GH2 Speedbooster - anyone here USING one that isn't the Metabones?

[DPStewart]

Hi all,

I would love to actually buy the Metabones Speedbooster for M4/3 that I've been borrowing....but $400 is not workable right now - especially because I really need TWO, one for my Canon FD glass and another for my Nikon F glass.

So I found a competitor that seems to be quite a decent alternative - here's a comparison video someone so politely made for us:
The "Lens Turbo II" (... seems to be sold under more than one brand name.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2rom9tJ8v8

Now, this is their "mark II" version for E mount. Their "original" is the one for M4/3 and yes, they sell at B&H for about $138.

So - has anyone here actually used or bought ANY non-Metabones speedbooster that they can tall us about?

Thanks! Danke! Merci! Gracias! Consahamnida!

 

[Batutta]

Using this one on a GH4.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camera-Foca...ens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item5d47dd81b5

I have no complaints with it other than the blue spot problem that plagues most non Metabones speed boosters (although the Lens Turbo II doesn't apparently). It's only an issue in very specific situations, say aiming right at a small bright window or big light source in a darkened room at a specific angle. You'll get a double blue image of the light source. But it's solid, no play in the mount, and sharp as a tack from edge to edge as far as I can tell. You take your chances though with Chinese stuff as build quality can vary within the same batch of product.

 

[stabwound]

gh2

gh2

I'm using the RJ lens turbo (FD). It might just be a rebranded version of lens turbo 2.

It performs really well and satisfies my expectations, and never comes off my Gh2. Haven't encountered the Blue dot, but then, maybe it's the style of shot I do.... I generally avoid light sources in the frame.

Don't know how it compares to the Metabones version, but for $130 I am really happy.

Wanted to buy the Rokkor to m43 but there is no such beast (sob).

For the price... yeah... I say get it (them). For those with large collections of FD, Nikon lenses I'd say it is almost a necessity.

The only concern might be increased veiling flare.... but for me... I think it looks more cinematic....

 

[DPStewart]

Using this one on a GH4.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camera-Focal-Focus-Reducer-Speed-Booster-Nikon-G-Lens-Micro-Four-Thirds-/400637657525?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item5d47dd81b5

I have no complaints with it other than the blue spot problem that plagues most non Metabones speed boosters (although the Lens Turbo II doesn't apparently). It's only an issue in very specific situations, say aiming right at a small bright window or big light source in a darkened room at a specific angle. You'll get a double blue image of the light source. But it's solid, no play in the mount, and sharp as a tack from edge to edge as far as I can tell. You take your chances though with Chinese stuff as build quality can vary within the same batch of product.

Thanks Batutta, that's very interesting......at ~$85 it seems almost too good to be true. Heck, one could buy almost FIVE of them for the price of one Metabones. Now, I fully respect the concept of keeping only the best glass that you can in front of your sensor, but if it works....it works.

Tack-sharp you say, that's very good to hear. I assume you also tested for chromatic and spacial distortions, yes?

By the way, your skin is so nice and brown and lustrous and healthy looking. do you use some special brand of moisturizer? Or do you just keep to a really healthy diet?
I used to get dermabrasion, but as you can see...they rubbed my nose off.

Anyway....anyone else using other speed boosters?

 

[DPStewart]

I'm using the RJ lens turbo (FD). It might just be a rebranded version of lens turbo 2.

It performs really well and satisfies my expectations, and never comes off my Gh2. Haven't encountered the Blue dot, but then, maybe it's the style of shot I do.... I generally avoid light sources in the frame.

Don't know how it compares to the Metabones version, but for $130 I am really happy.

Wanted to buy the Rokkor to m43 but there is no such beast (sob).

For the price... yeah... I say get it (them). For those with large collections of FD, Nikon lenses I'd say it is almost a necessity.

The only concern might be increased veiling flare.... but for me... I think it looks more cinematic....

Ok...this is turning out well.

I know that with so many things related to lenses there is just no sense in doing it cheaply.
but again, if it works...IT WORKS. And I guess this type of device really isn't all that complicated, but as a person who won't put cheap filters in front of my lenses I have been worried that a cheaper speedbooster would just degrade everything...just like cheap filters.

Bitchin'.

Anyone else?

 

[Batutta]

Tack-sharp you say, that's very good to hear. I assume you also tested for chromatic and spacial distortions, yes?

