Are you think about getting into enlarger lens for your digital camera? Or maybe you've already got one and can't get it to work - well let's look at what parts you will need to get you started. Enlarger lenses don't have the ability to focus by themselves. Whilst you can change the aperture setting there is no focusing ring on the enlarger lens. So the parts you will need are an adapter, a helicoid focusing ring and, possibly, a step-down ring.
Here are the parts laid out... (from left) M39 enlarger lens, M42-M39 step-down adapter, 17-31mm helicoid focusing ring, M42 to camera mount adapter.
Here they are ready to assemble ...
The majority of the enlarger lenses seem to be M39 mounts so you will need a step down ring. These M42 to M39 rings are very cheap on eBay - less than two dollars. (I purchase most of my camera accessories from eBay simply because it is convenient for me.)
Helicoid in, helicoid out ...
The 17-31mm helicoid focusing ring is a key part. It moves the lens in and out to allow the focusing. It is described as a 17-31mm model. That just means that it is moving the lens in a 14mm range.
They come in various sizes but I recommend that the M42 to M42 version as it seems to be the most economical to purchase. In comparison, the M42 to M39 was more that double the price.
The other critical part is the adapter mount that allows the helicoid focusing ring to be mounted on your camera. It is critical that you purchased a thin mount. The one that I am using is 5 millimetres in depth, 10 mm overall as another 5 mm disappears into your camera.
One thin, and one wide - M42 to M4/3 adapters ...
In the picture above, the adapter on the left is for use with helicoid and enlarger lens. The one on the right is for use when mounting regular M42 camera lenses. Each has its own purpose and whilst they can be physically interchanged they will not allow correct focusing if swapped.
Have look at the video below to see how it all fits together ...
Hi Larry, I am really don't think that item will give the same results as the set-up I have described above. As the seller states "Suitable for macro photography only, does not support focusing infinity." It is designed for macro photography and that usually means that the subject would be no more than a metre away from the lens. Maybe keep looking. Good luck. Cheers Rusty.
Rusty, thanks for your reply pointing out that the adapter I linked to is for macro work and may not focus to infinity.
Interestingly, I found another vendor on Ebay selling an adapter that appears to look the same, yet they claim it can focus to infinity: http://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-Lens-To-Micro-4-3-m43-Adjustable-Focusing-Helicoid-Adapter-GX1-GF5-G3-G5-GF6-/290948735735 . IT's so hard to know whether or not to trust these ebay descriptions!
I probably won't take a chance though and will likely just go with the setup you described!
Hi Rusty, thanks for the info! I got a JANPOL COLOR 80mm enlarger lens and trying to figure out which helicoid focusing ring i should get. Which one would you suggest? 17-31? 25-55? or 36-90? It would be great if you could take the time to write me a short reply!
As I am not sure if my profile will be visible here, would be great to send via email to achilleas.gatsopoulos@gmail.com Much appreciated!!
Hi Larry, I am really don't think that item will give the same results as the set-up I have described above. As the seller states "Suitable for macro photography only, does not support focusing infinity." It is designed for macro photography and that usually means that the subject would be no more than a metre away from the lens. Maybe keep looking. Good luck. Cheers Rusty.
ReplyDeleteRusty, thanks for your reply pointing out that the adapter I linked to is for macro work and may not focus to infinity.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I found another vendor on Ebay selling an adapter that appears to look the same, yet they claim it can focus to infinity: http://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-Lens-To-Micro-4-3-m43-Adjustable-Focusing-Helicoid-Adapter-GX1-GF5-G3-G5-GF6-/290948735735 . IT's so hard to know whether or not to trust these ebay descriptions!
I probably won't take a chance though and will likely just go with the setup you described!
Hi Rusty, thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI got a JANPOL COLOR 80mm enlarger lens and trying to figure out which helicoid focusing ring i should get. Which one would you suggest? 17-31? 25-55? or 36-90?
It would be great if you could take the time to write me a short reply!
As I am not sure if my profile will be visible here, would be great to send via email to achilleas.gatsopoulos@gmail.com Much appreciated!!