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Archive 2009 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

sonofbendik
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

Guys,

I did a successful mirror dremel job about a month ago. I only cut a few mm off, as per the tutorials to be found here. But I recently got my first (and probably only, for a while) actual modern, canon lens--a 70-300 f4-5.6 canon zoom. at the upper range of that zoom, and definitely at 300...I lose the upper portion of my viewfinder. It's really nasty to see it, I'd say I lose the top 8-10%. So guys, be careful how much you dremel and file down your rokkors as much as possible before resorting to this job.

Oh well, I got what I bargained for

Edges are so important for me though in composition, I might be just using livemode with that zoom now...

Mar 08, 2009 at 10:50 PM

rsrsrs
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

hi,

oh thats bad luck, im sorry about this ... .

"cut a few mm off," sound to me like 5 or 7mm.
i did cut ~ 1.5 - 2mm.
but not more.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

r schneider

Mar 09, 2009 at 01:43 AM

Zombre
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

I cut 2.5 mm which was required for the 15 mm Distagon. 135 mm Sonnar is the longest tele that I have and you can see the mirror shave stopped down. It isn't visible wide open but I guess with the slower lenses you couldn't avoid the issue. I am not bothered about it because 5d isn't the best option for tele work - 40d would be better.

Mar 09, 2009 at 05:25 AM

mauricechung
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

sonofbendik, if edges are of concern to you, while it stinks that you have a blacked out top of VF with your longer lengths, the 5D is still nowhere near 100% coverage, so I find myself always compensating for the larger actual image, that I would imagine with a little more practice it won't be that bad for you at that point?

Weird thing, is I wonder why the FL affects whether the shave is visible? I'd love to see a video of the zooming process! =D

Mar 09, 2009 at 02:22 PM

ovredal73
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

I thought I would get away with less than 1mm for a Rokkor as it just barely touches? 2-3mm or more is a lot!

Mar 09, 2009 at 05:22 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

This is somewhat troubling news.

I was going to shave my 5D mirror soon, for the Rokkor 58/1.2. I guess I still will do so, but now I'm a bit worried about resell value. If the change can be seen in the VF, then one has to mention this when selling the camera, and that will probably keep 99% of potential buyers away.

Hmmm.

Is there some way to compile a list of specific lenses / apertures that are problematic with this?

Mar 09, 2009 at 11:24 PM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

I believe it is basically a function of the focal length (the higher the more visible) and the aperture (the higher fnumber the more visible). AFAIK, it isn't variable between lenses of the same focal length, when at the same aperture.

Cableaddict wrote:
This is somewhat troubling news.
...
Is there some way to compile a list of specific lenses / apertures that are problematic with this?

Mar 10, 2009 at 12:59 AM

Anden
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

Cableaddict wrote:
This is somewhat troubling news.

I was going to shave my 5D mirror soon, for the Rokkor 58/1.2. I guess I still will do so, but now I'm a bit worried about resell value. If the change can be seen in the VF, then one has to mention this when selling the camera, and that will probably keep 99% of potential buyers away.

Hmmm.

Is there some way to compile a list of specific lenses / apertures that are problematic with this?

I think that if you have shaved the mirror you should tell a buyer. I know I would.

A

Mar 10, 2009 at 02:14 AM

sonofbendik
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

Guys, an update. I had not, apparently, looked at any bright light sources through my MC ROkkor pg 58mm lens when stopped down. I did yesterday when I switched focusing screens.

And the news? The amount of cut-off viewfinder is exactly the same on that lens as on the 70-300 zoom. So, the visibility of this jagged portion is not a function of focal length--just and solely a function of how bright your viewfinder is at the moment. It was just more noticeable because the max aperture at 300mm is...f5.6. I don't usually shoot at f5.6 with my rokkor because it's hella sharp at f4 and I like bokeh...

So. Conclusion. It's about f-stop, that's it. Be careful guys, really careful with that cut. I would take ONE AND A HALF TO TWO millimeters, no more. Unless of course, that doesn't cut the mustard and you want to use that dang lens...

Mar 14, 2009 at 03:51 PM

craig_oz_land
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

Cableaddict wrote:
This is somewhat troubling news.

I was going to shave my 5D mirror soon, for the Rokkor 58/1.2. I guess I still will do so, but now I'm a bit worried about resell value. If the change can be seen in the VF, then one has to mention this when selling the camera, and that will probably keep 99% of potential buyers away.

Hmmm.

Is there some way to compile a list of specific lenses / apertures that are problematic with this?

You could always buy another mirror and have it resized professionally and change it over. Maybe it is not very easy for end users to change their mirrors. Could always have a shop do it.

Mar 16, 2009 at 06:31 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

I think it would be pretty nuts to pay for a new mirror & installation, just to sell a camera.
The point is that shaving the mirror is going to cost you down the road, and possibly a whole lot.

Something to consider, though it won't stop me from doing it. (dying to use one of my Rokkor 58's)

Mar 16, 2009 at 10:26 PM

thrice
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Danger with Mirror Cutting

I just inquired with my Canon rep about the cost of a 5DmII mirror box before taking to my mirror with the dremel again this evening, I didn't take any more off the middle, I just evened it out so it no longer hangs on my 35mm summilux-R at infinity when the mirror flips back down.

Craig, it's not just the mirror but the retaining plastic mount underneath it that needs to be ground down. Someone should get a whole bunch of mirror assembly's and have them laser cut to the max allowable without impacting viewfinder at <300mm. One could then sell the modified mirror boxes or charge for a replacement service.

May 04, 2009 at 07:46 AM


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