Nikkor-S + follow focus..whoops!

Ben_B

Ben_B

Veteran
So I recently got an f1.4 50mm Nikkor-S from like, 1969. I am really happy with the quality of the lens and image...but just realized that the focus ring moves about 5-10mm total when you go from infinity to 2 feet (it's minimum.) I am realizing this might make it impossible to use with a follow focus...anyone have any suggestions. Preferably that use this follow-focus: http://indifocus.com/products_indifocus20.htm

I really can't think of anything that makes sense but then again it is pretty early for me right now. Hmmm. I really like the lens would prefer not to replace it. it is beautiful on the GH1, puts out a good image, is retro-tacular, and has incredibly smooth focus action.
 
True...still it slips a bit probably out of tolerance for the follow focus...hmmm...especially one using zip rings not full size gear rings.
 
I'm more of an engineer than a video guy, but it seems to me like you would want to get a follow focus where you can change the gear ratio between the hand crank (or whip) and the lens. I have no idea if that some of equipment is even available, but maybe a local hardware or hobby shop could help.
 
I'm more of an engineer than a video guy...
Click to expand...
and I'm 1 part of each.

Are you saying the ring moves forward and backward a lot? (Not likely, usually the ring stays still -- but I've seen some ODD lenses!) Or are you saying that there is very little circular travel?

If there's very little circular travel, it might be easier for this lens to forget the follow focus altogether. Slap a lever of some sort on that sucker and just put your markers around the barrel of the lens itself. Not an ideal solution, I realize, but a workable one.
 
The gear wheel on the Indifocus20 is really thin. For this very problem you have more expensive follow focus rigs have a thicker gear, just look at the Indifocus Pro for a comparison.
 
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