Focus Problem on mini 35 at DVinfo.net

Gerald Baillgergeau · July 17th, 2004, 05:19 AM

Just got my hands on a mini 35 series III. I think i messed up in using canon ef lenses and maybe thats my problem. im getting adsolutely no focus unless i close the iris setting on the adapter to 5 or more. Is there a back focus issue i'm missing? wide open on the adpater gets me nothing as far as clarity of image. HELP! If anyone has any info for me....wow, i'd greatly appreciate it.

Charles Papert · July 17th, 2004, 08:39 AM

Gerald, that does sound like a back focus issue to me. There is a small hex screw on the relay of the Mini35, you simply back it out a few threads and then you can fine tune the back focus. My recommendation is to point the lens towards a brightly lit neutral scene (like a window or piece of paper) and defocus the front lens, in your case the Canon, also stopping the lens down to a 5.6 or greater. Make sure the spinner is off. You should be able to clearly see the ground glass. Now adjust the back focus until the grain of the ground glass is as sharp as possible, and lock it off.

Hope this helps,

Gerald Baillgergeau · July 17th, 2004, 10:21 PM

Hey Charles, thanks for the tech advise. It was exactly what you said it was, an adjustment on the relay. I bought the unit used and it came without a manual (which I just downloaded) so thanks again. Plus I'm exchanging these EF lenses for some Nikons first thing Monday. I mistakenly thought they had manual aperture adjustments.....not. Hopefully I'll be ready to start capturing some cool footage by next weekend.

July 17th, 2004, 05:19 AM	#1
Gerald Baillgergeau Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Monica, Ca Posts: 62	Focus Problem on mini 35 Just got my hands on a mini 35 series III. I think i messed up in using canon ef lenses and maybe thats my problem. im getting adsolutely no focus unless i close the iris setting on the adapter to 5 or more. Is there a back focus issue i'm missing? wide open on the adpater gets me nothing as far as clarity of image. HELP! If anyone has any info for me....wow, i'd greatly appreciate it.

July 17th, 2004, 08:39 AM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Gerald, that does sound like a back focus issue to me. There is a small hex screw on the relay of the Mini35, you simply back it out a few threads and then you can fine tune the back focus. My recommendation is to point the lens towards a brightly lit neutral scene (like a window or piece of paper) and defocus the front lens, in your case the Canon, also stopping the lens down to a 5.6 or greater. Make sure the spinner is off. You should be able to clearly see the ground glass. Now adjust the back focus until the grain of the ground glass is as sharp as possible, and lock it off. Hope this helps, __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 17th, 2004, 10:21 PM	#3
Gerald Baillgergeau Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Monica, Ca Posts: 62	Hey Charles, thanks for the tech advise. It was exactly what you said it was, an adjustment on the relay. I bought the unit used and it came without a manual (which I just downloaded) so thanks again. Plus I'm exchanging these EF lenses for some Nikons first thing Monday. I mistakenly thought they had manual aperture adjustments.....not. Hopefully I'll be ready to start capturing some cool footage by next weekend.