GH2 confused about adapters

mr.coffee

mr.coffee

Member
Now that i'm the proud owner of the GH2 I'm looking into adapters and lenses.

I already had a few canon FD lenses from my dads ancient AE-1, so I bought THIS adapter.

I bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor Lens AIS IMP and bought THIS adapter for it.

My question is, would the above fotodiox adapter fit a Nikon Nikkor AF-S G DX IF-ED 12 mm - 24 mm F/4.0 Lens?
I assume its F-mount but when the description says "Specially designed and optimized for Nikon digital SLRs" it worries me.
ALSO whats simple nikon 85mm would you guys recommend...one like THIS?
AND

a buddy of mine has a canon 5D with a bunch of EOS lenses so I got THIS adapter, but odds are, since those canon lenses are automatic, i would be stuck with whatever f-stop he hands it to me with.

What do you guys think?
Thanks
 
Hi,

I have quite a few Nikon lenses going back aways and if you aren't trying to match them to a Nikon body, you don't have a lot to concern yourself to style there.

Here is a link to help you with Nikon-ology of lenses:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

and from the source itself

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/glossary.htm

G type Nikon lenses need the Fotoflex adapter that will open/close the Iris. I have one and it costs about $290 and works great. It isn't auto focusing nor auto Iris.

All of these adapters will have to be used with the 'lens off' switch on.

If you're looking for nice bokeh, you'll likely find it in the more telephoto range rather than in the wides (although it can be there, too), so the 35mm, 50mm, 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm are the primes you likely should be looking at first.

IMHO, I would look the older less expensive lenses. Less cost is going to yield more bag for your buck. If the lens has a click f-stop, you can use a cheaper adapter (I have both the Fotoflex for the G-lenses in my inventory and a Rainbow adapter for my clickable f-stop lenses - the Rainbow adapter works great, too and is about $30 or so, but can't work on a G-lens).

Some of the older lenses will be great finds.

My best,

Mikehttp://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/glossary.htm
 
So with a G type fotodiox on a Nikon G lense can I control f stop and focus manually? Sorry for the silly question.i'm just not clear.
Thanks for the advice btw
 
mr.coffee said:
So with a G type fotodiox on a Nikon G lense can I control f stop and focus manually? Sorry for the silly question.i'm just not clear.
Thanks for the advice btw
Click to expand...


Hi,

No problem. I'll be clear to you and to the $$$ issue for M. Gideon, too. I have both the Fotoflex and the Rainbow adapter.

The cost issue is to the G lens Iris manipulation. If your lens has a iris ring, you could use a cheap Rainbow adapter, easily and just as well, and save the money. OTOH, if your lenses are 'G' lenses and you would need to use the Fotoflex (the 'G' lenses default to maximum aperture) you would have to have an adapter that allows you to adjust the iris ring.

Some users report not all lens allow the Fotoflex to do that with their lenses. I'm a long-time Nikon user with a decent collection of lenses - about 20 - and all of them work with the adapter, so the complaint may not be to the Nikon brand, but to other brands.

If you have a lens that has f-stops you can adjust, you don't have to have the Fotoflex (with the blue ring) to adjust the the Iris. And with any adapter, you'll have to adjust the f-stop manually.

Keep in mind, that with any of these adapters, you have to focus manually.

In the settings you can use M or A for movies.

My best,

Mike
 
sorry boss maybe im an idiot. I still dont understand. lemme try and give you an example.

If i'm on ebay and I'm looking at THIS lens, which is a nikkon G type.

Seems your saying the cheaper fotodiox G lens adapter wouldn't work because the F-stops are controlled internally [on a nikkon dslr], and therefore to control f stops on a GH2 i would need the expensive model that manually controls aperture.

Is that right?

whats a good super wide nikkon F-type lens?
I'm thinking in the range of 12mm or even 7mm
The noktor seems pretty cool, unless you think theres an older nikkon lens out there that could compare?

thanks
J-P
 
MikeGunter said:
Hi,

No problem. I'll be clear to you and to the $$$ issue for M. Gideon, too. I have both the Fotoflex and the Rainbow adapter.

The cost issue is to the G lens Iris manipulation. If your lens has a iris ring, you could use a cheap Rainbow adapter, easily and just as well, and save the money. OTOH, if your lenses are 'G' lenses and you would need to use the Fotoflex (the 'G' lenses default to maximum aperture) you would have to have an adapter that allows you to adjust the iris ring.

