FS7: noisy handgrip dial

My current lens list.

Samyang Cine 14mm f2.8
Contax Zeiss – Canon Mount Modded – 28mm f2 ‘Hollywood’ (Cine-modded)
Contax Zeiss – Canon Mount Modded – 35mm f2.8 (Cine-modded)
Contax Zeiss – Canon Mount Modded – 50mm f1.7 (Cine-modded)
Contax Zeiss – Canon Mount Modded – 85mm f1.4
Contax Zeiss – Canon Mount Modded – 135mm f2.8
Contax Zeiss – Canon Mount Modded – 28-85mm f3.3 zoom.
Tamron Adaptall II SP90mm f2.5 macro

Probably going to sell the 35mm as I want to go for the 1.4 version. That said the 2.8 is one of the sharpest primes I have ever used and I've shot BBC Docs using just that one lens.

Also have the Dogschidt Optiks Flare Factory 58 with oval 'anamorphic' bokeh and FF38 38mm optical attachment
 
Just read nick's introductory post - wow - How did I miss these when i lensed up with Nikon?
On the 28-85 , if you use it as a variable prime - i.e don't zoom within the shot - can you use a follow focus on it?
 
Going to add to that list with the 100mm f2 which is a beautiful lens and also the 35-70 f3.4 which is stellar and has a pretty decent macro function as well. Using both of these on the FS7 currently and on the A7S.
 
yes you can although as a push pull if you change focal lengths you will have to readjust the folow focus position. I think that helicoptersean ebay guy does extra long follow focus gears for it so you wouldn't have to adjust as much. Personally I use it when I don't need a FF so haven't put a gear on it.

I'd love the 100f2. It's on my list at some point.
 
Are the 1.4's as sharp wide open as the FZ's. Those are way pretty good. Certainly way better at 1.4 than my old Nikon AEs were.
 
Same or similar optics I believe. Just the coatings are more 'organic' for want of a better word, plus they focus in the correct cine direction.
 
yeah I would like to get everything in the same direction - drives me nuts now.
Well thanks for the tip Ben, and Merry Christmas. Let em know how your tests work out with the adapter - that's a big issue to me as I was looking forward to the improved optics of the "Ultra".

lenny
 
Ben, i've been looking int those Contax primes, but re adapters:
- since i expect to get a Canon speed booster Ultra anyway - why not simply adapt the Contax to EF , then you can use the improved optics of the Ultra and not need more adapters.
 
That's what I do.


Leitax Contax to EF mounts are the best you can get. Absolutely rock solid.

BUT

The Metabones Speedbooster Ultra doesn't work with contax lenses because it physically knocks and activates the aperture control pin on the back of the lenses making it impossible to adjust the iris.

Lens Turbo 2 works well on the A7s but doesn't fit the FS7, so now I have the Camdiox one which both works and fits and has no electronics so is very cheap.
 
Hey Ben,
Have you had a chance to test that Camdiox focal reducer on your Contax lenses yet to see if its as clean as the Speedboster Ultra? I'm very interested in those Contax lenses. Tried a couple Rokinons at my place the other day with David Donnenfield. People seem to love them but frankly even the good ones don't hold a candle to the Zeiss ZF.

BTW - You've become my guru on lenses theses days - hope you're prepared for the responsibility. Bought the Helios 44-2 so far , but am looking at a full set of the Mir, and Jupiter 85 & 135. Damn - whole set would only set me back $300!
 
hahaha that's a good fun set there. Not necessarily for every day but for when you want to funk things up.


As for the Camdiox no major issues thus far and it all looksnice and sharp although I can't test it against the Metabones Ultra because the metabones wouldn't work with the lenses at all. So that's a point to the Camdiox in my book!
 
Len

On lenses I think you re bought into nikon.

Due to focus driection I think you need to stick nikon, or lose all your nikons.

Im sticking nikon and would suggest you check out..

28-85 3.5-4.5 manual+speedbooster.. best 'one lens' wlkabout RnG solution to me.
35-70 3.5 manual. very nice interview lens giving a head an a mid while rolling.
50-300 4.5 ED manual. serious telephoto zoom

Of course the primes are good too.

My 'light' shoot package is..
Sbooster+
20 2.8
50 1.8
135 2.8
28-85

When I used to shoot manual focus nikon in the early nineties I used to use, 20, 50, 135.. actually the same lenses and that is an ROI.

I have an extremely low opinion of modern AF glass even for stills use.. we are finding the lenses last about 24months before failure generally of the plastic IS mechanism - such glass is humbled by older glass.

S
 
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If you're exclusively using Nikon glass and also refuse to entertain lenses that have the correct focus direction you are missing out on a world of exciting glass that has much more effect on your final pictures than the internal paint settings or the pro res vs xvac noise floor.

I used to use a nice Nikon AI set alongside all sorts of funky glass.
 
I don't disagree. I do use some non nikkor - eg my mamiya 80mm for 'whacking'.

At some point Ill probably make 'the big switch' to glass that spins the other direction, contax or FD most likely or a Cabrio or Canon 17-135!

I would advise someone not bought into a system to start probably with FD or contax over nikon.

I would also advise trying out the glass I mentioned above before giving up on nikon.

S
 
I've already decided that I wanted to be able to use lenses with Image stabilization .
No one makes a nikon lens that sends power to the lens so that means going in a new direction for glass.
I love my Nikon glass - have a bunch of sharp 2.8 zooms and Zeiss ZF primes...
However I already get confused as hell about focus direction so it would be good to simplify.
I hate to lose Nikon though because i really like having smooth irises. That's why I'm interested in the Contax, you get an iris and you get the same Zeiss optics that i have now with my Zeiss ZF .
I thought about switching to Rokinon for the primes but they are really not in the same league as the Zeiss.
I'm trying to figure out my zooms and that's driving me a little nuts but i'll figure that out.
Main thing is I'm changing all my glass.
I might only need the Contax 50 and 85 though because I'm thinking of just going with the Sigma 18-35 instead of primes for fast wides.
That lens is supposed to be fabulous.
If I can get one or both of the Contax and the Camdiox I can compare it to a Nikon speed booster and tehj ZF's though. So maybe I'll just get on the stick. Easier to find the 50mm Contax than the 85 it seems. Any tips on the finding those or which ones to get?

BTW - Ben I hope to supplement my basic zooms and primes with another little case of Russian lenses for fun. Maybe I'll even go a little Dog Schidt if the Russians are a hit. If I could find a decent wide tilt shift I'd would love one of those.

Hey did you see this review - says the Camdiox is soft in the corners. That would stop me as I figure I didn't buy a Zeiss lens to get soft .

Where did you get your Camdiox ? Also do they make a non focal reducer adapter? I want one of each. Another brand for that?
 
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I don't intend to use it all the time anyway as I like the S35 field of view but as it stands if you want to use a focal reducer on e mount with EF-midded Contax zeiss glass you're not really spoiled for choice.

That said though, I think possibly the earlier Metabones speedboosters might work okay with it as I seem to recall my friend's FS700 with SB with my Contax 85mm working fine without the issues I had with the MB SB Ultra.
 
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