1. Intro

The SD14 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 SD14 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 or a Contax N lens may retain AF and AA (auto aperture) functions.

2. Options

To access a large amount of non SA lenses, you may:

1. Use an adapter between the lens and the camera - like M42 to SA
2. Modify a lens or a TC or an adaptor. (Replacing the rear mount of a lens with a SA mount or any other appropriate mount)
3. Change the mount of the camera.
4. Combine two or more of the above approaches

3. Factors to consider

There are several other factors to consider.

• Difference in the registration distance compared to the one of SA mount. This governs the ability to retain infinity focus.
• Does the rear element of the lens in question moves out so far that it will hit the SD14s dust protector?
• Do you require AF to work? (This limits the options to Canon EF and Contax N lenses)
• Do you require auto stop down? (This limits the options to Canon EF and Contax N lenses) Otherwise, the lens must have an aperture ring, or else you will not be able to set the aperture.
• If used as MF, there are currently no split-screen available as focus aid for the SD14 (at least none that is very good.) An option is a 3rd party viewfinder magnifier.
• 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.
• Do you need to be able to reverse the modification?

Disclaimer: I have not attempted any conversion (yet). The information is compiled mostly from posts on the Sigma forum on dpreview.com. I accept no responsibility due to the possibility of errors in this document.

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

Alternatives

Known
use

Comments

1

Use as is

This will allow for

• Sigma SA lenses
• many M42 lenses (with a M42-SA adaptor)
• many Pentax K lenses
• several medium format lenses (with a XX-K adaptor).
• By replacing the rear mount of a foreign lens with a SA mount, another 8-10 brands might become available.

2

Change mount on camera to Nikon F       

Yes. Commercial ly available

This involves removing the SA mount, and adding a customized and commercially available (http://www.sigmacumlaude.com/  ) Nikon F mount. In addition to using Nikon F, Zeiss ZF lenses and third party Nikon F lenses, there exist adaptors for another 8 brands (at least). AF and AA is lost.

3

Change mount on camera to Leica R        

Yes. Commercial ly available

This involves removing the SA mount, and adding a customized and commercially available (http://www.sigmacumlaude.com/  ) Leica R mount. In addition to using Leica R lenses, there are adaptors for another 2 brands made.  AF and AA is lost. However, several Leica R lenses protrude too far into the body, so they cannot be used.

4

Change mount on camera to Olympus OM

This involves removing the SA mount, and adding a customized and commercially available (http://www.sigmacumlaude.com/  ) Olympus OM mount.

5

Change mount on camera to Canon EF    

Yes

This involves removing the SA mount, and adding a Canon EF mount. http://www.pbase.com/bigflat/sd14_to_eos_conversion In addition to using Canon EF, Zeiss ZE lenses,Voigtländer EF lenses and third party EF lenses, there are adaptors for another 16 brands. Together with the fact that AA and AF does work, it make this the most attractive conversion option. It is however a pretty complicated conversion which requiers to open the camera. One manufactorer consider selling  SD14 or SD-15s with mount already changed.  AF and AA is retained as the electrical connection to the lens is preseved.

Alternatives

Known
use

Comments

1

Pentax K lenses directly on the SD14

Yes

As the SA mount is mechanically a Pentax K mount, all K mount lenses will work on SA camera with only a small modification. Also the very new ones including ie the Limited edition. Source; Aaro, Sigma forum, dpreview) However, some of the K lenses needs the lever hacked off, so you cannot use them with your Pentax again.

2

Pentax K to Canon EF adaptor.

Canon EF mount on camera.

As above + a lot of EF compatible lenses.

Various adaptors to Pentax K.

• M42 to K (A better option is M42 to SA)
• Deckel to K
• Hasselblad to K
• Pentax 645 to K
• Pentax 6x7 to K
• Pentacon-Six to K
• Leica R to K

Alternatives

Known
use

Comments

1

Adaptor M42 to SA

Yes

Very attractive option. Many lenses available. AF and AA is lost.

The different types of M42 to SA adapters:

• CSM42,
• CSM422,
• JTAT,
• PMCPB,
• PMBAA.

2

M42 to Canon EF adaptor.

