Birger Engineering introduces the new EF > M43 adaptor

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shutterwill

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birger_af100_teaser.jpg


"The rumors are true! Birger is coming out with a lens control system for EF mount lenses on the Panasonic AF100. Control for the iris, both auto and manual, will be from the camera. Continuous (video-style) auto-focus will be supported on most Canon "L-series" lenses. Power is provided by the camera for most lenses. Image stabilization is supported on "IS" lenses, and this feature can be turned on or off from the lens. Ships 14 February 2011. MSRP $700 for the adapter. Optional cinema-style remote control, available at additional cost, to be announced January 2011. "

detail in the link below:
http://www.birger.com/

http://www.43rumors.com/birger-annou...nasonic-af100/
 
Seems nice but the $700 dollar price point is a little ridiculous. By the time you spend $700 on an adapter and then a few hundred to a thousand or more on a lens, you're easily paying more than a GH2 or GH1. I can't think of any L glass that I would *need* for that price.
 
I think the point is more to be able to use Canon mount glass you may already have. There's nothing like the range available for micro4/3 as there is for EF.

A couple of years ago it was possible to pick up a set of reasonable Nikon primes for chickenfeed. The explosion of stills-turned-video cameras has pushed prices up so much that new or recent Canon EF glass starts to look more attractive. This makes that more practical. It is to some extent an edge case, but at least it now exists.
 
Very interesting. Seemes like Birger mainly is focusing on Canon lenses? So small chances for a Nikon version you think?
 
evero said:
Very interesting. Seemes like Birger mainly is focusing on Canon lenses? So small chances for a Nikon version you think?
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They've said that they would be interested in producing models for both Canon and Nikon lenses, but that the Canon version comes first.
 
so no one has mentioned whether this will also work with the gh ´s ? ...since they say control is from the camera , maybe the gh´s won´t work ? I don´t think it sounds particularly expensive for what it´s offering . Many people are shooting canons that would also like to use their lenses on panys. And for example to have access for this type of control also for ANY EF MOUNT lens , like the sigmas and tokinas , is a real advantage for those of us who already own them .
 
I'd bet ten bucks that it will definitely work with the GH1/GH2. As long as the adapter reads m43 protocol and outputs Canon protocol, it should work (*should*, that is) with any m43 camera, whether it's from Olympus or Panasonic or Panasonic Broadcast or whoever.
 
This is really good news. Sure would offer up some cool lens options. I'm hoping it works with the GH cameras as well.
 
The guy in the video said IS would work. Although it's pricey, I like it. I can borrow L lenses from my friends for free. I wonder if aperture can be controlled directly from the adapter instead of using the remote.
 
If it will give auto focus plus cine style remote focus plus iris control on GH cameras it will be worth twice the price. But for those who are long time Canon shooters with LOTS of L lenses it is probably more than worth it's weight in gold.
 
It should give all that, but you have to temper your expectations because it's all up to the individual lens's motors. If the lens lets the adapter give fine control, then you'll get fine control. If the lens doesn't, then ... you won't have it. The adapter can't make the lens do something that the lens can't already do by itself. The adapter is controlling the motors in the lens; it's up to the lens motors to deliver the goods. I think Birger said that the performance on "L" lenses was pretty good; I wouldn't expect miracles from the cheaper lenses though. Think about how an SLR lens autofocuses; not exactly like a video camera does, so ... I would expect the same from any stills lens. But we'll see!
 
Oh... the aperture can be controlled from the body like m43 lenses. That's nice.

Can AF100 change focusing of M43 lens with servo like control? Then this should allow the same feature on Canon lenses?
 
Barry_Green said:
That adapter lets you use Four Thirds lenses on a Micro Four Thirds camera mount. Has nothing to do with Canon lenses; the Birger adapter is for Canon lenses. You can see a selection of Four Thirds lenses on this chart.
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Thanks very much so is there a reasonably priced adaptor, with only a couple of canon fit zoom lenses paying a large amount is not on for me now.
 
stonebat said:
Can AF100 change focusing of M43 lens with servo like control? Then this should allow the same feature on Canon lenses?
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Yes, through the remote control port or when you put it in "autofocus" mode. And yes that should work on the Canon lenses through the Birger adapter, as I understand it.
 
flinty said:
Thanks very much so is there a reasonably priced adaptor, with only a couple of canon fit zoom lenses paying a large amount is not on for me now.
Click to expand...

There are cheap adapters that will let you fit a Canon lens onto an m43 body, but those adapters will not allow electronic use of the lens -- so no autofocus, no iris control, and no image stabilization.
 
Panasonic decided to go for the pro body first without having pro m43 lenses. There are Oly 43 pro lenses. Soon Canon L lenses with Birger adapter. The rumored 12-50mm 2.5-3.3 lens could be the first pro lens specifically designed for m43. I'm sure Panasonic will release more pro lenses as they sell more pro bodies. But why isn't it constant aperture like 2.8? Is it hard to implement linear motor on constant aperture? Just curious.
 
I believe there´s one adapter that allows aperture control . But this is soooo cool and it´s obvious they´ve already tested it with my beautiful 17-40. And about the same price for the body and adapter , if you compared it to the 14-140 kit . If this really works , it takes alittle of Canons´ wind out of it´s sails at least comparing bodies . But like every announcement , until it´s tested ......a little salt.
 
Exciting news! If this works well I will probably buy the AF100. When I switched back to Nikon, I kept all my Canon L lenses - I would love to be able to use those wonderful fast primes on a real video camera.
Also, for what it’s worth, when looking at an announcement of this Birger adapter, I noticed this: “Also, here is a link to Mr. Kitao itirou (Panasonic) talks about the small GH2 and the next lenses”. “The next three lenses, the 25mm f/1.4 and the two bright zoom lenses will be both compact and high-quality lenses.”
http://www.43rumors.com/mr-kitao-itirou-panasonic-talks-about-the-small-gf2-and-the-next-lenses/
The “two bright zoom lenses will be both compact and high-quality lenses”, caught my eye! The 14-140 is not so great image-quality wise, and it is terribly slow.
Bill
 
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