Lensmate

Canon G1 X Filter Adapter Comparison

Lensmate — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:50:16 +0000

Why Delrin as the material for the G1 X filter adapter?

The reason that we use Delrin for the Lensmate G1 X filter adapter is because of it’s excellent machining qualities, its inherently low coefficient of friction (commonly used as a bearing material), and the flexibility required for the locking mechanism to work.

The design of this filter adapter relies on the flexibility of the material for the locking mechanism to work, as well as avoiding wear to the camera. You can observe this by attaching the filter adapter alone to the camera – from the start position, two opposing lobes climb the cams on either side of the lens, then lock when the lobes are past the cams.

Avoid metal filter adapters on these types of bayonet mounts (the SX series and G1 X) as they can wear away the plastic quickly.

What’s the difference between the Lensmate G1 X Filter Adapter and the Canon adapter?

The Lensmate G1 X adapter is machined from Delrin. The Canon adapter is molded of ABS plastic. They are functionally similar, but it’s widely reported that the thread of the Canon part can easily bind to the filter, even when attached loosely, resulting in a stuck filter.

We’ve found that unless overtightened, you can thread/unthread a filter with the Lensmate filter adapter as you normally would with your fingertips.

This is the Haas Turning Center being loaded with tooling to begin machining the our G1X filter adapter. The material being machined is a solid rod of 2.5″ black Delrin fed from the left.

You can download the full size image here (2.2 mb) G1X exposure bracketed (-2,0,+2) and combined in Photomatix.

Now available to order.

Lensmate Canon G1 X Filter Adapter

Lensmate — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:13:59 +0000

We think anyone who uses filters with their G1X will like the speed and ease of attaching filters with the quick-change bayonet mount. You’ll find yourself using your filters more often when they go on this easily (just a 90º twist on and off).

You’ll really appreciate it when your fingers are cold and threading a filter can be challenging. Definitely easier to do with gloves on as well.

Made of the engineering polymer Delrin for long life and low wear, our adapter features a continuous knurl on the outside edge for improved handling.

Each Lensmate adapter is precisely CNC-machined in the Pacific Northwest alongside aerospace parts.

Now available to order.

Lensmate Fujifilm X100 Thumbrest+

Lensmate — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:25:41 +0000

Available now is the Lensmate Fujifilm X100 Thumbrest+. Engineered specifically for the Fujifilm X100, it provides an ergonomic thumbrest while protecting the freely turning EV dial from unwanted changes. The sculpted thumbrest allows you to relax the grip on the camera, reducing camera shake allowing slower shutter speeds. Easily attached via the hot shoe, it is held securely by a small groove which fits over the EV dial index marker locating it precisely without the use of any fasteners. Removed just as easily.

Milled from a block of 6061 T6 alloy, bead-blasted and anodized, it has an OEM look with a fit and finish the equal of the camera itself. Made in the USA to high tolerances for an exacting fit in an ISO 9001:2008 certified facility that makes aerospace parts.

Click here to order now.

Canon PowerShot S100 Lensmate Filter Adapter

Lensmate — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:11:51 +0000

We’ve just obtained our new Powershot S100 and can confirm that our existing 37mm Quick Change filter adapter works perfectly.

Though the focal length has been extended to 24mm on the wide end (from 28mm on the S95), there is still no vignetting whatsoever even with a full depth 37mm polarizer attached. A redesigned lens control ring on the S100 means the Lensmate Quick Change receiver now adds only 2mm to the total depth of the camera.

Follow these links to see the filter adapter or all of the compatible accessories for the Canon S100.

Richard Franiec’s S100 Grip

Lensmate — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:07:33 +0000

One of the biggest improvements you can make to a tiny camera is a better way to hold it — and that’s what Richard has done for the S100.

Click here for more information

Click here to see all S100 products

Canon SX40 HS Filter Adapter Comparison

Lensmate — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:11:17 +0000

We can confirm that the bayonet mount of the SX40 HS has remain unchanged from the previous model, the SX30IS and all SX models preceding it. This means that the Lensmate 58mm filter adapter fits perfectly.

Why use the larger 67mm filter adapter when it’s not necessary? It just takes up more space and uses more costly filters. The 58mm Lensmate filter adapter does not vignette at all at full wide (24mm) using a full depth polarizer.

