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Optimizing your lenses
  • Brian202020Brian202020
    Both http://www.rplens.com/ and http://www.ducloslenses.com/Duclos_Lenses/Main.html will optimize your SLR and DSLR lenses to be used in more of a cinema situation. They put on a simi-permenant lens gear, a step up ring to 80mm OD/77mm ID threaded, and they de-click the iris. I beleave they also dampen the lens. You get all this for $250 per lens. I've been debating doing this to all of my lenses for a while now, but the problem is, I want to upgrade a few of my lenses first. Until I do I'd like to benefit from the standardized 80mm OD/77mm ID threaded step up rings. Does anyone know where to get these? They are more than just the standard step up ring especially the ones from http://www.rplens.com/.
  • 9 Replies sorted by
  • Brian202020Brian202020
    I found some incase anyone is interested. I haven't purchased them yet, but I'll get one to test before I buy enough for all my lenses. Not sure if they are metal or plastic, but I would assume metal.

    http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/product.php?productid=96&cat=248&page=1
  • LPowellLPowell
    @Brian202020
    Having purchased one of the ProAim 15mm rail rigs, I wouldn't recommend anything made out of aluminum by CineCity. As far as I can tell, the step-up rings used by Duclos are functionally equivalent to any other 77mm female filter ring. Is there any practical significance in the 80mm outside diameter?

    Having added 77mm step-up rings to a number of lenses, I've had issues with filters getting stuck in the 77mm ring. Anyone have suggestions on either preventing this or semi-permanently locking the 77mm ring to the lens?
  • bubbabubba
    @LPowell
    Eighty millimeters is the standard
    ...because Zeiss works that way.
    Zeiss caps are 80mm inside diameter.
    I bought a bunch of Century 72-77mm step up rings that work with Zeiss caps during the Schneider Century clearance sale at $15 each or 67% off. They are smoooth. BW also makes an exceptional step-up ring that never binds -but I can't step up to those prices.


    BTW: I desperately need a source for 55mm lens hoods with 72mm inside diameter filter threads to finish converting the rest of my lenses. Any ideas?
  • kazuokazuo
    not sure if these things work, cos many of the MF lenses have short focus throws. Even using a simple follow focus sometimes becomes a hassle.
  • AlexAlex

    hey, if you have any Canon EF kit lens, here is how to enhance their quality!!

    http://www.petapixel.com/2012/02/09/how-to-increase-the-performance-of-your-canon-kit-lens/

  • MihuelMihuel

    @Alex Ingenious :-)

  • cordvisioncordvision

    @Brian202020 If you are still looking for 80mm "step-up rings", let me know. I sell some at cordvision.com and I could match the price of the Indian seller you found. Just use the contact form on the website and mention that you are a personal-view member....

  • Brian202020Brian202020

    @cordvision

    Nice site. I do still need those. I also have a question regarding your cage arm on your website. Do you know if the dimensions are the same as the Redrock matte box arm? I have a Redrock matte box and the arm is garbage. It doesn't tighten easily and you really need to wrench on it. I'd like a quality replacement if one is available. Also are the knobs metal or plastic?

  • cordvisioncordvision

    Knobs are all metal. I don't know if it has the same dimensions. Do you live in LA, if so, you could come by and test it out....

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