AF100 + Live Lens MFT + Tokina 11-16 = FAIL?

A

Andrew J. Allsbury

Well-known member
I am using a Redrock Micro Live Lens MFT on my AF100 with a Tokina 11-16 f2.8 lens. Two large issues:

- Play in the mount is massive, I have $15 adapters off of ebay with less wiggle room.
- Can't seem to reach infinity focus. I don't have anything else in today that I can compare with, but infinity seems waaay soft at all f-stops and focal lengths.

Anybody else having this problem? Is there any way to adjust backfocus with this mount? Is there any way to adjust for play? (I see a small screw built into the mount threads, but don't have a screwdriver that small)
I own other Redrock equipment and have never had quality issues like this...currently pretty disappointed.

Need this combo to work asap, any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
 
As a rule of thumb I hope people contact the manufacture before they air it out on the net. Not passing judgement on the issue you have but I feel it’s a courtesy.
 
Well, I am on my second RMM Live Lens and not all is well.
Frankly I do not see a lack of courtesy on the OP behalf just because he is in need of a prompt solution. He is simply asking for help in this forum hoping to find an answer in some else experience. He needs a solution ASAP and based in my personal experience, it could take up to three weeks to resolve the issue.
Andrew; I can confirm that my Tokina 11-16 does focus on infinity. However, just like you are experiencing, the adapter feels loose at ends, camera and lens. In my case the Tokina will not even stay lock in place. The simple rotation of the zoom will dislodge the lens from the mount. And yes this is with my second adapter. The first one exhibited the same problems. In fact, in two consecutive days by two different camera operators, two Canon lenses felt off the adapter while trying to rotate the zoom. By the third day of the shoot the adapter went dead. We just got the replacement adapter back this week.
Is it now wrong to relate your experiences to your fellow forum members?
 
chervas said:
Well, I am on my second RMM Live Lens and not all is well.
Frankly I do not see a lack of courtesy on the OP behalf just because he is in need of a prompt solution. He is simply asking for help in this forum hoping to find an answer in some else experience. He needs a solution ASAP and based in my personal experience, it could take up to three weeks to resolve the issue.
Andrew; I can confirm that my Tokina 11-16 does focus on infinity. However, just like you are experiencing, the adapter feels loose at ends, camera and lens. In my case the Tokina will not even stay lock in place. The simple rotation of the zoom will dislodge the lens from the mount. And yes this is with my second adapter. The first one exhibited the same problems. In fact, in two consecutive days by two different camera operators, two Canon lenses felt off the adapter while trying to rotate the zoom. By the third day of the shoot the adapter went dead. We just got the replacement adapter back this week.
Is it now wrong to relate your experiences to your fellow forum members?
Click to expand...

Chervas,

Nothing wrong with everyone sharing experiences, it's why the forum is strong, and in fact it helps us manufacturers who are active in the community. How was your second LiveLens? Were the issues resolved?
 
Just saying. I hope people contact the manufacture directly when they have issues. I wasn’t passing judgement. No need to get pissy. I’m here to help as well as to learn.
 
It isn't wrong to chime in about one's experiences with an accessory- but put yourself in the manufacturer's shoes. If a customer had a problem with your device, wouldn't you want them to contact you with issues or questions on it's usage? i.e. is there back-focus/play adjustment? Or would you want them to go straight to a forum of potential customers using words like "disappointment", "quality issues" and "fail". Just my 2 cents...

The OP hasn't said whether or not he tried RRM support- so we don't know.

Chevras- you did give RRM the benefit of the doubt, and this was your second encounter with the device. However regarding the OP- although Andrew's concerns are valid, he might have gotten quicker/more accurate assistance directly from the source first. They do have a toll free number btw.
 
