35mm lens gears

tlorenzo

tlorenzo

Well-known member
I'm looking for some lens gears for my Zeiss ZF lenses for use with the Redrock M2. I know Redrock makes some, but let's be honest - they're just not sexy. I also looked at the ones they sell at Cinevate.com (Brevis) which used to be sold by Dan Diaconu, but they screw into the lens and I really don't want to molest my beautiful Zeiss lenses. Any suggestions?
 
pureHVX said:
Zacuto's are nice ... for a little more change there are also the ones available through Brevis that Dan Diaconu had designed. They sit up off the lens and allow 360˚ rotation. They work really well.

http://www.cinevate.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=41

Jason
Click to expand...

Yeah I mentioned those, but they screw into the lens and will undoubtedly make some marks on the lens (which I'd really like to avoid). That's why the Zacuto looks nicer in this respect - though the Cinevate ones look more sexy which - as we all know - is an important sellingpoint ;-)
 
300$ for four plastik rings??? (Please don´t tell me it is a small market with low demand for it, they won´t turn golden from that...)
Ok, I´ll post that on the DIY-most-wanted thread...
 
Yes they are quite expensive, but they supposed to work well and there is not to many alternative.
 
I'm working on a DIY FF using the Ikelite aperture gears I got for $5 a piece at B&H. They only go 180degrees or a little more, and come in a few diameters, but if they fit your lens, you just saved a ton of cash.

They are standard 32TPI.

Dan's/Cinevates look like the best design out there, and if you put a little rubber foot below each screw, it wouldn't damage the lens. If money was no object, I'd be running those for sure. They also have the benefit of maintaining lens gear diameter between various lenses, so you wouldn't have to adjust your FF every time you swapped lenses. (unless your lens was much longer/shorter than the other)



-Tom
 
Zacuto

Zacuto

zacuto said:
My gear system is $310 for 5 gears, that comes out to $62 per gear. It is a very elegant .8 pitch (standard film pitch) solution that will work on any lens under 8" in diameter. Another great feature about ZipGears is they don't change the rotation of the lens by making the lens barrell larger and we have stoppers that can be purchased seperately to create hard stops at various points. Also, anyone who contacts me form DVXuser will get an additional 10% off, that brings it to $55/gear. Standard Zacuto lifetime warranty. Zacuto Zipgears: http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?...4&cat=0&page=1
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Z-ZG-PLK4.jpg

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Hi Zacuto,

Two things,

1) I had just received my item : http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=74&cat=8&page=1

Thanks, but I'm very disappointed, you were supposed to send me a fifth one with my order and I have received only 4.

here is your promotion : Receive a fifth ZipGear free on purchases made by May 31, 2007.

2) I said I went to your site from DVXuser.com, I had no diccount at all.


Please, can you send me the fifth one who is missing in my packaging and that I should have receive and give me my discount of 10%. I already gave good advise on your product, so...

I had PM you for that. Thank you.
 
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Hey DVXusers,

I got a very quick answer from Steve at Zacuto. It was just a little mistake. : )

I had the time to try one and it's work perfectly.

Thanks again Steve.
 
Focus Gear Review

Focus Gear Review

I've used all three gears: Redrock, Zip and Cinevate.

Redrock may not be sexy but they work really well and require no tools. The increase in diameter is actually quite welcome with the small barrel and narrow focus markings on many of your Nikon primes. It ends up making the witness marks on your follow focus more spread apart hence more precise. Main issue is I have to use black paper tape on the backside of the ring to prevent light kicking throug it's grid and flaring my filters. Price is good.

Zacuto rings like everything they design just plain work. I use them on my large barrel Nikons (which are too large for even the widest RR ring). No play. Absolutely secure and don't damage your lens. It can't 360 but anyone who uses lenses knows this is BS since with still lenses (the only reason for gears) you can't rotate 360 degrees.

Cinevate Ring though made from aluminum have issues. There's no allen head/hole on the outside of the ring. To tighten it, well, you just have to get your fingers in there between the lens and the ring and then try and tighten the screw shaft that way - neither quick, accurate or secure. Also, you have to have the exact amount of distance with all four screws to have a truly centered rotation. If not you will get slop/looseness against your follow focus gear. I returned it immediately.

Probably buy some more Zacuto rings. 62 dollars a pop is not bad considering they really work in the real world.

Tim Naylor DP
www.timnaylor.com

HVX 200
SG PRO user
Nikon Primes 24,35,50,85,105,135
 
Tim, sadly, out of several hundred rings sent out, I believe yours was the only one we've every had returned. Feedback from users (other than this post) has been excellent.
 
Dennis,
You're product is beautifully machined. It would take literally four holes drilled/tapped above the screw on the outside with an allen female, to create a more precise and easy to use lock. Do that it would be the best ring bar none. Aluminum wears better than plastic. When the gap between lens and ring is small, it's next to impossible to get a secure lock unless you have tiny fingers or jam some needle nose plyers into the mix. This method is ludicrous despite the musings of luddites.

Regarding favorable reviews, take a customer service survey of those you sold them too. People are more likely to sing praises in a public forum than post criticism for fear of backlash. You may be surprised at what they say in private.

In short this product is four holes away from perfection.

Tim Naylor - DP
 
Thanks for the feedback Tim. What you're suggesting is not a difficult thing for the next production run of these.
 
The only other thing I'd change is: on your site, specify the diameter range for each ring. The ring I had was not a one size fits all (wouldn't work on my Nikon 135 or 200). If there's more than one ring size, show the specs. Anyway, I look foreward to the update.

Tim

PS. when's the FFocus out?
 
TLorenzo,
How about just putting a wide rubberband around your lens before you attach the cinevate ring. I would thing that would work well and keep from damaging your lense.
Just a thought.
 
Tim Naylor said:
The ring I had was not a one size fits all (wouldn't work on my Nikon 135 or 200). If there's more than one ring size, show the specs.
Click to expand...
The focus gears are all 100mm dia and they all fit on all tested lenses (including the 135 and 200 Nikon). The socket screws should be of apropriatte lenght though (1/3", 1/4" aso) for each lens. Other than that, they work fine on my lenses.
Best,
Dan
http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view/741898547/UNIVERSAL_SLR_FOCUS_GEAR/s100_1685.jpg.html
 
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That's great Dan. Those pics explain alot. I only got one set of socket screws which did not work on all my lenses, too short. Also, how do you tighten them on the larger diameter lenses? I found it a pain to try and get in that gap. What's the secret?
 
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