Tale of Two Adapters - Lumix G1

[RayPA]

For reasons I won't go into I ended up with two µ4/3-to-M mount adapters, the one sold by Camera Quest (CQ) and the one sold on *bay out of China (Chinese). I'm sure the adapters have manufacturer names. Please advise if you know and I'll make the change.

Here's a quick physical comparison for reference:

I apologize for the bad white balancing 😛

=== Side by side comparison ===
- The opening for the CQ adapter is smaller. The adapter rings openings are roughly the same size, but the CQ adapter uses a paper/plastic diaphragm to decrease the size of the opening by about 2/3 inch.

- The metal surfaces are different, with the Chinese adapter using a brushed (?) surface.

- The lens release latches are different

=== Construction ===

- Surfaces are different
Chinese adapter:

CQ adapter:

-Rough edges
Avotios noted in his review of the Chinese adapter that he had some rough edges. I found this to be true for both adapters.

Chinese adapter:

CQ adapter:

I think the CQ adapter arrived damaged as you can see in the above image and the crop below. I'll have to talk to Stephen about it.

- Release Pins
This is interesting.

The Chinese adapter uses a round release pin (images show engage and release):

CQ adapter uses a rectangular pin (images show engage and release positions):

-External
The Chinese adapter doesn't show any unpainted metal from the side and has no labeling, while the CQ adapter shows stainless and is labeled:
Chinese adapter:

CQ adapter (note the white triangle):

continued...

 

[RayPA]

-Mounting
When mounting the adapter to the G1, you use a red dot on the underside of the Chinese adapter to line up the mounting point. On the CQ adaper you use the white triangle printed on the side of the adapter.

Chinese adapter:

CQ adapter:

-Mounted lens
Here's a Hexanon 35/2 UC LTM (with adapter) mounted on the camera using both adapters:

Chinese adapter:

CQ adapter:

-Release levers actuating
The release levers are drastically different in shape and size. The Chinese adapter is larger and cone shaped. The CQ adapter is a thin flange. The Chinese adapter is much easier on the finger tip when actuating. The CQ adapter is actually a little painful.

Chinese adapter (images show latch before and during engagement:

CQ adapter (images show latch before and during engagement:

-Release latch appearance:
While the CQ adapter's release latch is somewhat painful to operate, it is far less conspicuous when viewed from the front. The Chinese adapter's release latch looks odd.

Chinese adapter:

CQ adapter:

I couldn't find my scale to weigh the adapters. my initial thought is that the CQ adapter feels heavier.

So that's it for now. I've no opinions yet about which is better or if there are any issues with focusing. I've had the Chinese adapter for two days and I got the CQ adapter today. I shot with the Chinese adapter today but I haven't downloaded and looked closely at the images.


/

 

[cmogi10]

Thanks for sharing Ray.
Just out of curiosity, (I don't think you mentioned it) What's the price difference between these two adapters?

 

[RayPA]

Thanks for sharing Ray.
Just out of curiosity, (I don't think you mentioned it) What's the price difference between these two adapters?

Thanks, Carl. The CQ adapter is $175 w/o shipping, handling, and CA tax. and the Chinese dapter is ~$90 w/o s/h.

/

 

[cmogi10]

Ok Intesting.
I'm looking forward to seeing how they compare.
The G1 is an interesting prospect, as I've been shooting for the school paper a bit more when I have free time and there are times when I need a telephoto lens to get the shot. The G1 is small and light enough that I could justify carrying it for this (limited) use.

The thing is I just don't really want one, but I don't want a DSLR more, Between the M8 and digital backs for MF cameras (rented) I feel like I have myself covered. I'm being frugal and would rather put my money somewhere else.
It's a silly dilemma, Maybe the G1's will be stupid cheap soon enough.


EDIT: I'll take that LCD'less, raw only, manual control only, limited edition Nikon F though. The only DSLR I could possibly think of where I'l be grinning versus grimacing as I go into debt . 😀

 

[Robin Harrison]

Nice objective comparison, Ray. I just received the Chinese version (via Poland) yesterday. I initially ordered the RayQual version from Japan, but when the ETA for that was extended, I hit the BIN button on *bay! My initial thoughts: pretty good! The thing seems to focus. It looks smart enough. Only tried a couple of lenses on it so far.