When things are not as they appear…

Genuine Lensmate Delrin adapter top,
metal copy below. Click to enlarge

Out of curiousity we obtained two of our competitors SX series 58mm filter adapters. The first one appears to be a copy of the Lensmate filter adapter, though if you look closely the knurling has a finer pitch. But the real giveaway is that it’s made of aluminum, which seems like a reasonable choice of materials but isn’t in this case. We used Delrin™ instead for a couple reasons. One is that Delrin’s self lubricating properties means that it virtually eliminates wear on the plastic resin of the cameras’ lens barrel. But more importantly the material’s flexibility is necessary for the locking mechanism to work. Apparently whoever reverse-engineered our part didn’t understand the fundamental principle of its operation – our sample aluminum Asian knockoff turns about half way towards the lock position then starts to grind plastic – I didn’t even attempt to turn it fully to the stop. I would imagine that multiple installation/removal cycles could remove enough material to compromise the hood lock function.

Now where did I put that screwdriver?

Sample two is also a metal 58mm adapter, though it’s of a different design. It fits loosely so it probably won’t damage the camera. However, it requires tightening 2 very small slot head screws to keep it from falling off. I suppose if you wanted to permanently mount it on the camera this might make sense. Otherwise don’t forget to bring the jewelers screwdriver and magnifiers in your bag for filter changes. Included in this package was an uncoated glass UV filter – a throwaway in our opinion and a petal-style plastic lens hood which threads into the filter. Unfortunately the hood vignettes terribly, and in this configuration is not adjustable so the petals end up randomly positioned.

Lensmate Fujifilm X100 Menu Button Solution

Lensmate — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:51:24 +0000

We’ve gotten requests to address the issue of the Menu/OK button (center of the control dial) of the Fuji X100.

It seems many users have difficulty pressing this button without also clicking the 4-way selector surrounding it. This usually results in a selection error which requires entering the menu again to make the intended change. Worse, you might not notice the error until you’re reviewing on a monitor when it’s too late to correct.

Lensmate has come up with a simple solution to this problem – an adhesive-backed enhancement which essentially raises the Menu/OK button just enough so even large thumbs can use this button with zero errors.

Laser engraved from black Delrin™, the Menu Button Solution is shipped in its installation guide – all you do is remove the adhesive backing and press on.

The installation guide automatically centers the device over the Menu/OK button. Just press down, remove the guide and enjoy error free use the of the Menu/OK button.

Now available for $4.95.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 JJC Lens Hood & Thread Adapter

Lensmate — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:28:03 +0000

JJC Lens Hood and Thread Adapter (a clone of the Fujifilm LH-X100 Lens Hood and 49mm Thread Adapter for Finepix X100 & HS20).

Well crafted copy of the Fujifilm 49mm thread adapter and hood. Lensmate includes 49mm center-pinch lens cap with removable tether and adjustment spacer*.

*It’s possible that one of the 3 “spokes” of the hood can end up positioned in front of the optical viewfinder. We include a thin mylar gasket which is placed between the thread adapter and camera to correct the hood position if necessary.

Now available for $35.95

Olympus XZ-1 Lensmate Adapter

Lensmate — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:06:00 +0000

We think the new Olympus XZ-1 is one of the most exciting enthusiast compact cameras to come along in some time. The fast f1.8-2.5 zoom lens, big front control dial, and snappy AF are some of our favorite features.

Lensmate’s 52mm lens adapter custom designed for the XZ-1 is now available to order. CNC machined from camera-friendly Delrin®, our new adapter complements the styling of the XZ-1 as well as enhances its handling.

Accepts any 52mm filter (without vignetting), step ring, or conversion lens as well as allowing the use of the original Olympus lens cap. Enjoy your XZ-1 knowing that beautiful Zuiko lens is protected.

The price is $24.95.

Click here to order the adapter and other accessories.

Olympus XZ-1 Adapter, why Delrin?

Lensmate — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:18:20 +0000

We get asked a lot why Delrin® was the material of choice for the Olympus XZ-1 lens. One of the most compelling reasons is illustrated below.

This Olympus XZ-1 was used to test an aluminum adapter prototype. After attaching and removing the adapter from the camera a few times I noticed that the black plating had begun to wear away from the trim bezel surrounding the Zuiko lens.

The bezel appears to be anodized aluminum, (which I would have thought more durable). In any case, we’d advise keeping metal parts away from the XZ-1 unless you don’t care about its appearance.