GH2 Nikon adapter with support so lens won't shift or move

M

Mike@AF

Veteran
Has anyone tried this specific adapter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-F-mou...ltDomain_0&hash=item3a6f48da38#ht_2566wt_1404

I'm wondering if it will prevent the lens from moving around when using a follow focus, as is coming when using adapter on m4/3 cameras. I do have a good adapter, but the larger lenses I have still shift a little and it would be nice to have them not shift at all.


Note to mods: Why are we forced to select a thread prefix? This question doesn't apply to just GH2, GH1, or GH13, yet I'm forced to select one of them. When I select "(no prefix)" it gives me an error that I must select a thread prefix.
 
Depends on which adaptor brand and which side of the adaptor is loose. With the inexpensive Fotodiox adaptors there is a tiny slot in each of the three lugs on the lens side. You can pry very gently with a pocket or steak knife to expand the thickness of the lugs. Just go super slow and take your time. It makes your lens as snug to the adaptor as you please. If it's between the adaptor and the camera, I think it needs to be sent back.

fotodiox adaptor adjustment.jpg

This pic shows one of mine I use for the Nikon to Canon EOS, but I think all the newer ones are the same. Just a bit of a pry in there on each lug and it's good to go!

Worth a look in any case.

Cheers,
Pete
 
Actually I think it's less an adapter issue and more of an issue with the camera body and having a larger lens on it. It's like the camera is flexing when using a follow focus. I only see it happen with my larger ZF lenses like the 21, 28, 35, and 100. I don't notice it at all with the 50 and 85 or other smaller lenses like the Voigtlander 25mm f0.95. So I'd like to lock the mount to the rods to prevent movement, sort of like the Hot Rod PL mount for PL lenses.
 
Mike@AF said:
Has anyone tried this specific adapter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-F-mou...ltDomain_0&hash=item3a6f48da38#ht_2566wt_1404

I'm wondering if it will prevent the lens from moving around when using a follow focus, as is coming when using adapter on m4/3 cameras. I do have a good adapter, but the larger lenses I have still shift a little and it would be nice to have them not shift at all.
Click to expand...

About time someone made something like this. I think the only other solution is the MTF adapter with lens suport which is way more expensive. ciecio is talked about quite a bit and I have read only good things about his adapters. I have not had a chance to try any of them yet.
 
Fotodiox has a mft to nikon "g" adapter with aperture control. I have one. Only problem is its a bit loose where the lens and the adapter meet.
I had this same problem with the mtf to nikon "f" adapter and ordered a new one to see if it was a defect. The new adapter fit perfectly, so I'm doing the same thing with my "g" adapter.
Kind of a pain in the ass really.
 
Mike@AF said:
Has anyone tried this specific adapter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-F-mou...ltDomain_0&hash=item3a6f48da38#ht_2566wt_1404
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. I bought an adapter from a different vendor that had a similar built-in tripod mount, but it was crudely machined. What's crucial is that the camera must sit perfectly level when attached to the adapter, since there is no rotating collar to adjust on the built-in tripod mount. I'd be interested to hear how well-aligned this brand of adapter turns out to be.

I have Nikon G lenses as well, but I wouldn't rely on an adapter like this to accurately set the aperture. The adapters offered by Novoflex and MTF may work more reliably, but they're quite expensive. I found it more practical to just get a lens that already has an aperture ring.
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't be getting this adapter for aperture control, but to stabilize the lens and keep it from moving when pulling focus with a follow focus. I haven't seen a Nikon adapter like this from anyone else, including Novoflex or MTF. $80 is steep just to try it, plus it would also require a 15mm LW mount. The bracket seems a little thin which has me very apprehensive.

EDIT: I just found the MTF one. Appears to be 2 separate pieces and fairly expensive. I also just found this cheaper one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tripod-Niko...ltDomain_0&hash=item231812351b#ht_2816wt_1374 Has anyone tried that one?
 
