How Do I Attach This To My Camera?

01/29/2007 09:18:51 PM · #1

I was in a pawn shop today, and ran across this lens; it was too good of a deal to pass up.

I wasn't familiar with the mount that was on it, but turns out it was a k-mount. I was able to take the k-mount off, as it appears the mount is interchangeable. My problem is that I don't know what the base mount on the lens is.

So, I can't get an EOS adapter (if they even make one). Can anyone tell me what I need to get? Thanks!

edit: This was the original mount... Note the screws used to attach...

Message edited by author 2007-01-29 21:45:01.

01/29/2007 09:36:18 PM · #2

The K-mount was probably removable because Vivitar made this lens to be compatible with several mount systems. It's probably older than EOS, so a native EOS adapter likely does not exist. The k-mount has a larger register distance than EOS (45.46mm vs. 44mm for EOS) so an adapter is theoretically possible. I see that Cameraquest sells one, but specifically for EF-S mount EOS cameras. The 10D is *not* EF-S compatible, of course, but I'd give cameraquest a call. I think their adapter would work, but is not terribly cheap.
An alternative is to machine an adapter to replace the k-mount fitting, starting with an EOS mount off of an old lens or an extension tube.

01/29/2007 10:15:39 PM · #3

Thanks, Kirbic. looks like my good deal wasn't quite as good as I thought... I might run a roll of film through my Pentax P3 with it before I spend that much money...

Out of curioustiy, do you, or anyone else, happen to know if it'd work with this
adapter?

01/29/2007 10:23:47 PM · #4

hmmm, it does say it allows infinity focus, that's the important thing. you'll need to check for mirror clearance. Again, I suspect that won't be a problem, but definitely check it prior to shooting with it. I see the page suggests removing the aperture actuator lever. That's probably not a difficult task.
Sure beats the price of the Cameraquest adapter. A slight gamble, but perhaps worth it?

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

01/29/2007 10:53:22 PM · #5

OK, cool!

I'm still gonna put a roll of film through the lens first to see if it's worth adapting to my 10D.

Thanks again!

Mark

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

01/29/2007 11:06:41 PM · #6

how much did you buy it for? It might be possible to me to machine a mount myself. The sharpness seems mediocre from what sample images I've seen, but It might still be a fun lens for extra reach.

option

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/29/2007 11:51:22 PM · #7

Methinks you need a different 10D!

01/29/2007 11:53:17 PM · #8

Originally posted by Quickshutter:

how much did you buy it for? It might be possible to me to machine a mount myself. The sharpness seems mediocre from what sample images I've seen, but It might still be a fun lens for extra reach.

I'd be interested to hear more about that... Where'd you find image samples? Before tonight I thought was a decent googler, but I've been having issues fining anything tonight... =]

Oh... I paid $20...

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

01/29/2007 11:53:41 PM · #9

Originally posted by option:

Methinks you need a different 10D!

lol.. that'd work too...

Mark

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

01/29/2007 11:59:57 PM · #10

//www.pbase.com/dazedgonebye/400mm56

I might be willing to buy it for $25 plus shipping if you decide you don't want it. I might be better off because the lens seems to be more compatible with ef-s capable cameras.

Message edited by author 2007-01-30 00:05:29.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/30/2007 08:08:18 AM · #11

Originally posted by Quickshutter:

I don't think I'm ready to part with it just yet... Thanks for the offer, though... I looked at that link, but that's not the same lens...

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/30/2007 09:06:24 AM · #12

Duct Tape. It'll look like crap, but it'll probably work.

Message edited by author 2007-01-30 10:17:49.

01/30/2007 10:06:20 AM · #13

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Duct Tape. It'll look like crap, but it'll probably work.

Duct tape does it all... =]

That said, I spent forever yesterday getting all the gunk and residue off the lens, and I don't raelly want to put any back on there yet...

01/30/2007 10:18:41 AM · #14

Do you have a calipers or something that you could accurately measure the outside diameter of the barrrel where the K mount attached (or alternately, the inside diameter of the part of the K mount that went over the end of the lens barrel)?
Also the width of the flat area between the end of the lens and the point where the diameter changes.
I've got a half-baked idea that might work.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/30/2007 10:25:01 AM · #15

Originally posted by kirbic:

How accurately? I don't have calipers, but I could try and figure something out...

soup

Canon EOS-30D

01/30/2007 10:41:06 AM · #16

those are the best kind of ideas ;}

Originally posted by kirbic:

I've got a half-baked idea that might work.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/30/2007 11:14:34 AM · #17

If you just want to see if it will work, make a wood or metal adapter that will clamp to the lens with a hose clamp, and attach to the camera at the tripod mount with a 1/4 inch bolt. First put a nut on the bolt so you can tighten it without getting too deep into the camera mount.
Where the lens and camera meet, use a strip of foam rubber and electrical tape or a foam rubber donut and electrical tape.
Another option would be play doh type kid putty for the seal at the camera.

