Canon 24mm 2.8 Lens Hack for Sigma MC-11 Adapter
On an APS-C camera like the 24mm is around a 38mm on a full-frame. 35mm is the closest to the focal composition of the human eye and the 24mm ended up being my favorite lens.
I used to be a Canon dude. Way back when DSLR cameras started being used for shooting video, I jumped in with a Canon 7D. I still have that camera. It was/is a robust camera for wildlife and sports photography, but is was an indispensable tool for filmmaking. I really liked the fact that it was virtually indestructible and was weather-sealed. With that investment, I started to get into lenses, Prime lenses specifically. My initial arsenal consisted of the Canon 10-18, the ”Nifty” 50mm 1.8, and later I would purchase two pancake lenses, the 24mm and the 40mm. I loved the pancake lenses, because they allowed me to make the profile of my 7D smaller. They helped m carry around my camera more. On an APS-C camera like the 7D, a 24mm is around a 38mm on a full-frame and the 40mm is roughly a 64mm. 35mm is the closest to the focal composition of the human eye and the 24mm ended up being my favorite lens. When I switched to my Sony Mirrorless, I looked into adapters and found the MC-11 by Sigma. It would allow me to utilize my Sigma glass along with most of my Canon lenses.
The Sony A6500 with MC-11 Adapter & Canon 24mm 2.8 Pancake Lens
There was a problem. Canon makes two types of EF mounts, the regular EF and then the EF-S mounts. The EF-S mounts have a flange that extends out a bit further, thus preventing them to mount onto the MC-11. I was severely disheartened and had to shelve my EF-S 10-18 and the 24mm lenses, until I found out about the Fotodiox adapters. It had some extra space that allowed for the extra flange, but was expensive and it wouldn’t work all the time. You had to use the lenses in manual mode and it would cause the camera to freeze up from time to time. I don’t mind manual lenses and actually prefer them, as I like to “rack focus” and have a follow focus for my rig. I ended up sending the damn thing back,.the freezing was too much. I shelved the two lenses again.
The Canon 24mm 2.8 Pancake Lens post flange removal
As I got more familiar with my Sony Mirrorless, the A6500, I purchased the Sony 10-18mm 2.8, the Sony 35mm 1.8, the Sigma 30mm and the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8. These lenses cover most of my needs for filmmaking and in a pinch, I mount the Canon 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.4’s with the MC-11 adapter. Even with all of those focal options and low-light capabilities, I was missing the 24mm. There are other adapters, but that would take me into another space of lenses, outside of Sony, Sigma, or Canon. I was weary of adding another equipment set to the mix. Something told me to just hang onto the lens. Then I saw a YouTube video about adapting the Canon 10-18 by Technology Mafia. This guy just cut the back off with a hacksaw and mounted to the MC-11. I’m all for DIY hacks, but chopping lenses freaked me out. SO the 24mm sat for another 6 months. In that time I almost sold the Canon 7D and all of the associated gear, including the 24mm pancake.
The Canon 24mm 2.8 Lens mounted on the Sigma MC-11 Adapter
Earlier this week, during the Thanksgiving Holiday, I stumbled upon a YouTuber, Max Lee. Max Lee is one of these guys who sincerely utilizes cheaper gear to his benefit. On one of his videos I saw him bring out the Canon 24mm and he said you could just pull the flange off. It was 2:30am on Sunday the 25th of November when I saw the video, a good year and a half after having shelved the 24mm (for the 2nd time). To my amazement, the flange just pulled right off! While the back of the lens is kind of ugly, when its mounted to the MC-11, it looks about the same size as any of my primes. I can’t even tell you how happy I was to get this lens working with my set up again. It’s only a 2.8 and suffers in low-light, but it takes a nice picture. If you need a 24mm in your quiver of lenses, get the pancake lens from Canon and adapt it. It only costs $130 new, but you could probably find it for like $70 or less. It pairs with the Sigma MC-11 great. Auto-focus is pretty snappy and you can use Continuous Focus too. This lens is on my camera right now and in my bag again. If you see me, ask me to take your picture, or maybe I’l beat you to the punch and ask you.
- Digital Ninja®
*Here are some pics I took immdiately following the hack!
Self-Portrait
THE SMARTPHONE FILMMAKER: PRO KIT
Anyone can become a vlogger. As long as you have a camera. If you have a smartphone, you have a capable camera. With the right equipment, you can turn it into a more-than-capable production tool.