Some users report not all lens allow the Fotoflex to do that with their lenses. I'm a long-time Nikon user with a decent collection of lenses - about 20 - and all of them work with the adapter, so the complaint may not be to the Nikon brand, but to other brands.

If you have a lens that has f-stops you can adjust, you don't have to have the Fotoflex (with the blue ring) to adjust the the Iris. And with any adapter, you'll have to adjust the f-stop manually.

Keep in mind, that with any of these adapters, you have to focus manually.

In the settings you can use M or A for movies.

My best,

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, just to make sure we're on the same page- the Fotodiox adapter I linked to above claims to have a ring to control the G lens aperture. It is supposed to interface with the mechanical dial that the Nikon's use for auto iris control, and essentially turn a modern auto lens into one with external aperture control. It sounds very similar to the Fotoflex one you are referring to, however 1/10th of the price (and likely build quality as well, however serving the same function).

The "straight through" dumb adapter (which sounds like the Rainbow you are referring to) by Fotodiox is $2 less than the one with aperture control ($23 instead of $25).

I personally can't vouch for how well it works- I have one of the G-lens w/aperture control ones coming in the mail right now, but I don't have any fully-auto lenses to test it with right away yet. Others on this forum (and elsewhere on the internet) have reported it works well enough, although you have to guess at what aperture you are setting since you can't see any numbers when adjusting.
 
Hey Mike,
Have you done any audio tests on the GH2?
I'm thinking it might be good enough to pass a lav to it directly.
I was thinking of a 3.5mm out of cam to XLR shotgun or Wireless LAV.

Also you say you bought a G nikkon lens and the fotodiox adapter? I'm really curious about whether it works.
I'm looking at the nikkon 12mm-24 i mentioned earlier, but am unsure about the f stop control. What did you order?
 
mr.coffee said:
Says on one of the photographs that when you lock the ring, it also sets the aperture to the largest F-stop, in this case 1.8
Click to expand...

The language there is a bit poor and confusing- I think its trying to say you use the "lock" to hold it at the maximum aperture, which is F/1.8 in the example shown. Not only is it difficult to understand, its honestly confusing because that lens appears to be a 35mm F/1.8, so the aperture would be wide open (and therefore the "lock" should just be left open in the example). Unless its really the F/1.4 version, but it doesn't look like that one.
Either way, I wouldn't base too much on the picture and descriptions there. Those are user-submitted, and not necessarily from someone who knows what they are talking about.
The other picture states the following:
"Mounted with my fully manual Nikkor 50mm F/1.8ais lens. However, the adaptor increases it to about 75mm to 80mm"

That implies that the ADAPTER makes it 75mm-80mm. Which is totally false- The adapter doesn't do that at all, rather its the camera's crop size that only gives you the FOV of 80mm (actually more so if using for photos on the GH2).
My point here, is that whoever is uploading and notating those pictures might NOT be the best source of information.

Read the item description and reviews from other users who seem to know what they are talking about. :cheesy:

From what I understand (again, if someone has experience with this adapter, I hope they will chime in), there is a dial on the ring that turns the aperture blades inside the lens (If I understand correctly, on Nikons they are mechanically controlled with a motor inside of the camera, instead of sending an electrical signal to the lens like the EOS mount). When you have reached the appropriate iris size, there is a lock pin to hold it in place. Some folks have said that the cheaper adapters sometimes have trouble with the lock pin, which could cause the aperture to accidentally change during a shoot. Others have been happily using them, and in the past Fotodiox has had pretty good customer support so I'm willing to take that chance.

mr.coffee said:
Hey Mike
...
Also you say you bought a G nikkon lens and the fotodiox adapter? I'm really curious about whether it works.
I'm looking at the nikkon 12mm-24 i mentioned earlier, but am unsure about the f stop control. What did you order?
Click to expand...

I think you may have me confused with Mike. I said I bought the fotodiox, its in the mail, should be here this week. Mike says he has the Rainbow and more expensive Fotoflex adapter.
I don't have any G lenses, all of my Nikons are manual vintage F mount. But I decided I want the ability to use a G lens down the road should the opportunity arise. I found a used adapter on ebay, from someone who said it worked for him the few times he used a G lens, but he has sold his m4/3rds camera.

