Hey, if its for free (or a free replacement for the one they sent that didn't work) - take it. However, unless it's thicker than your HPHK unit, it won't help re: your testing timeline.
The Novoflex units are reputed to be nice kit, but they aren't without issues and for the cost involved vs. competing products ($255 B&H vs. $65) they should be bulletproof. If it's any consolation, Zoerk units are even spendier.
Now, if you intend to use one adapter for all your Leica lenses vs. an adapter for each lens (in effect converting your EOS to Leica mount for the bulk of the time) and are happy with a non-chipped adapter re: exif data logging, then they are actually a wise choice given their use of Leica OEM self-adjusting spring-based (Leica-side) mount hardware.
Okay, the camera shop said to bring 'er in. I am sure they will ask how much do I want to shave off. I could take them the lens and tell them to shave until the mirror clears this particular lens. Or, I could have them shave off the max. What is the max by the way?
No idea what safe max is. It really is a grind, clean-up, try and maybe re-grind since every 5D varies. Better just enough than too much obviously. From what I've seen, no more than a couple MMs seems enough to do the trick.
Folks like Cogitech, etc could give you a better idea, but it will vary.
Hell, if it all works out with the shop, you can always go back for a touch-up if you err on side of caution but get a really cantankerous lens in future.
They do with regard to normal camera repairs. A lot of this mirror shaving is being done DIY someone on the caliber of Don Clary notwithstanding. If I were to rank them vs myself in regards to getting the job done right, I'd put them ahead of me. Way ahead of me. Nonetheless, I intend to talk to them and try to guage their confidence in this operation. I will mention to them Don's offer. They may say they'll remove the mirror and be relieved.
Don has not gotten back with me on a time frame that is convenient for him. (Maybe I should email him.) I would still need for these local guys to pull the mirror.
Have they done it before?
They had never heard of mirror shaving before talking with me a couple of days ago. I emailed them a couple of links from 16-9.net and Photo net that contained How To explanations and pictorials.
Do they have any references?
A respected camera retailer here in town recommended them.
Just sit on their shoulder and pull the plug if it looks like they're not taking due care. You can tell them that if they do a good, clean job, there is probably a nice chunk of business from US 5D (and probably 5D MkII) owners they could look fwd to.
Don asked me how much I wanted shaved off. I told him the concensus here in this thread was 2 mm. So that I am clear, is 2mm the amount you guys think I need for the L28 or was this a maximum measurement? If I could go 3 or 4 mm and not impact the image as seen through the viewfinder, I'm thinking why not go for it? If 2mm is more than enough for any of the Leicas (for instance the Leica 19mm), then I'd be more than happy to just leave it at that.
Conner, I think I will send to Don. Hopefully, this doesn't insult the repair shop dude.
I've also asked a couple of local camera repair shops also, but nobody even heard of shaving mirror of camera. They looked at me as if I'm a barbarian.
I didn't want to take a chance, so, i sent my camera to Pham Minh Son.
3-4mm would be pushing it, IMO. Take too much off and you might fly right past the damper foam and crash into your focusing screen
I am not an authority on this matter, even though I did the surgery myself, but I'd say stick with 2mm. Most lenses likely only need 1mm (imagine adding another 1mm to your adapter thickness), so 2mm would be aiming for the safe side already.
16-9 says 2mm needs to be shaved. Email Don and ask him, he's done it several times.
Nope, never done it. I've offered, maybe Rick will be my first customer.
Don has not gotten back with me on a time frame that is convenient for him.
I've since replied, one day or less. I serously don't think it will take me 5 minutes. And the cut will be cleaner than the original from Canon. No chips, no grit going everywhere.
I'd say stick with 2mm ...(what's the going rate for a 5D mirror shave?)
I suggested taping the bottom edge of the uncut mirror with black tape, to see how much cut intrudes into the image in the viewfinder. Paul, you'd never compete with my rates: 0 $. If Rick wasn't in a hurry to shoot in Moab, I could trim 1/2 mm or less at a time, many times.
Stick with 2mm max. Bear in mind - you will likely have to also shave/grind the bottom of the plastic frame the mirror sits on.
