Which M-mount adapter for Olympus OM-D ?

[srtiwari]

I am about to get the Olympus OM-D, and decided to start off with just the M adapter. This will allow me to try out my Leica lenses, before buying any of the Olympus/Panasonic/Sigma offerings. In looking for an adapter I find them ranging fro about $25 to about $270. Asisde from the purely cosmetic concerns, are there any differences between them ? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has made this decision recently.

 

[vrgard]

I haven't compared the different brands and have read others' postings about it not mattering much. However, I did get one of the more expensive options (the Panasonic branded one) and am very happy with it. The quality and machining is evident and I don't have to worry about whether some misfocused shot is due to a poor adapter or simply user error nor have to worry about an expensive lens falling out of a cheaply made adapter. Yeah, I paid more but am very happy with it. Also, while this comment is not directed to different M adapters for the E-M5, I have to say that I find shooting legacy lenses with the E-M5 far easier than with other cameras I've tried due to the in-body stabilization combined with that stabilization used for the electronic viewfinder image combined with an easy to use magnified focusing image.

-Randy

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I use the Voigtlander version, and I find it to be well-built. I think others of are similar quality, and would just avoid the really all-plastic ones.

 

[jbot]

I bought one of the all metal chinese knockoffs. I really don't understand why people fork out so much money for a brand name on such a simple piece of equipment. I've had no problems whatsoever with mine. Recommended.

I don't have to worry about whether some misfocused shot is due to a poor adapter

I don't understand how a misfocused shot could be due to the adapter. You're looking through the lens with the EM5. If you shoot when it looks in focus, thats what you'll get in the shot. I think you might be using rangefinder logic.

 

[Archiver]

I want something with tight tolerances and good design. While a local shop sells the Metabones adapter I am not getting it, as I have read accounts of the fit being loose and the spring becoming loose over time. I've read much better things about Voigtlander, Panasonic and Novoflex.

The Novoflex is probably overkill, so I'll most likely get the Panasonic or Voigtlander.

 

[krötenblender]

I bought one of the all metal chinese knockoffs. I really don't understand why people fork out so much money for a brand name on such a simple piece of equipment. I've had no problems whatsoever with mine. Recommended.

Correct. I had three M-Adapters for EVF-cameras. All cheap chinese things, and they all worked perfect. Do not waste money on that stuff. Misfocus can not happen with these cameras and the adapters all fit and sit well. They also look good. There is no magic in such adapters.

 

[Bug]

Here my two cents: if you hesitate between Voigtländer and Novoflex, I may have a piece of advice.
I had the same question and had the possibility to evaluate both in a photo shop. I finally chose the Novoflex because the lens release button on the Voigtländer was kind of intrusive for my big sausage-fingers.

When setting on the Oly, I can feel that tolerances are tight. Then, when setting my M-lens, the fit is very good, but not as tight as on the µ4/3 mount (rest assured, there is no wobble).

Hope this helps!

 

[vrgard]

I bought one of the all metal chinese knockoffs. I really don't understand why people fork out so much money for a brand name on such a simple piece of equipment. I've had no problems whatsoever with mine. Recommended.






I don't understand how a misfocused shot could be due to the adapter. You're looking through the lens with the EM5. If you shoot when it looks in focus, thats what you'll get in the shot. I think you might be using rangefinder logic.

I understand what you're saying and, no, I do not believe I am using rangefinder logic. Just because the displayed image appears to be in focus does not prevent the adapted lens from wobbling at the instant one presses the shutter. Further, while it's great that you have been happy with the low cost versions you have purchased, not everyone else has. I have seen low cost adapters that bind when an adapted lens is being attached to the adapter and have read of others experiences of adapted lens getting stuck on chrap adapters and of lens mounts separating from the adapter during use resulting in the lens and mount falling out of the adapter. As a result, I view the extra cost of a quality adapter as cheap insurance, particularly when one is talking about an adapter for expensive M-mount Leica glass.

 

[Lss]

while it's great that you have been happy with the low cost versions you have purchased, not everyone else has.

You can typically buy at least five cheap adapters for the price of a brand/quality adapter, often many more than that. When you need more than one adapter, it starts to add up. There are quality variations, but usually the first one you get simply works. If it doesn't, get another one (not the same make) and give feedback on the first one. A little bit of testing before going out in the field is the best insurance you can get in my experience.

 

[V-12]

I use a Rayqual adapter, which is very good quality, and also seems to be exactly the same thing as the more expensive Cameraquest adapter. Are Rayqual the OEM?

 

[Cron]

I bought one cheap chinese adapter for my Nex, older lenses (Summarit 50) are a little loose fit, newer lenses fits ok with this one.
I also have the Panasonic for mft - with this one ALL my m-lenses fit well.
Interesting effect and I don't know why.
Bought also an cheap chinese adapter for my OM-lenses to mft which doesn't fit, but got my money back without problems

 

[srtiwari]

I appreciate all the comments, and have ordered a Fotodiox "Pro"adapter ($69) from Amazon. The manufacturer's website only shows the regular (not "Pro") version for $39. Have no idea what it all means, but may have paid the higher price for no good reason. Will let you know soon how this one works out...

