Lens options for the NEX-FS100 on a Steadicam

[Shawn Sutherland]

Hi guys.

 

I operate a Steadicam with an NEX-FS100 camera, and I need to find a non-extruding zoom lens. As you all know, balance is everything with Steadicam. I can't have a lens extruding forward every time I want to do a telephoto shot. It would completely throw off the balance, and force me to reconfigure the sled for every shot. Highly impractical at best.

 

I also need a wide angle of at least 18mm, auto focus, auto iris, and a reasonable zoom range.

 

It would be nice if this were available as an E-mount option, but I won't get my hopes up just yet.

 

I'm not above using an adapter if I have to.

 

What do you suggest?

[Sydney Seeber]

that is the exact (optional) stock lens that comes with the camera.

 

Edit: whoops, my bad. I own one, Just tried it... It does extend.

 

sorry bro

 

If you want all of that in a lens you're going to have to wait. Sony's making one that will be lanc controllable. It's probably going to cost in the range of $4,000 and be of the same quality that you find on Sony's other low end pro cameras like the EX3 with internal servos and whatnot. I have a couple of their shitty lenses like the one I mentioned but they're simply not up to quality standards of the prosumer realm, and Sony knows it, hence the new stuff on the horizon. The existing lenses were really designed for consumer cameras and Sony's been boxing those lenses with higher end stuff until their better products come online. Dedicated video lenses for full frame sensors at prosumer prices is something I follow VERY closely due to major issues with iris vs. still aperture and their use with video.

[Tom Wills]

Hey Shawn,

 

Don't think there's something that fits your criteria. No lenses I know of on the market that don't extend, have auto focus and auto iris, and have a decent range. Don't know why adjusting a little between shots is a huge deal though - as long as the lens isn't incredibly heavy, and moving an extreme amount, you should just be able to dial it in with your stage controls (since it appears that you're working with a Pilot, you do have nice stage controls, after all!). Also, shouldn't you be working with a remote follow focus on a 35mm sized sensor camera? (Auto Focus seems like a disaster waiting to happen in my book)

 

Anyways, you might find better responses to this question on non-Steadicam forums. I see you also posted it on DVXUser - that seems like a more appropriate place, considering I doubt many here are familiar with the ins and outs of prosumer level lenses.

 

Best of luck.

[Janice Arthur]

Shawn;

 

Unless I missed something the guys above have it right.

 

Here is the deal, if you suddenly had a longer lens length, for whatever reason, you'd simply pick up the rig, feel that its front-heavy and roll the camera back a couple of turns on the top stage and shoot.

 

do this when wearing the rig, forget the spud.

 

You're smart you know how to do this while wearing it.

 

This is simple dexterity with the rig. Every shot is different, every set up is different, I'm constantly changing the top stage with every shot.

 

There is the no gimbal, no matter how good, that doesn't have flaws and/or dirt, so you're working in that dimension too.

 

Forget the spud and deal in the real world time and place of shooting. Static balance and, get it done before someone starts yelling, is the goal.

 

(Clearly, in my opinion, everyone is nuts about this Spud balancing hasn't learned to do it while wearing the rig and also dynamic balance "worries" so they don't attack the obvious which in my book is get the shot done when they're staring at you and looking at their watches.)

 

Do the other stuff when you have a moment, obviously not a time restricted one.

 

If I've missed the question, not the first time. (smiley face, so ignore)

 

JA

[Norbert von der Heidt]

Hi Shawn

 

I have heard rumours that Birger Engineering is developing an EOS adaptor for the NEX-FS100 after the one for the Panasonic AF-100. This would allow you to use both Canon EF and EF-S lenses with lens iris control through the camera but at the moment it's a waiting game till it's available, especially good for me as I have a set of L series f2.8 lenses going to waste.

 

Hoping that it won't be too long now and that the price will be approx the same as the Panasonic version which I think is about $800.

 

Best of luck in the meantime.

Norbert

[Jay Kim]

Or you can use most A-mount(Alpha) lenses using sony LA-EA1 lens adapter. Minolta, Sony, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Carl Zeiss made lenses for a-mount. Moreover, Auto Focus and Auto Exposure will work fine with those lenses.

[Jay Kim]

If you want a budget friendly way, you can also use Nikon f-mount to Sony E-mount adapter.

I know Voigtlander makes excellent adapters but they are also quite expensive.

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigt_adpt_sonye.htm

 

I owned few adapters from Metabones(also from Japan) and one guy (Lasjashk) at ebay sells them pretty cheap. He is very active at MU-43.com (Micro 4/3 user group) and he gives some discounts to the forum member. If you want his adapter, just send him an offer and make a note that you are a member of mu-43.com.

 

Here is his ebay list for Nikon F-mount adapter to Sony e-mount and it is all manual control (no auto-focus, no auto-exposure) and I like my lens that way.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Metabones-Nikon-F-Mount-Sony-E-mount-Adapter-NEX-5-3-/220685116000?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3361dba260#ht_1679wt_1289

 

Fly Safe!