When I decided on an investment in a high end digital camera, my main concern was compatibility to my many lenses. I understood that Pros were complaining about the Canon 5D not being user friendly to their Carl Zeiss lenses because of the mirror hitting the back of the lens. I understood that the Canon 20D and the Rebel XT had a deeper throat to accommodate the new lenses manufactured specifically for these camera bodies. Being an inventor of sorts, I was challenged with the manufacturing of an adapter that would allow the Exacta mount Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 4/20 that I have work with the Rebel XT AND get infinity with the fastest f-stop. If your concern is with the megipixel dimensions with the 5D as an advantage over the 20D and Rebel XT, take into consideration the phenomenal stitching programs available such as the PTGui.
I built my first prototype and found my shortcomings with that design
and then set out to make my working version. One major issue is the
depth of
the adapter. One cannot hit the electrical contacts for auto focus. Another
concern was to create a simple mechanism to keep the adapter on the lens
while keeping the lens on the camera.
Not only can I get infinity, I have to make sure that I do not go beyond!
Hence in my circles I call this my “Bud Lightyear” adapter.
Jalon Hawk
