Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 at DVinfo.net

Josh Hayes · June 16th, 2016, 05:04 PM

Hi folks, two questions.

Several months ago at a conference I was filming another camera op and I were bullshitting and he was talking up C-Mount lenses. He said they're insanely cheap because their just CCTV lenses, while they're not great quality they're pretty good and they're fast and wide as well (I ordered a bonkers F1.6 & 3.6mm lens). I've seen some tests on Youtube as well. Now I'm just waiting on the the C Mount to Micro4/3 adapter to come in tomorrow to test.

1. Has anybody shot on the GH3 or Gh4 with C-Mount lenses? If so what did you think?

2. The lens I purchased didn't come from a lens cap or a rear cover. Usually when that happens a quick Amazon search yields the parts but for C-Mount lenses I don't know if the lens size is uniform, or if not. So when I see "Contax Yashika front and rear caps" or "DSLRKIT Black Metal C mount Rear Lens Cap" I don't know if they will work. Anyone else know?

Ken Plotin · June 17th, 2016, 03:12 PM

Josh,
C mount lenses are definitely not "just CCTV" lenses. Several manufacturers made superb C mount glass back in the day. Angeniuex & Bolex (Switar) primes come to mind. You'll be lucky to find some of those.
The rear C mount threads all take the same screw on rear cap. Front filter sizes and caps may vary between manufacturers.

Just curious: Does the image circle from adaptor you mention cover the whole M4/3 sensor?

Ken

Josh Hayes · June 17th, 2016, 04:56 PM

That's super interesting, I didn't know any of that. I think the cheap stuff I'm seeing is just the CCTV stuff but I'll keep a look out know for the higher quality lenses.

Adapter was supposed to come in today, and it didn't so I'm assuming tomorrow. Once I get it, I'll shoot a little test footage and post a link here!

p.s. think for the heads up on the rear cap and such.

John C. Chu · June 18th, 2016, 04:50 AM

I have seen a bunch of videos from this user Gan Eden Media on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ganedenmedia

I might have to investigate some of them for my Panasonic G7.

Josh Hayes · July 12th, 2016, 12:26 PM

Hi Ken. Sorry for the late response. Went on vacation for a week and most of it was off the grid.

No for the 8mm it doesn't even come close. The image is a giant circle so pretty much unusuable, ha ha. Not sure if there's something to fix that. I think an extender would do the opposite, not sure.

Josh Hayes · July 12th, 2016, 12:28 PM

John, thanks for the link. There's good stuff there for sure.

June 16th, 2016, 05:04 PM	#1
Josh Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 264	Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 Hi folks, two questions. Several months ago at a conference I was filming another camera op and I were bullshitting and he was talking up C-Mount lenses. He said they're insanely cheap because their just CCTV lenses, while they're not great quality they're pretty good and they're fast and wide as well (I ordered a bonkers F1.6 & 3.6mm lens). I've seen some tests on Youtube as well. Now I'm just waiting on the the C Mount to Micro4/3 adapter to come in tomorrow to test. 1. Has anybody shot on the GH3 or Gh4 with C-Mount lenses? If so what did you think? 2. The lens I purchased didn't come from a lens cap or a rear cover. Usually when that happens a quick Amazon search yields the parts but for C-Mount lenses I don't know if the lens size is uniform, or if not. So when I see "Contax Yashika front and rear caps" or "DSLRKIT Black Metal C mount Rear Lens Cap" I don't know if they will work. Anyone else know?

June 17th, 2016, 03:12 PM	#2
Ken Plotin Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 254	Re: Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 Josh, C mount lenses are definitely not "just CCTV" lenses. Several manufacturers made superb C mount glass back in the day. Angeniuex & Bolex (Switar) primes come to mind. You'll be lucky to find some of those. The rear C mount threads all take the same screw on rear cap. Front filter sizes and caps may vary between manufacturers. Just curious: Does the image circle from adaptor you mention cover the whole M4/3 sensor? Ken

June 17th, 2016, 04:56 PM	#3
Josh Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 264	Re: Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 That's super interesting, I didn't know any of that. I think the cheap stuff I'm seeing is just the CCTV stuff but I'll keep a look out know for the higher quality lenses. Adapter was supposed to come in today, and it didn't so I'm assuming tomorrow. Once I get it, I'll shoot a little test footage and post a link here! p.s. think for the heads up on the rear cap and such.

June 18th, 2016, 04:50 AM	#4
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	Re: Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 I have seen a bunch of videos from this user Gan Eden Media on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ganedenmedia I might have to investigate some of them for my Panasonic G7.

July 12th, 2016, 12:26 PM	#5
Josh Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 264	Re: Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 Hi Ken. Sorry for the late response. Went on vacation for a week and most of it was off the grid. No for the 8mm it doesn't even come close. The image is a giant circle so pretty much unusuable, ha ha. Not sure if there's something to fix that. I think an extender would do the opposite, not sure.

July 12th, 2016, 12:28 PM	#6
Josh Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 264	Re: Testing out C-Mount Lens on my GH4 John, thanks for the link. There's good stuff there for sure.