Hard stop @ infinity........

G

Godfrey Kirby

Member
We have just been shooting a theatrical piece using the AF101 with the Nikon 17- 55/f2.8, via a MTF adaptor, along with other Nikkors (vintage) and the Voigtlander 25mm/ f0.95. (Love that lens at f1.2). All gave great results - but we had a a problem with the Nikon zoom. When the focus puller had made his marks on the follow focus unit and then pulled to infinity, he could sail right past it and thus put all his focus marks out. Some Technicolor language would then eminate from the other side of the camera.

This was, of course, all due to the the lens being an AF stills lens expecting to 'talk' to a Nikon stills camera - even when in MF mode. So here comes the question, (AT LAST!.ED) can the lens be modified to bypass the internal clutches etc. and stop when infinity is reached? As it was hired in there was no chance of taking it to a lens technician & him have a 'looksee'. Maybe the answer is to be found with Tokina & Duclos Ltd.

Any info around this area most welcome......

Regards G.
 
Why not use a FF (like the Redrock or ARRI) with multiple adjustable hard stops? Then it will work with all/any lenses with no hard stop at infinity (and you won't need to get each and every one modded).
 
I had my two Nikkor Zooms (see sig) altered to have a more definitive end stop at infinity.

The mod works well enough but...if enough pressure was applied, it would still be possible to drive the ring past this point. It is a limitation of how it is originally engineered to be driven by an AF motor
 
Thanks, Steve & Shooter, for the info. - I will check out the follow focus (Shoot 35) and see if engineering a hard stop on that is possible. Or start saving for a RED zoom.

Regards GK
 
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