Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? at DVinfo.net

Graeme Hay · May 1st, 2011, 09:05 PM

Just wondering if its possible to stick an old TV lens such as Canon J15X9.5B?

1. Cover the Sensor / Vinetting Problems?
2. Adapter? (I'm thinking C-Mount Correct?)

3. On a TV Camera the above lens is 9.5mm - 142mm what would it be on a M4/3 camera?
My Guess is 19mm-284mm correct?

Yes I know it would be basically a manual lens (or is there a way to connect them?).

Brian Drysdale · May 2nd, 2011, 03:04 AM

I don't know about the compatibility of your mounts, but Abel Cine have an adapter that allows 2/3" lenses to fit on the AF100. These video zoom lenses are designed to be used on 3 chip video cameras with an optical block, rather than single sensor cameras, so you need to factor that in and this adapter compensates for the block not being there .

I doubt from a cost point of view it would be worth getting the Abel Cine adapter for such an old lens, it's also a lot more expensive than your GH2 camera.

William Hohauser · May 2nd, 2011, 07:14 AM

How old? An HD lens could possibly work but older SD lens will not, the glass is not fine enough. You'll probably get a fuzzy image with prismatic fringing and blooming. I know that's what happened when I tried to use a quality SD wide angel lens on an HD camera years ago.

Graeme Hay · May 2nd, 2011, 10:02 AM

Thanks for the input, forgot about the 1 chip to 3 chip issue. Given that perhaps I should be looking at older film camera lenses?

Jeff Harper · May 2nd, 2011, 02:02 PM

If you haven't already look at this chart for some lens choices. Compatibilities of DMC-GH2 | Compatibility | Digital Camera | Product Support | Support | Panasonic Global

The Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 and 30mm F/1.4 are two that I own, and I like them very much. With the GH2 you have a high degree of compatibility.

The Voightlander 25mm F/.95 is a favorite, but expensive and on backorder.

I personally am using a Canon FD 50mm F/1.4, and like it very much, though at 100mm effective it is long, but usable, as in the video below. It is pretty sharp, I do like it, but limited in it's usefullness.

Nikon makes some really geat old lenses, but I haven't explored that direction yet.

See the FD 50mm F/1.4 in action below.

Graeme Hay · May 2nd, 2011, 02:58 PM

Jeff, useful chart, thanks for the link. I agree a Voightlander would be nice to have.

I'm actually come from the Nikon world so I have all sorts of lenses.

I know there are adapters out there to go from Nikon-F mount to M4/3rds. Maybe my question should be which is the best?

Jeff Harper · May 2nd, 2011, 03:14 PM

The cheap Fotodiox work OK. I have three kinds, the fotodiox work as good as any.

Graeme Hay · May 2nd, 2011, 04:00 PM

There seems to be a couple of options for Nikon too Micro 4/3rds from Fotodiox. Thoughts on which version is the best one to get (I'm thinking the G version rather than the Pro).

Jeff Harper · May 2nd, 2011, 08:54 PM

I have no idea, maybe someone else knows. On Nikon I'm in the dark. I know with Canon I simply need an FD to M-4/3 adapter...but I don't even know which Nikon lenses are older style.

What is the designation for the older Nikon lenses? Or is it not that cut and dried?

Graeme Hay · May 2nd, 2011, 09:08 PM

It seems there is an F version (all nikons are F-mounts), a F-ai (early Nikon's without CPU) and a F-G (G is CPU without aperture rings).

So I'm thinking the G version will work with all lenses and have the aperture ring adjuster as being the top one out of the pile.

Kevin McRoberts · May 4th, 2011, 11:42 PM

Yes.

YouTube - B4 Canon Lens on GH2

Adapter used is a B4 adapter. Other 2/3" B4 broadcast lenses have also been used. Generally, either ETC will need to be engaged or the lens will need an integral teleextender to avoid vignetting.

Crop factor doubles stated focal length.

ETC further multiplies focal length by 2.6 (1080) or 3.9 (720), so that lens winds up about 50-770mm at 1080.

Look up a fellow by the name of Seb Farges on Vimeo for some examples of what you can do with old 16mm Bolex and 1/2"+ CCTV C-mount lenses.

Look up the Pinwide lens for the ultimate lo-tech

These cameras are stupidly amazing in terms of their versatility. I'm getting so wrapped up in fiddling with the camera that I'm forgetting to shoot anything worthwhile.

