Non-Sigma lenses for SD-14

The SD-14 use the SA mount from Sigma. Only Sigma makes SA mount lenses. However, if you are willing to accept manual focus and manual aperture (*1), you can use lenses from other manufacturers, with a commercially available adaptor and/or performing some light/heavy engineering on lenses/mounts. For example, the M42 to SA adaptor will greatly increase the number of available lenses. The M42/SA is currently the only available adaptor that fits directly on the SD-14 while retaining infinity focus. Retaining infinity focus is a main concern, and the factor that governs this is the registration distance. More on that later. There are also options for using non M42 lenses, by changing the mount (on the lens or the camera).

*1 Converting a Canon EF may retain AF and AA (auto aperture) functions.

Factors to consider

There are a few other factors to consider.

* Even if a conversion is possible, care must be taken to ensure that the rear lens element does not move so far out of the lens that it hits the dust protector of the SD-14.

* Sensors are highly reflective and may reflect the light. Under certain conditions elements of the lens may reflect this light back on the sensor, creating flare/ghost images. Modern lenses accounts for this, older lenses does not. You will have to test the lens under different conditions, distances and apertures.

* You will not be able to use AF. And currently there is no split-screen available for the SD-14 for focus aid.

* You will have to adjust the aperture manually. Be sure that there is an aperture ring on your lens, or you will only be shooting wide open.

Disclaimer: I have not attempted any conversion (yet). The information is compiled from posts on the Sigma forum on dpreview.com.

Options

To access the large amount of other lenses, you have to:

1. Use an adapter. M42 to SA

2. Modify a lens or a TC or an adaptor. This involves replacing the rear mount of a lens with a SA mount or a M42 mount.

3. Combine these two approaches

4. Change the mount of the camera.

I will try to make a comprehensive list of alternatives and what is required. The following is a start, please fill in more info.

Registration distance.

Registration distance varies from mount to mount. Consider this list:

Mount	Registration distance in mm
Leica M	27.8
Canon FL/FD	42
Sigma SA	44
Canon EF	44
Exacta	44.7
M42 (Pentax Screw/Zeiss Screw (ZS))	45.46
Pentax K	45.46
Zeiss C/Y (for Contax/Yashica)	45.5
Olympus OM Zuiko	46
Nikon F (and Zeiss ZF)	46.5
Leica R	47

You need to look at the registration distance compared to the SA mount. If you, when using an adaptor or adapting a mount your self, end up with a registration distance different than 44 mm, it will affect the focusing range of the lens. If you end up with a registration distance lower than 44 mm, the lens will not retain infinity focus. (Unless an optical correction element is included). If you end up with a larger registration distance, it will affect focusing at the other end of the scale.

Lens/Teleconverter/Adaptor modification

This is done by exchanging the mount of a lens, a mount of a Teleconverter (TC) or a mount of an adaptor, with a SA mount, a M42 mount or another useful mount. See examples of conversions under each mount below.

Table of Context.

Non-Sigma lenses for SD-14. 1

Factors to consider 1

Options. 2

Registration distance. 2

Lens/Teleconverter/Adaptor modification. 2

Registration distance. 3

Lens/Teleconverter/Adaptor modification. 4

SA Mount 4

SA Camera Mount replacement 4

Pentax K.. 4

M42 Mount 4

Nikon F mount – for the SD-14. 5

Canon FL/FD Mount – for the SD-14. 5

Canon EF Mount – for the SD-14. 6

Leica M mount 6

Leica R mount 6

Zeiss ZF mount (For Nikon) 7

Zeiss ZS mount (For M42) 7

Zeiss N mount (for Contax) 7

Zeiss C/Y mount (for Contax) 7

Olympus OM Zuiko. 8

Exacta. 8

Special projects: 9

(Disclaimer: I have not attempted conversion myself (yet), just compiled this information from posts on dpreview.com and email received)

SA Mount

Registration distance is 44 mm on a SD-14

SA mount is Sigma’s mount. Only Sigma makes lenses with this mount, but physically it is close to a Pentax K mount.

SA Camera Mount replacement

A user has successfully replaced the SA mount with a Leica R mount. These are commercially available. See the Leica R section below.

A user has successfully replaced the SA mount with a Nikon F mount. These are commercially available. See the Nikon F section below.

