F3: Just bought an F3, which is the best FZ to EF adapter?

B

Ben_Ericson

Well-known member
My F3 shows up tomorrow morning. Thanks to the users on this forum that still use this camera and the ones who produced beautiful content in the past with these cameras. (Ed David etc.) I was able to search through old thread and find a bundle of information.

A user on vimeo is telling me the Metabones won't actually work due to a problem with the XLR module on the F3? I'll most likely be using the Sigma 18-35, Tokina 11-16, Canon 35mm IS. Also, how much of a power draw are these adapters?

Thanks guys.

"DO NOT BUY ONE FOR AN F3 !!!!
It won't fit on an F3 because of the XLR module that sticks out of the front of the camera next to your lens. This stops the Metabones adaptor (with it's wide iris wheel) from mounting at all."
 
Unless you already own those Canon mount lenses, go Nikon and get the Optitek FZ to Nikon adapter. You'll never want to use anything else aside from PL after you've tried the Optitek. If your 100% stuck with Canon, Im not sure anything is "best". Sry..
 
Well, that sucks about the Metabones, because I was gonna suggest it. I have an F55 and own both the Optitek and Metabones and I use the Optitek with my CN-E's, but the metabones is so much better with still lenses because you gain an iris ring instead of hitting buttons.
 
When I had the F3 there were no EF adapters at all because of the power needs for the iris. I don't know how much that may have changed and don't know about the Metabones. I understand that Jacek at Optitek has one though it might be expensive, but his stuff is always good.
However I agree that the easy cheap solution is just to go Nikon. The best adapter is Optitek's but even a cheaper one will do the job.
If you found a non powered EF adapter you could try getting Contax lenses which have iris's and then get EF adapters for those, but you won't have your pick of modern zooms. Nikon is a good choice though and you have real iris's on any of their lenses even if its just through the adapter.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.

I have access to a lot of Canon L glass, I also would love to be able to use the sigma 18-35 on a C300 if I needed it. I use the Canon 8-15 for some sports stuff, there's really no option that has the width of that lens, besides of the Rokinon fisheyes which are not as wide and lower quality glass.

Weird that the Metabones doesn't work, it is listed as being compatible on all of the major retailer sites. Maybe I will wait to see how much I want to invest in the camera and go from there. I have a cheap amazon adapter for FZ to OM glass. Going to try some of my vintage stuff on it first thing.

I have worked with the FS700/7Q a lot and something about the F3 just look a lot better to me. I'm excited to see what it can do.

Edit: I am looking at both of these adapters on the used market. You can get either one for around 800-900.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info. I actually bought the OM version of that adapter. I have some vintage glass that flares up real nicely, it was the only one with prime shipping available so I went for it.
 
OptiTek lens control eco system.

OptiTek lens control eco system.

Ben_Ericson said:
Thanks for the quick replies.

I have access to a lot of Canon L glass, I also would love to be able to use the sigma 18-35 on a C300 if I needed it. I use the Canon 8-15 for some sports stuff, there's really no option that has the width of that lens, besides of the Rokinon fisheyes which are not as wide and lower quality glass.

Weird that the Metabones doesn't work, it is listed as being compatible on all of the major retailer sites. Maybe I will wait to see how much I want to invest in the camera and go from there. I have a cheap amazon adapter for FZ to OM glass. Going to try some of my vintage stuff on it first thing.

I have worked with the FS700/7Q a lot and something about the F3 just look a lot better to me. I'm excited to see what it can do.

Edit: I am looking at both of these adapters on the used market. You can get either one for around 800-900.
Click to expand...
OK so maybe that's over the top a bit ;-)
The point is the EFF- electronic follow focus. Drive by wire focus control. And iris control on a slider. That is the point of owning the OptiTek. This is also the future of the lens control- only available today....
It is not about the adapters- of course we make a positive locking smart adapter that reads the lens encoders and displays lens info in the view finder. Others do as well. But no one else offers full lens control by wire....
Wired or wireless. Full integration with the camera system...
http://optitek.org/products/optitron2/:happy:
 
Last edited:
I have the Optitek Nikon to FZ adapter if you decide to go that route.
I loved it, in fact I held onto it after I sold the F3. If you're interested, I'm open to offers.
 
bill totolo said:
I have the Optitek Nikon to FZ adapter if you decide to go that route.
I loved it, in fact I held onto it after I sold the F3. If you're interested, I'm open to offers.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bill. Appreciate it. I am most likely going with the EF due to IS and availability of glass. I'll let you know if I change my mind.
 
I vote Optitek! Had the MTF for the F3 with Nikon mount, it was okay, then I bought the Optitek, a really solid piece of gear!