May 1st, 2011, 09:05 PM	#1
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? Just wondering if its possible to stick an old TV lens such as Canon J15X9.5B? 1. Cover the Sensor / Vinetting Problems? 2. Adapter? (I'm thinking C-Mount Correct?) 3. On a TV Camera the above lens is 9.5mm - 142mm what would it be on a M4/3 camera? My Guess is 19mm-284mm correct? Yes I know it would be basically a manual lens (or is there a way to connect them?). __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

May 2nd, 2011, 03:04 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? I don't know about the compatibility of your mounts, but Abel Cine have an adapter that allows 2/3" lenses to fit on the AF100. These video zoom lenses are designed to be used on 3 chip video cameras with an optical block, rather than single sensor cameras, so you need to factor that in and this adapter compensates for the block not being there . I doubt from a cost point of view it would be worth getting the Abel Cine adapter for such an old lens, it's also a lot more expensive than your GH2 camera.

May 2nd, 2011, 07:14 AM	#3
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? How old? An HD lens could possibly work but older SD lens will not, the glass is not fine enough. You'll probably get a fuzzy image with prismatic fringing and blooming. I know that's what happened when I tried to use a quality SD wide angel lens on an HD camera years ago. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

May 2nd, 2011, 10:02 AM	#4
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? Thanks for the input, forgot about the 1 chip to 3 chip issue. Given that perhaps I should be looking at older film camera lenses? __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

May 2nd, 2011, 02:02 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? If you haven't already look at this chart for some lens choices. Compatibilities of DMC-GH2 \| Compatibility \| Digital Camera \| Product Support \| Support \| Panasonic Global The Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 and 30mm F/1.4 are two that I own, and I like them very much. With the GH2 you have a high degree of compatibility. The Voightlander 25mm F/.95 is a favorite, but expensive and on backorder. I personally am using a Canon FD 50mm F/1.4, and like it very much, though at 100mm effective it is long, but usable, as in the video below. It is pretty sharp, I do like it, but limited in it's usefullness. Nikon makes some really geat old lenses, but I haven't explored that direction yet. See the FD 50mm F/1.4 in action below. Ault Park in Cincinnati May 1, 2011 - assorted video clips shot with the Panasonic GH1 on Vimeo __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 2nd, 2011, 02:58 PM	#6
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? Jeff, useful chart, thanks for the link. I agree a Voightlander would be nice to have. I'm actually come from the Nikon world so I have all sorts of lenses. I know there are adapters out there to go from Nikon-F mount to M4/3rds. Maybe my question should be which is the best? __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

May 2nd, 2011, 03:14 PM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? The cheap Fotodiox work OK. I have three kinds, the fotodiox work as good as any. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 2nd, 2011, 04:00 PM	#8
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? There seems to be a couple of options for Nikon too Micro 4/3rds from Fotodiox. Thoughts on which version is the best one to get (I'm thinking the G version rather than the Pro). __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

May 2nd, 2011, 08:54 PM	#9
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? I have no idea, maybe someone else knows. On Nikon I'm in the dark. I know with Canon I simply need an FD to M-4/3 adapter...but I don't even know which Nikon lenses are older style. What is the designation for the older Nikon lenses? Or is it not that cut and dried? __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 2nd, 2011, 09:08 PM	#10
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? It seems there is an F version (all nikons are F-mounts), a F-ai (early Nikon's without CPU) and a F-G (G is CPU without aperture rings). So I'm thinking the G version will work with all lenses and have the aperture ring adjuster as being the top one out of the pile. __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

May 4th, 2011, 11:42 PM	#11
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Old TV lens on the GH2 or other M4/3rd Camera? Yes. YouTube - B4 Canon Lens on GH2 Adapter used is a B4 adapter. Other 2/3" B4 broadcast lenses have also been used. Generally, either ETC will need to be engaged or the lens will need an integral teleextender to avoid vignetting. Crop factor doubles stated focal length. ETC further multiplies focal length by 2.6 (1080) or 3.9 (720), so that lens winds up about 50-770mm at 1080. Look up a fellow by the name of Seb Farges on Vimeo for some examples of what you can do with old 16mm Bolex and 1/2"+ CCTV C-mount lenses. Look up the Pinwide lens for the ultimate lo-tech These cameras are stupidly amazing in terms of their versatility. I'm getting so wrapped up in fiddling with the camera that I'm forgetting to shoot anything worthwhile. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv