Ring Mount

Hi to all. I was just wondering how to build a ring mount manually. I plan to use this to hold my camera lens. The lens is a Nikon 80 - 200mm f2.8 AF-D push-pull telephoto lens. As you know this lens is quite old but its the foundation of one of Nikon's best telephoto lens. To others here that loves photography will know what I'm describing. The down side to this lens apart from an average AF speed is that it has no ring mount to use on a tripod due to the way the telephoto mechanism functions (push - pull). I don't want to part with this classic and very sharp lens (easier to upgrade). I have this in storage most of its life but lately I have re-started to go back to photography again.

I'm having difficulty trying to design a holding ring so I can attach a custom bracket to run the length of the lens to enable me to attach it to a tripod for stability. There are after market brace for this from Kirk and F & L but it cost around 170 GBP for a piece of CNC bracket. I have a lathe and a milling machine so I can put this to use. One thing I thought of is to buy a telescope bracket but I might not find the right "fit".

The difficulty is how to design the locking mechanism of the ring. I don't have a CNC machine. Any thoughts and ideas from expert here will be most welcome.

Thanks!

Raph

I have a couple of one touch zooms and cannot think exactly how a ring mount could be used with one. I assume that a 2.8 in this focal length is pretty large and heavy and you are worried about just using the cameras mount on its own. A picture would help enormously.

 Since you mention AF, I may well be mistaken in thinking it is one touch.

Edited By old mart on 01/10/2019 22:11:48

Is this what you have in mind ?

**LINK**

https://www.kirkphoto.com/lens-mounting/nikon-auto-focus/80-200mm-f-2-8-d-afs-1999-after/lens-collar-for-nikon-80-200mm-f-2-8-afs.html

MichaelG.

Yes Michael, similar to that. The lens is an AF-S mine is the older model AF-D. Same optics and elements. Also same length. The difference is the focusing mechanism. The one you show rotates to focus and had a built in ring mount at the rear. My lens is a push - pull telephoto to adjust focal length and rotate to focus (manually). The other difference is the speed they AutoFocus.

My plan is to make a ring on the front of the lens to attach to a slim bracket under to connect to the rear of the lens. This bracket would not interfere with the focal length and focusing barrel. This would allow me to get the center of gravity of the camera/lens combination to mount to a tripod. The problem I have to solve is to design a ring clamping mechanism. I have seen a few including the Kirk designed to this specific lens. Im having difficulty with manual machining to do the clamping mechanism of the ring. I will do a full aluminium ring and bracket. Any design idea would help.

I will upload some photos once I have the time.

Raphael

Thanks for the clarification, Raphael

Photos and relevant dimensions would be useful, yes please.

I’m sure ‘the Team’ will come-up with some interesting ideas

… but beware ‘Design by Committee’

MichaelG.

Raphael, is this your lens ? **LINK**

Raphael Have a look at SRB Photographic

Roy

By the look of it the front section of the lens does not rotate so a ring there connected to the tripod screw on the camera by a bar with a tripod screw at the centre of gravity may be the only way to go.

Hi John, yes that's what I have.

Roy, thanks for the link. I will explore options.

Nick, that is my plan but I am struggling to get a good design for the ring mount to clamp the front ring. I have difficulty figuring out the clamping/locking design as my lathe and mill can handle. I have no CNC capabilities to get the ring to have a side locking screw.

Raphael You don't need CNC to produce anything like this.

Roy