Universal Idler Gear

[fixitinpost]

I've been working on building an idler gear to reverse the focus direction on Nikon lenses. Coming along pretty good. Finished the first working version, and starting to go through and make changes.

Tutorial for building the first version here: http://jerry-turner.com/blog/2008/08/building-a-universal-idler-gea.html

Post detailing the first round of updates here: http://jerry-turner.com/blog/2008/09/idler-gear-updates-part-i.html

 

[Tim Joy]

I don't need one of these, but it's a pretty good idea though.

I would worry about it flexing and causing extra backlash and slop. If you could attach it to the same shaft as the FF gear with some kind of cage maybe it would be sturdier?

 

[dmpsk8]

that is pretty sweet. might try it down the road

 

[fixitinpost]

I would worry about it flexing and causing extra backlash and slop. If you could attach it to the same shaft as the FF gear with some kind of cage maybe it would be sturdier?

I've had absolutely zero backlash and slop so far. The only problem in that direction is that if I apply too much torque, the gear will skip a few teeth, due to flex. I have this problem taken care of, though (one of the fixes is detailed in the follow up post). As soon as I replace the threaded rod with something stiffer, it will be a very rigid system.

I thought about making something that would attach to the follow focus itself, but there are already existing solutions for that, and doing so would defeat the whole point of my unit anyway, which was to make something that I could use on any follow focus.


dmpsk8: I look forward to seeing how it turns out if you get around to trying it!