I just got my CV 15/4.5 III E-mount lens back from S.K Grimes. I requested a hood removal and paint to match.
Basically, I wanted to use Lee Filters (Seven5) with all my prime lenses and I'm happy to report that it works perfectly with zero vignetting after the mod. It was a gamble and it works. Sharing this info was the main reason I wanted to start this thread. If anyone is thinking of removing the hood to use Lee square filters, have no fear!
Here are some sample pictures showing the custom hood removal job. It was priced at $70.
It's now possible to use 6 or 10-stop ND filters without getting strong corner darkening which happens when using screw-on filters. It's also possible to use C-POL and ND filters at the same time. Personally the biggest benefit will be swapping the same filter system between my prime lenses in the field.
I know there is a way to do it yourself with a Dremel but after finding this pristine copy, I decided to spend a little more and do a clean removal, instead of giving birth to another Choppy!
Most of us in the digital realm have little need for their services, but if you shoot LF lenses and gear, they have been invaluable in creating adapters, lens mount rings, etc. for many years. It's been about 15 years since Steve Grimes died, but they have kept up the solid work all this time under the new ownership.
Highly recommended for any photo modifications or fabrication work of this kind!
Thought I mention that Singh Ray has a 82mm sprocket cir polarizer that works great in the larger Lee & Pro Coklin filter holder. All you need is step up/down rings to fit different mm lenses. All you need is one
sprocket cir polarizer for all your lenses from 82 down
They are so small, taking no space in my bag. I wish they would make a square circular polarizer so I could use it with ultra wide primes.
I have the Seven5 Circular Polarizer which attaches in front of the holder but it vignettes with any lens shorter than 20mm. It works great with my Loxia 21 and longer lenses though.
So, I just tested the modded 15/4.5 III E-mount with the Seven5 10-stop IRND and there is zero color cast and vignetting is pretty under control. I'm very happy with the results.
See this sample below at f/8: TOP (no filter), BOTTOM (Seven5 IRND 10-stop ND). No color or exposure correction in post...
The bottom image is a 6 second exposure using Lee's 10-stop IRND filter.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just got my CV 15/4.5 III E-mount lens back from S.K Grimes. I requested a hood removal and paint to match.
Basically, I wanted to use Lee Filters (Seven5) with all my prime lenses and I'm happy to report that it works perfectly with zero vignetting after the mod. It was a gamble and it works. Sharing this info was the main reason I wanted to start this thread. If anyone is thinking of removing the hood to use Lee square filters, have no fear!
Here are some sample pictures showing the custom hood removal job. It was priced at $70.
It's now possible to use 6 or 10-stop ND filters without getting strong corner darkening which happens when using screw-on filters. It's also possible to use C-POL and ND filters at the same time. Personally the biggest benefit will be swapping the same filter system between my prime lenses in the field.
I know there is a way to do it yourself with a Dremel but after finding this pristine copy, I decided to spend a little more and do a clean removal, instead of giving birth to another Choppy! ...Show more →
Fred,
Did you have them do the standard anodizing or just apply black paint? I know they also have a hard anodizing application but the cost starts to move north of $200.
Did you have them do the standard anodizing or just apply black paint? I know they also have a hard anodizing application but the cost starts to move north of $200.
I went with the cheapest option for $70. It was removal of the petals on the hood and painting the exposed surfaces. It actually looks great.
This is actually very easy to do. If you lift the decorating ring (the one that says Voigtlander, etc) with an exacto knife (it is held by a double sided sticky tape), it will reveal three screws that hold the hood.
Unscrew and remove the hood. You can now cut it and paint it before screwing it back on and restoring the decorative ring.
Here is another one...
About a year ago I modified my Heliar so I could use my sev5n filter on it.
It was much easier than expected. It took just 15 minutes and the pedals were off.
One filter system for all lenses makes life much easier.
some duct tape and an old red filter to protect the front lens
Mitesh, actually I emailed Fred a couple times last year to bug him to sell me his CV 15. I kicked myself for selling Choppy II after the Sony 12-24 came out.
I believe that was a different copy of the CV 15, Douglas . I’m at the head of the line for this one, buddy!
kdrk888 wrote:
Mitesh, actually I emailed Fred a couple times last year to bug him to sell me his CV 15. I kicked myself for selling Choppy II after the Sony 12-24 came out.
GMPhotography wrote:
It does look good. Guess I lost a choppy job. My Dremel gentle weaps in its little box.
Myself it’s bigger and heavier but F2 in the Laowa 15.
Seriously, you can get so creative with the F2, combined with the insane close focus distance. For landscapes and sunstars the CV pulls ahead but as a jack of all trades + astro lens, the Laowa gets the nod.
The CV is not better than my Laowa. I have a exceptional copy of the Laowa. It beats everything in its class. Buried the 12-24 and that was a great copy. The CV has better sun stars and is smaller.
