Well, I finally got around to modding my 5D. As everyone said, the masking off of the chamber is the hardest part. I had a slight problem because I supported the mirror a little bit too low down, which made it tricky to finish cutting the remaining strip of mirror away, so I had to raise it a bit further half way through the surgery, which probably meant more dust in the chamber than there would have been, but I think I got most of it out. Thanks to all who offered me advice to help me through this.
Daniel - It's not really quite as brutal looking as it looks in that pic (I'll try to get a better pic or two of it at some point), although it is perhaps a little rough around the edges. I did perhaps cut a little closer to the 2.5mm mark (on the right hand side) than I wanted to, so I decided not to finish it off further, and I also didn't want to generate any more dust than I had to. As long as it works, and no bits fall off it, I don't really mind if it looks a little ugly.
Also, you can't take the mirror out easily. If you could, I would have removed it first, instead of leaving it in place while doing the surgery.
webzeal - So I can use some of the faster/wider Leica-R glass on it, which would otherwise hang up the mirror since the rear elements are so deeply set in the body @ infinity focus.
It looks like you have done the job and now you can mount your Leica lens on it. You can still polish it up and it will look nicer for you with a dremel tool and a diamond blades. I put some adhesive material like epoxy/crazy glue at the end after you sand it up to make it looks smooth and reinforce the anchorage of your mirror again. I will do one tonight and take some pictures to let you see my works.
Son - thanks for the tip. I may finish it off when I get back (going away for a few weeks tomorrow). So I'll have a chance to make sure it still works, and no bits of mirror are causing problems.The epoxy sounds like a great idea.Which blades do you recommend to finish it off ? I already have with 545 which I used to do the shave.
For your guys to cringe for yet another time . Another 5D mirror sacrificed this morning.
I made a rectangular duct that went into the mirror chamber, with bracket to hold the mirror and block the debris from going into the chamber. Everything was done inside the duct, so after the mod, the camera was remarkably clean. I only need a couple of blow using a rocket blower to clean out the very few dust that escaped into the mirror box. The view finder was not affected at all. A little loctite sealing was applied on the "wound", which had yet to dry thoroughly when took this picture. No matter how carefully I was, there is no way I could cut the glass as smooth as the factory job done by Canon, but I feel not too bad about it. Works like charm with my non-modifed Leica 19 ROM, and Leica 15/3.5.
With rebate, the 5D has become cheap - time to get medieval on my own copy. I notice the gouged panel with electrical contacts: the two screws suggest that the panel can be removed. This might allow some plastic to be ground off, the better to accommodate C/Y shark fins and aperture levers. Comments?
Thinking of either modifying the mirror or trimming the lens.
How do u guys go about cutting the mirror? Do u have to flip the mirror up and get something to hold it in position while cutting? The mirror seems so delicated to me that I think trimming the lens is an easier task.
I stuff the plastic food wrap above and below the mirror until it doesn't move.
I then use masking tape tape around the mount and leave only the mirror is exposed. As far as I can see, no particle flew inside.
The dremel works perfect for this job. The mirror is actually very strong.
Looks like it is 1/8 in glass.
weekh wrote:
Got a new 5D but misses the Leica 28mm.
Thinking of either modifying the mirror or trimming the lens.
How do u guys go about cutting the mirror? Do u have to flip the mirror up and get something to hold it in position while cutting? The mirror seems so delicated to me that I think trimming the lens is an easier task.
Edited by weekh on Nov 20, 2006 at 03:37 PM GMT
Here is a draft of what I used to bracket the mirror and block the dust. The mirror was held by the slot as shown in the picture.
. Another 5D mirror sacrificed this morning.