Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 with shortened mirror

isenegger · 05-27-2013, 06:03 AM

Hi

I had the problem, that some of my vintage M42-lenses from Pentax and Zeiss hang on the mirror of the Canon 5D Mark 2.

I let the mirror shorten about 2mm and now even my Exakta-lenses will work.

By the "modern" Takumars I had to grind the M42-adapters a little bit that the aperture-lever has place.

Here some examples with my Takumar 2.3/35mm and 2/58mm:

S-M-C 1.4/50mm

VisualDarkness · 05-27-2013, 08:44 AM

Wonderful! The lenses hold up well and really good photography by you.
Any blackened border in the viewfinder?

isenegger · 05-27-2013, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Wonderful! The lenses hold up well and really good photography by you.
Any blackened border in the viewfinder?

Hi
No, the viewfinder is the same. AF works with the EF lenses as usual. And with the M42 and others I use Liveview.
One disadvantage of the shorter mirror is the dust, there is more than normal.

Aegon · 05-27-2013, 09:41 AM

Do you have pictures of how you shortened the mirror?

I'm not about to do this to my 5DC, but I like to see how it is done.

isenegger · 05-27-2013, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by Aegon

Do you have pictures of how you shortened the mirror?

I'm not about to do this to my 5DC, but I like to see how it is done.

The first pic shows the shortend mirror.
I did it not by myself, I sent it to a company in Germany who made it for me.
It is the offical Canonworkshop not allowed to modify the specification of equipment.

zapp · 05-29-2013, 10:36 AM

the procedure makes more sense for Leica-R glass, like the lux35, elmarit 19 (ii), lux50(ii)...

stevebrot · 05-31-2013, 08:57 PM

Congratulations on taking the high road in regards to adapted lenses that don't clear the Canon mirror. The issue of too long a mirror on Canon cameras dates back to when I first got started in photography (late 1960's) where people were having trouble adapting T-mount lenses. There is potential for some viewfinder darkening with long telephoto lenses, but you will be able to cleanly mount many, many fine lenses in multiple mounts.

Steve

05-27-2013, 06:03 AM	#1
isenegger New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Near Basle Posts: 9	Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 with shortened mirror Hi I had the problem, that some of my vintage M42-lenses from Pentax and Zeiss hang on the mirror of the Canon 5D Mark 2. I let the mirror shorten about 2mm and now even my Exakta-lenses will work. By the "modern" Takumars I had to grind the M42-adapters a little bit that the aperture-lever has place. Here some examples with my Takumar 2.3/35mm and 2/58mm: S-M-C 1.4/50mm

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wanted - Acquired: Canon EOS 5D Mark II	Pepe Guitarra	Sold Items	7	07-23-2012 08:45 PM
UPDATE: The long-awaited Canon EOS 5D Mark III is here!	bwDraco	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	17	03-02-2012 06:20 AM
Refurb'd Canon 5D Mark II $2,199	Samsungian	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	2	02-08-2010 09:19 PM

05-27-2013, 08:44 AM	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Wonderful! The lenses hold up well and really good photography by you. Any blackened border in the viewfinder?

05-27-2013, 09:14 AM	#3
isenegger New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Near Basle Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Wonderful! The lenses hold up well and really good photography by you. Any blackened border in the viewfinder? Hi No, the viewfinder is the same. AF works with the EF lenses as usual. And with the M42 and others I use Liveview. One disadvantage of the shorter mirror is the dust, there is more than normal.

05-27-2013, 09:41 AM	#4
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	Do you have pictures of how you shortened the mirror? I'm not about to do this to my 5DC, but I like to see how it is done.

05-27-2013, 10:29 AM	#5
isenegger New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Near Basle Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aegon Do you have pictures of how you shortened the mirror? I'm not about to do this to my 5DC, but I like to see how it is done. The first pic shows the shortend mirror. I did it not by myself, I sent it to a company in Germany who made it for me. It is the offical Canonworkshop not allowed to modify the specification of equipment.

05-29-2013, 10:36 AM	#6
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	the procedure makes more sense for Leica-R glass, like the lux35, elmarit 19 (ii), lux50(ii)...

05-31-2013, 08:57 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Congratulations on taking the high road in regards to adapted lenses that don't clear the Canon mirror. The issue of too long a mirror on Canon cameras dates back to when I first got started in photography (late 1960's) where people were having trouble adapting T-mount lenses. There is potential for some viewfinder darkening with long telephoto lenses, but you will be able to cleanly mount many, many fine lenses in multiple mounts. Steve