2/3" lens on Sony F3 via homebrew adapter

[Aaron Newsome]

Alister, I've got a real nice Fujinon HD ENG B4 lens that I use with my Viper. I'd love to try your adapter on my F3 and finally get a nice long range zoom with a servo on my F3. I think it'd be kind of neat to have the option to use my Fujinon HD Zoom on my F3. I'll be watching this thread to see if you're able to get these spun up at a reasonable cost.

There is no way I'd put $5k toward something like this but if it were a bit more reasonable, I'd certainly consider it.

[Cees van Kempen]

Does your lens stay parfocal, no matter the adapter? I thought that the parfocal characteristics of the lens were related to the exact distance to the sensor the lens was designed for?

[Alister Chapman]

Yes it stays parfocal. I am going to get a few made up. I'm in Singapore for broadcast asia at the moment so can't do much right now, but as soon as I am home I hope to get some completed units.

[Michael Power]

Hi Alistair

I'm interested as well in buying one of your adapters. What do you think the extra weight would be? Do you think there is any issue regarding the F3 mount and your adapter taking the weight of a 2/3" ENG lens?

What exactly are the minimum criteria for a 2/3" lens? 2 x doubler? 16:9? All BL mounts? I've started sniffing around for them and your previous post about them being numerous is right. There's quite a price range so it's a little daunting if like me you're not very familiar with them. Any tips welcome.

[Alister Chapman]

Spent the day with Mike of MTF services today testing the first production version of my adapter. It certainly looks good. We tested it on a variety of 2/3" lenses from super wides to long zooms and all worked well. Right out in the very corners there is some softness, but much of this is typical of an ENG zoom. Within the normal "broadcast safe" window the images are nice and crisp. I'm really pleased with the end result and the guys at the rental house (aim image, thanks guys) wanted to keep the adapter rather than let us take it back to the workshop. So, the CNC machines are now machining the first production run which should be for sale by the end of the month from MTF.

There are some pictures on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...9256241&type=1

[Joseph Anthony]

Hi Alister,

This is great news. Many of us are anxiously awaiting an affordable 2/3" adapter for the F3. Speaking of affordable, any idea on what we can expect on the price?

[Alister Chapman]

For the F3 kit it should be £1150 GBP.

[Michael Power]

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

That depends on the DSLR lens. The Canon lens in the picture becomes roughly a 20 to 320mm lens with perfect focus tracking and constant aperture. Such a DSLR lens afaik does not exist. The pictures are sharp and with good contrast. An HD lens would possibly a perform a little better (higher contrast) I would expect.

Congratulations on your work and initiative. The main Canon zoom you've been testing with is SD, right? So you're confident that even with an SD rather than HD lens mounted on your adapter (because of the expense), the pictures should be sharp with good contrast? Is it the same with the other lenses you tested at MTF?

Have you uploaded any footage shot with the SD lens and the adapter?

Does the cable connect to the F3 and give zoom servo and iris control?

What is in the F3 kit apart from the mount?

[Alister Chapman]

I've been testing with an SD lens and it works reasonably well, however it is softer out in the corners than the HD lenses we have also been testing the adapter with. Contrast and centre sharpness with the SD lens (Canon J16) are what I would call acceptable, not as good as can be achieved with an HD lens, but useable.

At the moment we are only supplying the B4 to Canon mount adapter and the F3 kit which includes the B4 adapter plus a Canon to F3 adapter. The B4 adapter will be fitted with a lens support bracket on it's base.

The cable will be a separate item. Initially it will only provide power for the zoom. Pricing for the cable is to be confirmed.

[Michael Power]

Hi Alister

Any chance of uploading some frame grabs so we can eyeball the resolution, especially from your SD Canon J16 lens as well as the HD lenses?

Many thanks.

[Alister Chapman]

As soon as I get a full production unit, I'll post some grabs. I forgot to do it when we were doing the testing.

[Dermot Shane]

Alister;

Is there any reason i could not use your B4->Canon with a Canon -> Emount on my FS100?

And maybe i should cross post this on the FS forum if it's a workable concept?

d

[Alister Chapman]

This was one of our intentions and Mike will be selling a kit for the FS100 to go B4-Canon-Sony E.

The only issue with an FS100 is how to power the zoom lens as they require 12v and the FS100 batts are 7.2v

[Dermot Shane]

An AB plate with power taps on the back of the rails should cover off the 12v needs?

d

[Michael Power]

How would an older 2/3" 4:3 lens go on your adapter on the F3? Was your original Canon J16 4:3? I've been looking at used HD lenses which are presumably all 16:9 but curious if SD 4:3 would work?