Follow focus for Canon 50mm F1.8

[ryan06]

I just got a new should mount that came with a matte box and follow focus. All works great except for the follow focus ring not fitting on the standard Canon 50mm F1.8 prime lens, it likes to slide off. Anyone have issues getting a follow focus to work on this lens? Are there other contraptions for this lens?

 

[Alex H.]

Are you talking about the Nifty Fifty? The focus ring on that lens is too narrow and leaves any focus ring precariously perched on the edge. The only solution I ever found that worked with any notable amount of stability was a snap gear from indiSystem. Those focus gears aren't the greatest, but there are a few places where they work well.

 

[eiker_ir]

Haven't tried this, but looks good:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/1088077/nifty-fifty-canon-50mm-f1-8-follow-focus-adapter.html

 

[Andrius Simutis]

I was using a rubber band to give the gear something to hold onto, but that failed all the time unless you were super careful. In the end I drilled shallow holes into the ring so that the spokes of the gear would have something to sit in. Works like a charm! …but I'm sure I dropped the resale value on the lens, but then again it is just a thrifty fifty.

 

[Samuel H]

On the kit lens (which has a similar problem) my solution was to add an empty filter ring that expanded the surface of the focus ring, so the focus gear could be attached. I bought a $2 UV filter from ebay, took the glass away, and put that ring in front of the lens.

 

[Andrius Simutis]

On the kit lens (which has a similar problem) my solution was to add an empty filter ring that expanded the surface of the focus ring, so the focus gear could be attached. I bought a $2 UV filter from ebay, took the glass away, and put that ring in front of the lens.

With a rotating front element your solution sounds like a good one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 50 1.8 has a front element that doesn't rotate, and it also moves forward and back so it potentially may ride off the follow focus' gear if it moves too far forward.

 

[Samuel H]

mmm... don't have the 50 f/1.8 anymore but I think you're right - forget what I said

 

[mdifilm]

I have the focus shifter works really well with my 50mm f1.8 lens.

 

[Michael Carter]

It's tough to get a tiny focus ring to work.

The best luck I've had is the redrock-style rings. There's often a seller on eBay doing chinese knockoffs for $15. I've gotten them from the US and from overseas. they're exact copies (knockoffs often piss me off, but redrock selling a $1 plastic molding for $40 pisses me off as well). Get the right size, tighten it up, check it between shots.

D-Focus used to sell rings that were a standard size, and used little metal bolts to adjust the size - the bolt-ends held onto the lens. These work really well for a skinny focus ring, too.

Of course, the 50's being so cheap, you could just epoxy a ring right to the thing. Maybe pull off the rubber first (haven't touched a canon 50 in forever...)

Your best bet? Get a Nikkor 50 1.8 with a decent sized ring and use a cheap EOS adapter. You can find Nikon 50's on eBay cheap, and often you can find one on an old film body (like an FG or something) and get both for $15. (Nobody seems to think of that for getting an older 50).

The 50 1.8 Ai and Ais have good rings, the Af-era ring is a decent size, the 50 series-E pancake would leave you in the same boat.

 

[mdifilm]

Here is the FocusShifter website. It's about $50 and foes the job well. http://www.focusshifter.com/follow-focus-dslr/

 

[Ebrahim Saadawi]

My solution.

Glued a zoom ring from some old lens (i think a broken 18-55mm), works absolute perfect with ff and makes the focusing much more usable. I love the nifty fifty's image and weight!