Nikkor 17-35 f2.8 - Possible hard stop solution?

[Dominic Jones]

Hi guys,

So I spent a day shooting with a loaned 17-35 the other day, and it's a lovely lens. Internal focus, sharp everywhere, very little breathing (as in virtually none), etc, etc.

Of course, there's that bloody focus ring to deal with...

BUT - I noticed that by applying a little pressure to the focus ring, I could almost make it stop at the ends of the focus throw. So I'm of the opinion that there's a good chance that it's only the outside element of the focus assembly that lacks a hard stop (and of course, mechanically the focus must stop at each end of the scale).

So, the question is, would it be possible to remove this outer servo ring, access the mechanics underneath and press some gears onto them, thereby creating a very cheap "cine" version of the lens? Anyone had one in bits yet to confirm or deny??

Cheers all,
Dom.

 

[Matthew Duclos]

Or you could just send it it Duclos Lenses and have us perform our Cine-mod.
That would take care of focus gear, de-clicked aperture, and hard focus stop.

 

[Peter Sensor]

Same here at RP Lens.

www.rplens.com

 

[Dominic Jones]

Matthew, I don't doubt you'd do an awesome job, but I was thinking of something a few thousand pounds cheaper!!

Obviously if you did the mod it would involve a considerably better mechanical operation as well as simply fixing the hard stop issue, but I'm thinking of my super cheap indie lens set of nikkors here - all of which probably cost less than the price of a single mod by your shop dude!

Cheers though man, not taking the piss, just being a cheapskate!...

 

[rod bradley]

Hi Dominic, I think you don't have your info correct -- I'd check with Duclos, their gear ring, de-click service is very reasonable, if I'm not mistaken. This is not a complete rehousing you're talking about.

 

[Julio Quintana]

Or you could just send it it Duclos Lenses and have us perform our Cine-mod.
That would take care of focus gear, de-clicked aperture, and hard focus stop.

I have the same lens. How much are we talking?

 

[Dominic Jones]

Ah, ok - thanks Rod - I was assuming a complete re-housing ala the Tokina 11-16. Didn't realise they offered a simple de-click and and gear press.

Matthew - many apologies if I read you wrong, please don't take any offense - I just think of you guys as a high-end shop is all, and so assumed that any re-purposing of a stills lens would necessitate a complete rebuild...

In this case, you're a victim of your own success!

So now I'm with Julio - how much are we talking? And whilst I'm at, does that mean that you believe the hard stop issue can be solved by simply removing the servo ring and pressing gears to the mechanics beneath?

Cheers,
Dom.

 

[Xackery Irving]

Also interested in price for service for nikkor primes.