usayit
Well-known
Has anyone modified the lens carrier for M-cameras to fit an M8?
I know that the M8 is thicker but couldn't the carrier be grounded a little to accomodate. Judging from pictures the only part that would need to be "widened" would be the area directly underneath the fake mount portion. I also realize that the tripod on the M8 is centered but I could imagine that the carrier could be mounted turned around so that the fake mount/holder is shifted towards the right hand of the user.
I've never seen one in person so I'm not sure what material is used to make the M carrier. .. just curious. I can see it being useful when I carry just 2 lenses.
I know that the M8 is thicker but couldn't the carrier be grounded a little to accomodate. Judging from pictures the only part that would need to be "widened" would be the area directly underneath the fake mount portion. I also realize that the tripod on the M8 is centered but I could imagine that the carrier could be mounted turned around so that the fake mount/holder is shifted towards the right hand of the user.
I've never seen one in person so I'm not sure what material is used to make the M carrier. .. just curious. I can see it being useful when I carry just 2 lenses.
usayit
Well-known
Old thread, I figure I would post my resolution/update.
About a month after posting this thread, I discovered one of the original Benser lens carriers for the M3 on Ebay. No one seemed to be paying attention to the bidding so I got it for a very good price. Spent a couple hours modifying and managed a good fit on the M8. I've been using it quite frequently since then. 1) Metal snips and file to remove the front "lip" and the side attachment "loop" originally for the M3. 2) relocated the screw to the center of the plate for attachment to the center of the plate. 3) Fine file to dull the cut edges. 4) Some foam to be placed between the holder and bottom plate. Metal was easy to work.
In use, I like it. Two lenses (35mm/75mm or 50mm/90mm), extra battery in pocket and that's it. It is capable of holding two lenses but I prefer to use the spare slot to hold both lenses while swapping between the two. No hassle finding a place to hold the loose lens while maneuvering the next into place. Three lenses is also a bit too bulky and heavy. Two is just fine. When shooting with the longer focal length, the other lens is on mount closest to my focusing hand and it serves as an additional "grip" to steading the camera.
Yes... you need a coin to unscrew the carrier to get to the battery and SD card compartment. A bit of a pain that I'd like to find a better solution (especially for the occasional M8 hang up). Also, it seems the carrier is shallow and some lenses won't attach to it. Pretty much any lens I have wider than 35mm won't mount.
About a month after posting this thread, I discovered one of the original Benser lens carriers for the M3 on Ebay. No one seemed to be paying attention to the bidding so I got it for a very good price. Spent a couple hours modifying and managed a good fit on the M8. I've been using it quite frequently since then. 1) Metal snips and file to remove the front "lip" and the side attachment "loop" originally for the M3. 2) relocated the screw to the center of the plate for attachment to the center of the plate. 3) Fine file to dull the cut edges. 4) Some foam to be placed between the holder and bottom plate. Metal was easy to work.
In use, I like it. Two lenses (35mm/75mm or 50mm/90mm), extra battery in pocket and that's it. It is capable of holding two lenses but I prefer to use the spare slot to hold both lenses while swapping between the two. No hassle finding a place to hold the loose lens while maneuvering the next into place. Three lenses is also a bit too bulky and heavy. Two is just fine. When shooting with the longer focal length, the other lens is on mount closest to my focusing hand and it serves as an additional "grip" to steading the camera.
Yes... you need a coin to unscrew the carrier to get to the battery and SD card compartment. A bit of a pain that I'd like to find a better solution (especially for the occasional M8 hang up). Also, it seems the carrier is shallow and some lenses won't attach to it. Pretty much any lens I have wider than 35mm won't mount.
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Ming Rider
Film, the next evolution.
I agree, an ingenious solution. But boy, is it uuugly.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Makes the camera a bit higher than a 1DsIII. I prefer to pop my lenses in my pocket.
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Years ago, I used a base Benser on one of my Leicas, but decided that the weight was altogether too much after a day's walking and shooting in the Himalayas, even with a couple of rests: a Golden Eagle beer at the Friends' Corner and some chang chez Pema Yangzom.
The camera is surprisingly easy to hold -- your hands wrap around the lenses very naturally -- but the weight; oh, dear. Nearly as bad as a modern DSLR. Admittedly two lenses are better than three, but still more than I feel like carrying.
Cheers,
R.
The camera is surprisingly easy to hold -- your hands wrap around the lenses very naturally -- but the weight; oh, dear. Nearly as bad as a modern DSLR. Admittedly two lenses are better than three, but still more than I feel like carrying.
Cheers,
R.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Well, clearly the OP has a very firm hold on his camera. Both grip and doorstopper. I suppose that helps balancing the combo.
danielschwartzkopf
Member
Love the cameraleather covering on the silver m8. I've been looking at picking up a black body but your pic makes me think twice!
usayit
Well-known
Yup, I have to agree, not the prettiest.... but aesthetics of the camera itself has never really been a concern of mine. Hence the "rubber" stopper thumb rest. Btw... thumbs up never really felt right to me and I didn't like how it attached to my hot shoe. I'm sure it works for well for many others which is great. I also have a small rubber stopper to keep the switch from accidentally going into continuous mode. Hey it works. I've also been known to use worn plain canvas bags, diaper bags, and even a small commuter bag from "Fossil".. Whatever works for me at the time.
