Apparatus and method for setting a parameter of a lens of a television, video or studio camera

An apparatus for manually setting a parameter of a lens of a television, video or studio camera, especially for setting the distance between the camera and an object which is to be photographed, the apparatus being connectable with the camera and having a hand wheel which can be rotated about an axis of rotation, as well as an adjusting wheel which can be connected through a gear mechanism with the hand wheel and engages a corresponding wheel at the lens for setting the parameter, the improvement comprising two stops, which can be adjusted variably relative to one another and fixed at different angular positions, for limiting the angle of rotation of the hand wheel;

• wherein the hand wheel is connected with a ring arrangement of two rings that can be rotated relative to one another and each of which carries one of the two stops for a stop finger that is connected torsionally rigidly with a shaft of the hand wheel;
• wherein the angular position of the two rings relative to one another can be fixed by a locking element;
• and wherein the locking element is constructed so that, in a first position, it permits the rotation of the two rings of the ring arrangement relative to one another and, in a second position, it fixes the rings relative to one another at a prescribed angular spacing.