SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 on 5DmkII or 60D (mirror question)

[Fuzilah]

Hi, it is my first post, sorry if I couldn't find the answer and this has been answered.

I was on to buy the new D7000, then I found that nikons can't have infinity focus on M42 adapters unless they have a crappy glass element on the adapter... that turned me to canon. Since the 5DmkII is FF and it is still an amazing camera with amazing video capabilities, I started to look at buying one (paying a bit more for some superior camera seemed fair)

I was about to buy a 5DmkII until I found out about this problem with the mirror getting stuck on infinity focus on some takumar lenses, specially on the SMC 50mm 1.4... Since I am going to use mainly MF lenses, and the tak is one of my favorites (if not my favorite lens), this is a problem that concerns me before spending a lot of money on a new camera.

I've been diggin the web for the past 2 weeks trying to get a definitive conclusion on the subject, and so far there is none. The question is: Is there any M42 to EOS adapter that will keep the infinity focus (1,5mm thickness) AND not have a mirror problem with some takumars?

I do not care for focus chips, I don't mind to be fully MF. Some people claim that tagotech's adapter (http://cgi.ebay.com/M42-lens-Canon-EOS-body-Adapter-/230545838899?pt=Lens_Accessories&hash=item35ad9a5333#ht_2071wt_1112) will do the job, others still say you have to submit your canon to "surgery" ( =S spending 2 grand and risking the new camera seems... crazy)... what is your opinion on this subject?

Does the 60D suffer from the same mirror contact problem? Or Am I safe with a 60D (inferior camera than 5DmkII but still good video capabilities) and M42 adater with takumar lenses?

thank you for your attention, I hope this is a valid thread!

best regards,
fuz

[martinsmith99]

I have the S-M-C Tak (not SMC) 50 1.4. Depending on the adapter it MAY hit the mirror. This can happen if the adapter is too thin and allows focus beyond infinity.

The options are buy a thicker adapter, or as I did, add a few strands of sellotape neatly until the mirror doesn't catch and infinity is still possible. Took me all of 5 minutes to do this.

The 24mm Tak will always hit though.

[martinsmith99]

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[visualopsins]

Welcome Fuzilah!

[Fuzilah]

Thank you both for fast and enlightening replies! Been following the forum for a long time, but only as a reader. =)

martinsmith99:
As for the tape trick, are you putting tape under the adapter (between body and adapter)? Just trial and error until having it right?
Am I right to assume that the best thickness is 1,5mm? (to put M42 lenses at the same distance to the sensor as original canon glass) If so, is it enough for the mirror not to hit it? Do you know of any adapter wich is a sure shot?

(sorry about having so much questions, just trying to go to the bottom of the question I'm asking for the last 2 weeks)

visualopsins:
so the 60D doesn't have any issues with the mirror because of its smaller sensor, just what I thought. Thanks! (still a possibility this camera).

I guess you mean that the 24 can also be used without a problem on a 60D (or a 7D for that matter) without any problems? If so, that is great news indeed!

[Himself]

[TBaker]

I have both the 5D MKII and the SMC 50 1.4. I find I can shoot at infinity if focused but if I bring the lense to the infinity stop the mirror will hit. But really I rarely shoot needing infinity with this lense.

[Fuzilah]

Sure looks fine with that lens in it TBaker! =)

In the end, I guess it all comes down to using it or not at infinity focus.

Is there a list with the M42 lenses with the "mirror hit" problem? Which takumars have that problem? Is there any other brand with that problem? (zenith, helios, pentax A*, carl zeiss, etc)

[my_photography]

[martinsmith99]

I put the tape between the adapter and the lens. The problem I have found is that most M42 > EOS adapters are too thin, so setting the lens at infinity is actually quite a bit beyond infinity.

When my Tak is set to infinity now, it is really infinity and clears the mirror. And I do often use it for lansdcapes so it gets a lot of use at infinity.