Sony RX100-II macro lens mount modification
This Sony RX100-II camera was in a carton of items given to me by someone reducing their photo equipment inventory. A problem with the protective slats that open and close over the lens corrected itself after several sessions of shooting. The camera works great but was a bit disappointing when used for macro work, having a somewhat limited range of magnification. Plus... without a viewfinder it's difficult to use in bright sunlight. Here it's shown after having some work done to enhance its usefulness for really close macro work.
To get more magnification I wanted to use supplemental lenses mounted on, or in front of the primary lens. The instructions that came with a Sony VFA49R1 lens filter adapter kit mentions that nothing weighing more than 30 grams can be mounted on the front of the lens. Hanging a heavier load can result in damage to the lens drive mechanism and its alignment. This situation was avoided by modifying an objective retaining ring from a junk Hanimar 135mm f/2.8 lens to allow mounting onto the Sony's function ring. This ring (58mm) holds the Hanimar's objective, and because of it's unusual construction... 5/8" deep and fully threaded, I was able to bore it out (while retaining half of its threaded portion), to allow press fitting onto the slighter larger "function" ring on the front of the Sony's body. My often-used method of applying super glue or epoxy wasn't an option because these materials would have crept into places where they shouldn't go, disabling the ring's function selection feature. The ring still had to function... not be locked in place.
Viewing the image large, the added rings are, moving out
from the Sony's lens ID ring (small red "T"):
* Hanimar 135mm f/2.8 objective ring,
* 62mm-62mm reversing ring ( knurled edges, orange dots),
* 62mm-58mm step-down ring,
* 58mm empty filter rings from junk filters (4),
* 58mm-52mm step-down ring... allows fitting a variety of supplemental lenses... all rigged with 52mm mounting rings. The black finish was wire-wheeled off the rings to brighten things up a bit. When the camera is turned on its lens extends to within 6mm of the front of the outermost ring, leaving enough room to stay clear of supplemental lenses that might be mounted. To operate the camera's function ring you simply turn the whole ring "stack". Press fitting the Hanimar ring onto the function ring had to be done VERY carefully to prevent cracking or disabling the playback screen. The inside of the Hanimar was bored out to be nearly, but not quite the same as the knurled Sony ring. A "scary" amount of force was required to bind the two rings together. The fit is so tight that only explosives will ever separate them.
Anyone wanting to try working this modification, using the camera's function ring as an anchor point for a supplemental lens mount "kluge", should do so carefully. It will definitely void any warranty, and you could trash a perfectly good, fully functioning camera before your work is done.
DSC-6166G
Sony RX100-II macro lens mount modification
This Sony RX100-II camera was in a carton of items given to me by someone reducing their photo equipment inventory. A problem with the protective slats that open and close over the lens corrected itself after several sessions of shooting. The camera works great but was a bit disappointing when used for macro work, having a somewhat limited range of magnification. Plus... without a viewfinder it's difficult to use in bright sunlight. Here it's shown after having some work done to enhance its usefulness for really close macro work.
To get more magnification I wanted to use supplemental lenses mounted on, or in front of the primary lens. The instructions that came with a Sony VFA49R1 lens filter adapter kit mentions that nothing weighing more than 30 grams can be mounted on the front of the lens. Hanging a heavier load can result in damage to the lens drive mechanism and its alignment. This situation was avoided by modifying an objective retaining ring from a junk Hanimar 135mm f/2.8 lens to allow mounting onto the Sony's function ring. This ring (58mm) holds the Hanimar's objective, and because of it's unusual construction... 5/8" deep and fully threaded, I was able to bore it out (while retaining half of its threaded portion), to allow press fitting onto the slighter larger "function" ring on the front of the Sony's body. My often-used method of applying super glue or epoxy wasn't an option because these materials would have crept into places where they shouldn't go, disabling the ring's function selection feature. The ring still had to function... not be locked in place.
Viewing the image large, the added rings are, moving out
from the Sony's lens ID ring (small red "T"):
* Hanimar 135mm f/2.8 objective ring,
* 62mm-62mm reversing ring ( knurled edges, orange dots),
* 62mm-58mm step-down ring,
* 58mm empty filter rings from junk filters (4),
* 58mm-52mm step-down ring... allows fitting a variety of supplemental lenses... all rigged with 52mm mounting rings. The black finish was wire-wheeled off the rings to brighten things up a bit. When the camera is turned on its lens extends to within 6mm of the front of the outermost ring, leaving enough room to stay clear of supplemental lenses that might be mounted. To operate the camera's function ring you simply turn the whole ring "stack". Press fitting the Hanimar ring onto the function ring had to be done VERY carefully to prevent cracking or disabling the playback screen. The inside of the Hanimar was bored out to be nearly, but not quite the same as the knurled Sony ring. A "scary" amount of force was required to bind the two rings together. The fit is so tight that only explosives will ever separate them.
Anyone wanting to try working this modification, using the camera's function ring as an anchor point for a supplemental lens mount "kluge", should do so carefully. It will definitely void any warranty, and you could trash a perfectly good, fully functioning camera before your work is done.
DSC-6166G