Looking for an adapter for the GH1/2 for use with the Canon 85mm 1.8 EF. Any thoughts?

Anyone know the practical differences between the adapters below?? The Panasonic adapter will work fine with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for Canon as it's shown on the lens compatability chart as workable. I'm wondering why it wouldn't work on the Canon 85mm lens as well, since the Sigma 30mm 1.4 is a "for Canon" lens it would seem logical that it would work as well with the same adapter. I've used both lenses on a Canon camera, and they seemed to operate the same. (I don't have those lenses now, sold them.)

Panasonic DMW-MA1 Mount Adapter to Mount Four Thirds DMW-MA1 B&H


Canon EOS-Micro 4/3 M4/3 adapter w/Build-in Aperture! - eBay (item 280611604024 end time Apr-03-11 22:46:01 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-Micro-4-3-M4-3-adapter-w-Build-in-Aperture-/280611604024?pt=Lens_Accessories&hash=item4155c14638)

Hi Jeff
Unless I'm confused doesn't the Sigma shown on the lens compatability chart have a 4/3 mount on it and not a Canon mount?

Gordon

It is a "for Canon" lens made by Sigma, here is the lens:

Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Yes but what I'm saying is the panasonic adapter will work with the Sigma only if it has the 4/3 mount,

Gordon

Gordon, thanks for your interest in my post. I'm sorry, I still am not sure I get you. Yes the adpater is for 3/4 mount lenses to work with GH1/2. But there are a limited number of models of lenses listed that it will work with.

The Sigma, listed in the compatability chart, will work on the GH1 and GH2 if the DMW-MA1 adapter is used. That much we know, or at least that is what the chart tells us.

The Sigma listed is a made for Canon model. I know this because 1) I looked it up 2) I've owned the lens previously and used it on a Canon 40D.

So my question is: if the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 works with the adapter, why won't the the Canon 85mm f/1.8? I imagine the Canon will physically fit on the adapter, since it is the same mount as the Sigma lens, but will it retain some of the functionality as the Sigma does? That is my question.

My question revolves around the adapters I listed in my original post. The Panasonic adapter (DMW-MA1) it seems to me, should work with the Canon 85mm EF lens, since that is essentially what the Sigma is.

On the other hand, the second adapter Iisted above (the Kipon) was blogged about by the illustrious Phillip Bloom, who recommends it highly as working with Canon EF lenses. But he never mentions the Panasonic adapter, but I don't know why.

The problem is, as I see it, is Phillip blogged about the Kipon way back in December. I don't know if the Panasonic came along afterwards, and he didn't yet know about the Panny adapter, thereby not mentioning it, or if he didn't use it because the Kipon was better. Or a third scenario is that the DMW-MA1 will not retain the functionality like the Sigma will.

Bottom line, I know for certain people are using the Canon 85mm 1.8 lens, because I see it mentioned around the web. But I've not seen them mention what adapter they are using, and while there are cheaper adapters available then the Panasonic available on Amazon (eg. Fotodiox brand) I would prefer to use the Panasonic if possible.

I will also purchase a Pentax 50mm recommended by Brian L, and for that application I will use the cheaper adapter, no problem, but for my Canon, I want to use the Panasonic if it will work.

Anybody know?

Hi Jeff
The Sigma lenses listed on the compatibilty list all need to have a 4/3 mounts so they will work with the panasonic adapter. To use lenses with a Canon mount you will need a 3rd party adapter.

Gordon

So you are saying that the lenses on the chart and the Panasonic adapter are not enough? That I will need something else?

I don't understand. This is copied from the chart:

"Four Thirds Lens (Coupled with mount adapter DMW-MA1) (*11)" then the lenses are listed, including the Sigma.

The adapter is a lens mount, Gordon. This the purpose of the adapter, is it not? I dont understand what you are saying. The adapter's purpose is to make the lenses fit the camera. What am I missing here?

Thanks for your help.

I guess what I'm trying to say is Sigma makes lenses with the 4/3 mount. The Panasonic adapter you list adapts 4/3 lenses to micro 4/3 which is what the mount on the GH1/2 is. A Sigma lens with a Canon mount will take a 3rd party adapter as would a Canon lens.