If the local shop could remove the mirror & it's frame as one piece, DC sounds like he could do a sweet job on both. The shop would likely be happier to get the safer business or removing/reinstalling the mirror assembly.
I don't know if the L19/2.8 Ver2 will clear even a shaved 5D - it's rear element MAY (I stress MAY) need to be shaved a tad as well.
On a 1 series the lens shroud needs a hefty shave and while 2mm off a 'typical' 5D may be enough on it's own, the lens still may need a little haircut. I guess as with most things with the 5D, it comes down to the individual camera.
As much as I loved the 19 I borrowed, an alternate route I am thinking of going is the Nikon 14-24/2.8. Handled one the other day on a D300 (minor miracle they had one in Halifax...). It's a fat sucker at the far end, but it's not as long and hefty as I first thought. The price would be about the same, no shaving necessary just an adapter - bought or a DIY job via an old Nikon-EoS unit.
This is of course assuming I don't sink what's left of my budget into more Hasselblad glass...
Cogi - may be some beer money in it for you - faster shipping, no customs hassles, etc. Since it's safe to assume the 5DII will be no better tolerance-wise, so should be a multi-year fund.
Nope, never done it. I've offered, maybe Rick will be my first customer.
I've since replied, one day or less. I serously don't think it will take me 5 minutes. And the cut will be cleaner than the original from Canon. No chips, no grit going everywhere.
I suggested taping the bottom edge of the uncut mirror with black tape, to see how much cut intrudes into the image in the viewfinder. Paul, you'd never compete with my rates: 0 $. If Rick wasn't in a hurry to shoot in Moab, I could trim 1/2 mm or less at a time, many times....Show more →
Don,
It isn't really 0 $ if you factor in whatever it will cost Rick to have the mirror removed and re-installed. Also, as someone mentioned, the mirror frame has to be shaved as well...
Quite true about the cost of mirror being removed and re-installed. But this way, no debris in the camera, and the option of completely restoring it to new for later resale. I'd like to remove the mirror myself, but I have no training in camera repair. I'm assuming Rick will send the mirror in the frame and I'll cut both at once. I don't see what cutting the mirror only would accomplish; the frame would still hit the lens.
Don Clary wrote:
Quite true about the cost of mirror being removed and re-installed. But this way, no debris in the camera, and the option of completely restoring it to new for later resale. I'd like to remove the mirror myself, but I have no training in camera repair. I'm assuming Rick will send the mirror in the frame and I'll cut both at once. I don't see what cutting the mirror only would accomplish; the frame would still hit the lens.
Quite right. From what I have heard, though, it is quite difficult (impossible?) to remove the frame assembly without major disassembly of the camera body.
Don't have the 5D in front of me any longer, but looking at my 1ds2 and assuming they are reasonably close in design, I don't know if I'd put money on getting that mirror sub-assembly out with anything resembling ease as Cogi indicates.
As an aside, what some brightspark needs to manufacture is a '5D mirror shave condom/diaphragm' (for lack of a better description).
A rubber/silicone cup the diameter and depth of the 5D mirror housing with a slit in the bottom through which the leading edge of the mirror/frame would JUST slide. Have a rubber lip/ridge on the underside just below the slit. You put the 5D into MLU, push in the cup, released MLU and the mirror comes to rest on the lip and ready to be pushed thru the slit.
Once secure, you trim the mirror back to the point to where it just touches the bottom of the cup (calibrate for a 2mm average shave) and the plastic filings naturally become attached to the rubber and/or are captured by the cup. Hit it with a vacuum, turn the camera upside down and as you slide the cup out, the slit top and bottom act like a squeegee pulling any remaining crap off and the mirror returns to rest position.
A quick wipe of the mirror with a cleaning swab and bolt on your favorite exotica.
I'll be saving this post - so expect a letter from my lawyer for a suitable 'vig' off the top if anyone comes out with anything even remotely resembling this...
A dental dam would do the trick. Don't think I haven't thought of all this before.
Alas, I found masking tape to work fine as a masking material (imagine that) as long as enough care is taken and enough logic is applied. The gin and hydrocodone cough syrup makes for very steady hands