Canon EF mount on camera.

As above + a lot of EF compatible lenses.

Adaptors XX to M42

+ Adaptor M42 to SA.

• Deckel to M42
• Nikon to M42 (Infinity lost)
• Nikon to M42 (optical)

Known use/conversions

User

Comments/Reference

1

Zeiss flektogon 35mm/2.4, 

Pollux

M42 to SA adaptor. Excellent color rendition, produce better skintones. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&mess age=22912953

2

Zeiss flektogon 20mm/2.8,

Pollux

M42 to SA adaptor. excellent color rendition, produce better skintones. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&mess age=22912953

4

Pelenng 8mm

Rick Decker

5

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&mess age=22838837

6

Zenitar 16mm/2.8 fisheye,

excellent color rendition, produce better skintones http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&mess age=22838837

7

Spiratone 135mm/1.8

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&mess age=25498521

Warnings related to

User

Comments/Reference

1

Yashinon DX 50mm f1.4 

May hit the dust protector.

2

Tomioka 55mm f1.4 (Chinon MC green)

(http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&mes sage=25962243)

3

Yashica 28/2.8

(http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&mes sage=25962243)

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained ?

Comments

1

Change mount on camera to Nikon F

Yes. Commercial ly available

Yes

An interesting option for people heavily invested in Nikon lenses. This involves removing the cameras SA mount, and adding a customized and commercially available (http://www.sigmacumlaude.com/ ) Nikon F mount. In addition to using Nikon F, Zeiss ZF lenses and third party Nikon F lenses, there are adaptors for (at least) another 8 brands. AF and AA is lost.

2

Replacing the rear mount of Nikon F lens with a SA plate

Yes

Possibl y

3

Replacing the rear mount of Nikon F lens with a M42 plate.

M42 to SA adaptor.

??

4

Replacing the rear mount of Nikon F lens with a K plate

??

5

Nikon F to SA adaptor

No

No

(from Roxsen)You will loose infinity.

JTAT Nikon F to SA adaptor cannot be used.

6

Nikon F to M42 adaptor,

M42 to SA adaptor.

Yes

No

You will loose infinity with this combo. Useful if the lens is intended as macro only. Adaptor optins: Roxen Nikon F to M42 Adaptor

Known use/conversions

Alternative s

User

Comments/Reference

1

35mm f:1.4 AIS

2

DaSigmaGuy

 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message= 29667963

2

105 f2.5 AIS

2

DaSigmaGuy

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&mes sage=29669681

4

SD14 with Nikon F mount

1

Several

5

6

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained ?

Comments

1

Change mount on camera to Canon EF

Yes.

Yes

An interesting option for people heavily invested in Canon lenses and for people looking for a way to broaden lens availibility. This involves removing the SA mount, and adding a customized Canon EF mount. In addition to using Canon EF, Zeiss ZE lenses and third party Canon EF lenses, there are adaptors for (at least) another 16 brands/mounts. AF and AA is lost.

2

Replacing the rear mount of Canon EF lens with a SA plate

Yes

Yes

3

Replacing the rear mount of a EF teleconverter with a SA mount.

Yes

Yes

Will of course increase the focal length of the lens.

4

Replacing the rear mount of Canon EF lens with a M42 plate.

M42 to SA adaptor.

No. ??

Would only be an option if you had other M42 cameras to use the lens on.

5

Replacing the rear mount of Canon EF lens with a K plate

??

Would only be an option if you had other K cameras to use the lens on, but chances are that the K mount need modification to be used on the SD14.

6

Canon EF to M42 adaptor,

M42 to SA adaptor.

Yes

No ??

7

Various adaptors to Canon EF

EF mount on camera

??

• K to EF
• M42 to EF
• Zeiss C/Y to EF
• Leica M to EF
• Canon FD to EF (optical)
• SL35 to EF
• OM to EF
• Minolta to EF
• Nikon F to EF
• Hasselblad to EF
• Pentacon-six to EF
• Mamiya 645 to EF
• Pentax 645 to EF
• Pentax 6x7 to EF
• 4x5" to EF

Known use/conversions

User

Comments/Reference

1

Canon 50mm 1.2

Daiver

EF mount replaced with SA mount http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1027&thread=244 01568

2

Mount on camera replaced with EF mount.