If you need to find out the exact diameters, most auto parts counter people have a caliper and can measure it for you if you ask nicely.

I see by your pic that the lens has a tripod mount on it, so skip the hose clamp idea, and just put a hole in one end and a slot in the other end of a piece of heavy aluminum about 1/8" x 1 1/2" flat bar material, then you can bend the bar to make the lens line up with the camera.

Message edited by author 2007-01-30 11:21:21.

01/30/2007 01:08:33 PM · #18

Originally posted by tryals15:

How accurately? I don't have calipers, but I could try and figure something out...

I'd need to know the diameter within a couple thousandths of an inch. The length of the straight portion of the barrel is not as critical, right now at least. As MelonMusketeer pointed out, many auto parts stores will have calipers and could measure it for you.
What I'm trying to determine is if they used something close to a t-mount dimension. If they did, there may be an inexpensive way to make it work. It's possible that a little machining might be required. Need the dimensions to be sure.

01/30/2007 01:21:14 PM · #19

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by tryals15:

How accurately? I don't have calipers, but I could try and figure something out...

I'd need to know the diameter within a couple thousandths of an inch. The length of the straight portion of the barrel is not as critical, right now at least. As MelonMusketeer pointed out, many auto parts stores will have calipers and could measure it for you.
What I'm trying to determine is if they used something close to a t-mount dimension. If they did, there may be an inexpensive way to make it work. It's possible that a little machining might be required. Need the dimensions to be sure.

Oh, wow, OK.. I'll see what I can do when I get home from work... Thanks again for your help! and MelonMusketeer too!

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/30/2007 09:40:18 PM · #20

Today I remembered that I have a Vivitar 400/5.6, but the one that I have is the "later" model, with Nikon fixed mount on it. I was going to measure the one that I have for you, but they are not the same lens. The aperture ring is at the rear in the model that I have, and I see that the one you have does not have an aperture lever at the rear, and does not say "auto" on the front ring. This means that you will have to stop down manually after focusing, or focus with it stopped down.
The one that I have is not "awesome," as it has more color fringing, and less contrast than the Nikon lenses. The color fringes show up around the edges of white objects. If yours shoots equal to the one I have, it will be $20 well spent. The fringes are not very obvious unless you view an image very large.
Good luck with the "bubbaneering." Let us know how it turns out.

Here are a couple of pics of the one that I have;

02/01/2007 11:32:43 AM · #21

Yeah, that's definetely an upgraded version of mine. I didn't figure it'd be a stellar lens, but it's encouraging to hear it might be an ok one...

I haven't had a chance to get this thing measured yet; work and school have been insane the last few days. I'll definetly keep ya'll posted on what's going on...

02/01/2007 02:58:19 PM · #22

Well, I got frustrated with having to wait, so I held my camera up to the end of the lens (it was on my tripod) and shot a few frames... Here is a sample of the sharpness. (Wasn't a very good day to test contrast... it's all rainy, and everything is bleak and grey...

This was shot in raw, zero sharpening.

02/01/2007 03:02:34 PM · #23

Hah, that's actually pretty reasonable performance!

02/07/2007 10:54:39 AM · #24

OK, I need to subtitle this thread: I'm an idiot.

I had a bit of time this morning to worry about my new lens, and decided to drop by a metal fab shop thinking they could talk to me about different solutions available to attaching my lens to my camera. I brought with me the lens, the mount, and an m42/eos adapter to show him what the eos mount looked like. We got to talking and measuring and hypothesizing, when he stopped talking rather suddenly and began examining the mount more accutley.

He said "I'll be right back" and then took off with the mount. He came back two minutes later with two pieces in his hand. The black, vivitar lens mount, and a silver m42/pentax adapter.

I almost died.

I had tried unscrewing the two at home, but with no luck. I just assumed they were fused together at a factory. Turns out he used some sort of press, and viola. I had a m42 screw thread to work with.

Like I said I'm and idiot. BUT, I'm a happy idiot!

I'm glad that I didn't have to shell out to have an adaptor/mount fabricated, and I'm glad I have a $20 400/5.6 that performs half-decently.

Many thanks to the participants in this thread. I really appreciate all the knowledge and help available on this site. You guys rock. =]

And

kirbic, I'm sorry you don't get to execute your half-baked idea. Do you still want me to try and get you measurements? =D

Stay tuned for sample shots. Here are two shots from the roll I put through my pentax P3: