Conversion of the Kowa RC-2 camera to a digital version, instructions for use, and postprocessing of the images.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe a means of converting the Kowa RC-2 camera to a digital version. PROCEDURE: The optic (OP) and the film portions (FP) of the Kowa RC-2 were separated. The lateral rails were unscrewed from the front plate of the FP. The front plate was detached from the FP. The plate was fixed to an anodized aluminum plate (AAP). The rails were screwed back onto the front plate. This system was reattached to the OP by means of the rails. A T2-E mount ring was screwed onto the AAP and fixed to a digital camera body (DCB). A flash sync extension cord was used to connect the flash cable of the Kowa to the DCB. The images obtained with the converted Kowa were inverted horizontally and vertically using image processing software. RESULTS: The images obtained with the converted Kowa RC-2 were identical in format to those using the film version with a circular image surrounded by a black rectangle. The imaged ocular structures were accurately depicted, appearing upside down and reversed on the LCD screen. The DCB was set to manual mode and focus. The shutter speed was initially set to 1/250 s, and the ISO was adjusted based on the ocular structure being photographed. An extra filter had to be placed over the light source to dim the light when imaging reflective fundi. CONCLUSION: The converted digital version of the Kowa RC-2 as described provides an affordable means of obtaining high-quality images of various ocular structures.