Hello Guys
I have a Panasonic AF-101 from October, and I've been desperately looking for the perfect lens for this camera since that time. I studied lenses like Olympus 14-35 f/2.0, Zeiss ZF.2 primes, Nikon glass,etc.
Until yesterday I had a touch of clairvoyance, if I have the Canon 7D and the following lenses - Canon EF 100m f/2.8 Macro USM IS L and the Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM - why not to buy the LiveLens MTF Redrock Micro's?

Then I saw this video:
http://vimeo.com/31067362 and thought, that's just what I want.

I was happily, and now, I come to the forum and the problems are back, or is the Kipon, or is the Birger that is never invented, and now is the LiveLens that seems to be full of problems.

One thing I noticed is that you can not control IS, do you guys think it is essential for video? I say this because it is the first time I have a video camera, and in photography I do not miss that, but in video I have no clue.

Another issue that I heard here in the forum is that the lens is unscrewed from the adapter and fell, is because of these situations that exist this thing´s:
http://store.redrockmicro.com/Catalog/Accessories/microLensSupport

Another thing I did not understand about this adapter, I know that an external power source such as the 9v Battery power cable is required to power the unit. But in the Redrock Micro's page says:
"How long does the 9v battery last? The 9V battery can power the unit for about 20 hours depending on how frequently aperture is adjusted".
And when the battery runs out, what should i do?
Do I have to recharge, or simply have to buy another one?

Excuse me for my ignorance but I did not understand.

Regards
Victor Hugo

PS - BTW, in Portugal which store I shall go if I am a problem with this adapter?
 
The battery for the Redrock adapter is just a standard rectangular 9V alkaline "transistor radio" battery with snap terminals that -- at least in the U.S. -- is commonly available in any store. You replace it when it dies. There are also rechargeable nickel metal-hydride and lithium ion batteries available in that size, but buying yet another charger and keeping up the discipline of charging them seems like too much bother for this function to me. I just keep a couple of spare batteries in my camera case and am ready in case one fails. So far, I haven't worn out the first battery in my Redrock.

It would be great if the Redrock adapter could activate the IS function in my Canon lenses, but unfortunately, it is not designed to do that. IS is a valuable feature and I would be happy to have it, but it has not been common on any cinema or video cameras until the last few years. I grew up learning to shoot without it and can continue to do so until the Birger mount or some other way to activate it is available. I use my AF100 on a tripod most of the time, especially when shooting with long lenses, and IS can sometimes produce spurious jumps in the image when shooting on a tripod anyway.

A lens support is recommended with any lens over 1 kg or so on the AF100. The Redrock adapter does not change this specification nor make the lens any more prone to falling off than it would be on any other camera setup. I did encounter one lens in my collection (a Sigma 30mm f/1.4) that doesn't lock onto the Redrock adapter correctly, so I won't be able to use that one with my AF100 for now. The genuine Canon lenses I have all lock on securely.

- Greg
 
First off I love our live lens mount. Haven't had any problems with it aside from the odd lens not being controlled. However I also bought the 11-16 and it dosen't focus to infinity either. It works fine on our 7d and 5d. I have heard that focusing to infinity is really hard due to needing really tight tolerances on ultra wides . I will be calling RR to see if they have a solution I really want to use this lens.
 
Also having issues with the Tokina 11-16. Seems like its just a touch too far away from the sensor to focus properly. I have an email into RedRock right now to see what's up, but in the mean time I bought a KIWI brand 4/3 to EF hard-mount adapter (no lens control). It does work with the 11-16mm but boy does it fit on the camera tightly! I did have another eBay-brand hard mount, but only the KIWI seems to work with the ultra wide. Got it at my local National Camera shop for $40 if it helps anyone in a pinch.

UPDATE: Sent in my LiveLens to Redrock and they promptly repaired the mount to full working order. Not sure what was going on, but now the fit between lens and the adapter is more secure, and the 11-16mm focuses to infinity properly. Couldn't be happier with the Redrock customer service. As for the fit between the AF100 and ANY 4/3 adapter or lens, well, that's another story...
 
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