M42 to EOS adapter for Zeiss Flektogon 35 2.4

pirius · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 133 Location: SoFla

I have bought Flektogon 35 2.4 recently and am enjoying taking macro shots for now because with my M42/EOS adapter it won't focus on anything past 1 meter. The adapter works fine with the Takumar lens, but I guess Flektogon is different. I'd appreciate if somebody could recommend an inexpensive adapter on eBay that works. I don't need AF confirmation. Thanks!

PaulC · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318

I think it may be pot luck. I've got adapters that behave in a similar way with different lenses. I had some silver ones from Roxen once (M42-EOS) which worked fine for me.

pirius · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 133 Location: SoFla

Well, I am not sure about that... The focus is too far from normal. It is supposed to focus at 19cm minimum, but i can get it focused at 5cm, as if it was attached to a macro tube. It's exciting as if I was shooting with a microscope, but that's not why I bought it for. I wonder if I just need to send it back to the seller, or perhaps try to open and fix it (if it's not too difficult). Here is a shot taken wide open from 5cm distance:

PaulC · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318

There does seem to be something wrong - maybe a reversed element or incorrect infinity setting in the lens (or perhaps the little rear element has come lose and is out of position) - it takes 12mm of extension tubes to bring close focus down to 5cm on my flek 35. It is easy enough to take the back off to access the rear element but I didn't dare go any deeper than that.

sichko · Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2475 Location: South West UK

pirius · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 133 Location: SoFla

You are right - I was measuring distance from the front element, which was incorrect - still learning...

Anyway, it was a problem with the lens, not the adapter. Somebody before me took it apart and assembled improperly so that the rear element was 2mm farther from the camera than it should be. I was able to reassemble it correctly so that it focuses at infinity. Lost super-macro capabilities (at one point I assembled it so that it could focus at mere 2cm between the front element and the subject), but as a bonus cleaned up the focusing ring so that it now moves much more smoothly.

Here are some pictures of the proper alignment so that other folks who open Flektogon 35 2.4 don't spend as much time as I did. Basically there are two rings that are screwed one on another and then together screwed on the lens barrel, and all 3 parts must be aligned and rotated to to the right degree to get correct focusing distance.

A quick test:

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Thanks a lot for detailed guide!

fastglass · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Wales, UK

rafalczyzyk · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 2

Hi there ,sorry for old thread revival, but I have one strange question to ask. I have done the same mistake like is described here, I put the focus barrel wrongly so the focus was from 1cm to 1.5m, but no further. I realised my mistake and fixed it, the lens focuses now everything, but the strange thing is that it goes beyond the infinity a lot and the written distance numbers don't line up with my observation. The focal distance according to the numbers is from 0.2 to 3m then infinity. Mine is focusing like that:
written/actual distance :
0.2/0.2
0.3/1m
0.34/around 1.5-2m
0.7/10m?
1m/15-50m
3m/infinity.
over 3m/beyond inifinity.

The focusing is precise and I have no problems with pictures, no differences between focus-screen and sensor sharpness, AF confirm ring works the same like my eye into viewfinder.
But it tickles me to wonder what is the problem?
Appreciate any ideas how to get rid of that.
BTW - AF or no-AF m42/EOS adaptors on 400D, other lenses work fine.
Regards

Heathcliff · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 58

It's really weird, i have the 35/2.4 and it works perfectly with 2 or 3 different adapters. All i can tell it is working with adapters from phototools (a german compagny), and they are not so expensive
http://cgi.ebay.fr/M42-Adapter-fur-CANON-EOS-5D-7D-30D-50D-400D-450D-500D-/390184038602?cmd=ViewItem&pt=DE_Elektronik_Computer_Foto_Camcorder_Foto_Camcorderzubeh%C3%B6r_PM&hash=item5ad8c7f0ca

edit :
------
Sorry i didn't see you fixed the problem Wink

rafalczyzyk · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 2

OK here's an update for those who will look for reference at the later date.
pirius' advice is spot on, I would just add my few cents as well.
In my case, the focus ring was OK, but focusing helicoid was screwed improperly, so after few trials and error I came up with the solution.

1. unscrew the helicoid completely on the back side (like you would unscrew this in the direction where focus ring was).
2. There is a thread start on one of the guides (the things that prevent the barrel to unscrew itself) - don't remember which one, but it can be screwed in just one way anyway. Align this thread start with the thread start of outer barrel where the 0.9 feet (red font) mark is. Screw it in and it should be the right focusing range. If you screw it in one or more threads closer to 0.25 mark, it will focus beyond infinity, if you screw it in one or more threads closer to 0.3 mark, it will shorten the focus distance dramatically.
3. Align the focus ring like pirius says. He got it spot on.
4. put lens back together and check whether back lens is aligned with m42/EOS adapter at infinity (again like pirius says, this is one the most helpful advice I have found).
5. Check the lens in few distance ranges, mind you it can be slighlty off because of m42/EOS adapter, but no more than few degrees.
HTH
Regards

czjoo · Joined: 21 Apr 2022 Posts: 1

hello, thank you for the guide. could you or somebody help me on closing back the top part? i don't seem to get how to reassemble the iris mechanism