OK folks. I wanted to see just how well a 2/3″ broadcast lens would work on an F3, but don’t have $5.5k to fork out on one of the Abel adapters. So with a bit of head scratching, a few, lowish cost lens purchases and a few hours in the workshop I cobbled together my own adapter. At first I tried a 2x magnifier but this didn’t quite give me full sensor coverage and was soft out in the corners. With a little more work I took the magnification up to 2.5x and I have clean corners. I’m really pleased with the performance, although one lens element needs changing for a higher quality element to combat some softness when the iris is fully open.
My old Canon J16x8 f1.8 becomes a 24 to 320mm f4(ish) par-focal lens which is actually quite handy. Next step is to make up a power cable for the lens so I can use the zoom servo.
I’m considering trying to find a manufacturer that can make these up for me properly, the converter should cost a lot less than $5.5k
7 thoughts on “Playing with lenses: 2/3″ Broadcast lens on PMW-F3.”
Alister no point in re-inventing the wheel I saw this £285 adapter at Mike Tapas stand at BVE 2011…
B4 2/3″ to Sony PMW-EX3 Adaptor
Price: £285.00
An original design by Mike Tapa,
This adaptor will allow you to mount 2/3″ broadcast lenses directly onto the EX3
(Please note. Using this adaptor will introduce a magnification factor of 1.375X)
A 2/3″ lens won’t cover the sensor of a s35 camera. Some will almost fill it with the doubler in, but this is marginal in most cases, so you need an optical extender with around 2.5x power behind the lens. Only AbelCine and Abekas make such adapters (AFAIK) and they cost between £2k and £4k.
Good catch on the adapter cable, but I have already made one that is very similar, uses D tap for power but also puts the F3 into record via the remote connector on the rear.
OK folks. I wanted to see just how well a 2/3″ broadcast lens would work on an F3, but don’t have $5.5k to fork out on one of the Abel adapters. So with a bit of head scratching, a few, lowish cost lens purchases and a few hours in the workshop I cobbled together my own adapter. At first I tried a 2x magnifier but this didn’t quite give me full sensor coverage and was soft out in the corners. With a little more work I took the magnification up to 2.5x and I have clean corners. I’m really pleased with the performance, although one lens element needs changing for a higher quality element to combat some softness when the iris is fully open.
My old Canon J16x8 f1.8 becomes a 24 to 320mm f4(ish) par-focal lens which is actually quite handy. Next step is to make up a power cable for the lens so I can use the zoom servo.
I’m considering trying to find a manufacturer that can make these up for me properly, the converter should cost a lot less than $5.5k
5 thoughts on “Playing with lenses: 2/3″ Broadcast lens on PMW-F3.”
Alister no point in re-inventing the wheel I saw this £285 adapter at Mike Tapas stand at BVE 2011…
B4 2/3″ to Sony PMW-EX3 Adaptor
Price: £285.00
An original design by Mike Tapa,
This adaptor will allow you to mount 2/3″ broadcast lenses directly onto the EX3
(Please note. Using this adaptor will introduce a magnification factor of 1.375X)
A 2/3″ lens won’t cover the sensor of a s35 camera. Some will almost fill it with the doubler in, but this is marginal in most cases, so you need an optical extender with around 2.5x power behind the lens. Only AbelCine and Abekas make such adapters (AFAIK) and they cost between £2k and £4k.
Alister no point in re-inventing the wheel I saw this £285 adapter at Mike Tapas stand at BVE 2011…
B4 2/3″ to Sony PMW-EX3 Adaptor
Price: £285.00
An original design by Mike Tapa,
This adaptor will allow you to mount 2/3″ broadcast lenses directly onto the EX3
(Please note. Using this adaptor will introduce a magnification factor of 1.375X)
Opps I choose the EX-3 instead of the F3, I will send you a pic in an email.
A 2/3″ lens won’t cover the sensor of a s35 camera. Some will almost fill it with the doubler in, but this is marginal in most cases, so you need an optical extender with around 2.5x power behind the lens. Only AbelCine and Abekas make such adapters (AFAIK) and they cost between £2k and £4k.
Great Work Alister!
A lot of us have 2/3 lenses lying around.
And the zoom options for an F-3 are still very limited. (money wise)
This could be a good alternative.
I hope to have them on the market for circa $1,400 .
Hi Alister
If you need to power the lens try this one on eBay. It works a treat
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/D-Tap-12-Pin-Lens-Cable-AF100-Fujinon-Canon-B4-2-3-/200625145075?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb630c4f3
Looking forward to seeing the adapter for F3 and using my lovely HJ 11×4.7 on the F3.
Cheers Tony
Good catch on the adapter cable, but I have already made one that is very similar, uses D tap for power but also puts the F3 into record via the remote connector on the rear.