Adapter for 15mm Heliar on X-E1

[Peter_S]

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.

 

[nongfuspring]

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).

 

[kuvvy]

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

 

[Peter_S]

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.

 

[alienmeatsack]

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.

 

[M4streetshooter]

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.

 

[john neal]

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

 

[Audii-Dudii]

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!