Gordon

The Sigma lens listed by Panasonic IS a Canon mount! Panasonic says that it will work with their adapter. Am I mistaken? Not sure why would I need a third party adapter with the Sigma if it is listed as one that will work with the Panasonic adapter.

Gordon, my original question was which adapter will I need for the Canon 85mm f/1.8.

Do you happen to know?

Unless I've missed something on the list I didn;t see where it says a Canon mount. I'll have another look at the list. But that Panaasonic adapter only adapts 4/3 to micro 4/3.

Gordon

The Sigma listed on the chart is: 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM. The lens is listed on amazon as:

Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

The lens is a Sigma and/or Canon mount, or according to Sigma's website. 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM - Wide Angle Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/30mm-f14-ex-dc-hsm-sigma)

But more importantly this lens is stated to work on the chart. But that is not my original question.

I only want to know what adapters I have to choose from to make the 85mm work. Gordon, do you know anything about the Kipon? Or which adapters I might seek to make the Canon 85mm work?

Sorry Jeff I don't know which mount you need for that lens. I only have a FD lens and I made my own mount.

Gordon

Jeff,

You would need this lens for the Pany adapter
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Olympus 300107 B&H

they make that lens for many different mounts, including Canon and 4/3
but they are different lenses

Jeff
This is what Panasonic list is talking about.
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM - Wide Angle Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/30mm-f14-ex-dc-hsm-sigma)

Gordon

Gordon, the lens on the chart is not listed as a Canon. The Sigma happens to be a Canon mount, Canon is mentioned no where on the chart. Get it?

Sigma is not canon only... they make for the Pentax K mount, 4/3, Nikon....

Just look at the list here

Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM

they are all the same lens, but have different mounts...

Thanks David

Jeff - You're oringinal post also asked why the Panasonic adapter would not work with the Canon lens and that is what I was replying to.

Gordon

David, Gordon tried to explain it, but I couldn't understand. I now understand what you're saying.

I would have bought the wrong lens. Thanks to you I did not! David, thanks for chiming in. The model #s are the same, but they are followed by the name of the brand they fit. I think I get it, at last.

So they are talking about the Sigma mount model, it would seem. So I would need a Canon mount as you say if I want to use the Sigma for Canon, which I would, since I also want to use other Canon lenses.

David, do you know anything about the Kipon vs Fotodiox?

Gordon, thanks for trying to explain it, I just didn't understand. I've only used one type of camera in the past, a Canon, and I had no idea about the mounting issue.

Well, it would seem the best choice at this point, is to save up for the Birger adapter, and to go with the Kipon for now.

I'm surprised no one is using the Canon 85mm or 100mm or 135mm. What do you wedding shooters plan to use to get a tight shot of the B&G at the altar? Certainly not the 14-140? Are there any wedding shooters here using the GH2 or GH1? What are you doing for long shots?

The 14-140mm is so slow I found it unusable in a church. With a ND filter I think the 14-140 would be a decent outdoor lens, but that's about all I can see using it for.

This is a great little manual lens which would give 100mm and even more with the EX tele conv. The adaptor is around 25 bucks on ebay, I found my adaptor would work with my GH2 and I could control my AF nikon lenses iris and f-stop, no auto focus though but I don't think any of the Canon lens do either...not sure.
But I tend to be a Nikon lens person. I am assuming you already have Canon lenses.
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D Autofocus Lens 1902 B&H Photo Video

Thanks for the recommendation, Jim. For 50mm, I'm going for a Pentax recommended by Brian L. The Nikon is a great lens at a great price, thanks for sharing it. The Pentax is all manual though, so a Nikon might be worth looking at when I get some extra cabbage.

I've never looked at anything Nikon, really, but thanks to your post I did some looking around and found out interesting facts about the major companies.

100mm will be enough sometimes, but in the large catholic churches I'd need an effective 170-200mm if not more in the biggest ones. I'll be running three cameras, one in the balcony, one on the main floor in the rear, and one down front when I can get away with it.

So the 100mm effective would be good at many churches from the rear, but not most of the ones I shoot in. Below is a typical sized church I work in, about 3/4 of my jobs are in these places.

