Can you take it off easily? I don’t want to risk damaging the camera or the filter.

   Also, FYI, I’m interested in the filter for infrared photography, so this wouldn’t be something I use often. Just knowing it’s possible though has me excited!

   Reply
   • MickO says:

     15 July, 2012 at 12:10 pm

     Michelle, I glue the step-up ring on. Then the filter screws into (and back off of) the ring. Here is an example of one:

     http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Step-Up-Adapter-Ring-Filter/dp/B0002GVX8A

     Reply
     • Michelle says:

       15 July, 2012 at 6:46 pm

       Thank you so much for the info and link!! If I have stuff that comes out, I surely will!

       Reply
   • MickO says:

     15 July, 2012 at 12:14 pm

     Good luck with the IR photography! For super long exposures, you’ll probably need to go into Bulb mode and lock the shutter lever with a rubber band, then use a box top or something to stop the exposure manually. Put links to your stuff so we can check it out!

     Reply
4. Nice Tri X Filters photos | Hot Spring Parts and Filters says:

   18 May, 2013 at 4:52 am

   [...] (Reposted from my blog: redfishingboat.com/2012/05/sprocket-rocket-filter-ring-mod/) [...]

   Reply