Last edited:
I've been researching all this over the past month or so. The more I read, the more discussions kept popping up about lens shift. It seems to be one of those little issues that occasional DSLR shooters don't even notice, but becomes obvious with a follow focus in professional settings.
What exacerbates the issue is that the shift can come from half a dozen points: the lens itself, the lens side of the adapter, the body side of the adapter, the camera body itself (the GH2 is fairly flimsy plastic), or even your rod base (it doesn't help that the GH2 tripod socket protrudes from the body).
There's a good thread somewhere, where lens guru Matthew Duclos asserts most of the SLR lenses have such loose mechanics, it's likely that the lens shift happens inside the lens itself.
I think the real solution is the ReWo cage + MTF adapter with rails support, but the price tag on that is $1,200. If you haven't realized why many people dislike DSLRs for video, now you do :-) Would you spend all that or just save for an AF100/F3/C300/Scarlet?....

I reached out to all the major adapter manufacturers, you really have 3 options for a Nikon adapter with support:


  • eBay ($35) with its inconsistent quality, the tolerances on the mount are fairly low.
  • MTF ($700) very expensive but gets excellent feedback, no one complains about lens shifts
  • Novoflex is working on a support collar for their adapter. Part # will be ASTAT-MFT but it's not ready yet. Should cost about $450 with the adapter, but it just has a 1/4" thread. If you want your adapter on 15mm rails you'll need to use some other piece like a Zacuto lens support that'll bring up the total to the MTF price level.

When you get the eBay adapter (or the future Novoflex for that matter), you don't necessarily have to mount your camera to anything, it's so light, the lens adapter becomes the mount point. However I wanted that extra stability.
So far I put together a system using the eBay adapter as well as pieces from Chris Hejnar, captive 1/4" screw from Really Right Stuff, and some gaff tape. Here's the result:
GH2 Hejnar rig (mockup).JPG
It definitely feels more solid than before.....however my (Tokina) lenses still shift! I should be getting new Zeiss glass soon, perhaps when I finally get a full good system working I'll post my conclusions. In the mean time feel free to ask questions.
 
Might something like the Manfrotto 293 lens support help? As long as it doesn't get in the way of the follow focus of course....

Get's pretty good reviews on B&H:

554350.jpg
 
bitcrusher said:
ciecio is talked about quite a bit and I have read only good things about his adapters. I have not had a chance to try any of them yet.
Click to expand...

He does not have a Nikon to MFT adapter yet...or at least one that I've seen. I have his Canon FD to MFT adapter, solid mount, actually has less play than my 14-140 lens.
 
I think a strap is just too cumbersome (and looks odd), especially if you're using primes. I actually have a Cavision lens support, but even that doesn't eliminate all lens shift. I emailed ciecio 2 weeks ago but never heard back. I'm not aware of any way to contact him besides via eBay.
 
binba said:
I think a strap is just too cumbersome (and looks odd), especially if you're using primes. I actually have a Cavision lens support, but even that doesn't eliminate all lens shift. I emailed ciecio 2 weeks ago but never heard back. I'm not aware of any way to contact him besides via eBay.
Click to expand...

Never actually heard about the Cavision lens support. Thanks for mentioning it, although kind of a bummer that it doesn't eliminate enough of the shift.
 
I have ciecio7's new Nikon mount that cost $80. Very good stuff. All my Nikon lenses lock very securely... Much tighter than cheaper variants.
But one thing I never liked about his adapters is that the tripod mounts themselves have smooth aluminum base... Doesn't offer much friction
 
ed_lee83 said:
I have ciecio7's new Nikon mount that cost $80. Very good stuff. All my Nikon lenses lock very securely... Much tighter than cheaper variants.
But one thing I never liked about his adapters is that the tripod mounts themselves have smooth aluminum base... Doesn't offer much friction
Click to expand...

Can you post a link up to this? I don't see it listed in any of his auctions.
 
What I'm missing is an aperture control ring for a couple of G lenses I have... haven't seen any from him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top