There is a wonderful world of manual lenses out there. This guide is dedicated to using Nikkor lenses on Canon, and other camera mounts.

Here is what we will be covering:

1. [1:45] Different Types of Nikkor Lenses (NON-AI, AI, and AIS)
2. [5:25] How to Adapter the Nikon Mount to Canon and Others
3. [9:49] Why Use Manual Nikkors?
4. [12:50] Where to Buy Nikkor Lenses
5. [14:20] How to Customize These Lenses for Video

Links and Notes:

• Nikon compatibility chart I mention at xxx in the video can be found here.
• KEH.com for lenses. Remember EX is the best but if you need to save money and don’t mind a slightly more used lens then the BGN rating will get the price down a little farther. My own rule is if I am spending more than $300 on the lens I get EX or EX+. I’d hate to buy a 50mm F1.2 for $500 at the BGN level and have it be in bad shape.
• Here is a list of the AIS lenses I have bought from KEH:
• 28mm F2, 35mm F2, 50mm F1.4, 85mm F2, 100mm F2.8.
• You might want to check out this article on spotting the difference between NON-AI, AI, and AIS if you do a lot of garage sale or craigslist shopping.

Gear Mention in this video:

Nikon to Canon EOS Adatper

Canon Rear Cap

52-77mm Step-up Ring

Front Lens Cap

Also check out the lens gears from WideOpenCamera.com.

Do you have any tips for adapter Nikkors to different camera mounts?

Thought I would share a couple tips on buying vs. renting, and selling gear as well as a little economics class.

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1. Opportunity Cost – Understand that everything has an alternative cost.
2. Buying – Figure out what you use for every shoot.
3. Renting – Rent for those special gigs that require kit you don’t usually need.
4. Selling – Get rid of the gear you haven’t used in the last 6 months.

So check it out, remember the top handle rig I talked about? Well using the same parts you can mount any follow focus with a 1/4 inch mounting point to your Magic Arm! Check out the video to see how I did this with my D|Focus.

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Parts List

Affordable Manfrotto Style Base Plate

Not as many mounting options as the cinevate baseplate, but it is a fraction of the price. Get a couple if you can so you can use the same baseplate on multiple rigs, tripods etc.

Friction Adjustable Arm

These are great. There are so many uses for these arms so if you every switch up your rigging you will always have a use for one of these.

I was just asked on Vimeo how I export and compress my projects. Thought I’d share my process with all of you. What do you use?

Like I mentioned in the video I go from FCP > Mpeg Streamclip. You can get a copy of Mpeg Streamclip here.

Also check out my settings below the video.

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Just the other day on twitter Sam Fack shared some pictures of a track he built for his Cinemover. I’ve been looking for something like this myself and was quite impressed with it. It looks like something that could easily be used with a couple light stands or tripods. Great job Sam!

Check out his tutorial below and a some footage he shot using it.

Video Description:

Well this is the first time for me being on the wrong side of the lens, so apologies for being slightly out of focus all the time.

This is a short video on a track that I made for a Cinemover (links below). The track is made up of System 30. It’s a really useful resource as you can pretty much make anything frame based that you could think of.

Links:

• Exel – http://www.exelcomposites.com/
• Cinemover – http://moveyourcameracheap.blogspot.com/
• Caleb’s site – http://dslrvideoshooter.com/
• My main Vimeo Channel – http://vimeo.com/samfack
• SlideShow video – http://vimeo.com/30489153

Check it out, DVD Spindles are actually 15mm in diameter! So you can use them as rods. I’ve tested them will some Redrock gear and they work great.

NOTE: These “rods” are plastic. So don’t put too much faith into them. So if you put your 5D and a huge lens, monitor and battery pack on them and it breaks, don’t come running back here to flame me. Be smart.

An episode on news? Thats right I am thinking of doing a episode dedicated to news and other topics for each week. Let me know what you think! And have a great weekend!

Canon Announces Special Hollywood Event (Link)

Sony NEX 5n - Amazon | B&H | dpreview specs

Sony A77 - Amazon | B&H| dpreview specs

Sony VG20 – Amazon | B&H | dpreview info

EOS HD’s Comparison Video:

Cinema5D VG20 HDMI Recording Test:

El Skid’s FS100 Articles:
10 Reasons to love the FS100
10 Reasons to hate the Sony FS100

Over the past 2 years I’ve come up with a couple tips for making using photography lenses for video easier. I would love to hear what you do to prep your lenses for video production.

Show Notes

• Zip Tie Gears.
• Step up rings.
• Rear Lens Caps:

49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm

• Rear EOS Caps.

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Quicktime File: DSLR Video Shooter Episode #023

DSLRs have a tendency to twist while on a tripod or rig. In this episode, I show you how to make an affordable anti-twist plate for your DSLR.

Show Notes:

• Really Right Stuff Quick Releases
• Anti-Twist Plate
• Manfrotto Quick Release Plate

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As more camera manufacturers develop larger sensor cameras, camera mounts, and lens systems I believe its wise to consider what mount type you invest in. I explain my plan in this episode.

Show Notes:

• Tokina Lenses.
• Canon USM Lenses.
• Nikon to EOS WITH Focus Confirmation.

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QuickTime File: DSLR Video Shooter Episode #019