Is possible to detach a handycam lens and put a "decent" one inside? at DVinfo.net

Jordi Dusanek · January 20th, 2008, 10:24 AM

Hi,

I've been browsing the net looking for handy cameras for a friend, and then I got an idea. Don't know if it's phisically real, but here it goes:

Will it work if I take for example this camera...

http://www.sony.es/view/ShowProduct....ard+Disk+Drive

... disensamble it, throw away the Carl Zeis lens, put in an adapter (nikon, canon,...) and attach to it any "decent" lens?

I'm not an camcorder technician, so I don't know if I'm leaving out something important in the process...

Any advice? Even a "No, you're crazy" will be great.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for my english.

Bob Hart · January 20th, 2008, 11:04 AM

A hack like this has been done with a Sony FX1 or Z1E, by a very brave Italian guy.

Others here will recall his name and maybe the website where his stuff is posted.

It is not something I would recommend to anyone without advanced precision and optical engineering skills and a good workshop.

You may find the camcorder lens and the imager are permanently bonded together. Try to separate them and you may ruin both.

The camcorder's own Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens is custom engineered for that camera's imaging sensor size. The Nikon or Canon lenses, as good as they may be, were not customised for this camcorder, but a much larger imaging sensor size, 35mm film.

You may not get any extra sharpness, maybe a slightly better contrast performance but you will throw away all the other good things the camcorder's own lens offers.

My personal preference would be to fit a 35mm adaptor and use your Nikon or Canon lenses on that, closer to the format for which they were designed.

Don't apologise for your English. It is better than my espanol, or your own mother language, that's for sure.

John Miller · January 20th, 2008, 11:13 AM

No. The lens is part of a complicated module that contains the sensor, zoom motor, focus motor etc. Without any of these connected, the unit will give an error on powering it up leaving it unusable.

However, the camcorder has a 30mm adapter so you can attach filters and converters:

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...Disk+Drive#tab

Jordi Dusanek · January 20th, 2008, 01:07 PM

Thank you for the quick response. For what you both have said, it will be better to buy an adapter (and easyier).

January 20th, 2008, 10:24 AM	#1
Jordi Dusanek Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 38	Is possible to detach a handycam lens and put a "decent" one inside? Hi, I've been browsing the net looking for handy cameras for a friend, and then I got an idea. Don't know if it's phisically real, but here it goes: Will it work if I take for example this camera... http://www.sony.es/view/ShowProduct....ard+Disk+Drive ... disensamble it, throw away the Carl Zeis lens, put in an adapter (nikon, canon,...) and attach to it any "decent" lens? I'm not an camcorder technician, so I don't know if I'm leaving out something important in the process... Any advice? Even a "No, you're crazy" will be great. Thanks in advance, and sorry for my english.

January 20th, 2008, 11:04 AM	#2
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	A hack like this has been done with a Sony FX1 or Z1E, by a very brave Italian guy. Others here will recall his name and maybe the website where his stuff is posted. It is not something I would recommend to anyone without advanced precision and optical engineering skills and a good workshop. You may find the camcorder lens and the imager are permanently bonded together. Try to separate them and you may ruin both. The camcorder's own Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens is custom engineered for that camera's imaging sensor size. The Nikon or Canon lenses, as good as they may be, were not customised for this camcorder, but a much larger imaging sensor size, 35mm film. You may not get any extra sharpness, maybe a slightly better contrast performance but you will throw away all the other good things the camcorder's own lens offers. My personal preference would be to fit a 35mm adaptor and use your Nikon or Canon lenses on that, closer to the format for which they were designed. Don't apologise for your English. It is better than my espanol, or your own mother language, that's for sure. Last edited by Bob Hart; January 20th, 2008 at 11:17 AM. Reason: errors

January 20th, 2008, 11:13 AM	#3
John Miller Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA Posts: 968	No. The lens is part of a complicated module that contains the sensor, zoom motor, focus motor etc. Without any of these connected, the unit will give an error on powering it up leaving it unusable. However, the camcorder has a 30mm adapter so you can attach filters and converters: http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...Disk+Drive#tab

January 20th, 2008, 01:07 PM	#4
Jordi Dusanek Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 38	Thank you for the quick response. For what you both have said, it will be better to buy an adapter (and easyier).