Ex3 lens removal at DVinfo.net

Mark Refuss · September 5th, 2014, 02:50 PM

I am considering purchasing a hard case for my ex3 which is just a little to small with the lens attached. I can remove the lens but am not sure if this practical for regular use. I may not have time for a back focus adjustment every time I attach the lens. On the other hand it seems like removing the lens would be a good option if the case was ever dropped. I only have the stock zoom lens at this time. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Paul Cronin · September 5th, 2014, 03:24 PM

Mark I remove my PMW-300 lens all the time for travel on small planes. Always good to back focus and BB after it is reinstalled. It is not bad for the camera you just have to be careful. I switch lens on the job at times and can be up and going in 5 min max.

Mark Refuss · September 5th, 2014, 04:35 PM

Thanks. Once I shot for 30 minutes with the lens just a fraction from tight and it destroyed the focus. At least if I attach every time it will remind me to check for proper attachment.

Jim Nogueira · September 25th, 2015, 07:07 PM

I bought a used PMW-300 last month, and I couldn't be happier with it. I have used it on several jobs already. However, when I try to remove the lens, it is extremely tight and difficult to remove (and to put back on). I owned an EX3 previously, and had no such trouble getting the lens on and off. The person who sold the camera to me said it was used on a Reality TV show, and I am wondering if the camera was dropped at some point, causing the difficulty removing the lens. The rest of the camera functions normally, and shows normal wear (it has around 575 hours on it.

I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how to make removing the lens easier. My first thought was some kind of lubricant, but I would be too afraid of it getting on the electronics. Any suggestions?

Jim Nogueira · September 25th, 2015, 09:10 PM

So I swallowed hard and decided to go ahead and give the lubricant a try. Used a thin layer of Dielectric tune-up grease, and that seems to have done the trick. The lens mount does not appear to be warped at all. Whew! Now to start to looking into a lens upgrade. HD lens is not in the budget, but a good quality 1/2" hotshoe SD lens, with a greater reach than the 14X stock lens (at least 17X), would be good. I bought an ACM-18 adapter already.

September 5th, 2014, 02:50 PM	#1
Mark Refuss Tourist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Fayetteville, Ga Posts: 4	Ex3 lens removal I am considering purchasing a hard case for my ex3 which is just a little to small with the lens attached. I can remove the lens but am not sure if this practical for regular use. I may not have time for a back focus adjustment every time I attach the lens. On the other hand it seems like removing the lens would be a good option if the case was ever dropped. I only have the stock zoom lens at this time. Any thoughts? Thanks.

September 5th, 2014, 03:24 PM	#2
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Re: Ex3 lens removal Mark I remove my PMW-300 lens all the time for travel on small planes. Always good to back focus and BB after it is reinstalled. It is not bad for the camera you just have to be careful. I switch lens on the job at times and can be up and going in 5 min max. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

September 5th, 2014, 04:35 PM	#3
Mark Refuss Tourist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Fayetteville, Ga Posts: 4	Re: Ex3 lens removal Thanks. Once I shot for 30 minutes with the lens just a fraction from tight and it destroyed the focus. At least if I attach every time it will remind me to check for proper attachment.

September 25th, 2015, 07:07 PM	#4
Jim Nogueira Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Milford, MA Posts: 487	Re: Ex3 lens removal I bought a used PMW-300 last month, and I couldn't be happier with it. I have used it on several jobs already. However, when I try to remove the lens, it is extremely tight and difficult to remove (and to put back on). I owned an EX3 previously, and had no such trouble getting the lens on and off. The person who sold the camera to me said it was used on a Reality TV show, and I am wondering if the camera was dropped at some point, causing the difficulty removing the lens. The rest of the camera functions normally, and shows normal wear (it has around 575 hours on it. I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how to make removing the lens easier. My first thought was some kind of lubricant, but I would be too afraid of it getting on the electronics. Any suggestions?

September 25th, 2015, 09:10 PM	#5
Jim Nogueira Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Milford, MA Posts: 487	Re: Ex3 lens removal So I swallowed hard and decided to go ahead and give the lubricant a try. Used a thin layer of Dielectric tune-up grease, and that seems to have done the trick. The lens mount does not appear to be warped at all. Whew! Now to start to looking into a lens upgrade. HD lens is not in the budget, but a good quality 1/2" hotshoe SD lens, with a greater reach than the 14X stock lens (at least 17X), would be good. I bought an ACM-18 adapter already.