Meanwhile, that lens you mention is an interesting choice to use for video- I like that constant aperture zoom, but its rather slow at F/4 unless you intend to shoot mostly well-light or outdoors shots. At that size and speed you won't get much bokeh either. In fact, if you already have the GH2 kit lens, I'd say the benefits of this one are arguable.
 
sorry about the name switch M.Gilden
Thanks for the advice.
The audio question was aimed at you, since you did that Ti3 audio test .
 
mr.coffee said:
sorry boss maybe im an idiot. I still dont understand. lemme try and give you an example.

If i'm on ebay and I'm looking at THIS lens, which is a nikkon G type.

Seems your saying the cheaper fotodiox G lens adapter wouldn't work because the F-stops are controlled internally [on a nikkon dslr], and therefore to control f stops on a GH2 i would need the expensive model that manually controls aperture.

Is that right?

whats a good super wide nikkon F-type lens?
I'm thinking in the range of 12mm or even 7mm
The noktor seems pretty cool, unless you think theres an older nikkon lens out there that could compare?

thanks
J-P
Click to expand...




Hi,

That lens would require the Fotoflex adapter (about $290 or so) which would allow you to manage the f-stop.

12mm or 7mm lenses are insanely expensive. While you could get a Tokina zoom 11-16mm 2.8mm (it's a good one) and use it (I have it and use it for my photography), it would be something of a tank on the camera. I also shoot with the Nikon D7000 and use it for extra wides.

You might well consider that the wides are somewhat less dependent upon the bokeh than medium and telephoto. They really aren't, but the audience is certainly less accustomed to noticing any wide shot that has a narrow DOF. I'd save my money and use a wide to establish place/time/something - what wide lenses are good for and use any inexpensive lens for that.

My best,

Mike
 
M. Gilden said:
Fotodiox (a favorite of DVXUsers) has one for only $2 more than the one the OP mentioned getting above:
http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-cameras-Olympus-Panasonic/dp/B003Y2XN9G/ref=pd_cp_p_1

About $25 or so. Although I'll bet the Fotoflex is higher build quality at that price!
Click to expand...


Hi,

I don't know. The Rainbow and the Fotodiox are both just some metal and plastic couplings, so I'm not sure how much quality difference there could be. But if there is a contest, you win! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

My best,

Mike
 
MikeGunter said:
That lens would require the Fotoflex adapter (about $290 or so) which would allow you to manage the f-stop.
Click to expand...

Again, Mike- there are cheaper adapters these days like the Fotodiox $25 (as opposed to the $23) that support aperture control via its own ring and lock mechanism. I can't say they work as well because I haven't tried either of them, but others have and say they work well enough to control the iris without spending the equivalent of another lens.

And Mr. Coffee- that's a whole different subject. Audio on the GH2 seems pretty decent, but I haven't conducted that many thorough tests with it yet. The lack of headphone monitoring really bugs me, so I'm not sure how often I'd use it in the real world. On the canon side, the Magic Lantern hack lets you plug in headphones and live monitor the audio while recording. I have a battery powered shotgun mic that works well when the battery is fresh, but starts to sound horrible as the battery dies. The meters on the GH2 still show sound being recorded, even if it sounds terrible. So, I haven't been as enthusiastic about it. But I intend to play around more and give a formal opinion eventually.
 
MikeGunter said:
Hi,

I don't know. The Rainbow and the Fotodiox are both just some metal and plastic couplings, so I'm not sure how much quality difference there could be. But if there is a contest, you win! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

My best,

Mike
Click to expand...

LOL- I think we're not talking about the same thing. I'm not comparing the Fotodiox to the Rainbow. I'm comparing it to the $290 Fotoflex you mentioned.

There are 2 Fotodiox adapters- one that is a straight up metal and plastic coupling (like the Rainbow, I assume), and one that offers to control the aperture in the lens with an external lock and ring. But is less than 1/10th of the price of the Fotoflex you have.

Its not a contest or a win/lose thing! :)
I'm saying you don't have to spend $290 for that F-stop control, however there is probably merit to having one since for $290 you are likely getting a more solidly built product. That's all.:2vrolijk_08:
 
M. Gilden said:
I'm saying you don't have to spend $290 for that F-stop control, however there is probably merit to having one since for $290 you are likely getting a more solidly built product. That's all.:2vrolijk_08:
Click to expand...

Hey...

I think we're all winners!:laugh:

My best!

