Nathan Clapp
October 14th, 2003, 08:49 AM
So, after using the CP ring for a bit- here are my impressions- Excellent for repeatable focus marks, and allows focus gears for follow focus units to be installed either for onboard ff units or remote operation like on cranes.
Ring is purely mechanical
Ring takes about 10-15 min to install.
Ring has a "lockout" for macro stuff- anything below 53 "Panasonic focus units" is in the "Macro" setting. Once you calibrate ring- the only way for miscalibration is to spin it into macro (after flipping switch) and spin it below 00 or spin it back into macro and take it to 99+ w/o flipping macro lockout switch back on.
Also- I just learned do not have Focus in auto focus even in 24p- because as camera powers up it messes with the last "position" of the numbers for focus causing you to have to recalibrate focus unit.
HOW TO RECALIBRATE: Just put the switch to macro- allows full rotation of focus. spin until you get to 99, throw macro lockout switch and spin until ring stops- now 99 equals physical stop on lens- and 99-53 are fully repeatable and with some caution 00-99 is also fully repeatable.
Mabe not so user friendly in handheld as finges must go on geared teeth of ring, but that is a personal pref. some like it a lot.
Ring is purely mechanical
Ring takes about 10-15 min to install.
Ring has a "lockout" for macro stuff- anything below 53 "Panasonic focus units" is in the "Macro" setting. Once you calibrate ring- the only way for miscalibration is to spin it into macro (after flipping switch) and spin it below 00 or spin it back into macro and take it to 99+ w/o flipping macro lockout switch back on.
Also- I just learned do not have Focus in auto focus even in 24p- because as camera powers up it messes with the last "position" of the numbers for focus causing you to have to recalibrate focus unit.
HOW TO RECALIBRATE: Just put the switch to macro- allows full rotation of focus. spin until you get to 99, throw macro lockout switch and spin until ring stops- now 99 equals physical stop on lens- and 99-53 are fully repeatable and with some caution 00-99 is also fully repeatable.
Mabe not so user friendly in handheld as finges must go on geared teeth of ring, but that is a personal pref. some like it a lot.