In the past, i've used lens pouches and/jacket pockets. I just don't find lenses in pockets to be very comfortable in daily routine (I'm a family man). I've had keys fall out much less expensive glass falling out. I also don't generally shoot with a neck strap preferring to have the camera in hand with the strap around my wrist. As such I only have a single hand to work with which makes reaching my right pocket difficult. When traveling light, I actually find this pretty useful and much quicker as I have a spare mount to hold the lens while in transition.
On the other hand, when carrying more with a small shoulder bag, the carrier obviously stays at home. So much easier to drop and pickup from within the bags compartments. Again, single handed operation and the bag itself is always on my left side. I also don't use any caps; front nor rear.... again PITA to remove/replace with a single hand.
As Roger Hicks, mentioned, I too was surprised how comfortable the camera was to use. I tried it with three lenses once.. It totally ruined the experience. PITA to change lenses, heavy, and not comfortable with the shoulder strap on my shoulder when not in use. Definitely for use with only two lighter weight and compact lenses. In my case, I shoot with Summarits which are relatively light in weight.
I would never claim the wrong and right way to do things, I could only recommend/show what works for me. I never really expected to seek approval nor disproval. I saw a couple threads in two different forums asking about an M8 lens carrier so I figure post since its worked for me 1+ years.
With that said, I pretty much hold the camera traditionally with the camera firmly supported by both hands.
This is with the shorter focal length lens mounted:
This is with the longer focal length. The only deviation from shooting without the carrier is that my left hand ring and pinky fingers are completely wrapped around the smaller mounted lens; much like a small grip.
As I said, I would never consider it for more glass nor heavier glass. Remember, I don't use the carrier as a replacement for my traditional bag.. simply when I want to travel light without a bag. For example, this is absolutely unusable and pointless:
The combination is way too heavy and off balanced. With the combination reversed, I can't get right hand's fingers in a firm grasp. Kinda pointless when the whole point is to travel light with 2 lenses.
Oh yes.. I also shoot with a 1d MarkIIn. Its still larger by comparison.. especially with glass.
In the past, i've used lens pouches and/jacket pockets. I just don't find lenses in pockets to be very comfortable in daily routine (I'm a family man). I've had keys fall out much less expensive glass falling out. I also don't generally shoot with a neck strap preferring to have the camera in hand with the strap around my wrist. As such I only have a single hand to work with which makes reaching my right pocket difficult. When traveling light, I actually find this pretty useful and much quicker as I have a spare mount to hold the lens while in transition.
On the other hand, when carrying more with a small shoulder bag, the carrier obviously stays at home. So much easier to drop and pickup from within the bags compartments. Again, single handed operation and the bag itself is always on my left side. I also don't use any caps; front nor rear.... again PITA to remove/replace with a single hand.
As Roger Hicks, mentioned, I too was surprised how comfortable the camera was to use. I tried it with three lenses once.. It totally ruined the experience. PITA to change lenses, heavy, and not comfortable with the shoulder strap on my shoulder when not in use. Definitely for use with only two lighter weight and compact lenses. In my case, I shoot with Summarits which are relatively light in weight.
I would never claim the wrong and right way to do things, I could only recommend/show what works for me. I never really expected to seek approval nor disproval. I saw a couple threads in two different forums asking about an M8 lens carrier so I figure post since its worked for me 1+ years.
With that said, I pretty much hold the camera traditionally with the camera firmly supported by both hands.
This is with the shorter focal length lens mounted:
This is with the longer focal length. The only deviation from shooting without the carrier is that my left hand ring and pinky fingers are completely wrapped around the smaller mounted lens; much like a small grip.
As I said, I would never consider it for more glass nor heavier glass. Remember, I don't use the carrier as a replacement for my traditional bag.. simply when I want to travel light without a bag. For example, this is absolutely unusable and pointless:
The combination is way too heavy and off balanced. With the combination reversed, I can't get right hand's fingers in a firm grasp. Kinda pointless when the whole point is to travel light with 2 lenses.
Oh yes.. I also shoot with a 1d MarkIIn. Its still larger by comparison.. especially with glass.
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usayit
Well-known
Actually, its the standard covering on the 1st M8. I don't like it. Its way too slick and I've been seriously considering replacement with material purchased from camera leather.
Ah... the black versus silver decision. I went through the same decision process as well. Before purchase, I rented a black one. By that time, it had seen a fair amount of use. All I can say is that a worn black chrome body doesn't look all that great (to me). I found the silver chrome finish much more resistant to wear. On the other hand, it is less "stealthy". These days, most people think the M8 is just another P&S camera... so it hasn't been too much of a problem. I also have a titanium M6... now that's a finish that refuses to look old.
danielschwartzkopf
Member
I was talking about Jaap's silver M8 with the green leather
But yeah, I still wonder about which I want. I had the silver ZI and wished I had the black. But it just may end up with me wanting the one I don't have - guess I'll need two!
