Adapter for 15mm Heliar on X-E1

Peter_S

Peter_S
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Hi!
I want to have a small, reliable WA-setup. Thought about an X-E1 with the 15mm Heliar in either M39 or M-mount. Seems to be reliable and as small as it can get, actually smaller than any film-based solution.
Anyway - what are your experiences with adapters for the 15mm Heliar? I would also use a Sonnar C occasionally on it, but focus is on the Heliar.

Easiest to get around here seem to be the Kipon and Novoflex adapters, and the Fuji adapter.
 
I've seen mixed reviews, some report very bad smearing, other times things seem pretty decent. No doubt it's all down to the adapter tolerances. Personally I would buy the adjustable rainbow imaging copper thread M39 adapter off ebay, they're only about 8 dollars or so. If the results aren't so good then try for other options.

Just bear in mind that a 15mm won't be a 15mm when you put it on the x-e1, it'll be more like a 22.5mm. If you actually want an 15mm equivalent adapted lens I'm not sure what your options are. Also, if size is your #1 priority, I'm afraid to say you can have more compact setups at that focal length in film (e.g. the heliar on a leica IIIf).
 
Peter, I have the CV 15mm. Used it in the past as a true 15 on a film camera and then on an RD1 and now on my Xpro. Sometimes I use a CV 24mm finder and along with prefocus it makes a very quick shooter. It is a super lens and a whole lot smaller than the Fuji 14mm. I use a Kipon adapter with mine and have had no problems.
That said mine is now going up for sale as I find Im shooting differently now but I can recommend both the lens and the Kipon.

Paul
 
Hi!
Thanks for the replies. I am looking for a 21mm equiv. solution, so the 15mm on APS-C is fine. I would go for film (Contax), but I do rarely use 21mm and want a light & small solution.
I may try the Kipon...but I am lookign around ebay for options.
 
I own 2 adapters for my X-E2... the cheaper Fotodiox, because I've had good luck with them so far. And the Metabones adapter. I keep a LTM->M Mount ring on the LTMs I use and just pop them on and go.

I like both adapters, however the Metabones lens release button is a bit easier to use so I tend to use it most. I've had no issues so far with any LTM or M Mount I've tried on either.
 
I'm late to the party as always. I use the 15 Heliar a lot on my XE1 & XP1. I tested many adapters and found that the Fuji is by far the best and most accurate.
It's a killer lens and on the XE1,....hard to beat.
 
What Don said, but I have also tried a sub $20 adapter off the 'bay - not as nice a fit as the genuine Fuji one, and no easy access to the lens focal length manus, but it does work.

If price is your top consideration for an adapter, I would try one of the cheapo ones - not much to lose if you don't like it, plus you could alway sell it on / trade it / give it away
 
Another option (assuming you don't already have the CV 15mm lens you plan to use on hand) is to look for the NLA Nikon F-mount version. With Kiipon's shift adapter, this makes a poor-man's wide-angle PC lens that works surprisingly well for shifts up to 5mm or so. Smearing in the corners can sometimes be a problem (but not always, which I find strange) and it's not especially well balanced for handheld work, but otherwise, I find it to be "good enough" for most purposes. YMMV, of course!
 
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