Currently there are investigation ongoing regarding the possibility of exchanging the SA mount on the SD-14 with a Canon mount. The info at this moment is not conclusive,

Pentax K

Registration distance is 45.46mm.

As the SA mount is mechanically a Pentax K mount, all K mount lenses will work on SA camera with only a small modification as described in the dpreview Sigma forum. Also the very new ones including ie the Limited edition. (Aaro, Sigma forum, dpreview)

This means that Pentax K adaptors may be of interest, as infinity will be retained.

M42 Mount

Registration distance is 45.46mm.

(also called Pentax Screw mount or Zeiss Screw mount (ZS))

There is an incredible amount of lenses with this mount, some very, very good.

Alternatives:

Lens with M42 mount + Adapter M42 to SA

The different types of M42 to SA adapters:

· CSM42,

· CSM422,

· JTAT,

· PMCPB,

· PMBAA.

(I will try to write up on availability of these)

M42 lenses (some suitable for use with the SD-14):

(Disclaimer: I have not attempted conversion myself, just compiled the list from posts on dpreview.com)

· Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm/2.0 (black one not aluminum)
very sharp and excellent colors http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=22838837

· Zeiss flektogon 35mm/2.4, excellent color rendition, produce better skintones

· Zeiss flektogon 20mm/2.8, excellent color rendition, produce better skintones

· Zenitar 16mm/2.8 fisheye, excellent color rendition, produce better skintones http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=22838837

· Spiratone 135mm/1.8 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25498521

These do NOT fit:

· Tomioka 55mm f1.4 (Chinon MC green, how about others?) (OnlyRealPixel) (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25962243)

· Yashica 28/2.8. (OnlyRealPixel) (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25962243)

East Germany:

· Carl Zeiss JenaPentacon

· Porst

· Enna Ennalyt

· Meyer Gorlitz

Russia:

· Jupiter

· Volna

· Helios

· Industar

· Zenitar

Japan:

· Pentax Takumar

· Pentax Super Takumar

· Pentax SMC Takumars

· Mamiya Sekor

· Yashinon

· Chinon

· ++

Nikon F mount – for the SD-14

Registration distance is 46.5mm.

Alternatives:

Replace the camera mount with a commercially available Nikon F mount for SD-14.
Lens with Nikon F mount (Nikon, Zeiss ZF) + Adapter Nikon F to M42 (from Roxsen) + Adapter M42 to SA (various alternatives). Does not reach infinity.

The JTAT Nikon F to SA Adapter does not work with SD-14 (works with SD-9 and 10).

Canon FL/FD Mount – for the SD-14

Registration distance is 42 mm.

Alternatives:

Canon FL/FD mount (on lens) replaced with SA mount.

Known conversions:

- Canon 55 f1.2 (DaSigmaGuy). Focus to infinity.

Canon EF Mount – for the SD-14

Registration distance is 44mm.

It is possible to convert this, and retain AF and AA (auto aperture) functions. (DaSigmaGuy)

Alternatives:

Canon EF mount (on lens) replaced with SA-mount

Known conversions:

- 50mm 1.2 (Daiver) http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1027&thread=24401568

Canon EF lens – Sigma TC for Canon (EF rear mount replaced with SA-mount)

Known conversions:

- Tom Rowland: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25836402

Leica M mount

Registration distance is 27.8mm.

Introduced by Leica in 1953. It has been on all Leica M series from M3 to M7. (Camerapedia.org)

Used by:

· Leica

· Minolte (CLE rangefinder)

· Konica (Hexar RF)

· Voigtländer (Cosina) – latest models of the Bessa range

· Rollei (35RF)

· Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder

There are about 55 Leica M Mount lenses made.

DaSigmaGuy: “Leica M mount has a very short registration distance so its NOT compatible with the SA mount unless an adapter containing an optical correcting element or two is used.”

Alternatives:

1. Lens with Leica M Mount + Adapter Leica M to Leica R, where Leica R is exchanged with M42 + Adapter M42 to SA.

Leica R mount

Registration distance is 47mm.

As the Leica R part (rear mount) of a Leica M to Leica R adaptor has been exchanged with a M42, there is a possibility that Leica R mount lenses can be fitted with a M42 rear mount. (Needs verification)

A user at dpreview (Luis A Guevara) has successfully replaced the SA mount on the camera with a Leica R mount, allowing to use the Leica R lenses on the camera.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=27188395. This mount is commercially available.