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Not disapproving or approving. You put it up for discussion - it gets discussed
usayit
Well-known
Not disapproving or approving. You put it up for discussion - it gets discussed
Ah.. ok.. I understand..
When you said "One should.. not like this.. "
You mean.. "Jaapv should.. not like this..."
D&A
Well-known
Since you mentioned that lenses approx. 35mm and wider don't fit or mount securely to the dual lens holder, permit me to make a suggestion as to why and how to circumvent the issue. I have a currently produced "double" rear lens cap..the kind that holds two lens with the dual lens cap between them. When I tried lenses 35mm and wider, they didn't appear to fit in and mount properly. It soon appeared obviously why. The rear barrel sticking out in the rear of these wide angle lenses bottoms out and hits the bottom of the capwhen mounted into the dual rear lens cap. All I had to do is first turn the focusing ring of such lenses away from infinity in order for this rear barrel to retract into the lens (to a degree). In other words turning the focusing ring towards or to min focusing distance, and then try mounting...works! In my case, every lenses that wouldn't mount, mounts perfectly. In fact after attaching these lenses if I then turn the focusing ring back towards infinity...the focusing stops about half way and tightens up. Lenses 50mm and wider don't have this issue. Try this and let us know if this solves the problem.
Dave (D&A)
Dave (D&A)
usayit
Well-known
Wonderful Suggestion D&A!
I just tried it with my 24mm Elmarit on my way out to work this morning. I couldn't get it to mount even at the min focus (and max) position. Bummer.. because next to the 35mm the 24mm is my most used lens. It just almost makes it but the rear part of the lens does hit the back of the mount and I didn't want to push it. When I have a chance, I'll try it again with my other lenses and see..
Interesting to note after some googling:
http://www.westlicht-auction.com/in...=94172&sub=94078&acat=94172&offset=5&_ssl=off
Scroll to LOT 298:
"original Benser base plate in black, maker's box, incl. a second lens holder with adapted 16469 adaptors to use lenses with deeper rear lens element (like Super Angulon 3.4/21mm) (2)"
So there exists a Benser base plate (in black no doubt) designed for deeper rear lens elements! These plates are difficult enough to find and I bet this version is even more difficult. I'll have to keep my eyes out.
[EDIT]
Whatta look at that. When I needed one, I had to be very patient. Look now and I see three on ebay.... none of them are the deeper version. Just bought the cheapest one for actual use on my M3.
I just tried it with my 24mm Elmarit on my way out to work this morning. I couldn't get it to mount even at the min focus (and max) position. Bummer.. because next to the 35mm the 24mm is my most used lens. It just almost makes it but the rear part of the lens does hit the back of the mount and I didn't want to push it. When I have a chance, I'll try it again with my other lenses and see..
Interesting to note after some googling:
http://www.westlicht-auction.com/in...=94172&sub=94078&acat=94172&offset=5&_ssl=off
Scroll to LOT 298:
"original Benser base plate in black, maker's box, incl. a second lens holder with adapted 16469 adaptors to use lenses with deeper rear lens element (like Super Angulon 3.4/21mm) (2)"
So there exists a Benser base plate (in black no doubt) designed for deeper rear lens elements! These plates are difficult enough to find and I bet this version is even more difficult. I'll have to keep my eyes out.
[EDIT]
Whatta look at that. When I needed one, I had to be very patient. Look now and I see three on ebay.... none of them are the deeper version. Just bought the cheapest one for actual use on my M3.
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D&A
Well-known
Thanks for trying! See if this technique (setting lens to min. distance) helps with some of your other lenses. The 24mm Elmarit is one that finially did fit into my dual rear lens cap...but only when I turned focusing to close to min. distance. So if your elmarit doesn't fit, your carrier must be incredibly shallow. Still it will be interesting if you get any other wide angles to fit.
Dave (D&A)
Dave (D&A)
usayit
Well-known
I tried my other lenses.... The 28mm Ultron fit but it was uncomfortably tight. The 21mm Color-Skopar was the same way. It was tight enough that I loosened the LTM/M adapter while doing so. No way the 12mm Heliar could fit.
The benser plate is pretty shallow. Considering its timeframe from which it was marketed, I don't think it was really meant for anything wider than 35mm lenses.
D&A
Well-known
Thanks for trying (and letting us know). As you said, it from another era and they probably didn't anticipate much use with lenses wider than 35mm nor future lens design. Was the rarer "deeper" version made years later?
Dave (D&A)
Dave (D&A)
usayit
Well-known
Unfortunately, I don't know when the "deeper" version was made. I searched and searched online and basically just kept returning to the link I posted already. It would probably be way to expensive if one does appear.