Jerry (Arky)

http://www.pbase.com/bigflat/sd14_to_eos_conversion

4

Sigma Teleconverter for Canon: EF rear mount replaced with SA-mount.

Tom Rowland

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=2583 6402

5

6

7

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

Replacing the rear mount of Canon FD lens with a SA plate

Yes

Yes, if mod

Normally, infinity is lost, due to the smaller registration distance. However, by grinding 2mm of the EF lens mounting boss and add a SA lens mount, infinity is retained.

2

Optical FD to EF adaptor

Canon EF mount on camera.

No

This is a optical adaptor, expect loss of IQ.

3

Replacing the rear mount of FD to EF adaptor with a SA plate.

No

This is a optical adaptor, expect loss of IQ.

Known use/conversions

Alternativ e

User

Comments/Reference

1

Canon 55 f1.2

1

DaSigmaGuy

Focus to infinity. 2 mm has been grinded off the mounting boss.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&messag e=27332858

2

4

5

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

• Adaptor Leica M to Leica R (Optical), where Leica R rear mount is exchanged with M42
• Adapter M42 to SA

Yes

Yes

(optical adaptor)

2

• Adaptor Leica M to Leica R (Optical),
• Mount of camera changed to Leica R

Known use/conversions

User

Comments/Reference

1

Konbau

2

4

5

6

7

• Leica
• Minolte (CLE rangefinder)
• Konica (Hexar RF)
• Voigtländer (Cosina) – latest models of the Bessa range
• Rollei (35RF)
• Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained ?

Comments

1

Change mount on camera to Leica R

Yes

This involves removing the SA mount, and adding a customized and commercially available ( (http://www.sigmacumlaude.com/  ) Nikon) Leica R mount. In addition to using Leica R lenses, there are adaptors for another 2 brands made.  AF and AA is lost. However, several Leica R lenses protrude too far into the body, so they cannot be used.

2

Replace the rear mount of a lens with a SA plate.

Yes

Some spacers would be needed.

3

• Replace the rear mount with a M42 plate.
• M42 to SA adaptor

Yes

Some spacers would be needed.

4

Replace rear mount with a Pentax K (Leitax) plate

Yes

Pentax K plates for Leica R, available from http://www.leitax.com/

5

Replace rear mount with a Nikon F (Leitax)  plate.
Change mount on camera to Nikon F

Yes

Nikon F plates for Leica R, available from http://www.leitax.com/
Nikon F mount for SD14 available from:  http://www.sigmacumlaude

Known use/conversions

Alternative

User

Comments/Reference

1

Sigma SD14 with Leica R mount

1

Luis A Guevara

Commercially available ( ( http://www.sigmacumlaude.com/ )

2

Summilux 35

1

Luis A Guevara

http://forums.dpreview.com /forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message =27188395

4

Aummilux 80 f1.4:

1

Luis A Guevara

http://forums.dpreview.com /forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message =27188395

5

4

Leitax

Not tested on SD14, but works with K cameraes.

6

5

Leitax

Not tested on SD14, but works with Nikon cameraes

See M42 mount

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

Rear mount of lens replaced with SA mount

Yes

2

Rear mount of lens replaced with M42 mount Adapter M42 to SA

Yes

3

Rear mount of lens replaced with Pentax K mount

www.leitax.com. Good description.

Known use/conversions

Alternativ e

User

Comments/Reference

1

Carl Zeiss T* Planar 85mm f1.4

2

konbau

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25194529 Custom made M42 rear plate

2

Contax distagon 35mm f1.4

2

konbau

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25194529 Custom made M42 rear plate

4

Carl Zeiss T* Planar 100mm f2.0

2

konbau

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25194529 Custom made M42 rear plate

5

Vivitar 35-200mm f3-4.5 macro

2

DaSigmaGuy

6

Carl Zeiss 28mm f2.8 Distagon T*

1

DaSigmaGuy

7

Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.7 Planar T*

1

DaSigmaGuy

Very difficult.

