Easy non destructive Altix NEX adapter. NEW 23 Nov 2014

[philslizzy]

Edited 23 Nov 2014 since all the original pics have been lost. At the bottom is a new simpler method of adapting an Altix lens.

I've been reading a couple of threads on this and the Camera Collector forum too about the posibility of using Altix lenses on your NEX or M4/3 camera.

I knocked one together last night - of course taking no photos during the process so as not to disturb my wife.

However here it is, naturally this will work for any mirrorless camera and possibly some DSLR's as long as you can get a Pentax PK adapter for it.



The FFD of the Altix is almost identical to the PK so that part was easy.

Materials needed:

Pieces if this plastic less than 1mm thick (I used the lid of a fishfood container)
Hot glue gin and glue
Epoxy resin
piece of silicone paper (decal/sticker backing paper)
PK adapter

Part 1
Cut the plastic into shape that will fit on the flanges of the PK mount. I made a circle that would allow the Altix's barrel (inside the flange) to go through then cut the pieces out.

Glue them with the epoxy to the PK flanges, build them up until they are level with the surface. let the glue 'gel' then turn the whole thing upside down onto the silicone paper and apply pressure until the glue has set. Making sure that the sprung pin is depressed in.

While its upside down, push any glue you can see into and around the flanges.

The plastic pieces should be flush with the surface of the adapter flange.



Part 2
Try the lens for fit, depending how big the plastic flanges are the lens will 'bayonet' into the adapter.

Mark the flange with a marker pen where the lens index will go ( you can see it clearly on my photo above)

Remove the flange from the barrel of the adapter (this makes the next stage easier)

With the lens nose down, put the flange onto the lens, lining up the index with the mark you made.

Carefully hot glue all the way round, going into all the bayonet flanges of the adapter and lens. Push the hot glue with a wet finger into all the parts. Try to avoid getting any on the surface of the flange as this must screw back nice and flat.



I removed excess with a sharp knife.

Screw the adapter back onto the lens,

There is a tiny gap of less than a millimetre all the way round the lens. You can either paint the glue black or as I did cheated with a bit of blu tak.



Thats it. Simple and the hot glue will hold the lens in place until you want to remove it. Not recommended for tropical areas!

No harm to the lens as the glue will just pull off, the PK adapter will be no good unless you can get the epoxy from the bayonet flange.

Quick and easy and non destructive to your lens.

A couple of shots thru the window and a flower this morning with this setup. The 2 feet close focusing distance is handy.

Levels adjusted as the lens is fairly low contrast.

[vlousada]

Thank you for sharing!

[Davichin]

Thank you very much!

[Davichin]

Hello Phil,

What is strange is that there is a difference of 3mm in the flange distance between PK and Altix, and your lens still seems to focus to infinity, doesn´t it?

[jamesbondaka007]

Cool

[philslizzy]

[Davichin]

No no, thank you!

I will wait for your measurements, as I think 3mm is "a lot" to be missed.

[philslizzy]

Mystery solved. It depends where you are measuring from.

The inner ring - actually the mount retaining ring is just over 42mms from the pressure plate, the front of the flange is just under 46mm, the front of the flange and the lens seat is what I used. Lucky really I suppose.

[Davichin]

Aaaaaaaaahaaa! so, for what it is related to adapters etc..., the flange distance is the same as M42, PK etc... very good to know. Those 42.5mm stated in the charts are somehow misleading.

Thank you again!

[philslizzy]

I'm not use who measured it but it seems to be the de-facto standard now.

[A.Dent]

[philslizzy]