Support for Nikkor 80-200mm lens

[Lor]

If I purchased a Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 for my 35mm adapter, what sort of support do I need so that it will not ruine the thread on my 35mm adapter and my camera?

[lovetrumpsfear]

http://geardear.com/longlenspics.html

Several mfr's make them, that's one of the cheaper solutions. Zacuto makes one as well, but it's about $350.

[Lenilenapi]

geardear is good , but don't over tighten the screw that tightens to the rails, mine split as a result. Still I recommend it. I don't use the strap that goes around the lens though, just the support.

[Lor]

Thanks for the response. I'll check out the GearDear. At this point, I do not plan to buy anything from Zacuto.

[Joseph Stunzi]

Redrock makes a lens support as does Zacuto. I recommend both.

[LuckyStudio 13]

You dont need support for 80-200, the lens is not that heavy. How do I know ? I own the lens. But, if you insists, just get this cheap one from cavision (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472623-REG/Cavision_R15LS25SET_R15_LS25SET_Lens_Bracket_Suppo rt.html)

[lovetrumpsfear]

Thanks for the response. I'll check out the GearDear. At this point, I do not plan to buy anything from Zacuto.

Is that an issue with price (a valid objection for many indie filmmakers), or some other beef with the Z?

[Lor]

You dont need support for 80-200, the lens is not that heavy. How do I know ? I own the lens. But, if you insists, just get this cheap one from cavision (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472623-REG/Cavision_R15LS25SET_R15_LS25SET_Lens_Bracket_Suppo rt.html)

Thanks! I'll definitely check the Cavision version. It looks within my price range.

[Joseph Stunzi]

That Cavision one looks poorly constructed. Get Redrock's if you want low cost with good build quality.

[Lor]

Is that an issue with price (a valid objection for many indie filmmakers), or some other beef with the Z?

Yes. If I have the money I would buy everything made by Zacuto and none of the cheap stuff I've purchased in the past that makes my life misearable. That being said, I would not be able to buy Zacuto's product for a long long time. I would find a comparable alternatives to Zacuto's product.

[Lor]

That Cavision one looks poorly constructed. Get Redrock's if you want low cost with good build quality.

Are you referring to this (http://www.redrockmicro.com/microLensSupport.html)?

[Joseph Stunzi]

Yup. that's the one. For $100 it looks pretty solid and simple.

[LuckyStudio 13]

Its just a piece of alluminium block to rest the lens not a mission critical piece of equipment. I wouldnt want to spend extra $35 just for the redrock name, not to mention their OUTRAGEOUS shipping charges.

[Joseph Stunzi]

outrageous shipping charges? I've never had any problems personally. And I enjoy the availability of everyone over at Redrock!

[LuckyStudio 13]

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=140149&highlight=redrock+shipping

[Joseph Stunzi]

That's a simple email to Brian my friend. He can set that straight.

[bvalente]

LuckyStudio

you should check our shipping charges now - now they are extremely reasonable - especially fedex ground within the continental US

My own personal experience is yes, you can get away without having a lens support if you aren't moving your camera much, but I would much prefer to have it supported


Brian

[aurantaurant]

Is that lens an Auto Focus?

[Joseph Stunzi]

Yes, but the 80-200 has manual aperture ring on the outside. The 70-200 VR (new boy) doesn't have a manual ring. I love the 80-200. Both 70-200 and 80-200 have autofocus... not much good for adapter use obviously... but great when you wanna slap it on your D90 or something.

[bvalente]

True - G type lenses do not have an aperture ring. That's why the older 80-200 are great solutions for adapters, and less expensive to boot


Brian

[Lor]

I just discovered that Zacutor has a really nice lens support (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/665488-REG/Zacuto_Z_1_4_LS2_5_1_4_20_Lens_Support.html). However, the price is way too expensive for me. I ended up making my own for less than $6.

[roro20]

I use this Letus support for my 80-200 2.8- http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-v1-front-bracket.html

Made to support the Letus, but works great for heavier lenses.

[Lor]

I use this Letus support for my 80-200 2.8- http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-v1-front-bracket.html

Made to support the Letus, but works great for heavier lenses.

The support looks like it's curve so it won't work with the 80-200mm lens.

[Ted Ramasola]

Its hard to find one so I just made one the other day.
I saw this post and thought I'd share it with you guys.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/6699/1262188759.jpg

[Lor]

Thanks for that. My $6 version are very similar to yours too. It's made out of aluminum. Although it does not look professional as Zacuto's version, it's 3,750 percent cheaper.

