Lens mounts are constantly changing. Catching up to camera technologies that keep evolving in leaps. But as camera bodies may need to be upgraded every generation or two, lenses are supposed to last for ages, right? So what do you do with your Leica, Zeiss, or Nikon lenses when your new camera doesn’t have the right mount? Let’s explore some new options available to filmmakers with DIY Lens Mount Conversions by two different manufactures. There is a huge market for lens adapters. If a lens mount exists, filmmakers can be confident that some company or DIY fabricator has made an adapter for it. This process of adapting one lens mount to a modern camera is usually reserved for operators shooting on vintage glass. More often than not this comes with certain limitations. Tolerances may not be perfect from camera to camera, and there have been instances where lenses are not able to achieve infinity focus. While some operators and filmmakers can work around these limitations, they can be a hindrance to bigger production. Series of lens adapters. Image Credit: B&H Productions or cinematographers who shoot on vintage lenses, either rehouse the lens or have them modded. This increases usability and reliability. Vintage lenses or photography lenses that are cine-modded, usually get follow focus gears, matching front diameters, and brand new lens mounts to match their camera. Not a lens adapter, but a new native mount. Until recently, replacing the lens mount has been an operation that was only done at...
Published By: CineD - Tuesday, 13 July, 2021