Frequently Asked Questions 

Website Navigation Tips

• Our search bar in the top right corner can help find gears for lenses on the site. If you're looking for a gear for a particular lens, try entering the lens make / model or focal length and speed. For example, try searching "24-70mm f2.8" or instead of "24-70" for a more accurate search.

How do the gears work?

• Each gear is carefully designed to fit a specific lens. They're made to a high degree of accuracy, so every gear will have a perfect fit. Gently press the gear ring on by hand and you're ready to go. 

How long will it take to ship my order?

• In most cases, the gear will ship the same or next day. From time to time, it can take up to 3 days to process and ship each order. Expedited shipping is available at checkout.

What will I receive in the mail with a custom order?

• You will receive two things: Your custom gear (made to your specs) and a collection of "fitment rings" used for adjustments. 

How do I use the "fitment rings"?

• The fit rings can be used if a custom gear does not fit properly. Each ring is numbered and has a slightly different size. One of the fit rings should fit your lens's focus ring tightly enough to turn focus without slipping, exactly like a gear would. Contact us and let us know which ring fits best and we can make a custom gear to that exact size, or any size between fit ring numbers. Video demonstration is below.

My gear is too tight, how do I fix it?

• These are just suggestions that have worked well in the past, not necessarily recommendations. The gear should fit right out of the box and adjustments SHOULD NOT be needed, but occasionally slight differences in lenses can cause a gear to be off by a small amount, causing the gear not to work properly. If you are uncomfortable preforming the field-fixes listed below, contact us for a free adjustment and we'll make sure you get an absolutely perfect gear. FollowFocusGears is not responsible if lens gears  forced onto lens rings, which could result in damage. We correct non fitting gears for FREE. Gentle force is usually ok, but don't ever give it "uncomfortable" amounts of force to install if the gear is not fitting properly. Contact us if you have any issues and we're happy to help.
• The first thing you can try, especially if the gear is very, very close, is to lightly sand the inside surface of the gear. It may not feel like you're taking off much material, but tiny adjustments are the key to perfection.
• If sanding isn't doing the job or the gear is much to small (by 1-2mm at most), you can try heating the gear.  The trick here is to heat the gear evenly.  The best way to do this is using a heat gun. A hair dryer could potentially work if you don't have a heat gun. Wave the heat source around the inner surface of the gear as well as the gear teeth until the gear is hot and becomes a little soft. While the gear is hot, quickly install the gear on the lens before the gear cools. The gear will cool to the size of your focus ring. This works well, but the gear can be extremely difficult to remove without reheating or cutting the gear off. 
• One additional method, and this works well if the gear is very, very close to fitting but potentially bunching up the rubber just a bit is to lubricate the inner surface of the gear with rubbing alcohol or other non-destructive liquid like a very thin coat of hairspray on the inner surface of the gear.
• If the gear is incredibly close, but bunches up the rubber a little bit, is to gently twist the gear to clear out the "bunched up" rubber focus ring on the lens. This only works for gears that are extremely close to fitting.
• If these tips don't help or you damage your gear in the process (put priority on protecting your lens of course), let us know and we'll send a free replacement or adjusted gear. Be as descriptive of the problem as you can. Any additional details on your lens or measurements are always helpful. 

My gear is too loose, how do I fix it?

• If the gear is too loose and is slipping, simply stick a piece of tape on the inside surface of the gear. You may have to experiment with different types and lengths of tape, but we've found that gaffer tape or electrical tape works just fine. Even thin strips of rubber or rubber bands or even strips cut from a bicycle inner tube might help tighten up a loose gear. 
• If the gear is so loose you can't fit a wedge of tape for tightening (and are ok with a permanently installed gear) glue is a possible solution. You'd obviously want to exercise your best judgement before applying any kind of adhesive or glue to a lens, but you can minimize the 'permanent-ness' and residue stains/damage by using more non-destructive approaches. A small dab of hot glue could be an easy and effective DIY fix. If you want to go more even more permanent, we have heard of using a dab or two of rubber cement on the edge of the installed focus gear where it contacts the focus ring on the lens. Lighter fluid will dissolve rubber cement when your'e ready for removal and residue should wipe away clean. There are tons of other glues that could potentially work. It may be smart to avoid more destructive types of glue like super glues.
• If these tips aren't helpful or you are not comfortable doing them, we will make design changes to your gear and ship the updated replacement. The more information you tell us about what went wrong (i.e. if the gear was way off or slightly too loose), the better results we can produce on the updated gear replacement.

What is the warranty like?

• Each gear comes with a life time of support. We cover any adjustments needed for an absolutely perfect fitting gear at no extra cost.
• Gears are highly customized and made to order.
• Each gear is made to order. Because we're a small business and each gear is highly customized, we no longer offer returns. All sales are final. We are able to offer in store credit, exchanges, or any adjustments needed to get your gear working perfectly.