Mike
 
M. Gilden said:
LOL- I think we're not talking about the same thing.
Click to expand...

Hi,

We are not. :Drogar-KnockedOut(D My bad.

I have the 'Novoflex' which is different. It's quite robust and strong and expensive, not to say the Fotodiox isn't every bit as good at 15% of the cost. I don't know.

I do use my stuff every day, whether for good or bad, I shoot mundane things such as conferences and footage for news (CNN, Today, whatever) and programs for various programs, and the occasional recital/wedding, so that I sort of need to have some confidence in what I have. In most ways I would rather shoot stills and leave the motion out altogether.

We're still all winners. :cheesy:

My best,

Mike
 
M. Gilden said:
The language there is a bit poor and confusing- I think its trying to say you use the "lock" to hold it at the maximum aperture, which is F/1.8 in the example shown. Not only is it difficult to understand, its honestly confusing because that lens appears to be a 35mm F/1.8, so the aperture would be wide open (and therefore the "lock" should just be left open in the example).
Click to expand...
The reason it's called "lock" is because the aperture rings on inexpensive lens adapters weren't originally designed for the purpose of fine control of lens aperture. They were intended as a manual workaround for the lack of auto-aperture control by the camera in stills mode, which forces you to shoot with the aperture stopped-down. The idea was that you'd temporarily put the ring in "lock" position to adjust focus with the aperture wide open, and then switch it back to stopped down position to shoot with your preset lens aperture setting. There is typically a detent at each end of the adapter's ring rotation to keep the ring set.

As the popularity of using Nikon and Canon lenses on M4/3 cameras grew, users discovered they could set the adapter lock rings in intermediate positions to manually control the apertures of Nikon G and Canon EF lenses. The eBay vendors took note and started marketing the lock-ring versions of the adapters as G and EF adapters. But since the lock rings weren't designed to remain securely in place at intermediate positions, the inexpensive adapters I've tried do not work very reliably for this purpose.
 
Hi,

I see. The Novaflex does allow all the apertures of the lens to be used fluidly (no 'clicks') in the G lens.

My best,

Mike
 
lpowell said:
The reason it's called "lock" is because the aperture rings on inexpensive lens adapters weren't originally designed for the purpose of fine control of lens aperture. They were intended as a manual workaround for the lack of auto-aperture control by the camera in stills mode, which forces you to shoot with the aperture stopped-down. The idea was that you'd temporarily put the ring in "lock" position to adjust focus with the aperture wide open, and then switch it back to stopped down position to shoot with your preset lens aperture setting. There is typically a detent at each end of the adapter's ring rotation to keep the ring set.
Click to expand...

Do you have a source for this? I've never heard of anything like that before, and I'm not sure if I understand when the purpose you describe would be applicable.

As the popularity of using Nikon and Canon lenses on M4/3 cameras grew, users discovered they could set the adapter lock rings in intermediate positions to manually control the apertures of Nikon G and Canon EF lenses. The eBay vendors took note and started marketing the lock-ring versions of the adapters as G and EF adapters. But since the lock rings weren't designed to remain securely in place at intermediate positions, the inexpensive adapters I've tried do not work very reliably for this purpose.
Click to expand...

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panasonic-lumix-gf-gh-series/491828-adapter-confusion.html#post1621165
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&message=38673619&q=Questions+for+Nikon+Adaptor+Users&qf=m
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&message=38560853&changemode=1 (bottom 5 posts especially)

There are tons of other reviews from people who are saying they work just fine (including some on this very forum) although the caveats being that they are difficult to use because of lack of markings, etc.
I'm not sure what all the negativity is about (in this and the other thread we discussed it in). I understand that you had a bad experience with a cheap no-name ebay adapter in the past, but I'm not recommending those. I prefer to buy from a company with a brand name, who cares how their brand is perceived enough to offer some customer support (which Fotodiox does).
The reviews from folks who HAVE used them are almost entirely positive. It is therefore logical to assume that since you haven't tried this particular adapter, and those that do have been relatively happy with it, your experience may not apply here.

Then again, I don't know, as I don't have mine yet. I bought a used one from someone who used it a few times on G-lenses and said it worked fine. I do respect your opinion, I'm just looking at the big picture here and taking it with a grain of salt. If it doesn't work as well as everyone else is saying, I'll be sure to come back and say so. :)
 
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