Sony E Mount Shift Adapter - V2

by rosscer in Craft > Photography

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Sony E Mount Shift Adapter - V2

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This is an updated version of a 3D printed Shift adapter for Sony E Mount cameras. Its simpler than the previous version:

https://www.instructables.com/Sony-E-Mount-Shift-Adapter-3D-Printed/

This one uses only three 3D Printed parts and 2x 3mm screws.

The front mount is for Canon EF EOS lens fittings, which can be adapted to many vintage or manual focus lens mounts types.


Some Caveats before we start:

Your Sony camera's lens connection pins are very delicate, as you probably know. Before fitting anything you have 3D printed onto your camera, examine the part carefully. Any stringy or sharp bits on your print may catch a pin as you twist it onto the mount and damage something. This is just a warning, it should not happen, the parts are design with clearance. Just be mindful and don't rush it, test fit the part before assembly. And make sure any plastic sanding dust brushed or washed off if you have needed to clean up the part.

Its not metal, therefore not amazingly strong. Heavy glass lenses won't play well with this. I have used it with a 580g lens. Be careful with your expensive equipment, know the limits of plastics, glue and screws before considering using this, we don't want any breakages.

Glues. Some glue is used in making this adapter. Do not get glue on you lenses or camera sensor. Keep your gear away from your project at any point where gluing is involved, until your chosen glue has hardened or cured. This includes super glue or cyanoacrylate glue, it has vapours that will leave white deposits on things after you think its hardened. (This would be bad for for your expensive camera gear!!)

The adapter doesn't rotate. It can only be used in landscape orientation. It only has a limited range of travel, 20mm total, 10mm up and down from the centre. This is adequate for a lot of shots tho.

No tilt. The adapter won't let you get those cool out of focus macro effect shots.

Supplies

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3mm Counter sunk bolts - Mine were slot headed, 15mm long. Some will be cut down. (2 in total)

Screw driver to match bolts head type (slotted, allen, philips etc)

Hacksaw - small

3mm tap or drill tap combo tool

Glue - I used Bostick / UHU glue 'universal repair adehsive' - Whatever glue you are familiar with for plastics

Sand paper, files etc

Counter sink drill bit

Print You Parts

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Print as per the images.

I printed in PLA. The slide ways needed some cleanup of support material.

Some of the surfaces might need some wet sanding to make them smooth.

You will need to tap the 2 holes in the 'Lower' part for m3...or Just force your m3 screws into the plastic and they might make their own threads!!

Assembly

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Assembly should be easy.

Slide the 2 main parts together and attach the small 'Bit' with the 2 m3 bolts or glue it on.

The slideways of the parts may need some extra sanding and cleaning up to get them so move over each other smoothly.

When this is ready you could add a small amount of grease or other lubrication to help the Slide action.

ATTENTION : Clean up of the Sony mount area is very important. There can be no loose bits of plastic or excess here. The camera mount PINS are very delicate. There is enough clearance in the print, but DOUBLE check everything is cleaned and looks good before attempting to fit to the camera body. And go slowly, don't force anything as you attach it. If it doesn't want to go or doesn't feel like it wants to fit, just stop.

Finish

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Add a lens mount Adapter to suit the lens type you have, here I have used an Olympus OM to EF adapter. I used a small blob of UHU universal glue to keep the OM adapter in place.

You can slide the Shift adapter up or down, by hand, by up to 10mm to correct perspective.

Hopefully the 'Slide Action' is tight enough to Hold position when you are shooting, if not, you may need to keep a hand on it.

There is an example pair of photos above showing unshifted and a shifted comparison.

Enjoy making and using the adapter, and keep your gear safe. It is a relatively sturdy design and should hold lenses up to 300g or 400g, but one never know with DIY solutions.