C300: Canon EF Locking Mount Experience
- Thread starter cpreston
- Start date
kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
Yes I have experience with the EF Locking Mount on the c300 mk ii, but not the c500 or c700. I had the swap made because we were using the Canon 17 120. Can't speak to the Canon 18 80 as I've not yet mounted it to my camera - sorely tempted to pick one up.
It terms of strengthening the mount, it seems more solid for sure. It can be slightly finicky lining up the lens properly. Sometimes takes more than one try if I'm moving too quickly and don't have an AC.
As to whether it's worth it or not, it's a bit of judgement call. It cost just under $2400 all told. Seemed worth it at the time, but as I've been using L Series glass again for the most part, I'm not so sure.
It terms of strengthening the mount, it seems more solid for sure. It can be slightly finicky lining up the lens properly. Sometimes takes more than one try if I'm moving too quickly and don't have an AC.
As to whether it's worth it or not, it's a bit of judgement call. It cost just under $2400 all told. Seemed worth it at the time, but as I've been using L Series glass again for the most part, I'm not so sure.
Eric Coughlin
Veteran
I gather you still need lens support with the locking mount and 17-120?
kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
Yes for sure. Can't say as I tried without support though. If I recall correctly, you use the CN-E zooms often, yes? Have you considered getting the Locking Mount?
I should say that my only hesitancy now is whether the expense justifies the benefit. There's no doubt that I much prefer the EF Locking Mount.
Eric Coughlin
Veteran
I guess I haven't really thought about it too much. If it doesn't mean I don't need support for the CN-e zooms, then I don't see much benefit to it. I can see the benefit when using the 18-80, as you say, though, as the servo part gets in the way and often hits the baseplate when removing the lens. I think the 18-80 is most at home on reality TV and live TV types of shoots where you're not changing lenses often or at all. So far I haven't been much of a fan of it for grab and go b-roll using a variety of lenses.
I often use the Zacuto Lens Supports which are quick release with my 15.5-47 and 30-105 CN-e zooms, so it's a pretty good setup. No servo part to get in the way either. It can be finicky and time consuming to dial in the correct height distances on the lens support using allen keys when going from one baseplate to another, but once it's dialed in it works well so is pretty quick to change lenses while on set. That wouldn't work with the 17-120, though, which is the next big lens on my list of things to buy, perhaps next year.
I was once an AC/DIT on a shoot where they rented my C300 Mark II which they used with L-series lenses, and rented a second C300 Mark II which they used with the 17-120, EF mount. They didn't have lens support (guess the rental didn't send that or get ordered), so with some follow focus pieces and gaff tape I jerry-rigged some lens support, which the cam op later took off, and then they stupidly used the camera and lens without lens support. Who knows if anything got loosened, otherwise no noticeable signs of damage.
I often use the Zacuto Lens Supports which are quick release with my 15.5-47 and 30-105 CN-e zooms, so it's a pretty good setup. No servo part to get in the way either. It can be finicky and time consuming to dial in the correct height distances on the lens support using allen keys when going from one baseplate to another, but once it's dialed in it works well so is pretty quick to change lenses while on set. That wouldn't work with the 17-120, though, which is the next big lens on my list of things to buy, perhaps next year.
I was once an AC/DIT on a shoot where they rented my C300 Mark II which they used with L-series lenses, and rented a second C300 Mark II which they used with the 17-120, EF mount. They didn't have lens support (guess the rental didn't send that or get ordered), so with some follow focus pieces and gaff tape I jerry-rigged some lens support, which the cam op later took off, and then they stupidly used the camera and lens without lens support. Who knows if anything got loosened, otherwise no noticeable signs of damage.
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kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
That Zacuto lens support looks really great. I can relate to feeling the pull of the 17 120. It's a great lens. Would love to own one.
I also can't say definitively that you'd still need lens support. It's beyond my experience. I didn't try it because hard knocks have conditioned me to be pretty conservative about protecting gear. TBH, I'd probably forgo trying it because it doesn't take much to loosen the EF contacts. That's me though.
And... oh man... you did that crew a solid by rigging some kind of lens support. Putting that lens on an EF mount with no support is not a wise choice IMO. Glad it wasn't my gear they were renting.
cpreston
Veteran
So, can a lens be changed with one hand or with the locking mount or does it require coming around the front of the camera and easing the lens into the correct position? If it is a much slower mount than the regular ef mount, which seems to have been designed for a quick lens change by a photographer while holding onto the camera, I wouldn't consider it worthwhile.
kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
I use two hands. The lens needs to be precisely flush with the mount, then dial the locking mechanism. Perhaps it's possible to engage the lock with one hand, but I haven't tried.