Hi everyone,
This is my first post on this forum and hopefully someone can help.
For some time now I have been putting together a video rig using my Canon T2i and kit lens. Due to limited budget, I have opted not to purchase a better lens for the time being in order to concentrate on having a functional rig with which to learn and gain experience with, (the better lenses coming later). The T2i is mounted on a rail system with a Zacuto Z Finder, Matte Box, Follow Focus, and DSLR Cage.
My problem is that I am having difficulty getting the follow focus to work while utilizing the matte box and kit lens. The inner barrel at the front of the lens travels in and out while zooming, and rotates during focusing. Manuel Zooming is achieved by turning the outside of the lens barrel, and Manuel focus is achieved by turning the very front rim of the lens. The lens rim at the front is only about 3/16 of an inch wide. The width of the Follow Focus ring gear is about ½ an inch wide, which means the ring gear sits right on the end of the lens and overhangs over the front, therefore preventing the matte box from being used.
Is the Canon kit lens unique in this regard? Photos and videos of such setups on the internet show the follow focus ring gear sitting right in the middle of the lens barrel.
The only solution I can think of is to screw a small rigid lens hood onto the front. Use a universal doughnut such as the one from Zacuto. Fit the follow focus ring gear around the front rim of the lens, and slip the small elasticized opening of the universal doughnut over the top of the lens hood allowing it to fit in the groove between the back of the lens hood and the follow focus ring gear.
Perhaps my only solution is to make a better lens a priority to solve this problem. Unfortunately there is no store close by that sells Canon lenses which I can check out. I’m now working on putting the audio together and would prefer not to have to purchase a good lens at this time.
This is my first post on this forum and hopefully someone can help.
For some time now I have been putting together a video rig using my Canon T2i and kit lens. Due to limited budget, I have opted not to purchase a better lens for the time being in order to concentrate on having a functional rig with which to learn and gain experience with, (the better lenses coming later). The T2i is mounted on a rail system with a Zacuto Z Finder, Matte Box, Follow Focus, and DSLR Cage.
My problem is that I am having difficulty getting the follow focus to work while utilizing the matte box and kit lens. The inner barrel at the front of the lens travels in and out while zooming, and rotates during focusing. Manuel Zooming is achieved by turning the outside of the lens barrel, and Manuel focus is achieved by turning the very front rim of the lens. The lens rim at the front is only about 3/16 of an inch wide. The width of the Follow Focus ring gear is about ½ an inch wide, which means the ring gear sits right on the end of the lens and overhangs over the front, therefore preventing the matte box from being used.
Is the Canon kit lens unique in this regard? Photos and videos of such setups on the internet show the follow focus ring gear sitting right in the middle of the lens barrel.
The only solution I can think of is to screw a small rigid lens hood onto the front. Use a universal doughnut such as the one from Zacuto. Fit the follow focus ring gear around the front rim of the lens, and slip the small elasticized opening of the universal doughnut over the top of the lens hood allowing it to fit in the groove between the back of the lens hood and the follow focus ring gear.
Perhaps my only solution is to make a better lens a priority to solve this problem. Unfortunately there is no store close by that sells Canon lenses which I can check out. I’m now working on putting the audio together and would prefer not to have to purchase a good lens at this time.
