GH3 Ok I got the Speedbooster but it appears broken... Help please.

S

Stab

Well-known member
I bit the bullet and ordered the SpeedBooster to use with my Samyang primes on the GH3. I thought it was working great, until I wanted to change the aperture on my lens. No matter what I did, the aperture was stuck at wide open.
I tried mounting it at different aperture settings (both the SB and the Samyangs) but to no effect. In some positions I was able to close the aperture with the SpeedBooster ring from f1.4 to f2.8 but no further.

So I looked at the Speedbooster and saw that there is something loose that I think is not designed to move. It is clear that the Speedbooster doesn't 'grip' the aperture rings of my lenses.

I know that the Speedbooster's aperture ring should be at position '8' before mounting the lens to ensure you can use the lens' aperture ring. Did that, no effect. When I turn the aperture ring, it stays wide open...

Here is the metal thingy that is loose to the touch. The left arrow shows the part that is moving when turning the aperture ring of the Speedbooster.

SB1.jpg


It was the last Speedbooster in stock at the shop I bought it from. At the moment they are 'seeing what they can do', but I won't hear from them until tomorrow. I have an upcoming shoot this friday. Is there anything I can do?


And, there might be another option. Maybe I am an idiot and I missed something??

Thanks for helping!
 
You didn't mention but I assume you are using a Nikon F mount.

Do the aperture levers on your lenses work? I can't recall off the top of my head since I dont use Nikon lenses as often, but I believe when the lens is unmounted it should have a closed aperture and when you operate the lever on the back of the lens it should open the aperture. If not there may be something wrong with your lens. What should be happening I think is when you mount your lens, the lever should get caught by the lever in the mount and the lens aperture should open as you mount the lens since you twist the lens but the lever stays caught, and then from there you can open and close the lens using the ring on the mount. I thought Samyang lenses had an aperture ring on the lens as well, so I'd think both could be used to stop down though unless there is something wrong with the lens or your lens does not have an aperture ring.

Anyway, I would check your lens first and see if the aperture ring works off the mount and if the lever on the back of the lens works and then make sure it is in the right position and the mount ring is in the right position when mounting the lens. I'd expect this procedure was mostly only needed if you didnt have a lens with an aperture ring on the lens though...
 
Thanks NYVZ.

I have 3 brand new Samyang primes, with a Nikon F mount. I just checked the lever on all of them and they work great. When I push the lever the aperture smoothy opens up / stops down.
The problem should not be in my lenses. I have seen other people using the speedbooster with these as well.
 
I found out what the problem is. It is that thingy I marked red in the picture. It should have 'clicked' inwards and stay there firmly in place. My girlfriend just pushed it and it suddenly clicked. When mounting the lens on it, I can now control my aperture from f1.4 to f11. The last stops don't work. That's actually no problem cause I have never made a shot at an aperture smaller than f11.


My problem is not completely fixed though, because I still have a faulty Speedbooster. The problem might worsen over time and after I paid €499 for an adapter with some glass in it, I expect and want it to work 100% flawlessly. I still cannot control the aperture from the speedboosters ring, no matter what I do.


Tomorrow the shop calls me about a plan, so will update later again.
 
Glad it's working somewhat, hopefully enough for your shoot. Seems you haven't had the best of luck with the 16mm and now this. Hope to hear good news.
 
Don't the nikon mount Samyangs have an aperture ring already? Why aren't you using that?
 
The ideal end result is not just getting his Samyangs to work, but getting his >$400 SpeedBooster to work correctly, which it doesn't. Warranty repair or replacement.
 
vtwiz said:
Don't the nikon mount Samyangs have an aperture ring already? Why aren't you using that?
Click to expand...

Because it is not working when mounted on the SpeedBooster :)

Well, I got word from the shop today. They quickly ordered another Speed Booster from their distributor for me and will send it with the post today. It should arrive tomorrow and in time for the shoot. Good service.

At least the Samyang 16mm looked good on the Speedbooster. No blurry sides / corners and no significant vignetting which I actually was expecting a bit, it being an APS-C lens.

I will record a short film friday, shot with the new Samyang primes and the SpeedBooster. A real world test example :)
Someone has got to do it first.
 
This is probably moot already, but I too was frustrated with my speedbooster at first. No documentation is provided so it was plug-and-play I thought. When I slapped a Nikon 50mm 1.8 on it, the aperture ring had no effect, until I realized that in order for it to engage the Nikon aperture the lens aperture ring must be at its highest level - the red marking, and then the red click-switch must be locked. Then bamo, everything worked. Since understanding that concept, I have had no problems. But a small note in the box would have saved some frustration at first.
 
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