GH3 M43 to EF Adapter...Which One?

A

AM Films

Member
I need to purchase an adapter to put some EF lenses on my GH3. I'm aware of the RedRock Livelens, but its out of my budget right now. After doing some research, I found a few I wanted to get some opinions on. Has anyone used these? Or is there a specific one that you guys suggest?

It seems that most of these only stop down to f/1.7? Or is that just an estimate? Only reason I'm asking is because I have access to a Canon 50mm 1.4, and I'm wondering if it will open all the way up to f1.4?

Kipon Brand - http://philipbloom.net/2010/12/17/ne-adaptor-for-using-you-canon-eos-lenses-on-gh1-gh2-af101/

Fotodiox - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005ODK53K

Any suggestions?
 
The reason the Red Rock is so expensive, is that it actually simulates the interface from a Canon body so that the internal electronics can operate.
The ones you posted get around the electronic iris control of EOS mounts by supplying their own iris blades. That's why they are cheaper.

There are a couple of problems with this concept. When a lens is engineered, they place the iris at a specific point in the glass with marked stops so that you may reach a specific F-stop. Placing artificial blades behind the glass will technically achieve a similar result, but it is not an exact science. At certain focal lengths it can introduce unwanted barrel effects and vignetting, not to mention the inability to determine what f-stop you are set at (since how much the aperture blades need to close depends on each lens). It just lacks the precision of using the real iris blades of a lens.

What I personally do if I want to use a Canon lens on my M43, is avoid aperture control all together and just use the dumb ring adapters for less money. Why pay for something that does a sub-par job? For example, this Fotodiox instead of the one you linked:
http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Mount-Adapter-Thirds-Cameras/dp/B003EAXT5G/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_y

This leaves the lens wide open on your camera. If you want to stop down the lens, I actually keep a cheap Canon Rebel in my gear bag. I throw the lens on the body with the wheel in Aperture Priority mode, set the desired f-stop, then remove the lens while holding down the DOF-preview button on the front of the camera. This locks the lens with the iris in that position, then I put it on the dumb ring adapter to m43.
The only catch is that you can't adjust the iris on the camera. You have to take it off and adjust it externally again. However, in most cases, I set the aperture at the beginning and don't touch anymore anyway.

If you don't have a Canon body lying around, you can actually pick up a used one (t2i, t1i, etc) for not much more than the Kipon adapter you linked above. If you want to go even cheaper, you can find old Canon film (pre-digital) SLR bodies for next-to-nothing that still use the EOS mount, and can therefore still adjust the aperture for you. I prefer a digital one so I can quickly check the Live View and get a feel for how it might look on my m43 camera stopped down first.
Good luck!
 
I appreciate the responses, but I need the adapter for a shoot this upcoming weekend. I'm well aware that there is a dummy adapter that doesn't let you control iris, but I'm in need of one that CAN. I'm leaning towards the Kipon brand...theres one on eBay from China for $99, which means shipping will take over a week, or I can order it from lets say, Amazon, for $199, and itll be here within the week. I NEED it for this weekend...so..

Would it be smart to just order the one from China for 99$, and in the meantime rent one from Lensrentals for about 24$? I cant justify spending the extra $100 just for quicker shipping time..

I do plan on buying the speedbooster, but thats simply not an option right now.
 
AM Films said:
I appreciate the responses, but I need the adapter for a shoot this upcoming weekend. I'm well aware that there is a dummy adapter that doesn't let you control iris, but I'm in need of one that CAN.
Click to expand...

Understood. Unfortunately, the ones you mention CAN NOT.
They fake it by introducing their own iris blades behind the lens, which ISN'T THE SAME THING. It is a fake iris adjustment that has been shown to introduce unwanted side effects such as vignetting. If I may be so bold as to suggest that perhaps the reason you aren't getting recommendations about any of these adapters is because no one has anything positive to say about them?

I'm leaning towards the Kipon brand...theres one on eBay from China for $99, which means shipping will take over a week, or I can order it from lets say, Amazon, for $199, and itll be here within the week. I NEED it for this weekend...so..
Click to expand...

I would very seriously consider a plan B if these adapters don't turn out to work as well as you're imagining they would. Especially if you need them for this weekend, and find yourself stuck days before the shoot. Just saying.
 
The Kipon is a POS & I can't imagine the Fotodiox is much better.

Your money be better spent on purchasing a different lens.
 
Bern Caughey said:
The Kipon is a POS & I can't imagine the Fotodiox is much better.

Your money be better spent on purchasing a different lens.
Click to expand...
I really was set on using the Tokina 11-16 EF mount...what other lens could I count on? Maybe the Oly 12mm? Problem is, I may need the 16mm reach the Tokina has...

Should I instead consider getting the Nikon mount? I think some adapters they have out actually DO in fact change the iris, correct?
 
AM Films said:
I really was set on using the Tokina 11-16 EF mount...what other lens could I count on? Maybe the Oly 12mm? Problem is, I may need the 16mm reach the Tokina has...

Should I instead consider getting the Nikon mount? I think some adapters they have out actually DO in fact change the iris, correct?
Click to expand...

Yes- if you get the Nikon mount, you can get a good adapter that allows you to adjust the iris mechanically (EF mount is strictly electronic, whereas the Nikon G lenses can be adjusted with a mechanical gear that the adapter gives you access to). There are still some caveats re: being able to control exactly what f-stop you are at using such a gear (you have to eye ball it, there usually isn't a readout to tell you exactly what stop you are at), but it will work and be much better than the subpar workaround of external iris blades. I would totally do that if I had to choose between the two.

I only muck about with EF lenses because I also shoot Canon and want to use the AF for stills. Otherwise, I would totally avoid them and stick with Nikon and other more adaptable lens types. Good luck!
 
I agree with M. Gliden, i have a GH3 and Canon 7D Cameras and all the lens i have are Nikkor F and G. In which i can still use the Nikkor F lens on my 7D.

The only other option is to have a Canon body near by, so in between takes you can quick change iris on that canon body...
 
For the 16mm "reach" consider renting or borrowing the Lumix 14mm f2.5

With the high ISO performance of the GH3 this could get you what you want without having to depend on undependable adapters. I've seen this lens get me great low light stuff with an Olympus Pen and currently with a Lumix GX1, neither of which can match the high ISO look of the GH3.

If you don't have to have the wide angle, rent the Pan/Leica 25mm f1.4 and experience what a "REAL" piece of "fast glass" can do. It's worth saving up for.

Or...Shoot those scenes with the Canon and the EOS mount lens. If you're shooting an event for pay or where your reputation might be on the line, you can't afford to futz around with untried "adaptations" and hope for the best.
 
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