Very General, Unimportant ? Re: Primes v. Stock Lens at DVinfo.net

Lee Roberts · February 25th, 2009, 11:56 AM

Hey,

This may sound silly (and it may be unique to the HD-Series of stock lenses...I haven't used any others), but does anyone know why:

- On an SLR using primes, one turns the focus ring clockwise (from behind the camera) to focus on objects further away

- On the stock Fujinon lens, it's the opposite?

I've been shooting still photography for years, and I can't tell you how many follow-focus shots I've blown because of this. I'm not a very smart guy, so it's taken longer to 'sink in', maybe. Just curious how primes designed for motion picture cameras work.

Thanks,

Lee

Shaun Roemich · February 25th, 2009, 12:15 PM

Video lenses in general follow the "clockwise => closer" standard. I noticed it when I first jumped into video but now it's second nature to me, I suppose much as one moves from an automatic transmission to a standard in different automobiles.

Funny, I just tried a bunch of ciné lenses for my JVC and I meant to look into focus direction and I COMPLETELY forgot...

Lee Roberts · February 25th, 2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun Roemich

Video lenses in general follow the "clockwise => closer" standard. I noticed it when I first jumped into video but now it's second nature to me, I suppose much as one moves from an automatic transmission to a standard in different automobiles.

Funny, I just tried a bunch of ciné lenses for my JVC and I meant to look into focus direction and I COMPLETELY forgot...

lol...Thanks. I spend about the same amount of time with my SLRs as I do shooting video, so I still screw it up from time-to-time, and I've always meant to ask the question and never got around to it. I was editing some footage this morning that reminded me ;)

Take care,

Lee

Matthias Krause · February 25th, 2009, 03:03 PM

Also depends what SLR you use. Nikon works the one way, Canon the other...

Lee Roberts · February 25th, 2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthias Krause

Also depends what SLR you use. Nikon works the one way, Canon the other...

I thought about that, too. I have some very nice Nikon/Nikkor glass (some lenses that were more $$ than the video cameras) - don't know why I haven't taken advantage of some type of adapter for my HD cams. Everytime I look, I begin with the lower end stuff, and I end up feeling like I would be making a mistake if I didn't at least jump to the JVC adapter. I'll bite the bullet soon enough, though.

Thanks ~ Lee

Shaun Roemich · February 25th, 2009, 03:49 PM

Lee: Mike Tapa makes a Nikon to 1/3" mount that fits the JVCs. Very reasonably priced. Realize you'll have a 7x magnification due to target size. I own the JVC PL mount adaptor and have only begun to dabble with it but I'm excited. It's a pricey bit of kit. though...

Lee Roberts · February 27th, 2009, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun Roemich

Lee: Mike Tapa makes a Nikon to 1/3" mount that fits the JVCs. Very reasonably priced. Realize you'll have a 7x magnification due to target size. I own the JVC PL mount adaptor and have only begun to dabble with it but I'm excited. It's a pricey bit of kit. though...

Thanks, Shaun. The 7x mag is a deal breaker for me, though. I'd like to get my hands on a JVC PL mount to fool around with for a day, but my local dealer doesn't keep a demo unit. The best price I've seen is about $3500, and since I just purchased (2) nNovia units and would like to avoid a divorce, I'm going to have to wait ;)

Take care ~ Lee

Shaun Roemich · February 27th, 2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Roberts

I'd like to get my hands on a JVC PL mount to fool around with for a day, but my local dealer doesn't keep a demo unit.

Then comes the inevitable "problem" of either renting beautiful primes or scouring "that online site whose name begins with e" and other online sources for that next "break the bank" purchase... Have I ever mentioned how much I love my addiction... I mean PROFESSION?

Bill Ravens · February 27th, 2009, 08:39 AM

I just bought Mike's HD110 to Nikon adapter and a few Nikon zoom lenses via that un-named website. B&H also has some very nice deals on used Nikon zooms. I got a 36-72, 70-200, and 300mm prime. Let me say that these lenses are absolutely beautiful. No CA, like the stock lenses, and the 36-72 zoom is almost like the stock lens. The 300mm lens allows capture from quite a distance with quite a good quality image. In fact, the biggest problem is lens shake and atmospheric distortion. I bought the 36-72 for $15 US!! Amazing. Some people don't like the push/pull zoom feature, but, I have found it to be quite workeable, especially at that price.

Lee Roberts · February 27th, 2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun Roemich

Then comes the inevitable "problem" of either renting beautiful primes or scouring "that online site whose name begins with e" and other online sources for that next "break the bank" purchase... Have I ever mentioned how much I love my addiction... I mean PROFESSION?

I hear ya....I own quite a few tele's and primes, so I won't have to spend any additional $$ on lenses (well, there's always that lens that I must have...but that's a different matter). I've dropped a lot of cash on lenses, and it's just silly that I'm not using them on my video cameras. Of course, I have two cams, so that's possibly two adapters.

From reading, I know I probably won't be sorry even if I purchase one of the more highly regarded (yet still inexpensive) PL mount solutions. As far as eTakeYourChances.com, I buy all of my plush animals for nieces and nephews there - I don't know that I'm comfortable with saving 10% on several thousand dollars worth of equipment, though. Maybe I'm just too 'old school' for my own good :)

Have a great weekend! ~ Lee

February 25th, 2009, 11:56 AM	#1
Lee Roberts Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Memphis Area, SoCal, Jax, and Princeton Posts: 63	Very General, Unimportant ? Re: Primes v. Stock Lens Hey, This may sound silly (and it may be unique to the HD-Series of stock lenses...I haven't used any others), but does anyone know why: - On an SLR using primes, one turns the focus ring clockwise (from behind the camera) to focus on objects further away - On the stock Fujinon lens, it's the opposite? I've been shooting still photography for years, and I can't tell you how many follow-focus shots I've blown because of this. I'm not a very smart guy, so it's taken longer to 'sink in', maybe. Just curious how primes designed for motion picture cameras work. Thanks, Lee

February 25th, 2009, 12:15 PM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Video lenses in general follow the "clockwise => closer" standard. I noticed it when I first jumped into video but now it's second nature to me, I suppose much as one moves from an automatic transmission to a standard in different automobiles. Funny, I just tried a bunch of ciné lenses for my JVC and I meant to look into focus direction and I COMPLETELY forgot... __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

February 25th, 2009, 03:49 PM	#6
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Lee: Mike Tapa makes a Nikon to 1/3" mount that fits the JVCs. Very reasonably priced. Realize you'll have a 7x magnification due to target size. I own the JVC PL mount adaptor and have only begun to dabble with it but I'm excited. It's a pricey bit of kit. though... __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

February 27th, 2009, 08:39 AM	#9
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	I just bought Mike's HD110 to Nikon adapter and a few Nikon zoom lenses via that un-named website. B&H also has some very nice deals on used Nikon zooms. I got a 36-72, 70-200, and 300mm prime. Let me say that these lenses are absolutely beautiful. No CA, like the stock lenses, and the 36-72 zoom is almost like the stock lens. The 300mm lens allows capture from quite a distance with quite a good quality image. In fact, the biggest problem is lens shake and atmospheric distortion. I bought the 36-72 for $15 US!! Amazing. Some people don't like the push/pull zoom feature, but, I have found it to be quite workeable, especially at that price. Last edited by Bill Ravens; February 27th, 2009 at 03:15 PM.

February 25th, 2009, 03:03 PM	#4
Matthias Krause Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 203	Also depends what SLR you use. Nikon works the one way, Canon the other...