Previously I’ve converted Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 lens into full manual focusing lens (with constant F2.8 aperture). After 5 months of intensive use focusing mechanism started to move less smooth. It’s anyway designed for AF system and can’t work as well as real manual focusing helicoid lens. I was looking for good focusing frame for Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 lens, and finally discovered very good fitting option – Industar 50mm F3.5.
In this article I’m showing how to combine Industar frame with XF 27mm F2.8 optic and build very handy and compact Macro lens.
Lens Modification guide
General idea is to migrate Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 lens optics into frame of Industar 50mm F3.5 without affecting optical quality. I’m also using M42 to XF thin adapter ring.
Fortunately Fuji XF 27mm lens optics is solidly assembled into two main blocks: large rear element, and all other glass module. I already removed aperture module during initial mod. Check the Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 lens disassembly guide for more details.
First step is to take out optical core of Industar 50-2 by unsecuring and unscrewing CCW metal circle around rear lens frame, then taking whole lens core away. Surprisingly the rear frame chamber almost perfectly fits Fuji XF 27mm rear lens glass in its frame. For perfect centering and securing glass there I’m simply putting o-ring around frame and inserting it into Industar helicoid – rear area.
After that I’m replacing three metal cones with small black bolts on the XF 27mm lens module core, then adjusting bolts position until module can be perfectly centered in frontal Industar tube area. NOTE: I had to cut that black plastic piece on picture below, and also cut the outer plastic ring of Fuji lens core to make it slimmer.
It’s time to remove tree long stopping bolts of Industar helicoid and add instead much shorter bolt with plastic shim. Later I positioned it to block minimal focusing and prevent helicoid to screw out. On the other side it is limiting screw-in movement at infinity point.
Now frontal Fuji lens core can be inserted into Industar tube. I’m securing it with adhesive tape at this stage (later I may add few bolts for stronger connection).
Finally attaching Industar focus ring and adjusting infinity focus point.
NOTE: this this mod whole lens core is moving during focusing including rear glass element. Regular Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 lens has rear glass element fixed. However I didn’t notice any obvious IQ degradation by changing way of focusing, or at least that difference is not disturbing me, so I’ll keep it as is.
MOD results – Macro
Saying about macro, original focusing range of XF 27mm F2.8 allowing closest distance of about 34cm. After modification I can focus much closer – up to 17cm.
Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 Macro on X-T2 – focused at minimal 17cm distance – 100% crop.
Picture taken with Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 Macro on X-T2 – focused at minimal 17cm distance.
More pictures
MOD results – manual focusing
Focusing is very smooth and precise with rotation path of about 400 degrees. Of course focusing and DOF scales are no more usable, however it’s easy to paint new scale if it’s needed.
Macro Focusing Rings
Since it’s now M42 mount lens, I can use very affordable M42 macro extension rings.
Rings allow even close focusing for pure Macro shots.
Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 Macro on X-T2 with rings – focused at minimal distance.
Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 Macro on X-T2 with rings – focused at minimal distance – 100% crop.
Conclusions
I’m happy about results, now Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 optics is combined with very pleasant and precise manual focusing, plus having extended close-up range is always very handy. I like XF 27mm F2.8 for it’s very compact size, and glad that it’s possible to convert it to even more compact option. Current solution doesn’t allow to use filters, however I may later cut the Industar focusing ring front area to allow attaching 39mm filters to Fuji front plastic 39mm thread.
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