Broatch Berry

Venice CA
 
Ben_Ericson said:
Weird that the Metabones doesn't work, it is listed as being compatible on all of the major retailer sites. Maybe I will wait to see how much I want to invest in the camera and go from there. I have a cheap amazon adapter for FZ to OM glass. Going to try some of my vintage stuff on it first thing.
Click to expand...

Hi Ben, it was me that warned you about the Metabones FZ-EF cine on an F3... I'm not surprised that retailers list it as compatible because originally Metabones thought it would be too... It's a huge adaptor so I can't see how you could mount it on an F3 without a hack saw !!! It's a shame because it's the best thing around for Canon EF lenses.
 
bill totolo said:
No worries, enjoy the F3. I got some great images out of that camera. I think you'll really enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Shot a few tests last night. I am totally blown away by the images. The FS700 can't touch the f3 in color. This comes much closer to the C300ii I have been using one a few jobs lately. A lot less noise though!

PaulReam said:
Hi Ben, it was me that warned you about the Metabones FZ-EF cine on an F3... I'm not surprised that retailers list it as compatible because originally Metabones thought it would be too... It's a huge adaptor so I can't see how you could mount it on an F3 without a hack saw !!! It's a shame because it's the best thing around for Canon EF lenses.
Click to expand...

Thank you Paul! I would have went for the metabones. A guy online literally said, "I bought the metabones." That word seems to mean high end adapter at this point. Good for them I guess. Thanks again. Really appreciate it.
 
Hi Ben.
Glad you've found an adapter solution. I'm using a passive Adaptimax EF adapter and Kipon adapter with vintage takumar glass and it works well. You're enjoying how clean those images are due to the F3 having the largest micron pixels of any pro camera out there today. For me, Lutcalc app has opened the door to refined color correction and lut creation making this camera truly shine. I much prefer the colors of the F3 to Sonys newer 4K line. Glad to see you picked up an Odyssey 7Q for higher bits and capturing great 1080p slo-mo too. You're going to love this all but forgotten gem of a camera.
Cheers,
Paul
 
pchristoph said:
Hi Ben.
Glad you've found an adapter solution. I'm using a passive Adaptimax EF adapter and Kipon adapter with vintage takumar glass and it works well. You're enjoying how clean those images are due to the F3 having the largest micron pixels of any pro camera out there today. For me, Lutcalc app has opened the door to refined color correction and lut creation making this camera truly shine. I much prefer the colors of the F3 to Sonys newer 4K line. Glad to see you picked up an Odyssey 7Q for higher bits and capturing great 1080p slo-mo too. You're going to love this all but forgotten gem of a camera.
Cheers,
Paul
Click to expand...

Nice! I'll let you know how this goes. The adapter is listed for 1800, but most ebay auctions end at around 700. The IS on lenses will be nice to have, we'll see how much it effects battery life...

Interesting about the micron pixels. The image is truly unique. I was instantly reminded of the black magic pocket, but there is less noise and he grade is much easier. There are no problems with IR or external NDs. The greens are rendered so beautifully.

I just added you on instragram. Thanks for the info, also appreciate you tagging your videos on vimeo. The video you did with your sister is truly beautiful and helped sell me on the power of the F3.
 
Watch out for synthetic black material lit with hot tungstens, the camera can suffer from far-red contamination just like the EX-1,3 did. Certain black material will turn a muddy brown and there is no fixing it in post. Get yourself a Tiffen T1 filter for when the perfect storm arrises, it'll save your butt. I'll actually sell my 77mm ver. if your interested since I sold my F3 a ways back.
 
Fotojorno said:
Watch out for synthetic black material lit with hot tungstens, the camera can suffer from far-red contamination just like the EX-1,3 did. Certain black material will turn a muddy brown and there is no fixing it in post. Get yourself a Tiffen T1 filter for when the perfect storm arrises, it'll save your butt. I'll actually sell my 77mm ver. if your interested since I sold my F3 a ways back.
Click to expand...

Thank you the tip. I actually shot a lot with the pocket, so I already own a nice IR cut filter. I absolutely hated stacking ND/IR filters on that camera, maybe the worst thing about that camera.
 
Just want to say thank you again to everyone for the help. The adapter hasn't come yet, so using a vintage olympus 50mm 1.4…

I absolutely loving the images out of the this camera. What an awesome under rated camera. I do a lot of corporate work, but also do some skateboard projects. This camera is working out nicely with the 60p and low noise images.

In only a few days I have turned into a Sony fan. Absolutely hated the color out of the fs700, after seeing Ed Davids work and a lot of other DVX user forum users, I decided to go for an F3.

Nile_f3.jpgNile_Nollie_180.jpgNile_RunUp.jpgMerlin.jpgRoman_Candles.jpg
 

Attachments

  • JamesF3.jpg
    JamesF3.jpg
    75.4 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top