Sorry, double post

The 14-140mm is so slow I found it unusable in a church.

Jeff, I'm curious what ISO value that you used in a church? I have read that the GH2 holds up quite well with little noise even at an ISO value of 3200.

Jim, when I got my first still camera, it came with a kit lens. I had no experience with photography, only video.

Nevertheless, I did not like the images from my camera with the kit lens. I did not shoot with the camera after the first day I got it, until I got new lenses a month later. The 30mm 1.4 pretty much stayed on my camera permanently, unless I was using the 85mm 1.8.

I pretty much dislike any more ISO than I have to have. With the Canon I ran at about 100-400 ISO most of the time in churches when I could get away with it. With the 1.4 I usually could stay at 200, but I might be mistaken with the exact number, that was a long time ago.

I hope to keep the ISO low on the GH2 as well. With the 14-140 I ran the last wedding high ISOs and I hated the look, but I guess that is just me not knowing how to exploit it, I don't know.

The fast lenses just produce such natural looking images, and high ISOs just don't turn me on, no matter how great the camera is.

The Pentax is all manual though, so a Nikon might be worth looking at when I get some extra cabbage.

Wouldn't the Nikon be all manual on the GH1/2 as well? Unless using the Birger mount a Canon lens, it would be manual also I believe.

Have you considered a faster Sigma lens with a 4/3 mount to use on the GH1/2. I know it would limit what other cameras you can use it on and you would still have to do some things manually on it as well.

Gordon

This is a complete redit of this post...I'm editing video furiously, and not paying close attention to what I'm reading.

Anyway, yes, Gordon, I have looked at the Sigma's, but I didn't understand many things until they were pointed out earlier in this thread. I thought the Sigmas on the chart were Compatible with Canon cameras, I didn't realize they meant a Sigma mounted version, and I was very confused.

I had planned on going with the Sigma 1.4 thinking it was a Canon compatible lens, but now I'm not so sure, because I don't want a Sigma mounted lens, I'd prefer Canon compatible lenses because there are other Canon mounted lenses I want.

Lenses are the most important thing to me, and I'm assuming one day Canon will come out with a GH2 killer, at which time everything will work fine.

Unfortunately, the Kipon adapter is not ideal, but it's good, but I'm still torn, I can't decide right now. I was focusing on this heavily for a few days, and now I'm off this to focus on my editing.

I have come across a couple of Panasonic lenses I didn't know about that might be useful, but I think they were 2.8, but that might be OK. I have to wait until my GH2 and 14-140mm lens are returned from Panasonic so I can do some testing at higher ISOs, as Jim alluded to. I don't like running a camera at higher than 400 ISO, but that might be unrealistic with my budget. I also really do need a zoom and a fast zoom costs over $2K, which I cannot afford right now.

If everything works with the Birger mount on the GH1/2 it could be a good way to go. It would open up a lot of lenses that can be used.
I wonder what the battery life of the camera will be like with it?

Gordon

Good question, but not knowing anything about how this stuff works, I don't know if the adapter will affect battery life, but I doubt that it would be significant. Battery normally lasts an hour or so if your using the LCD full time, and longer if not.

Gordon, if you're still following this thread, re-read my earlier post in answer to your question.

This is a great little manual lens which would give 100mm and even more with the EX tele conv. The adaptor is around 25 bucks on ebay, I found my adaptor would work with my GH2 and I could control my AF nikon lenses iris and f-stop, no auto focus though but I don't think any of the Canon lens do either...not sure.
But I tend to be a Nikon lens person. I am assuming you already have Canon lenses.
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D Autofocus Lens 1902 B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/97413-GREY/Nikon_1902_AF_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4D.html)

I misspoke...the adaptor I have for my Nikon lens will only allow me to change the shutter speed and ISO but not the f-stop on the GH2

Shutter speed and ISO are in camera changes not the lens, am I right? so you should be able to control those what ever lens/adapter you have...

Yes shutter speed and iso are strictly camera functions. You don't even need a lens attached to change them.

Jeff
I still following along. Thanks.

Gordon