where to find "professional looking" focus gears

[Michael Morlan]

Past threads and some research have convinced me to take the time to build my own set of Nikon still lenses rather than go the RPLens route.

But, I'm having trouble finding focus gears I would want to attach to my beautiful Nikkors. All functionality aside, the Red Rock Micro focus gears look like a#$! I'll pitch high-end lenses whenever possible, but when a client's budget dictates my personal set of Nikon primes/zooms, I don't want to pull a lens with a RRM focus gear, complete with a huge bolt on the side! Worse, my A.C. has to pause to loosen/rotate/tighten the bolt away from a single-sided FF gear when he is switching to the dumb side. (Any other double-sided FF besides Arri?)

There are a number of form-fit/allen-screw attached focus gears, but where? I've heard "delrin" bandied about. But where do I find these? There are lens gears for water housings but are these the right pitch?

Much still to learn.

Michael

[Poi Boy]

Let your images do the talking and don't worry about the big bolt or just get a smaller bolt.
-A

[Mike Prevette]

Most rental houses with machine shops will have some of these hanging around. With Allen setscrews layed into the gears for a near seamless appearance and function.

[jbeale]

"Delrin" is a brand name for a type of plastic, which is hard and low-friction. It can be injection-molded, and machined. Maybe some gears are made from it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delrin

[Steve Gal]

Most rental houses with machine shops will have some of these hanging around. With Allen setscrews layed into the gears for a near seamless appearance and function.

I have these gears in stock and machine them to fit nikon or whatever lenses that can possibly work. a 3" Diameter gear will cost $ 90 and a 4" diameter gear will cost $ 120. You will need the 4" for the Nikon 85mm T1.4 and the 135mm T2.8

I have done my lenses (nikon 24mm T2.8, 28mm T2.8, 35mm T2.8, 35mm T1.4, 50mm T1.4, 85mm T2.8, 85mm T1.4, 135mm T2.8) and they work just fine. I slightly undercut them and pressure fit them on since delrin has a little give and this ensures that the lenses will not have uneven resistance do to the set screws pressing against the focus barrel and causing drag. If anyone is interested, send me an Email. By the way, the gears I use are not black or white. They are a yellowy gold color but nice in looks and performance. I would need the lenses here for custom fit and I don't want any lenses that are falling apart.

Steve

[Vincent S]

I got some custom made gears once, great price and amazing quality.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=44630&postcount=4

[Tony Lorentzen]

Very nice, Vincent. I've been working on my own with a friend of mine - and we're currently talking to a few companies about having a few prototypes done. They will be fully adjustable for different lenses but will all have the same outer diameter - like the Cinevate one - except our screw onto the lens in a non-destructive way.

[Martin Weiss]

Tony,

Did you get to produce those rings?

[Shawn R]

I have the Cinevate focus rings. You do have to be careful if your lens is plastic. If it is metal just tighten the screws down evenly and you are good to go.

Because of the way they mount you do have to show a bit more care though compared to the press on rings.

The reason I went with them is because I thought I could increase my focus throw a bit due to the larger gear.

[jetaddiction]

i was in the same boat .the redrock gears look and work like there from toys r us. i bought 3 units from shoot35 in the uk . hard heavy plastic .spin 360 gears ,not the 300 then run into big wingnuts,countersunk allen key set up . will be buying more soon ,best set up i have seen yet . wake up redrock.

[Shawn R]

After I am done with these rings and I want to re-sell my lenses you won't even see any marks. I took the rubber off before mounting them. When you go to re-sell simply place the rubber grips back on. If that isn't an option try gaffer tape. Place it around the lens in a narrow strip where the screws will tighten down.