 

[jbot]

I understand what you're saying and, no, I do not believe I am using rangefinder logic. Just because the displayed image appears to be in focus does not prevent the adapted lens from wobbling at the instant one presses the shutter. Further, while it's great that you have been happy with the low cost versions you have purchased, not everyone else has. I have seen low cost adapters that bind when an adapted lens is being attached to the adapter and have read of others experiences of adapted lens getting stuck on chrap adapters and of lens mounts separating from the adapter during use resulting in the lens and mount falling out of the adapter. As a result, I view the extra cost of a quality adapter as cheap insurance, particularly when one is talking about an adapter for expensive M-mount Leica glass.

It's definitely true that some of the knockoffs are defective and people have reported problems. But the unsatisfactory reports regarding the knockoffs are few and far between. Considering it's a solid ring of metal, the problems people experience with the knockoff is likely due to improper sizing of the part (say 1 in 100 are moulded incorrectly). It wouldn't be something that happens over time, (i.e. when you get it it works then 2 weeks later it doesn't). Its a simple matter of checking to see if the adapter sits well when you get it. If it doesn't, then return it, and request another. If for some reason you're unable to return it, buy another, and you're still not even at half the cost of an expensive brand name version.

But to each his own.

 

[heed]

I've used mainly the cheap adapters. They've all worked great.

Typically the difference between "standard" and "pro" has to do with the coatings on the inside of the adapter; some have a soft flat black "non reflective" coating. I don't have that on any of mine and have never had any problems. I think most uncoated legacy lenses would flare before you get nasty reflections or ghosting off the inside of the adapter.

I liken it to the "undercarriage coating" that they try to sell you with a new car. Sounds like a good idea but is it really needed in Alabama?

 

[Dwig]

...
Typically the difference between "standard" and "pro" has to do with the coatings on the inside of the adapter; some have a soft flat black "non reflective" coating. ...

This can be a significant issue, but with M>m43 adapters such problems are highly unlikely. The adapter is so thin, exposing very little surface for such reflections.

I have a "standard" Fotodiox K>m43 adapter that does (did) have internal flare problems when used with my 100mm f/4 Macro. "Did" because I added a matte black paper baffle at the rear that has cured the problem. Otherwise, the adapter is fine. Both mounts, the K and the m43, are well finished well and mount smoothly and solidly.

My Fotodiox M>m43 adapter is also a "standard" (<$20 via Amazon). The m43 side fits nice and smooth with no play. The M side was very slightly loose when I recieved it. Since this inexpensive adapter doesn't use a separate tension spring on the M mount but merely has a slot cut in the flanges to form some spring action, I was able to insert a wedge (blade of an old jeweler's screwdriver I reserve for prying and such) and create decent tension. Since I don't change lenses on the M side very often, this has worked well and I don't mind having had to tinker with the mount. The adapter is semi-permanent on my 5cm Summicron-DR, which this adapter handles fine though many such adapters don't.

 

[robert blu]

I'm as well interested in the idea to buy an OM-D body and try it with some of my Leica lens before to buy an m4/3 lens. Of course I need an adapter. Because I have both LTM and M-mount lenses and I already have adapters from LTM to M mount would it be ok to buy the only M adapter and eventually to use LTM to M with it? Or for any reason to combine two adapters is not the a good idea and I should buy both adapters?
robert
PS: my idea is to use mainly this camera for portraits with a medium tele which could be my 35 0r 50 lenses (Leica and cv). I know that the 45/1,8 would be the ideal solution...

 

[Charlie Lemay]

I got the Novoflex adapter to use with my E-P2 because it was the only one at the time that allowed me to use my 50mm DR Summicron, my favorite M lens. I am very pleased with it.

 

[srtiwari]

...As always, YMMV.

I certainly hope so, since my Fotodiox adapter is arriving tomorrow 🙂

 

[heliographer]

I recently got the Panasonic adapter after trying two cheap adapters. The cheapies did not allow infinity focus using the lens's focus stop, and was therefore inaccurate for other distances on the focus ring. This means that hyperfocusing wouldn't work. I shimmed one, a Fotodiox, and it worked OK, but the other (Fotga brand) could not be shimmed (screws too short). The finish of the metal on the cheapies did not inspire confidence.

The Panasonic is really nice. It seems to use the same spring mechanism as the Voigtlander or an actual Leica mount, whereas the Novoflex uses the same as the cheapies (sort of a split metal spring in the aluminum itself). I'm sure the Novoflex is fine, though I've read complaints about the small release button. One plus with the Panasonic is it has a baffle in the rear to reduce stray light (and I think to protect the contacts in the M4/3 camera). This is also a slight con: the baffle is plastic and feels very delicate. But the Pan. adapter is otherwise of very high quality and a pleasure to use. It has a chromed mount on the back and front, whereas the cheapies are powder-coated aluminum on the back. As I understand it, chrome or stainless steel is preferable (fewer metal particles coming off to damage the sensor, perhaps?).

 

[thegman]

I'd just get a cheapy one, if it's rubbish, send it back and buy a pricier one. I would also suggest that a more expensive one is not necessarily any better, it might just have a brand name on it. For $25, vs. $270, it's got to be worth a punt first.