Can I know what sort of tool is being used to trim away the 5D mirror so that Leica lenses can be used?
Can a pen knife do it or do u need some specialised tool?
Weekh, you could really use anything that can cut off the bottom of the base of the mirror and the mirror itself. You only need to remove about 2-3mm. The picture that you see of Guy's modded 5D is a bit deceptive in that it appears that more of the mirror has been removed than really has been. This is due to the fact that the mirror is at an angle that makes it appear shortened.
The good news with respect to altering the mirror base and the mirror is that the base of the mirror on the 5D is plastic. It is much softer and easier to cut than the mirror base of the 1DS or 1DSII. This also means that most of the debris that is created is plastic and potentially less likely to do harm to the sensor should you neglect to mask off the mirror chamber correctly.
Quite simply, I used a tool that is readily available in most US retail hardware locations. It is a small electric tool that spins in a circular motion. A variety of accessories can be placed at the end of the tool for actions ranging from cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing. I chose the Dremel to do the procedure because it provides ease of handling, speed, cost effectiveness and maneuverability to do the job quickly and efficiently.
After cutting off the bottom portion of Guy's mirror, I could have placed a polishing accessory on the end of the Dremel to improve its cosmetic appeal. Guy and I chose not to do this as it makes no additional difference to camera operation and it creates more potential fine particles that could enter the sensor area.
There may be a number of other ways to do this including the possibility of removing the mirror before undertaking the procedure. I'm certain other people may develop interesting ideas if they experiement.
The real key, I believe, is carefully masking off the rest of the mirror chamber surrounding the base of the mirror to minimize/eliminate potential debris. Once this is carefully done, you can make it extremely difficult for any debris to ever reach the sensor area. Then, before removing any of the masking materials, it is important to vaccuum away any dust or debris a number of times.
With the Dremel tool, start to finish time for the procedure was about 10 minutes.
Kurt
Does the mirror need anything to hold it in place while cutting?
I've always thought that the mirror is pretty fragil and when u apply the force while cutting, u might just break it out of place.
I didn't use anything to hold it. When I have all of the materials I use surrounding it to mask off the area from any debris, I just grasped the mirror frame. Most of any force is applied to the frame.
I have thought of removing the mirror and laser-cut it. The mirror itself should be easy to remove since it is simply glued on, but to remove the frame, one has to open the front of the camera and take out the whole mirror assembly. The 5D parts chart is so scary that I am afraid of doing that.
I apply a small anesthetic to the patient beforehand to be certain that it is comfortable.
I suppose "The Dremel" is better than The Butcher or The Hacksaw. Although, I am certain a number of people would have called me that after seeing the extreme close-up of the mirror.
A dentist's drill would work. You just need an assistant to hold the suction thing in place. The water spray prevents overheating and it will wash the dust out at the same time.
Guy Mancuso wrote:
Actually Pondria , I can't explain it either. Makes no engineering sense to change it.
Right. This is the first Camera that doesn't have enough clearance for mirror. Even the 1Ds and 1Ds2 with the 100% VF coverage can clear. Now, I want to see the next new camera from Canon. That will show their intention.
Not to take anything away from Kurt but I'm sure a good camera repair person can remove the mirror from the assembly, cut it neatly and put it back which also avoids the issue of debris in the camera. You will just have to pay more for it though.
On the 5D I have, after trying Leica lenses with protective tape on the back you can see where the tape has rubbed on the edge of the mirror and the plastic support frame. So it looks as if the frame would need modifying as well as the mirror.
Kurt:
I had a chance to look at the 5D mirror during the recent 5D launch in Singapore.
There don't seems to be any plastic border around the mirror. That means any cutting or trimming will involves cutting the mirror as well. This runs th risk of breaking or cracking the mirror.
So is this meant to be so? This is really too risky. At first I thought there's enough buffer of plastic surronding the mirror.
You guys are in the stone age with your ideas of tools to cut the mirror ( I assume the mirror can be removed so that it is free, and it is not enclosed with some plastic frame).
I am a gemcutter, and have won 9 international awards for my work. And, no, it is not my main work (physicist).
I can lay a cut so fine and precise that it takes a microscope to see the joint. When I worked for an aerospace company (Teledyne), they needed a mirror used in a military laser system, cut to a precise dimension. They were quoted hundreds of $ and 3 weeks turn-around. I did it in one morning. They were astounded!
Truly impressive !