Ikegami B3 mount, changing to Sony B4 mount. at DVinfo.net

Sander Vreuls · March 27th, 2010, 03:37 PM

What I have wondered for some time, seeing as 2/3th inch Ikegami B3 mount lenses go for a lot cheaper than the equal B4 mount lenses, is if it is possible to convert a B3 lens to B4 mounting?

I have searched low and high across the web but I can't find an answer. Terms used were "B3 to B4 mount" "Ikegami camera mount to Sony camera mount" "Ikegami bayonet mount to Sony bayonet mount" etc etc.
I did find Canon conversion kits on ebay for the box/studio/sport lenses not not for handheld EFP/ENG lenses.

The difference in price between the various lenses might be enough to justify a modification, if it is possible.

Sander Vreuls · April 12th, 2010, 12:05 PM

Anyone got a clue? May have a lead on a nicely priced J8ax6B3.. My AJ-D800 aches for a nice lens :)

John Carroll · April 20th, 2010, 03:09 PM

I seem to recall from years ago that there are B3 to B4 adapters that work fine as long as you lens has a user friendly back-focus adjustment.

Brian Drysdale · April 20th, 2010, 05:01 PM

Check with Les Bosher, he makes adapters for many mounts.

Les Bosher - Camera Engineer

An alternative may be to get the B3 mount changed to a B4. Although, I believe the lens to camera connectors may also different, I seem to recall adapter leads being available.

Sander Vreuls · April 21st, 2010, 10:21 AM

Thanks for the answers.. Got an old B4 mount lens (well.. half of it.. the rear half :)) so if I find an Ikegami lens I can see about converting it.

Oscar Miron · November 11th, 2010, 02:12 PM

Hi.
Sander, did you succeded in converting the B3 lens to B4?

Brian, can you remember about the B3-B4 pin-out connector compatibility?

Brian Drysdale · November 11th, 2010, 02:21 PM

The connectors were different, so you'd to check that one out and get it changed.

Sander Vreuls · November 11th, 2010, 05:24 PM

Never did find a B3 mount lens for the price I wanted. I did find some but the sellers were asking too much. Then I had the chance to buy a cheap B4 lens(Canon J14ax8.5) so I went that direction.

Oscar Miron · November 11th, 2010, 05:50 PM

Thank you guys, for your answers.
I'm going to try experimenting myself.
I'll keep you posted if I get something to work.

Martin Drew · March 19th, 2011, 04:57 PM

An old thread but I thought I would add something. I used to have an Ikegami B3 mount J8 which I mounted on a B4 camera, It required 2 adapters. An electrical adapter which was reasonably straightforward but included generating a split rail supply for the lens and adapting the push on push off switch to a momentary. The mechanical adapter included some optics to compensate for the B3 optical relay unit in the lens.

At the time the adapter was about £1000 new, though I doubt if anyone still makes them so you would be looking for something used.

March 27th, 2010, 03:37 PM	#1
Sander Vreuls Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands Posts: 184	Ikegami B3 mount, changing to Sony B4 mount. What I have wondered for some time, seeing as 2/3th inch Ikegami B3 mount lenses go for a lot cheaper than the equal B4 mount lenses, is if it is possible to convert a B3 lens to B4 mounting? I have searched low and high across the web but I can't find an answer. Terms used were "B3 to B4 mount" "Ikegami camera mount to Sony camera mount" "Ikegami bayonet mount to Sony bayonet mount" etc etc. I did find Canon conversion kits on ebay for the box/studio/sport lenses not not for handheld EFP/ENG lenses. The difference in price between the various lenses might be enough to justify a modification, if it is possible.

November 11th, 2010, 02:12 PM	#6
Oscar Miron Tourist Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Barcelona Posts: 2	Successful B3-B4 conversion, anyone? Hi. Sander, did you succeded in converting the B3 lens to B4? Brian, can you remember about the B3-B4 pin-out connector compatibility?

March 19th, 2011, 04:57 PM	#10
Martin Drew Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surrey Posts: 77	Re: Ikegami B3 mount, changing to Sony B4 mount. An old thread but I thought I would add something. I used to have an Ikegami B3 mount J8 which I mounted on a B4 camera, It required 2 adapters. An electrical adapter which was reasonably straightforward but included generating a split rail supply for the lens and adapting the push on push off switch to a momentary. The mechanical adapter included some optics to compensate for the B3 optical relay unit in the lens. At the time the adapter was about £1000 new, though I doubt if anyone still makes them so you would be looking for something used.

April 12th, 2010, 12:05 PM	#2
Sander Vreuls Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands Posts: 184	Anyone got a clue? May have a lead on a nicely priced J8ax6B3.. My AJ-D800 aches for a nice lens :)

April 20th, 2010, 03:09 PM	#3
John Carroll Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 156	I seem to recall from years ago that there are B3 to B4 adapters that work fine as long as you lens has a user friendly back-focus adjustment.

April 20th, 2010, 05:01 PM	#4
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Check with Les Bosher, he makes adapters for many mounts. Les Bosher - Camera Engineer An alternative may be to get the B3 mount changed to a B4. Although, I believe the lens to camera connectors may also different, I seem to recall adapter leads being available.

April 21st, 2010, 10:21 AM	#5
Sander Vreuls Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands Posts: 184	Thanks for the answers.. Got an old B4 mount lens (well.. half of it.. the rear half :)) so if I find an Ikegami lens I can see about converting it.

November 11th, 2010, 02:21 PM	#7
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	The connectors were different, so you'd to check that one out and get it changed.

November 11th, 2010, 05:24 PM	#8
Sander Vreuls Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands Posts: 184	Never did find a B3 mount lens for the price I wanted. I did find some but the sellers were asking too much. Then I had the chance to buy a cheap B4 lens(Canon J14ax8.5) so I went that direction.

November 11th, 2010, 05:50 PM	#9
Oscar Miron Tourist Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Barcelona Posts: 2	Thank you guys, for your answers. I'm going to try experimenting myself. I'll keep you posted if I get something to work.