Sigma 18 35 Art + Speedbooster XL - too heavy for GH4?

M

Michael Nash

New member
I just finally saved up enough to grab the speedbooster XL and the Sigma 18 35.
I was already aware of the weight of the lens, but there is some play between the speedbooster and lens, and some (but very minor amount) between the speedbooster and the body.
Right now I am waiting for rods and rail clamps in the mail, so there is no support for the lens until that comes in.
Basically I'm wondering if there is any possibility of damaging any of the mounts, or really damaging anything due to the weight?

Is this something I should worry about, or hold off on using the camera for until the rail system and lens support is added, or is it rather minor?

On a sidenote, I am so happy with this lens, especially for a zoom, and the combo with the speedbooster is just superb!

Thanks Guys!
 
Hi,

I'm using the GH3 (exactly the same body as GH4) with a Speed Booster and the Sigma 18-35 for almost 2 years now without any problems. Yea, there is some play on both the camera-side as on the lens-side, but it didn't got worse. It feels kinda heavy though but the IQ and the lowlight capabillities of the f1.8 aperture are more than worth it.

I wouldn't worry about it and just shoot!
 
I've got a Speedbooster for my BMPCC and there's hardly any play. I also use dumb adapters with my zoom lens and cut little strips of masking tape and attached it all around the front and back of the mounts. On one of them it reduced the play to zero. On another there's still some wiggle. I can't accept play on my adapters as it makes the lens shift when focusing or zooming. I hope the play on the op's Speedbooster XL isn't common. May pick one up if I get back to m43.
 
goodgoings said:
I've got a Speedbooster for my BMPCC and there's hardly any play. I also use dumb adapters with my zoom lens and cut little strips of masking tape and attached it all around the front and back of the mounts. On one of them it reduced the play to zero. On another there's still some wiggle. I can't accept play on my adapters as it makes the lens shift when focusing or zooming. I hope the play on the op's Speedbooster XL isn't common. May pick one up if I get back to m43.
Click to expand...

Definitely going to do this, I was thinking it might cause some shift with focus, but wasn't 100% sure.
 
Last edited:
Stab said:
Hi,

I'm using the GH3 (exactly the same body as GH4) with a Speed Booster and the Sigma 18-35 for almost 2 years now without any problems. Yea, there is some play on both the camera-side as on the lens-side, but it didn't got worse. It feels kinda heavy though but the IQ and the lowlight capabillities of the f1.8 aperture are more than worth it.

I wouldn't worry about it and just shoot!
Click to expand...

Great news! Thanks for confirming.
 
Michael Nash said:
Definitely going to do this, I was thinking it might cause some shift with focus, but wasn't 100% sure.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about the loose fit on such an otherwise 1st class product. If you can correct it with tape that's about .0004 inch like a sheet of paper. Doesn't seem like much, but it might make a focus shift. Should test it to be sure.
 
There is just a very slight play on the Speed Booster, and I had both the regular version and the XL version now, which should not be noticeable with small and light lenses. The problem is that the Sigma 18-35 is indeed heavy and long. So when you take the frontelement of the mounted lens in your hand and you twist your arm, you'll notice some play on the mounts. Even Novoflex adapters do this with this setup. It's just that the lens is indeed very large for the GH3 / GH4's mount.

But it doesn't shift the focus or light transmission so I guess it is fine once you get over it :)
 
Well I tried out the masking tape trick and it worked great! I didn't think there would be much focus shift, it that was one of the things in the back of my mind. It was more a less just bothersome to me; at least now I have some peace of mind! Great advice. Thanks goodgoings.
 
Michael Nash said:
Well I tried out the masking tape trick and it worked great! I didn't think there would be much focus shift, it that was one of the things in the back of my mind. It was more a less just bothersome to me; at least now I have some peace of mind! Great advice. Thanks goodgoings.
Click to expand...

Great it worked out for you Michael.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top