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Changing Mounts, Need a Collimator , Anyone?

steve green

steve green

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Hey everyone,
I've been changing my PL mt. to Canon mt. and back again with some regularity. I'm getting concerned that without the ability to properly check back focus and flange depth I'm setting myself up for trouble. Is there anyone in the Los Angeles area that wants to share the cost and use of a Denz FDC portable collimator? Both pieces necessary for perfect measurements cost a total of about 9,000.00. It would be great to have three or four individuals who have a use for the device and could split the cost. For me the 9,000.00 alone is a little tough to swing.
Any interest?
Steve
805-907-0001
stevegreen123@gmail.com
 
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steve green said:
Hey everyone,
I've been changing my PL mt. to Canon mt. and back again with some regularity. I'm getting concerned that without the ability to properly check back focus and flange depth I'm setting myself up for trouble. Is there anyone in the Los Angeles area that wants to share the cost and use of a Denz FDC portable collimator? Both pieces necessary for perfect measurements cost a total of about 9,000.00. It would be great to have three or four individuals who have a use for the device and could split the cost. For me the 9,000.00 alone is a little tough to swing.
Any interest?
Steve
805-907-0001
stevegreen123@gmail.com
Click to expand...

That seems a lot, we got the red focus which seems to keep the stars aligned goo enough. If you pl mount is calibrated then you titanium EF mount is probably good to go as well. To me the ef backfocus does not matter much as the markings are not that exact any way, but for PL the red focus does the job.
 
Hey Steve,

I have had the Denz, and two others with some issues, now I use only the RED Focus, http://www.red.com/store/products/red-focus which is only PL, but as I also switch often between mounts, I check when back on PL with Master Primes, and I never once found a single problem, so you are safe.

Don't over tighten.

Only once I tough I had a BF issue, and instead it was because of the Master Primes delicate nature when traveling, that do to their super heavy Glass elements they can ever slightly go out of calibration.
 
There's also RED's own or there's one from AbelCine.

Both are less expensive - but maybe the Denz offers more?
 
To me the RED Focus does his job most perfectly, and I surely did not sale the Denz because was more expensive, or got the RED one because was cheaper, as I do have the Denz DV kit, which is by far the most expensive DVF kit out there at 8k, but I love it and I paid the money for it, for Focus check the RED Focus on the RED Epic R1 or Scarlet its all you would ever want to have.

The fact that the Denz Multi allows for Canon EFs mount means nothing to me as Canon glass its all Autofocus any ways, and if you are like me that focuses by hand in full Manual, you still can't ever make any focus decisions based on the markings on their lenses.
 
KETCH ROSSi said:
To me the RED Focus does his job most perfectly, and I surely did not sale the Denz because was more expensive, or got the RED one because was cheaper, as I do have the Denz DV kit, which is by far the most expensive DVF kit out there at 8k, but I love it and I paid the money for it, for Focus check the RED Focus on the RED Epic R1 or Scarlet its all you would ever want to have.

The fact that the Denz Multi allows for Canon EFs mount means nothing to me as Canon glass its all Autofocus any ways, and if you are like me that focuses by hand in full Manual, you still can't ever make any focus decisions based on the markings on their lenses.
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Ketch, I agree that the PL mount backfocus is all that needs to be "spot on". I never worry about the Canon mount. But in your experience the Red Focus is definitive and accurate?
 
Just thought I'd update this.

I picked up a NULL Lens / Target Optical Collimator Kit from Abel Cine - http://www.abelcine.com/store/NULL-Lens-Target-Optical-Collimator-Kit/ recently.

It's just arrived via FedEx, so I thought I'd post just in case anyone is still after one... and, as the current price, it's a bargain. Basically, they're EOL so AbelCine are shifting their stock.

Final cost was $405 (unit is $450 but there's a 10% discount) plus $260 on labour to get the mount converted for the Epic. So, including international Fedex to the UK, the lot came in at a shade over $800.

Just thought I'd post and let everyone know, if you're in the market for one, it's a good price.
 
Andy White said:
Just thought I'd update this.

I picked up a NULL Lens / Target Optical Collimator Kit from Abel Cine - http://www.abelcine.com/store/NULL-Lens-Target-Optical-Collimator-Kit/ recently.

It's just arrived via FedEx, so I thought I'd post just in case anyone is still after one... and, as the current price, it's a bargain. Basically, they're EOL so AbelCine are shifting their stock.

Final cost was $405 (unit is $450 but there's a 10% discount) plus $260 on labour to get the mount converted for the Epic. So, including international Fedex to the UK, the lot came in at a shade over $800.

Just thought I'd post and let everyone know, if you're in the market for one, it's a good price.
Click to expand...


Seems like a killer deal. Did Abel do the mount-conversion for you?
 
That certainly is a killer deal.....if it's a definitive device to check back focus. I bit the bullet and bought the Denz and couldn't be happier......but it's expensive!
 
steve green said:
That certainly is a killer deal.....if it's a definitive device to check back focus. I bit the bullet and bought the Denz and couldn't be happier......but it's expensive!
Click to expand...

The Denz is nice and useful if you're Canon mount & PL.

I'm PL only, but will be grabbing an Allstar soon as I need to test some BNCR and OCT-19 lenses I have (if I like them, I'll be getting them converted to PL - if not, I'll be selling them). So this filled a requirement so I can adjust BF (if needed) after a couple of mount changes.
 
Adrian Jebef said:
Seems like a killer deal. Did Abel do the mount-conversion for you?
Click to expand...

The Null Lens/Target is a great deal. This kit used to cost a lot more.

Abel Cine Tech will do the conversion for you and the resulting product is very simple and effective. Contact Jenna or Jason in NYC for the modification.
 
Adrian Jebef said:
Just ordered one w/ EPIC mod from Abel NYC.

Mr. White: Thank You very much for the tip. This is a ridiculous deal on a very, very useful tool.
Click to expand...

Adrian - no problem on the tip, it seemed good to share such a bargain for those that were in need of one :)

It looks like you might have got the last discounted one - as the link is now coming up with $2,695.00 as the unit price (rather than $450) and it's a back order. Of course, you could still get the Null lens and the target separately ($250 and $699), as that works out cheaper than the combi... but I suspect these are EOL/discounts too.

So seems you lucked in with this one :)

Andy
 
I have a RED Focus available for sale if anyone is interested. Excellent condition, very light use. Never rented or even removed from the shop.
 
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