PL to C Mount Adapter...bad idea??

[Mo Barrett]

Hi all;

hope you’re all doing well out there =]
For my digital bolex d16, I was thinking to get a PL to C adapter, and use 35mm PL glass, and s16 PL glass.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ca%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F262890672341

i am such a noob when it comes to things like “flange distance” or things like “the sensor needs to sit further back, so it won’t really work well”—does anyone know much about adapting c mount d16 to PL and if it’s okay or just a bad idea? Would crop factor or vignetting be worse?

I wish it came with the hard front PL, but it has its original C mount, and I found a PL screw on adapter....

Your insight is much appreciated ?

 

[Dom Jaeger]

If you get a decent quality adapter, the distance setting of lens mount seat to sensor ("flange depth" or "focal flange distance") should be OK. Even if it's a little out, if you're eye-focussing with a prime lens it won't matter. The focus distance marks will just be a little off.

That one looks OK, it's stainless and can be shimmed to the exact flange depth if you find it's a bit out.

You won't get any vignetting or anything, the only issue is that the little C mount thread is not ideal for heavy lenses, but you can always use rods and a lens support. Just make sure that your camera has nothing around the C mount protruding that might interfere with screwing the adapter all the way home, since the back of the adapter near the c mount thread has a large diameter. Many cameras like a 16mm Bolex wouldn't work with this adapter for that reason I think.

The crop factor is purely dependent on the sensor size, an adapter like this won't change anything. 

[Mo Barrett]

Thanks again Dom!

I actually found this just now:
https://hotrodcameras.com/search.php?search_query=digital%20bolex&section=product

It's a full mount replacement to PL, and I pretty much have to send my camera to them to take care of the swap. 1K. Not too bad considering it's a hard replacement of C mount. 

Someone else I spoke to who has a D16 has the MFT swap on it, and then he uses a PL to MFT adapter which is more secure. He said that it would be hard to shim a PL to C. But yes, if I'm mostly eye-focusing, it's really not a problem. Although then theres the issue of maybe not hitting infinity or close focus on the spot depending on a given lens?? Ahhh.

I think doing the PL swap is most ideal then; just more pricey--but most ideal.

Edited January 31, 2020 by Mo Barrett