P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
If it is built like the Nokton 50/1.5, yes, it should be able to be modified. Since I do not have a ZM C-Sonnar to dissect I have no idea.
Now if someone want to donate a C-Sonnar for the greater good, I am happy to investigate.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
aye as hell.
Krosya
Konicaze
While I didnt take either of them apart, to me it looks like focusing action seems same/similar with both Nokton 50/1.5 and Heliar 75/2.5, which makes me wonder if Heliar 75/2.5 is another lens that can be "fixed" to focus closer too?
Krosya
Konicaze
I was wondering if there is any progress on this? I'm itching to take something apart.
ampguy
Veteran
Why not just get a J3, and cut out a shim? This gives you .7m to infinity, and trust me, the lens is as good or better than the CV 50/1.5 (or at least my sample), and about 1/2 the size.
kzphoto
Well-known
Not to hijack this thread but....
Has anyone tried this with the UC-Hex 35/2? (is it possible?) Because the biggest draw back of the 35 is the .9m focus.... if it went .7, they'd jump in value.
Has anyone tried this with the UC-Hex 35/2? (is it possible?) Because the biggest draw back of the 35 is the .9m focus.... if it went .7, they'd jump in value.
Krosya
Konicaze
Well, having felt ADVENTUROUS today, I thought I'd have some fun. Here is a result :
:
Krosya
Konicaze
Notice anything different?
Krosya
Konicaze
And here is a quick test shot on RD1s at NEW min focus - 0.7m or even less (didnt measure , but its pretty close, hehe):
ampguy
Veteran
shim? how thick, how far out can you focus now? nice!
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
No shim... he did some metalwork!
I would be curious if you worked out the same modification is I did.
I have not have time to modify and document the silver Nokton 50/1.5 yet... so many other things on the burner. Probably will not happen for another few weeks.
I would be curious if you worked out the same modification is I did.
I have not have time to modify and document the silver Nokton 50/1.5 yet... so many other things on the burner. Probably will not happen for another few weeks.
Krosya
Konicaze
No shims. Lens focuses throughout the whole range. Just some metal work - took me a few hours - lens had to be taken apart completely and some metal had to be filed down. I did take some pics, which I can post later. Not an easy modification, but can be done if you are handy. Funny thing is - now that I have done it, I'm mystified as to why Cosina didnt do it to begin with, as it wouldnt cost them a penny. Oh well, - I'm happy I did it and didnt screw it up.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Team that close focusing Nokton 50/1.5 with your M5... makes a great al-rounder. Well done on the modification.
ampguy
Veteran
well
well
It's an LTM lens, so do most ltm cameras couple down below 1m? without mods?
I sure wish the makers of my J3 also supported it.
However, one of the CVs, can't remember if it's the 50/1.5 or 50/1.1 is quite distorted at .7m, much more so than my J3, so keep that in mind if you were the manufacturer of the lens ...
well
It's an LTM lens, so do most ltm cameras couple down below 1m? without mods?
I sure wish the makers of my J3 also supported it.
However, one of the CVs, can't remember if it's the 50/1.5 or 50/1.1 is quite distorted at .7m, much more so than my J3, so keep that in mind if you were the manufacturer of the lens ...
No shims. Lens focuses throughout the whole range. Just some metal work - took me a few hours - lens had to be taken apart completely and some metal had to be filed down. I did take some pics, which I can post later. Not an easy modification, but can be done if you are handy. Funny thing is - now that I have done it, I'm mystified as to why Cosina didnt do it to begin with, as it wouldnt cost them a penny. Oh well, - I'm happy I did it and didnt screw it up.
Krosya
Konicaze
I had a little scare - when I put it back together it didnt focus right:
Took it apart again, found the problem - put it back and here we are:
Great, sharp, close focusing lens with a beautiful bokeh - just what it is supposed to be!
Took it apart again, found the problem - put it back and here we are:
Great, sharp, close focusing lens with a beautiful bokeh - just what it is supposed to be!
raid
Dad Photographer
Can this modification be done with other lenses?
I would love to make my CZJ 5cm 1.5 focus closer.
The same applies to the Canon 50/1.2 and the Heliar 50/2.
Maybe at Christmas time some people here will be Santas ... ?
I would love to make my CZJ 5cm 1.5 focus closer.
The same applies to the Canon 50/1.2 and the Heliar 50/2.
Maybe at Christmas time some people here will be Santas ... ?
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
The 50/1.1 shows a lot of barrel distortion at .7m... but only if you are shooting newspapers or brick-walls. In real use, the distortion is not evident. The 50/1.5 is is very well corrected right down to 0.5m.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Any thread mount 50mm can be very easily made to focus to 0.7m with a simple shim inserted between the lens and camera just I did with the Nokton 50/1.5 earlier in this thread. The lens will not focus to infinity, but will focus from about 4m(12')or so down to 0.7m. It is a very quick and easy way get abit closer, takes as long as mounting and unmounting the lens.
As for actual modifications to the lens helical, each lens is unique. I know Brian has modified a couple of various lens to be full-range focusing from infinity to 0.7m.
As for actual modifications to the lens helical, each lens is unique. I know Brian has modified a couple of various lens to be full-range focusing from infinity to 0.7m.
raid
Dad Photographer
So maybe having a few shims handy would take care of most close-up sitiations. As long as the RF is still coupled, it is a great finding, Lynn and Brian.
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Krosya
Konicaze
I dont know about most- but a while back , after I did modify my LTM Nikkor 5cm/1.4 t focus closer, It did so on Canon 7 camera having full RF coupling.
Nokton 50/1.5 is a modern lens, even though LTM, should have still been made by Cosina with 0.7m. After all, they did make CV 21/4 that is LTM and focuses close.
Other lenses - dont know. As I said - Nikkor 5cm/1.4 -I've done that one. I also took apart CV 75/2.5 today and tried to make it focus close. It's a whole diffent design inside and I did make it focus a LITTLE closer,but it's really not possible to modify it to go to 0.7m, as far as I could tell.
I wish I was brave enough to take some more expensive lenses apart, like my M-Hexanon 50/1.2 t make it focus closer too - it's 0.9m now. But it's too nice of lens as well as rare to experiment with. Same goes for UC-Hex 35/2 -I dont have it any more, but I wouldnt risk it.
Nokton 50/1.5 is a modern lens, even though LTM, should have still been made by Cosina with 0.7m. After all, they did make CV 21/4 that is LTM and focuses close.
Other lenses - dont know. As I said - Nikkor 5cm/1.4 -I've done that one. I also took apart CV 75/2.5 today and tried to make it focus close. It's a whole diffent design inside and I did make it focus a LITTLE closer,but it's really not possible to modify it to go to 0.7m, as far as I could tell.
I wish I was brave enough to take some more expensive lenses apart, like my M-Hexanon 50/1.2 t make it focus closer too - it's 0.9m now. But it's too nice of lens as well as rare to experiment with. Same goes for UC-Hex 35/2 -I dont have it any more, but I wouldnt risk it.