4/3 to micro adapter at DVinfo.net

Don Litten · March 2nd, 2012, 05:34 PM

I have a Zuiko 4/3 25mm 2.8 Pancake and decided to order an adapter. Since this needs the electronics for the aperture, I wanted an adapter with the contacts. I expect I'll run across other 4/3 lenses both manual and electronic so this should cover them all (That are comparable with the GH2).

I couldn't find but a couple, this one on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Panasonic DMW-MA1 Lumix G 4/3 DSLR Mount Adapter: Camera & Photo

Panasonic DMW-MA1 Lumix G 4/3 DSLR Mount Adapter
by Panasonic
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews) | Like (1)
List Price: $169.95
Price: $114.99 Eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime.
You Save: $54.96 (32%)

In Stock.

and one on Ebay that looks the same for $63.00 from HK...but I refuse to buy from Ebay.

Has anyone used this adapter?
Problems?

Jeff Harper · March 2nd, 2012, 11:03 PM

It's the only adapter that will work. It's available at most large camera stores. Something like this I normally buy from b&h. It's the same price as Amazon. $114 is the standard price. It's made by Panasonic for Panasonic cameras.

It's too late now since you already have the 25 F/2.8, but the Panasonic m4/3 25mm F/1.4 doesn't need an adapter, is much faster. as is the 20mm F/1.7, which also needs no adapter. The 20mm can be bought for $300 new.

I'm guessing you must have got a great deal on the 25mm F/2.8 to have selected it, because for the money the 20mm F/1.7 would save you money and give you better images in low light.

But yes, that adapter will work.

Don Litten · March 3rd, 2012, 01:12 AM

It was gathering dust on the dealers shelf Jeff. $50.00 new in the box.

I don't really need it. I'm using a Nikon 24mm02.8 wide angle on it now...but for the money it was hard to pass up.

What I need to find a deal on is a Sandisk 64 gig 95 mbs card.
Half the patch settings I've tried tonight locked up on the chart of death.

The fastest card I have is 45mbs right now.

Bill Bruner · March 3rd, 2012, 01:53 AM

Don, outside of eBay, the best deal that I could find on a new Panasonic DMW-MA1 adapter was $106 at Unique Photo.

As far as your Sandisk 64GB SDXC Extreme Pro card goes, at present I don't think you're going to find one for less than $190 at Adorama, J&R or B&H.

Good luck!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Don Litten · March 3rd, 2012, 02:47 AM

Thanks for looking Bill!

I guess I'll have to bite the bullet on the card.

I'm testing the different patch settings now and the one that's the most stable with the cards I have peaks about 40mb. It gives stunning video in decent to moderate light but has some noise now.

At 85 to 90 mb the noise just fades away but my fastest card can't keep up with it when I push the limits.

To be honest...I'm flat having a ball with this little camera. If it quits raining, I have a protest at the Capitol to shoot for OVN today and I'll take it for a B camera.

If it doesn't stop raining, it will be my Sony in my dive case and a GoPro or two.

Bill Bruner · March 3rd, 2012, 06:25 AM

Glad I could help, Don.

I'm headed down to Warrenton today, so I hope the rain stops too!

It would certainly be nice if Panasonic gives us a pro weathersealed body with the GH3.

Good luck with your shoot,

Bill

Jeff Harper · March 3rd, 2012, 06:27 AM

Don, that is a heck of a deal on the lens, makes sense. I believe I have an extra adapter. $75 if you want it, barely used. I'd have to look in my storage thing to double check I still have it.

That is a heck of a price for that card. Expensive but for that size and speed well worth it. I could shoot for ages with it.

Don Litten · March 3rd, 2012, 11:30 AM

Thanks anyway Jeff. I already ordered one.

Don Litten · March 7th, 2012, 10:00 PM

Got the adapter this evening.
The extremely limited testing so far on the pancake shows it's pretty sharp and it hunts so badly in low light, its faster to manual focus.

Jeff Harper · March 7th, 2012, 10:21 PM

Yes, F/2.8 is a tough cutoff point for low light shooting, but with the right settings and enough light you can get good images. I'm sure with plenty of light you will get extremely nice images. As a walk around lens it is a bit long, but with a very steady hand or tripod, etc., you will get some great shots.

Don Litten · March 8th, 2012, 06:54 AM

I can't say I'm unhappy with it. I avoid cities like the plague but on the way to Senator Obenshains party last night, I thought I'd take a couple of short clips just after sunset.

It did well for a quick setup at ISO's 400-600.A shot of Neat Video and some post should make them perfectly usable.

These are straight from the camera. . I do need to set the exposure offset because they always tend to overexpose using the meter.

Jeff Harper · March 8th, 2012, 08:15 AM

Outdoors the camera and lens is going to provide you with amazing footage that rivals very expensive camcorders. I love the GH2.

There is an art to getting the exposure right with the camera, just takes lot's of shooting with it.