8

Carl Zeiss T* Planar 85mm f1.4

1

DaSigmaGuy

9

Planar T* 85/1.4

1

OnlyRealPixel

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25 962243

10

Distagon T* 28/2.8, 35/1.4

1

OnlyRealPixel

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25 962243

11

Planar T* 135/2

1

OnlyRealPixel

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25 962243

12

3

Leitax

Not tested on the SD14

Difficult:

Yashinon 135/2.8 is difficult because the rear of the lens barrel has to come off and it's a puzzle to get it put back together. (OnlyRealPixel) (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027& message=25962243)

Known not to fit

Carl Zeiss "Hollywood" 28/2 (is too long) (OnlyRealPixel) (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25962243 )

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

Rear mount of lens replaced with SA mount

Yes

Yes

AF and AA retained due to electronic conversion. Lens has to be sent for conversion

2

3

Lens

SA conversion chance of success/reason

EF conversion

Vario-Sonnar 2,8/17-35

100%

Vario-Sonnar 3,5-4,5/24-85

45%

Vario-Sonnar 3,5-5,6/28-80

Screw pattern incompatible

Vario-Sonnar 3,5-4,5/70-200

Screw pattern incompatible

Vario-Sonnar 4-5,6/70-300

14%

Planar 1,4/50

40%; not available yet

Planar 1,4/85

SA mount to narrow

Makro-Sonnar 2,8/100

Screw pattern incompatible

Tele-Apotessar 4/400

SA mount to narrow

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

Rear mount of lens replaced with SA mount

Yes

Yes

2

Rear mount of lens replaced with M42 mount M42 to SA adaptor

Yes

Yes

3

Known use/conversions

Alternativ e

User

Comments/Reference

1

Zuiko 28mm f3.5

1

Bob Dodds

There is a Pbase gallery with step-by-step instructions (Bob Dodds): http://www.pbase.com/recbo/zuiko

2

Zuiko 50mm f1.2.

1

Bob Dodds

4

Vivitar 28-200mm f3.5-f5.3 macro

1

DaSigma Guy

5

6

7

EXACTA

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

Rear mount of lens replaced with SA mount

Yes

Yes

Changing the SA mount to Exacta. http:// forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message =30510220

2

Rear mount of lens replaced with M42 mount Adapter M42 to SA

Yes

Yes

3

Known use/conversions

Alternativ e

User

Comments/Reference

1

75/1.5 biotar

1

Bob Dodds

sawed off some exakta to M42 length, then epoxied an M39-toM42 bushing to the exakta stub http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message= 30452668

2

1

  This section is written by OnlyRealPixel (Bob Dodds). ( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=25962243)

"Theoretically Exakta lenses ought to convert to Sigma plate. Some of them may stick out too far like some M42's, be too wide to fit inside SA flange hole, or require too much lens disassembly for the owner. One lens that appears at better prices for Exakta than M42 is Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar T* 75/1.5, one of the sharpest lenses wide open, where most f1.? lenses are soft below f2.8. An Kine Exakta KE-to-M42 adapter will not allow infinity focus, but grinding off less than 1mm from the thickness of the second(?) level on the back of a Sigma plate should work, or grinding the Exakta less than 1mm, or if the Exakta mount is a plate that can be removed like C/Y plates and the Sigma be right as is or with spacer. So far I don't see Exakta thin plates like C/Y, only integral mount/barrel areas."

Some info about Exacta here: http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/exakta/lenses.html

Alternatives

Known
use

Infinity retained?

Comments

1

Rear mount of lens replaced with SA mount

(Yes)

Yes

 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message =28184493

Also: http://forums.dpreview.com/... .../readflat.asp?forum=1027&message=26315936

Known use/conversions

Alternativ e

User

Comments/Reference

1

Rokkor 58mm f1.4

1

DaSigma Guy

Machining down the tickness of spacers. Close to infinity. Project abandoned, lens not good. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&messag e=26321060

2

85mm/2

1

Andreas

(no photo mondays)

Have fun.

If you have any further questions to the use of non-Sigma lenses on the SD14, ask at one of the Sigma forums. At dpreview.com, the Sigma forum, there are some very knowledgeable people.:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1027