I haven't seen anything noticeable but I'm not a pixel peeper. I shoot in 4k which has a bit more of a crop than 1080p so it's possible in 1080p or in shooting stills with a wider FOV there might be some around the edges. Also, as I said, quality varies with this Chinese stuff, so I might have just gotten lucky.

 

[Vinyl Stax]

Hey,

This I shot with a Roxsen adapter ( 85$) and a Takumar 50mm on a BMCC. Sorry I know it is not a lumix but maybe it helps your cause nonetheless.

https://vimeo.com/114836703
pass:12345

I find the Roxsen to be somehow softer in the edges than Zhongyi brand, but then again maybe it is the same factory , who knows.
I am using the Zhongyi on the FS with Takumar primes and love that combo with a passion. I have used the Roxsen both on the GX7 and the Gh4 with rather positive to great results. Occasional softness on the edges brings a feeling of an anamorphic adapter so it could be worse
My take on it is that any imperfection coming from these cheapo adapters can be used creatively. Also a tak sharp Gh4 sensor maybe needs a bit of softness at the end.
I am getting a little tired with the amount of lifeless and extremely detailed shots of sandy beaches and benches in parks over crowding the vimeo these days.

One thing to keep in mind is that taking those things to paid gigs as a DP is questionable. The client or the director might not appreciate your artsy output and the overall risk involved with shots turning out not as expected is a little too high, especially with the Roxsens.

But for semi personal gigs and projects you have creative control over, that s*%t is amazing !
Good luck.

 

[blazer003]

I'm using the RJ lens turbo (FD). It might just be a rebranded version of lens turbo 2.

It performs really well and satisfies my expectations, and never comes off my Gh2. Haven't encountered the Blue dot, but then, maybe it's the style of shot I do.... I generally avoid light sources in the frame.

Don't know how it compares to the Metabones version, but for $130 I am really happy.

Wanted to buy the Rokkor to m43 but there is no such beast (sob).

For the price... yeah... I say get it (them). For those with large collections of FD, Nikon lenses I'd say it is almost a necessity.

The only concern might be increased veiling flare.... but for me... I think it looks more cinematic....

Yeah, I had to break down and buy the Metabones MD to M43 adapter as the others don't make one, but I don't regret it at all. I have an arsenal to use on the adapter and it really is great, if pricey.

 

[brianc1959]

Ok...this is turning out well.

I know that with so many things related to lenses there is just no sense in doing it cheaply.
but again, if it works...IT WORKS. And I guess this type of device really isn't all that complicated, but as a person who won't put cheap filters in front of my lenses I have been worried that a cheaper speedbooster would just degrade everything...just like cheap filters.

Bitchin'.

Anyone else?

The cheap focal reducers (e.g. Mitakon Lens Turbo and RJ-noname) work ok at smaller apertures. If you want sharp results at fast apertures then the Metabones Speed Boosters have a big advantage. This is due partly to patented design technology and partly to the use of some very expensive ultra-high index glass types. I did a focal reducer shootout for micro four thirds here: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53156458

AFAIK, only the Speed Booster is capable of actually increasing the MTF of f/1.4 or f/1.2 master lenses as they are transformed into f/1.0 or f/0.90, respectively (see MTF comparison of 50mm f/1.2 Nikkor with and without S.B. below). On the other hand, many people prefer soft images when a lens is used wide-open, and if that fits your vision then you can certainly save some money on optics.

 

[wwjd]

bought the Zhongyi, seems great

 

[DPStewart]

The cheap focal reducers (e.g. Mitakon Lens Turbo and RJ-noname) work ok at smaller apertures. If you want sharp results at fast apertures then the Metabones Speed Boosters have a big advantage. This is due partly to patented design technology and partly to the use of some very expensive ultra-high index glass types. I did a focal reducer shootout for micro four thirds here: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53156458

AFAIK, only the Speed Booster is capable of actually increasing the MTF of f/1.4 or f/1.2 master lenses as they are transformed into f/1.0 or f/0.90, respectively (see MTF comparison of 50mm f/1.2 Nikkor with and without S.B. below). On the other hand, many people prefer soft images when a lens is used wide-open, and if that fits your vision then you can certainly save some money on optics.

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Thank you for taking the time to chime in Brian.

You helped start this whole thing! It's really great to be able to get this kind of information directly from its point of origin.