There are cameras everywhere-in our smartphones, tablets, and laptops. You can use any one of them and be a filmmaker or vlogger (Video Log). After many attempts and different approaches to smartphone filmmaking and vlogging, this is a nimble set up for anyone with a smartphone. With a few reasonably affordable gadget attachments, you can transmit amazing audio and high-quality video across Instagram Stories, Facebook Live, or manage your own Youtube Channel.
iPhone 6plus with LED light, directional mic, smartphone mount, and wide lens on a mini-tripod
THE PRO KIT
After trying out different configurations of gear, this is what you'll need:
- a mini-tripod
- a universal smartphone mount
-a wide-angle, clip-on lens
-a directional microphone.
-a clip-on LED light (for low light situations)
With these items, you can greatly improve the quality of your productions. The universal mount to will attach your smartphone to the tripod. The mini-tripod will add stability to your shots and also give you a handle to hold. A clip-on, wide-angle lens will give your video the necessary breadth/room for you to speak. The microphone will improve your audio signal. Finally, the clip-on LED will come in handy, when light becomes lighting is an issue.
There are many different products you can substitute, but the ones here are of quality.
MINI-TRIPOD AND SMARTPHONE MOUNT
The Manfrotto Pixl mini-tripod is one of the best mini tripods around. If you can find the older model shown here, they are virtually "bomb proof'. They are robust and extremely stable and can hold a large DSLR with a Prime lens easily.
Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod
If you're lucky you can find the package including the Manfrotto Universal Phone Mount for $30: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-PIXI-Mini-Tripod-Smart/dp/B018N7G2S0/ref=sr_1_16?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1509622247&sr=8-16&keywords=manfrotto+mini+tripod
There are definitely cheaper alternatives . Some have a small hook-like piece welded to the ball, allowing the phone to be stood vertically for Facetime. If you go the cheaper route, get this model and it comes with a Manfrotto Universal Phone Holder knock-off for $7: https://www.amazon.com/eCostConnection-Rotating-Universal-smartphones-Microfiber/dp/B072L2JLVK/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1509622818&sr=8-46&keywords=mini+tripod+smartphone
WIDE ANGLE LENS
There are a number of cheap lens kits available online. Usually they include a wide angle, a macro, and a fish-eye. The main lens you need is a wide-angle. Aukey makes a variety of different lenses and they are amazing. The cheaper kits are a great start, but the Aukey Ora 0.45x 120° Wide Angle is a fantastic lens with very little vignetting. It is the sharpest lens I've seen for smartphones. If you can place it on correctly you get no distortion in the corners, well at least on an iPhone 6Plus. It just makes your pictures look way better. It's also a beast of a build and will hold if you happen to bang it around. It also comes in a nice portable hard case.
AUKEY Ora iPhone Camera Lens, 0.45x 120° Wide Angle + 15x Macro Clip-on $30
Get the AUKEY Ora iPhone Camera Lens, 0.45x 120° Wide Angle + 15x Macro Clip here for $30:
If the $30 price is too steep, get something like this similar lens for $14:
MICROPHONE
Once you start recording your audio with a mic, you'll definitely notice the difference. Sound on any smartphone sucks. You should never use that audio unless you absolutely have to. Invest in an affordable lavalier mic like the Sony (the ECMSCC3, $20). Either clip it to yourself or figure out how to mount it on your smartphone "rig".
RODE Videomic Me Directional Microphone for Smartphones $60
What's great about the ME, is that it just plugs right into your audio jack on your phone; provided your phone still has one! You can also plug in headphones to monitor your sound too. It is an awesome little mic. The audio quality that comes out of this mic is amazing. You can get the mic for $60:
If $60 is way out of range for you, try this Sony Lav Mic for $20:
LED LIGHT
The torch or LED light that is on your smartphone is not going to cut it in a really dark area. Even in a lit area, a nice bright LED will add the extra pop and sharpness to your footage. There are so many LED lights out now. Look for ones that are rechargeable and don't take up to much space. The Pickogen LED light can be adjusted (lo, med, hi), is really bright, rechargeable, and made of metal. In a pinch, the Pickogen can be unscrewed and used as a flashlight. It is really bright!
Pickogen LED Smartphone Light
You can grab the Pickogen LED light here for $16: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Portable-Spotlight-Samsung-Motorola/dp/B00ZJGQ59A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509631160&sr=8-2&keywords=pickogen
and $16 is too much, try this light for $9:
So you've seen what you should have in your Smartphone Filmmakers Pro Kit. This gear has been tried and tested over a couple years. The Pro Kit shown here comes in at around $150. That might sound expensive, but it is way more affordable than investing in a separate camera. If you go the more affordable route, the set up comes in at $50! Hope you enjoyed a close-up look at some great gear and what's possible. Please like, leave a comment, and follow.
- Digital Ninja®
iPhone 6plus
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