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on Feb 25, 2023 16:24:54 GMT
Last Edit: Feb 25, 2023 16:25:32 GMT by lumiworx
This is one of those adaptation requirements that I assume hasn't been at the high end of anyone's list, but does anyone know if Yashica ever produced their own branded convertors to adapt the C/Y film lenses to the Contax N-Mount film bodies? I don't recall seeing anything, but I haven't been actively looking until now. I figured since the adapter wouldn't be for a current digital user, they won't be in demand for 3rd party suppliers to fill the niche. BTW... while looking online for these, I ran across a newer version of the FotoDiox Yashica AF to Sony E adapter, and it looks like they paid attention to lenslover or someone who kept complaining, and they fixed the reflective blue-colored collar causing the blue flair problems. |
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on Feb 25, 2023 20:47:37 GMT
Posted: Feb 25, 2023 20:47:37 GMT
Hi lumiworx Sadly, there was never a C/Y-N adapter produced by Yashica/Kyocera, only the one for the Contax 645 lenses. No independent manufacturer, as far as I know, ever created one either. Out of curiosity, I popped a little f1.7 Planar set at infinity into the throat of a N1 and saw that an item about 8ft away was in focus. |
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on Feb 25, 2023 22:01:38 GMT
Last Edit: Feb 25, 2023 22:02:42 GMT by lumiworx
It's unfortunate they didn't make one, but understandable to some extent too. I imagine that Zeiss wouldn't have been thrilled with the idea of going back to adapting manual focus lenses onto an AF system they were so dead against a few years earlier.
Well, I suppose there's a possibility that a dumb adapter might be possible as a DIY project if your test is any indication of what might work. It might be time to start calculating and digging into registration distances on both mounts and see if it's theoretically possible to get a full range of focus without selling a kidney first. The tough part will likely be finding a reasonably priced way of acquiring the lens mount on the N side of it. I'm not really prepared to sacrifice a lens, and who knows if there's an existing, but dead, NAM-1/MAM-1 adapter that I can get for donor parts. After getting pricing on a one-off plate to create an adapter for 6x6 Rollei Heidosmat projector lenses, I seriously doubt that option will be cheap either, so I'll have to investigate a bit more.
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on Feb 26, 2023 13:24:06 GMT
Posted: Feb 26, 2023 13:24:06 GMT
It sounded like a good idea, and although the numbers seem to accept the proposition an adapter is feasible, it may not be easily doable and at a reasonable cost, considering the amount of engineering it would take. If I still had access to a Bridgeport milling machine, it might be worth some time, effort, and the cost of a chunk of brass to try it, but sadly that's no longer possible for me. I also don't have $40K+ laying around as disposable petty cash, soooo.... Here's the dimensional details on registration distances (lens flange flat, to film plane) and the clear throat size of the mount openings. Contax/Yashica bayonet - reg.: 45.5mm, throat: 48mm Contax N bayonet - reg.: 48mm, throat: 55mm With 7mm difference there's probably enough room to clear any issues in throat sizes, but the difference in reg distance is only 2.5mm. That really is very tight all on it's own, plus it needs to have the space required for a set of ears to grab the 3 C/Y bayonet tabs and provide some type of pockets and a positive lock once any lens is in place. For anyone who's used a simple M42 to C/Y adapter, the thickness is roughly 6.5mm in total, with 3.3mm of that being the C/Y bayonet section. There's little room for error and it certainly could get 'fussy' in using one. |
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on Feb 26, 2023 18:30:31 GMT
Posted: Feb 26, 2023 18:30:31 GMT
It sounded like a good idea, and although the numbers seem to accept the proposition an adapter is feasible, it may not be easily doable and at a reasonable cost, considering the amount of engineering it would take. If I still had access to a Bridgeport milling machine, it might be worth some time, effort, and the cost of a chunk of brass to try it, but sadly that's no longer possible for me. I also don't have $40K+ laying around as disposable petty cash, soooo.... Here's the dimensional details on registration distances (lens flange flat, to film plane) and the clear throat size of the mount openings. Contax/Yashica bayonet - reg.: 45.5mm, throat: 48mm Contax N bayonet - reg.: 48mm, throat: 55mm With 7mm difference there's probably enough room to clear any issues in throat sizes, but the difference in reg distance is only 2.5mm. That really is very tight all on it's own, plus it needs to have the space required for a set of ears to grab the 3 C/Y bayonet tabs and provide some type of pockets and a positive lock once any lens is in place. For anyone who's used a simple M42 to C/Y adapter, the thickness is roughly 6.5mm in total, with 3.3mm of that being the C/Y bayonet section. There's little room for error and it certainly could get 'fussy' in using one. I think you're right in saying that an adapter ring could be produced, albeit to very fine tolerances, but with the probability of low numbers of requests for one, the cost would be prohibitive. It would need an enthusiast with some excellent engineering skills and equipment to match; probably not worth holding one's breath... I can still recall the shock of learning the price for the Contax 645/Mamiya 645 (manual focus) lens adapter - even more so when one saw how little there was to the ring. But there's some sophisticated engineering involved and a relatively small market for it. After a cursory search, I couldn't even find that adapter on the internet today, so if I damage mine, replicating it would cost a pretty penny if one could even find an engineer with the necessary skills. |
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