Adapter on Canon EOS for Exakta Lens

<p>I have recently purchased an adapter which will allow me to mount my old German Exakta mount lenses on my Canon EOS 30D. The question I have is ... while I wait for my adapter ... will I be able to get the lens to focus at Infinity? I have a number of preset lenses - I know I won't be able to use the 'auto' lenses because there's really no way to stop down the lens that doesn't involve gymnastics that violate all kinds of human stretchability laws.<br>

That said, I DO have a 58mm, f2 Biotar, a 35mm, f3.5 Tessar, a 50mm f2.8 Tessar and an Enna Werk, 35mm, f3.5 Lithagon in Chrome finish. I also have a 250mm, f2.8 Meyer-Gorlitz. All of the mentioned lenses are presets.<br>

I like using the focusing scale to use my lenses on the Exaktas - and i want to use them in the same fashion on my Canon, if possible.<br>

I am a devotee of the 'f16 rule'. In addition, I will set the lens at hyperfocal (Infinity over the f16 mark) so that focusing worries are minimized. However, if the lens won't focus at Infinity, it also won't set up properly for hyperfocal distance work. Thus my question.</p>

<p>That will all depend on the manufacturer of the mount you purchased. If it was manufactured so that the thickness allows the Exakta flange to film (in this case sensor) distance to be perfect or slightly shorter than specs. then it should work fine. If it is thicker, however, then you will only be able to focus shorter than infinity. Usually the manufacturers of these adapters indicate if they will focus to infinity or not in their advertising. The good news is that Canon has an extremely short lens flange to film/sensor distance, which allows many adapters for other manufacturers' lenses to work fine (infinity focus) on Canon bodies. One notable exception, sadly enough is Canon's own hugely popular now discontinued FD lenses, which don't work with their digital bodies.unless the adapter is their limited edition one (about $1000) or a cheapo with a cheap lens inserted in it which reduces the IQ of the fine FD lenses.</p>

<p>The registration for Canon EOS is 44.00 and exakta is 44.70 therefore it may or may not focus to infinity. That .70 of a millimeter portends an extremely thin and fragile adapter. The manufacturer and supplier may have made it One millimeter which I believe may be the thinnest practical, thus not making infinity. Keep us posted!</p>

<p>I did some lens testing this evening and I have to say that the Biotar and the Meyer-Gorlitz both focused to Infinity with the cam.plus adapter on the 30D. Now. There were differences when the lenses were compared to a Canon EF lens. The German glass is not multicoated (single coat) so the 18-55mm Canon EF lens was sharper, and the Canon glass had better contrast and color. But the German glass, at first blush, appears to be in focus at Infinity. I need to do more intensive testing - but so far it looks good. </p>

<p>The normal Exakta to EOS adapters -- of which I have a couple from different sources -- are made so that infinity focus is possible. The adapters are rugged enough, with a raised edge to make them stronger.<br>

HOWEVER<br>

Because of the projections on the "automatic" diaphragm models, they will not fit on the adapters that I have, and these projections can also keep Exakta lenses from mounting on some EOS cameras regardless of the adapter. Your best bet is to stick to older preset Exakta lenses, as you really don't want to be cutting things off and so on.</p>

<p>Finally. really long telephotos on the Exaktas mount to an external bayonet, rather than to the normal, older internal bayonet used by most Exakta lenses. There are no adapters I know of that will allow these large lenses to be adapted to EOS. So dreams of mounting your 400mm Telemeagor on your Canon are going to remain dreams.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>The adapter I have (it came today) looks very similar - made in China. I encountered the same issue trying to fit an 'auto' Exakta mount lens to the Canon - the release mechanism will not allow an auto lens to be mounted - but it's the presets I want to use anyway. I have a specific style of shooting I want to pursue that dand cheaply, at that.oesn't want to use an auto lens anyway. I've tested and I've found it has Infinity focus down - like a champ. My small collection of presets - CZJ, Enna Werk and Meyer-Gorltiz will finally get a chance to do some work. And no - I don't plan to use anything longer than the 250mm Meyer-Gorlitz. Thanks to all for the input. I appreciate it.</p>

<p>Anyone know is there's an adapter for the older Exakta lenses (with the protruding arm thingy) for EOS 60D?</p>

<p>I use Novoflex 1923 bellows with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1:4.5/105 short mount lens for macro shots with my Canon dslr camera.</p>

<p>There isn't any adaptors that will allow you to use the automatic Exakta mount lenses.</p>

<p>See that slot cut into the mount ? I took a pair of pliers and broke it off, then I could mount my automatic exacta lens on my eos camera. It worked for me , maybe it will work for you</p>