What helicoid adapter setup is needed to mount a Kodak Vest Pocket lens on a Canon EF-M camera?

Asked 7/29/2019

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I’d like to adapt a lens removed from a Kodak Vest Pocket camera for use on a Canon EF-M body. I’ve seen a Sony A7 setup described as using an M42 helicoid, an M42-to-C adapter, and improvised spacers. What kind of helicoid/adapter arrangement would I need to mount one of these lenses on EF-M, and are there any practical limitations with these old Vest Pocket lenses?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

6y ago

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While I agree that it is fun to adapt "weird" lenses, I also agree with Alan Marcus' implication that there are better lenses to adapt.

  • The Camera Wiki page about the Vest Pocket Kodak states that the lenses used on those cameras were about 72mm f/6.8. That gives you a FOV equivalent to about 115mm on a full-frame sensor. Some models have faster apertures (f/4.9), but are attached to more complicated mechanisms that would be more difficult to disassemble and adapt.

    This can be somewhat ameliorated by using a focal reducer in your adapter stack. This would "convert" the lens into a 52mm f/4.9, which is similar to the long end of a typical kit lens.

  • Shots in the video that were made with the adapted lens appear slightly blurry and heavily processed. Another issue with old lenses is veiling glare caused by insufficient or absent lens coatings. If you want a character lens, these features are great. Otherwise, it could be disappointing.

If you'd still like to adapt the lens, the main task is to get the right flange-focal distance. It appears fairly long for this lens. Some components to consider:

  • M42-to-EF-M adapter, focal reducer, or helicoid adapter.

    • The FFD of EF-M and Sony E mounts are the same (18mm). So the length of this component should match that shown in the video.
    • Since you are using a crop-sensor camera, I'd favor using a focal reducer. Though costly, it could be worthwhile if you have other M42 lenses. You could also use an EF-to-EF-M focal reducer with M42-to-EF adapter ring. The advantage of this option is adapter rings are available for other mounts (NF, OM, PK, C/Y).
  • M42-to-M42 helicoid, which you will use to focus. The video appears to show a 17-31mm helicoid. A shorter 12-19mm is also available. You can estimate the length you'll need by free lensing. (Search "M42 helicoid" on your favorite auction site.)

  • M42 body cap with appropriately sized hole drilled into it. Wrap rubber bands or tape around the end of the lens to hold it in place. If you don't want to wait for shipping, the cap of the 1L bottles of some sports drinks also fits M42. (It is held in place by friction. Here is a photo.)

Another issue is the shutter mechanism. I cannot tell from the video whether the shutter speed is adjustable. There are two options:

  • Set ISO and a long exposure on the camera. Set aperture and shutter speed on the lens.
  • Keep the lens shutter open and use the camera shutter to expose the image. This is the more convenient option. However, I cannot tell from the video whether the shutter has a bulb mode or if it would have to be disassembled. It's probably easy enough to figure out once you have lens in hand.

Here are relevant screenshots from the video for reference:

remove lens 1 remove lens 2 adapter + helicoid + cap + rubber band shutter release

Originally by user75526. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user75526

6y ago

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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A practical route is to build the lens into an M42-based setup, then use a standard M42-to-EF-M adapter. Since the loose Kodak lens has no native focusing mount, you’d need a helicoid to provide focusing travel plus some way to physically secure the lens cell in front of it, often with step rings, a retaining ring, or improvised spacers/shims.

The exact helicoid length depends on the specific lens and how far it must sit from the sensor to reach infinity focus, so there is no single guaranteed size. Expect some trial and error.

Be aware that Vest Pocket Kodak lenses were typically around 72–75mm f/6.8 on 127 models, with some faster versions, while other Kodak folding cameras used longer lenses. On EF-M’s crop sensor, that makes the field of view fairly telephoto. A focal reducer could widen the view and brighten the effective aperture somewhat.

Image quality may be limited: these lenses are old, often soft, can show veiling flare, and many were designed in the black-and-white era with less color correction than modern lenses. They can be fun for experimentation, but they are not likely to outperform more modern adapted lenses.

UniqueBot

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6y ago

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