Using a short flange focus distance on a digital reflex in L

pleto · Joined: 18 Oct 2019 Posts: 37

I wonder if anyone ever tried to use a rf style lens with a short flange focal distance on a reflex camera using Live View, so with mirror up.

Possibly by implementing some trick to deceive the electronics, some diy adapter etc.

DConvert · Joined: 12 Jun 2010 Posts: 902 Location: Essex UK

Some SLRs flip the mirror down in live view before taking the shot. not good if you've managed to get a rangefinder lens far enough into the mount to work!
Using those lenses for macro is of course an option even without the need for live view.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4748 Location: Cheshire, England

I doubt it could be done, as DConvert says the mirror flips down before the shutter operates. You wouldn't get much inside a DSLR anyway.

You would have to manage to fit it inside the body of the camera, somehow fix it there, then how are you supposed to focus it or operate the aperture?

I don't think you've really thought it through very well

pleto · Joined: 18 Oct 2019 Posts: 37

Live view stays on on my cameras.

My kind of lenses would be old home movie projection lenses. I have one and it fits, rf ones are too large.

I could use just the center of the image given the small circle of confusion.

The only fear I have is that of putting the rear of the lens so close to the sensor, a possible source of dirt given that all these movie lenses are old. I have one that fits well,I tried yesterday, it is f 1.2 so I could try some bokeh effect.

I'm not sure it is safe to keep it so close as the adaptor should be well made to avoid incidents.

Maybe I wil have one made by 3D printing but I feel I should be careful

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Go for it! Smile

dickb · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 821

Before mirrorless full frame cameras were available some people taped their Canon 5D II mirrors in the up position or even removed them to use weird lenses like the Nikon F mount version of the Voigtlaender 15mm f/4.5. So it can be done, not sure whether it is to be recommended though.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Relay lens system, but it inverts the image upside down. Done that, not really useful.

Dustylens · Joined: 15 Jun 2020 Posts: 6 Location: Chandler, AZ

I'm unsure what you actually mean.

I have a Staebel Telexon 135 / 3.8 with an M39 mount which I believe was designed for a range finder (I don't know which), and with adapters, it works on my DSLR (Pentax K-1), but I don't get infinity focus due to the longer Flange Focal Distance of Pentax bodies. The lens does not interfere with the mirror.

I also have a Steinheil Cassarit 45 / 2.8 with an M39 mount which was designed for a Braun Paxette -- but one with an uncoupled range finder. It _does_ interfere with the mirror on my K-1, but with adapters I can use it just fine in Live View -- again, without infinity focus.

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11