One question, Ray: how do the adapters compare in terms of solidity of mounting? I find my Chinese version provides a small amound of rotational play (i.e. if you hold the body, there is a detectable amount of play present if you try to rotate the lens).

One adapter-independent observation: with the G1's articulated screen and the magnified view, shooting from the hip with accurate manual focussing is now very doable, even with fast and/or long lenses. Nice.

 

[__hh]

I wonder where the CQ adapter is made.....

 

[JCdeR]

I have the Rayqual adapter from Japan. Judging by the images here the Rayqual does look better/cleaner. Its also more expensive I paid 170€ or so including shipping.

 

[Diane B]

I wonder where the CQ adapter is made.....

Many believe that the CQ adaptors are from Rayqual also. The CQ FD adaptor I have looks exactly like the Rayqual FD adaptor Carl Schofield has posted pics of in 2 forums.

Diane

 

[RayPA]

...

One question, Ray: how do the adapters compare in terms of solidity of mounting? I find my Chinese version provides a small amound of rotational play (i.e. if you hold the body, there is a detectable amount of play present if you try to rotate the lens).

...

I noticed the same thing with the Chinese adapter. It does have a little more rotational play than the CQ adapter. I have two lenses with me today (the Nokton 40/1.4 and the Hex 3/2 UC) and both are tight on the mount and the play at the body is a little more with the Chinese adapter. However, there seems to be play at both the mount-to-body, and for some lenses, there also seems to be play at the mount-to-lens. I was fitting lenses a couple of days ago and noticed that the Hex 90/2.8 felt looser. I'll try to verify that later today.

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[Jason808]

There was a review here? I was looking at the SI cover. 😉

Great review Ray. Thanks for the info

 

[RayPA]

There was a review here? I was looking at the SI cover. 😉

Great review Ray. Thanks for the info

Thanks, Jason. My crude attempt at subliminal messaging. 😛 Maybe I can convert some of the G1-haters.


.

 

[Jason808]

Thanks, Jason. My crude attempt at subliminal messaging. 😛 Maybe I can convert some of the G1-haters.

I'll be waiting for your 'field test' results. I've got a pile of FD lenses I'm dying to put on a digital.

 

[MikeL]

Sir Ray, can you bring the G1 and adapters next Saturday? I'm curious to see how my pre-asph summilux looks like on it.

 

[RayPA]

Sir Ray, can you bring the G1 and adapters next Saturday? I'm curious to see how my pre-asph summilux looks like on it.

To John's beer & gear? Sure!

/

 

[photogdave]

The Novoflex adapter looks to be the most refined of the bunch. But it's also the most expensive!
Do any of these give focus confirmation?

 

[splitimageview]

I paid 125 € for the Novoflex (~$160.)

The Chinese adapter is slightly too thick, so it can't focus to infinity. See other threads here, Jinfinance will send you a new one.

The Rayqual and Cameraquest are identical except the CQ doesn't have the Rayqual logo. 🙂

There is a fourth adapter from John Milich ($250) but it is currently undergoing a redesign.

 

[RayPA]

I paid 125 € for the Novoflex (~$160.)

The Chinese adapter is slightly too thick, so it can't focus to infinity. See other threads here, Jinfinance will send you a new one.

The Rayqual and Cameraquest are identical except the CQ doesn't have the Rayqual logo. 🙂

There is a fourth adapter from John Milich ($250) but it is currently undergoing a redesign.

I must've got hold of a "good" one, because my Chinese (jinfinance) adapter seems to focus to infinity just fine.

/

 

[RayPA]

I heard from Stephen and apparently the "split" in the interior slot is normal for the CQ adapter. So, the CQ adapter did not arrive damaged.


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[ampguy]

Thanks for the review ray, great info. I'll probably get a D40 before a G1, since no need for adapter for my F mount lens 😉 but like Carl says, if the G1's go down to silly prices when the G2s/G3s come out, maybe I will get one. For smaller than APS sensor size, the p&s new fuji is very interesting to me.