GX / G8 Adapter Tube Option HA-1 & Soligor

[dr_d]

Hi, I am looking for adapter tube options for the GX8.

If I understand correctly, Ricoh produced the HA-1 for both the GX and GX-8. In another great thread here in the ricoh forum viewtopic.php?f=34&t=102&p=266&hilit=gx8+macro#p266

There is mention of the soligor adapter tube.
http://www.soligor.de/src/search_result ... =5&x=0&y=0

About mid-august, I put in an order to Soligor for adapter tube. After waiting a few weeks, and playing email tag with their sales department, I have received information that the tube is no longer in stock. Moreover, due to changes in the market, they will not be stocking them anymore either.

All of which returns to me to searching for an adapter tube. I was quite excited about the soligor because I have a collection of 52mm filters and other accessories. While one can use a step up ring, it would be nice to decrease the number of connections. Other adapter tubes might be able to be used. Such as in the thread about a DIY solution with a Sony,
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=1630&p=6092&hilit=adapter#p6092
although i would also like to minimize the amount of tape, and would feel more comfortable with metal connections.

As, I am currently in Brussels, I did a search and it appears that a number of shops in Belgium stock the HA-2, which is specifically for the GX100. In a thread about the HA-2 though seems to indicate that its plastic?
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=557&p=2377&hilit=tube#p2377

Thus, questions:
1. what is the threading around the lens that an adapter would screw onto? 45.5?
(as 43 is to small/ and 46 is too big)

2. what alternatives exist to the soligor?

3. can the HA-2 be used on the GX/GX8? and inversely if the HA-1 is metal, and would fit the gx100 and be a better option?

Generally, I am interested in any suggestions for adapter tubes.

many thanks
D

 

[odklizec]

Hi dr_d and welcome here!

I'm afraid, the Soligor tube was the only replacement tube for GX8. And no, the HA-2 from GX100/200 cannot be used with GX/GX8 cameras. GX8 tube uses screw mechanism, while GX100/200 uses lock-based mechanism. So I'm afraid, your only hope is to buy a used HA-1 tube on ebay?

I never owned the original HA-1 adapter but I believe it was made from plastic? The Soligor tube, on the other hand, was made from metal.

As for the Soligor thread size, as far as I remember, it was 43-52mm (where 43mm is the size of thread on the camera side and 52mm is the size of filter thread).

 

[dr_d]

Thanks for the welcome, and the response. I am not sure about the 43mm. There is something funny there. I have a CLA-1 from an Olympus, which is to step from 41 to 43, and another ring for 43-49 that screws into it. Putting the ring that unscrews from the GX8 on the 43/49, there's a gap, and trying to screw the 43 female side onto the ricoh, won't go. It's like its too small. That was the reason for the 45.5 guess. However, I haven't been able to find any specs. I had figured that if I could find the size, I could buy a filter, and then tap out the glass to change the threading to female. Using a step up ring, I have a spare la-1 adapter tube from a Leica digilux 1, that I could try. My main goal is get a circular polarizer on the GX8, and some other 52mm accessories that I purchased in anticipation of the Soligor.

Thanks for the hints about the HA-2.

I have found some HA-1's in the UK, the US and Australia.
In reading up, it appears that the HA-1 tube is metal, but the lens hood that comes with it, is plastic.

best D