March 2nd, 2012, 05:34 PM	#1
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	4/3 to micro adapter I have a Zuiko 4/3 25mm 2.8 Pancake and decided to order an adapter. Since this needs the electronics for the aperture, I wanted an adapter with the contacts. I expect I'll run across other 4/3 lenses both manual and electronic so this should cover them all (That are comparable with the GH2). I couldn't find but a couple, this one on Amazon: Amazon.com: Panasonic DMW-MA1 Lumix G 4/3 DSLR Mount Adapter: Camera & Photo Amazon.com: Panasonic DMW-MA1 Lumix G 4/3 DSLR Mount Adapter: Camera & Photo Panasonic DMW-MA1 Lumix G 4/3 DSLR Mount Adapter by Panasonic 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews) \| Like (1) List Price: $169.95 Price: $114.99 Eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime. You Save: $54.96 (32%) In Stock. and one on Ebay that looks the same for $63.00 from HK...but I refuse to buy from Ebay. Has anyone used this adapter? Problems?

March 2nd, 2012, 11:03 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter It's the only adapter that will work. It's available at most large camera stores. Something like this I normally buy from b&h. It's the same price as Amazon. $114 is the standard price. It's made by Panasonic for Panasonic cameras. It's too late now since you already have the 25 F/2.8, but the Panasonic m4/3 25mm F/1.4 doesn't need an adapter, is much faster. as is the 20mm F/1.7, which also needs no adapter. The 20mm can be bought for $300 new. I'm guessing you must have got a great deal on the 25mm F/2.8 to have selected it, because for the money the 20mm F/1.7 would save you money and give you better images in low light. But yes, that adapter will work.

March 3rd, 2012, 01:12 AM	#3
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter It was gathering dust on the dealers shelf Jeff. $50.00 new in the box. I don't really need it. I'm using a Nikon 24mm02.8 wide angle on it now...but for the money it was hard to pass up. What I need to find a deal on is a Sandisk 64 gig 95 mbs card. Half the patch settings I've tried tonight locked up on the chart of death. The fastest card I have is 45mbs right now.

March 3rd, 2012, 01:53 AM	#4
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Don, outside of eBay, the best deal that I could find on a new Panasonic DMW-MA1 adapter was $106 at Unique Photo. As far as your Sandisk 64GB SDXC Extreme Pro card goes, at present I don't think you're going to find one for less than $190 at Adorama, J&R or B&H. Good luck! Bill Hybrid Camera Revolution

March 3rd, 2012, 02:47 AM	#5
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Thanks for looking Bill! I guess I'll have to bite the bullet on the card. I'm testing the different patch settings now and the one that's the most stable with the cards I have peaks about 40mb. It gives stunning video in decent to moderate light but has some noise now. At 85 to 90 mb the noise just fades away but my fastest card can't keep up with it when I push the limits. To be honest...I'm flat having a ball with this little camera. If it quits raining, I have a protest at the Capitol to shoot for OVN today and I'll take it for a B camera. If it doesn't stop raining, it will be my Sony in my dive case and a GoPro or two.

March 3rd, 2012, 06:25 AM	#6
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Glad I could help, Don. I'm headed down to Warrenton today, so I hope the rain stops too! It would certainly be nice if Panasonic gives us a pro weathersealed body with the GH3. Good luck with your shoot, Bill

March 3rd, 2012, 06:27 AM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Don, that is a heck of a deal on the lens, makes sense. I believe I have an extra adapter. $75 if you want it, barely used. I'd have to look in my storage thing to double check I still have it. That is a heck of a price for that card. Expensive but for that size and speed well worth it. I could shoot for ages with it.

March 3rd, 2012, 11:30 AM	#8
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Thanks anyway Jeff. I already ordered one.

March 7th, 2012, 10:00 PM	#9
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Got the adapter this evening. The extremely limited testing so far on the pancake shows it's pretty sharp and it hunts so badly in low light, its faster to manual focus.

March 7th, 2012, 10:21 PM	#10
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Yes, F/2.8 is a tough cutoff point for low light shooting, but with the right settings and enough light you can get good images. I'm sure with plenty of light you will get extremely nice images. As a walk around lens it is a bit long, but with a very steady hand or tripod, etc., you will get some great shots.

March 8th, 2012, 06:54 AM	#11
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter I can't say I'm unhappy with it. I avoid cities like the plague but on the way to Senator Obenshains party last night, I thought I'd take a couple of short clips just after sunset. It did well for a quick setup at ISO's 400-600.A shot of Neat Video and some post should make them perfectly usable. These are straight from the camera. . I do need to set the exposure offset because they always tend to overexpose using the meter. 100mbs hack low light test on Vimeo ll test 2 on Vimeo

March 8th, 2012, 08:15 AM	#12
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: 4/3 to micro adapter Outdoors the camera and lens is going to provide you with amazing footage that rivals very expensive camcorders. I love the GH2. There is an art to getting the exposure right with the camera, just takes lot's of shooting with it.