Cine-Modding Your Nikon NIKKOR F Lens to EF | Complete Conversion & Must-Have Parts
#nikon #cinematography #filmmaking
Welcome to the ultimate lens modding guide! Today, we're diving into the complete conversion of the Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AIS lens to an EF mount. This lens is a fantastic addition to any filmmaker's kit, and we'll walk you through the entire process.
Here's what you'll need to get started:
- Your Nikon lens
- Follow focus gears from followfocusgears.com or simmodlens.com
- An outer diameter front ring for filter compatibility (I prefer the 80mm OD ring)
- A high-quality front cap (I recommend the one from simmod for durability)
- An EF mount (simmodlens.com)
- Super secret grease from simmod to ensure smooth operation without splattering
- Q-tips to apply grease to the aperture ring
- A set of screwdrivers for the modding process
- Microfiber cloth for cleaning
- Lens cleaning supplies, including Pankro and lens tissue
- A blower to remove dust
If you're only interested in basic lens modding, you can focus on the mount, lens, microfiber, and screwdrivers. However, if you want a comprehensive conversion, follow along with the complete process.
We'll start by de-clicking the aperture. This simple process involves removing a few screws, allowing for smooth aperture adjustments without unwanted clicks.
Next, we'll apply grease to the aperture ring to provide the perfect amount of resistance. This ensures your aperture settings won't shift too easily, maintaining control over your depth of field.
We'll then install the EF mount, using the included screws. The cinepro brass version is recommended for superior quality. The mount attaches seamlessly to the native F mount, without the need for grinding or additional modifications.
To avoid oil and grease on the glass, we'll show you how to clean any accidental spills with a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning supplies. It's a valuable skill for maintaining your lens.
The final step is to attach the follow focus ring, which comes in two pieces. A quick tip: if the ring is too tight, use a hair dryer or heat gun to expand it for a perfect fit.
Once you have the follow focus ring in place, screw on the front ring for filter compatibility and add the front cap. Your modded lens is now ready to go, providing a smooth and precise filmmaking tool.
For any questions or if you're interested in modding other lenses, feel free to reach out. Share this guide with fellow cinematographers, and stay tuned for more valuable tips and tutorials. Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 🎥🔧
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Shops mentioned in the video:
www.simmodlens.com/
followfocusgears.com/
GEAR WE USE & LOVE:
BMPCC 6K Starter Kit: kit.co/causbury/bmpcc-6k-kit
BMPCC 6K Filmmaker's Kit: kit.co/causbury/bmpcc-6k-film...
GEAR USED to produce this video:
Fujifilm X-T4 Kit: kit.co/causbury/fujifilm-x-t4...
Microphone (w/ Needed Extras): geni.us/XqNq
Microphone Only: geni.us/yErF5B
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Пікірлер: 34
Super interesting. Completely removes the ‘fear’ for tampering with lenses and opens up for a world of combinations. Much! appreciated.
@collinausbury
Жыл бұрын
Love to hear it! Have you converted any lenses before? Relatively painless. Also if there’s a series of lenses you’d like to see modded, let me know. May make a video!
Wow. This was so cool and calming.
@jaccarlson1
2 жыл бұрын
What do you like about this lens versus a modern lens?
@collinausbury
2 жыл бұрын
@@jaccarlson1 My boy I'm glad you asked - working on some more videos to show the magic of these babies. Wanted to get this one out first so people can jump here if they decide they want to mod their own. :)
Thanks for the video! I skipped the mount conversion and just got a Nikon adapter instead. Since I'm adapting to L-mount this made more sense than modding to EF. Making the filter thread common and adding follow focus gear + lens caps makes a lot of sense though :)
@collinausbury
11 ай бұрын
Hey! With the L-mount are you able to focus at infinity? Looks like people are having issues there with converting these.
Great video Collin! Perhaps the NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4 AIS is my favorite lens and I've been using an adapter to mount it on my C100 & 1Dx MkII, but thanks to you I'm going to MOD it as well as my Nikon 35mm f/2 AIS. Thanks for sharing!! JC
Yoooo! Thank you KZread Gods for putting this in my feed. I've ditched all of my lenses in favor of my Nikkor AI-S set.
Dope video!!
@collinausbury
Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!!
2:21 (Insert Leo pointing at screen in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) I know what those are. Despite being completely illiterate when it comes to even iPhone cameras, I’m proud to see how far you’ve come with this discipline, brother. Always looking out for your next vid.
@collinausbury
2 жыл бұрын
Ha I hear that whistle! Your loyalty is strong, my brother, watching through a super technical one like this. Thanks for your encouraging words, my man.
Amazing video!!! I am building my ai-s kit as well. I currently have :20mm f2.8 , 50mm f1.2 , 85mm f2 Love all of them!!!
@collinausbury
2 жыл бұрын
Oh dude how is the 85mm?
@SamueleApperti
2 жыл бұрын
@@collinausbury I like it, but mine is the f2 ! I have a video where I compare the Nikkor ais 85mm f2 vs 85mm f1.4 Zeiss Planar vs 80mm f2.8 (medium format lens) zeiss . So you can judge your self 😀
@SamueleApperti
2 жыл бұрын
@@collinausbury this video here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aoSLq6qOmby0eJM.html
Thank you for this. You seems pretty knowledgeable - if I may venture a question.. any ideas on how to find a replacement for the front element of the 20mm f2.8 ais ? I dropped mine, and the front element/thread ring was bent, and so removed. Now the lens is all exposed and wonder if there are any solutions, as the lens is still working fine, thankfully, but can't take any filters, lens caps, etc.
@collinausbury
2 жыл бұрын
Ahh sorry to hear that! My only thought would be to buy one “for parts only” on eBay and try and replace the housing that way. Not sure how easy it is to replace the outer body of the lens. Wish you the best.
So beautiful
@collinausbury
11 ай бұрын
Thank you so much
ok ok ok - subscribed....good shit
Nice video, 👍
@collinausbury
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you brother!
I’ve given up on using grease and have gotten better results using strips of felt. I cut the strips from sheets with self stick backing from craft stores. Less than $1 per sheet.
The screws on Nikon lenses are JIS pattern not Phillips. If you are not careful you will wreck the screw heads. The screws come out much easier using the correct JIS tools. Best also to use Japanese OEM helicoid grease. You can get the tools and grease from Japan Hobby Tool.
Anyone else has the problem that the image shakes quite heavily when modding Nikon lenses? I have the problem with 3 lenses. The Focus gears fit nice and tight, but when focusing both by hand or with a follow focus, the image shakes quite a bit. Might be because I use K&F Adapters and not screwed Simmod Adapters, but actually they sit pretty tight as well.
@collinausbury
Жыл бұрын
Yes if the image is shaking then it’s not a perfect fit - always recommending screwed on adapter mods rather than the little rings. Rings are cool to see what a lens looks like before buying though 👍🏼
I got some simmod nikon to ef adapters that I planned to do a cine conversion but never did it. Hit me up if anyone is interested, I got 6 of the nikon-ef mounts.
Жыл бұрын
how much are you asking?
Is it good for taking videos
@collinausbury
9 ай бұрын
Yes. Wide open there’s some chromatic aberration, so stopping down a touch is helpful. The AI versions typically have a much longer focus throw. But the AI-S typically have more aperture blades so it’s a trade off you have to make for a shorter throw.
what would i do without you
@collinausbury
2 жыл бұрын
Did you pull the trigger on modding yours? 😌