[Ted Ramasola]

it's 3,750 percent cheaper.

Hahaha! If it did the job Lor then it doesnt matter what it looks like.
Mines aluminum too. Except the rubber padded steel plate with a bolt. I chose that part to be metal as it won't bend when tightened.

[natxbrotha]

I think a diy lens support is great if you don't have to rely on it in front a client or a pay gig. There is nothing worse than having a piece of gear fail on you during a shoot, believe me you don't want to have that happen. I have been using the redrock lens support for a few years now with my 400mm lens and I couldn't be happier. The price, quality, and communication I have ha with redrock has been great too. Everyone has their own expeiences with companies and I thought I would share mine. Zacuto makes good gear, but at a different price point. If you do consider upgrading some day to a different more professional looking rig check out the redrock stuff. I wish I could keep rocking my diy stuff, oh well... Just keep shooting and have fun!

[Ted Ramasola]

Almost all my stuff are diy in the same family tradition that my grandfather made DIY stuff when he started our family photography business in 1920's.
Our reputation in the community we serve is based on our work and output and not on the equipment we use.

In 2005 I made my DIY lens adapter, i made 3 since then, I NEVER bought a branded one since I knew its a transitional phase in the technology, last month, I placed our 1st lens DIY lens adapter for mid format lenses in a glass case in our photography museum beside our 100 year old KORONA view camera. -the lens adapter phase is coming to a close due to new technology. -our DIY lens adapters have been used for high end real estate commercials and government projects, so yeah, DIY doesnt mean its inferior.

DIY is how these "branded" stuff started anyway.

[natxbrotha]

teddybear, I totally understand what you are saying in terms of clients basing your work off of your output and not the equipment used, but... where I work (DFW area in Texas) we get paid by the hour on most jobs and everyone wants the lowest bottom line... and if my equipment started malfunctioning during the time I'm getting paid as well as the rest of the crew and actors that are getting paid by the hour, that just upped the clients budget... and that would probably get me fired or never get asked to do work for them again. Not only does my end result make the client happy, but the peace of mind knowing they paid a professional with professional equipment can and will keep them at bay (from my experience). If you work in a community where you can get away with DIY gear and that is how you wish to represent yourself, by all means, get paid and make it happen! This is my philosophy just as you have your own and thats what makes us all individuals and makes the world go round. I'm not trying to burn you at all, just giving my view on the subject.

[Ted Ramasola]

No probs there natxbrotha,

FYI, even tho Im half way around the world which runs on a different philosophy, my wife lives and works in DALLAS near you. :-) more precisely, she lives in Allen but takes the DART to work in Presby hospital in Dallas.


p.s. if I go there for a visit, lets have some coffee.

[Ted Spencer]

I found that the RR mattebox's rubber "donut" ring holds up the end of my 80-200 just fine with no need for additional support. The MB requires rails of course, so it's all part of a larger system cost-wise, but I had thought I'd have to separately support the end of the lens. With the mattebox attached, I don't.

[Ted Ramasola]

I also tried this approach Ted, I let the donut get a snug fit and support the end of my bigger lenses.
When I use my lens adapter with nikon mount/lenses I was fine.
But now, I use a 7D with nikon lenses AND my diy follow focus which requires constant friction and slight pressure, plus the use of a nikon to canon adapter, this pushes the long 80-200 lens off the center of the MB. This forced me to mod a support for it. It was more to prevent a sideways movement than up and down.

[Ted Spencer]

I have the RR FF connected as well, and haven't noticed any tendency of the lens to get pushed around (fortunately). The rest of the setup is an HVX200A and Letus Extreme with their HVX-specific achromat/ring, improved Nikon mount, and rail system that includes a support for the adapter. It all seems to play quite nicely together.

[Ted Ramasola]

I wont have a problem if my ff used gears. Mine relies on traction / friction.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=185853

[Joseph Stunzi]

Gearless FF! That sounds like slop and play to me!

I agree with the "in front of a client" aspect of DIY products.

Letus's lens mount pin seems very loose to me... seems like the first thing I'd lose.

[Lor]

I just found that Cinevate has one support that basically the same as I've made (DIY style) but looks way much better than my home made version.

http://www.cinevate.com/catalog/images/catalog_lensesupport.jpg
The price is more reasonable to me than some other places.