Century optics focus ring
- Thread starter ddh
- Start date
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Monglane
Well-known member
Re: Century optics focus ring (faulty threading)
Re: Century optics focus ring (faulty threading)
I was just about to start a topic concerning the Century focus ring, which I tried to install a few days ago.
It comprises three elements : a black ring with gear dents on it, which fits snugly over and around the DVX's focusing ring by means of a clamp screw ; a white ring that slips over the black one and is used for writing focus marks (e.g., with 2B or 3B pencil) ; and two black half-rings that you're supposed to assemble around the lens barrel by means of two M2 screws.
Those half-rings are supposed to provide lockout positions for infinity and "Macro" ranges.
The problem I have is that one of the two inside threadings of the upper half-ring is faulty : the screw doesn't catch. Therefore, I cannot tighten the two half-rings around the lens barrel and the whole thing is unusable.
I proceeded very carefully, with my own set of Bost screwdrivers (not the little screwdriver that comes with the package), so I couldn't possibly have damaged the threading through careless manipulation.
I wrote to Century Optics about that on June 13 but have received no response from them yet...
Thus, my opinion on the product is reserved for the moment... but I've already formed an opinion on Century's customer service : not what you'd call very responsive...
Re: Century optics focus ring (faulty threading)
I was just about to start a topic concerning the Century focus ring, which I tried to install a few days ago.
It comprises three elements : a black ring with gear dents on it, which fits snugly over and around the DVX's focusing ring by means of a clamp screw ; a white ring that slips over the black one and is used for writing focus marks (e.g., with 2B or 3B pencil) ; and two black half-rings that you're supposed to assemble around the lens barrel by means of two M2 screws.
Those half-rings are supposed to provide lockout positions for infinity and "Macro" ranges.
The problem I have is that one of the two inside threadings of the upper half-ring is faulty : the screw doesn't catch. Therefore, I cannot tighten the two half-rings around the lens barrel and the whole thing is unusable.
I proceeded very carefully, with my own set of Bost screwdrivers (not the little screwdriver that comes with the package), so I couldn't possibly have damaged the threading through careless manipulation.
I wrote to Century Optics about that on June 13 but have received no response from them yet...
Thus, my opinion on the product is reserved for the moment... but I've already formed an opinion on Century's customer service : not what you'd call very responsive...
cur-sed_neil
Active member
Re: Century optics focus ring
hey boo.
you need the century manual focus adapter in order to use the cavision or chroziel follow focus unit. if you don't have the century unit, then a follow focus won't work... there will be no way to turn the "gear". i use the century manual focus adapter with the chroziel follow focus and it is fantastic... i can't imagine having to use the stock focus ring that spins to infinity and beyond! but then again, i only shoot fiction. no automatic settings allowed!
cheers.
hey boo.
you need the century manual focus adapter in order to use the cavision or chroziel follow focus unit. if you don't have the century unit, then a follow focus won't work... there will be no way to turn the "gear". i use the century manual focus adapter with the chroziel follow focus and it is fantastic... i can't imagine having to use the stock focus ring that spins to infinity and beyond! but then again, i only shoot fiction. no automatic settings allowed!
cheers.
cur-sed_neil
Active member
Re: Century optics focus ring
for sure the manual focus ring can be used alone... it eliminates the focus ring spinning forever by setting "minimum" and "maximum" focus points; you can even use a dry erase marker to mark focus points...
however, keep in mind that you are still grabbing the lens when you change the focus, so you will for sure experience shaking, especially on tight shots. that's where the follow focus comes in handy - no more shaking focus shots.
but also keep in mind that to utilize a follow focus effectively, you need a focus puller so the camera operator can keep the composition of the shot in tact without having to look at the follow focus markings...
so adding a follow focus also adds a second person to your camera unit.
to sum it up, if you are "run and gunning" or shooting non-fiction docs, etc, then the manually focus ring is probably enough. if you are shooting fiction, the follow focus is essential in achieving more consistent, dynamic and professional focus.
the only down side to a follow focus is the cost!!! the chroziel cost more than my car!
for sure the manual focus ring can be used alone... it eliminates the focus ring spinning forever by setting "minimum" and "maximum" focus points; you can even use a dry erase marker to mark focus points...
however, keep in mind that you are still grabbing the lens when you change the focus, so you will for sure experience shaking, especially on tight shots. that's where the follow focus comes in handy - no more shaking focus shots.
but also keep in mind that to utilize a follow focus effectively, you need a focus puller so the camera operator can keep the composition of the shot in tact without having to look at the follow focus markings...
so adding a follow focus also adds a second person to your camera unit.
to sum it up, if you are "run and gunning" or shooting non-fiction docs, etc, then the manually focus ring is probably enough. if you are shooting fiction, the follow focus is essential in achieving more consistent, dynamic and professional focus.
the only down side to a follow focus is the cost!!! the chroziel cost more than my car!
Re: Century optics focus ring
Actually, you don't need the Century Optics Manul Focus Ring for a follow focus to work, or at least that is not the only product available. Chrosziel does provide their own lens gear for the AG-DVX100(A), which ZGC sells for $150. Check out 16X9's website for more info. I'm not sure if Cavision has their own ring but I wouldn't be surprised if they do.
The Century product does have more features though, as described above, albeit with a higher price. I went with the Century ring myself.
When you install the split ring, you will want to be careful and leave about a fingernail's width between the two. This is because when the split ring was originally manufactured, about a millimeter's width of material was removed. The AG-DVX100(A)'s focus ring should not be overly tight and difficult to move - if it is, then the split ring may be on too tight.
I received these instructions directly from Ken Robings, an employee and engineer from Century Optics.
Monglane, where did you buy the Century ring from? Perhaps you could try contacting the vendor and getting an exchange, otherwise, I've seen Ken on these forums now and then. Maybe he'll see this thread and respond...
Actually, you don't need the Century Optics Manul Focus Ring for a follow focus to work, or at least that is not the only product available. Chrosziel does provide their own lens gear for the AG-DVX100(A), which ZGC sells for $150. Check out 16X9's website for more info. I'm not sure if Cavision has their own ring but I wouldn't be surprised if they do.
The Century product does have more features though, as described above, albeit with a higher price. I went with the Century ring myself.
When you install the split ring, you will want to be careful and leave about a fingernail's width between the two. This is because when the split ring was originally manufactured, about a millimeter's width of material was removed. The AG-DVX100(A)'s focus ring should not be overly tight and difficult to move - if it is, then the split ring may be on too tight.
I received these instructions directly from Ken Robings, an employee and engineer from Century Optics.
Monglane, where did you buy the Century ring from? Perhaps you could try contacting the vendor and getting an exchange, otherwise, I've seen Ken on these forums now and then. Maybe he'll see this thread and respond...
Monglane
Well-known member
Re: Century optics focus ring
Hey Oz,
A friend got it for me at EVS and brought it over to France.
On June 22, I talked to "David" at Century Optics and he told me to mail the split witness ring back to him, which I did on the 23rd. Let's say a good week for the thing to get to California via air mail... No news from anyone since... and not *one* single answer to the emails I sent to Customer Service on June 13 and 21... ???
I'll try David again today or tomorrow, and will keep you guys posted.
Hey Oz,
A friend got it for me at EVS and brought it over to France.
On June 22, I talked to "David" at Century Optics and he told me to mail the split witness ring back to him, which I did on the 23rd. Let's say a good week for the thing to get to California via air mail... No news from anyone since... and not *one* single answer to the emails I sent to Customer Service on June 13 and 21... ???
I'll try David again today or tomorrow, and will keep you guys posted.
Monglane
Well-known member
Re: Century optics focus ring
End of the story : I never got a phone call or an email from Century, but this morning in the mail was my split ring (or a new one ?) with longer screws, and this time it did fit OK and very tight around the lens barrel.
A little customer-pampering message would have been nice (such as, Hey man, we've identified the problem, don't worry, we're taking care of it, we're mailing you a new one right now)... Of that, there was none. But at least, I now have a thing that behaves like it's supposed to.
I do have another question though, but for the sake of clarity I'll ask that in another thread.
End of the story : I never got a phone call or an email from Century, but this morning in the mail was my split ring (or a new one ?) with longer screws, and this time it did fit OK and very tight around the lens barrel.
A little customer-pampering message would have been nice (such as, Hey man, we've identified the problem, don't worry, we're taking care of it, we're mailing you a new one right now)... Of that, there was none. But at least, I now have a thing that behaves like it's supposed to.
I do have another question though, but for the sake of clarity I'll ask that in another thread.