Micro 4/3 as backup for M8

[eleskin]

This new camera, Lumix G 1 from Panasonic seems interesting. I wonder if it would be possible to make an adapter to fit the M series lenses? If so, this could be a cheap back up for any M8 user. I hear alot of talk about the 4/3 system and how because the distance from lens to sensor is much smaller than DSLR's, it may be possible to use M lenses on the new cameras. Anyone have any thoughts?

[johnastovall]

And how do you propose to focus? Surely not with that little screen on the back?

[Fred Burton]

It would be kind of funny, though, to see a Noct hanging off one of those tiny Micro 4/3's cameras!

[dhpc]

wait one year: "Leica CL-D" with 4/3 micro System

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by photomoof

I seriously doubt that the Leica lenses, not designed for 4/3rds Micro would perform very well,

but as for focussing -- you do it with the viewfinder, not the LCD, like any manual focus. The G1 lenses can be used in manual focus mode, as all Olympus interchangeable lens cameras function.

It is not however an M8 backup, it has nothing much in common with the M8.

You are then looking through the electronic viewfinder and getting a focus confirmation and hoping it's focused on what you want.

The best back up for an M8 is another M8 or film M body.

[JoeV]

...but as for focussing -- you do it with the viewfinder, not the LCD, like any manual focus.

I believe the idea behind the micro-4/3rd's format is to dispense with the optical viewfinder altogether, while permitting the APS-sized sensor in a smaller body size, with interchangeable lenses using a different lens-mount format; at least that's what the micro-4/3rd's website says.

So there's no optical viewfinder with which to focus through. You have to use a "camcorder-style" color LCD viewfinder, or the back LCD screen.

As for the possibility of M-mount adapters for the new camera format (yes, it's a new format, with a new lens mount with electronic contacts) the camera body normally relies on aperture position feedback from the lens to help calculate proper exposure; you'd therefore have to rely on totally manual exposure settings, with manual focus.

Since the new micro-4/3rd's format is still essentially vapor-ware (I have yet to read a personal account from an actual owner, just pre-release publicity reviews), it's still too early to tell if this new format will actually function as a practical manual rangefinder backup to the M8, especially given that they will most likely be designed to function as automatic cameras, and not optimized for manual controls. It all depends on how individual models of cameras are actually implemented, design-wise.

It's way too premature to be making blanket statements like "the micro-4/3rd's format will function as a digital M-mount camera"; it would be equivalent to saying that "all SLR's do this or that," while having never seen an SLR.

~Joe

[mike_j]

I use an Olympus 4/3 with a range of alternative lenses inluding Pentax Takumar and Leica R. It is really quite practical, the live view which zooms to x7 or x10 gives extreme focussing accuracy, generally aperture priority lets the camera pick a suitable speed (it doesn't need to know the aperture set on the lens) but manual is always an option. Even the image stabilizer works, you just have to set the focal length via a menu.

I very much hope to be able to use M lenses and a micro 4/3 in the same way. The Noctilux may look a bit silly but the little Voigtlander lenses would be superb.

[scho]

Originally Posted by mike_j

I use an Olympus 4/3 with a range of alternative lenses inluding Pentax Takumar and Leica R. It is really quite practical, the live view which zooms to x7 or x10 gives extreme focussing accuracy, generally aperture priority lets the camera pick a suitable speed (it doesn't need to know the aperture set on the lens) but manual is always an option. Even the image stabilizer works, you just have to set the focal length via a menu.

I very much hope to be able to use M lenses and a micro 4/3 in the same way. The Noctilux may look a bit silly but the little Voigtlander lenses would be superb.

Looks like Lecia M to micro 4/3 will soon be available. See:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...ternative.html

[BillBingham2]

Eleskin,

For a backup I would say look at the GD-D II.

My hope is that Leica and Olympus will come out with a great Electronic RF camera with good controls, but it's about 6 months to a year out (my guess). I'm very interested in the Olympus M4/3s system as they have rocked the photographic world with the OM system and the Pen F was very interesting.

B2 (;->

[Fred Burton]

I'm baffled at the logic of using M lenses on a 4/3 body. Focal length, dof, everything changes. Could someone explain what they think manual M lenses on a 4/3 body would add to their photography?

[BillBingham2]

Olympus and Panasonic are the folks who drive the 4/3 and M4/3 standard. Leica is a tag along. I believe that it's an open standard (one that anyone can use for free) but I'm not sure. I think Leica can make use of it for free in any case because of their relationship with Pany.

What I'm hoping for is an LED that can be turned off but is bright enough to see in the daylight that will confirm focus on a spot at the center of the frame. Focus should be controlled like the old-fashioned lenses, by a ring around the lens. I would be happy with a set of great bright line finders that clip on to a hot-shoe on the top. Mechanical range finders go out of alignment way too much compared to electronic.

I'd like a set of primes from 7.5 through 200mm. I could forgo a DSLR as the rear LCD would give me enough viewing for the teles and I could get bright lines for the wides.

I'm actually hoping Nikon will think of this as I would love to see a strong metal body and some classic glass, but Olympus should be good enough.

B2 (;->

[Trius]

Originally Posted by photomoof

That is pretty unlikely, Leica and Olympus have never had any relationship.

Not true. Leica is a part of the original 4/3 standards group. The Digilux 3 is a 4/3s camera. Apparently they are not part of m4/3, but that doesn't mean they can't be or won't be.

[shadowfox]

From Scho's post above, cross-linked from here to make it easier to see what we're talking about:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fphotofan.jp%2Fcamer a%2Fhtml%2Fmodules%2Fnewbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ftopic _id%3D5605%26forum%3D2%26post_id%3D50572%23forumpo st50572

Needless to say that those pictures above are what makes this new platform so exciting. Need quality wide-angle lenses? that's what the C- and Arriflex- mount adapters are for

[tom.w.bn]

But still you have the 2x crop factor. Your 15mm looks like a 30mm on film and the 25 looks like a 50mm. So real WW you will only get with the announced 7-14 mm lens.

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by photomoof

But why??? Can't afford to buy a couple of G1 lenses?

Fred, for weird people like myself, there's a special enjoyment in using those gem-like Biotars and Flektogons made for film cameras.

[DC1030]

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

[BillBingham2]

Dark is an understatement! That's why I'm hoping for an ERF (Electronic Range Finder) version rather than an SLR. Great you can use the glass, but I'm spoiled by automatic aperture for bright viewing like on that almost 50 year old Nikon F!

B2 (;->

[Avotius]

heh I cant wait to get my hands on this with the small compact Olympus m4/3 that will eventually replace my GRD...

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by DC1030

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

It will get dark, that's when stop-down metering comes to play. You focus with the lens wide open and then close it down to f8 and shoot. Very handy if you pre-calculate the exposure settings, either with Sunny-16 or handheld meter when necessary.

[Trius]

If it's red, I ain't buyin' it.

[Leica0Series]

I will probably get a G1 if this adapter works. I don't care if it's red, I can deal with the crop factor, lack of metering, whatever. I want to use my M lenses with a digital body and don't (yet) have the bucks for an M8. If focusing works like it does on my Digilux 2 (done through the EVF or on the back screen) that would be great, it's easy.

I could not make much sense out of this article, does it say that the adapter has been built and tested and will now be sold?

[mabelsound]

Originally Posted by Avotius

heh I cant wait to get my hands on this with the small compact Olympus m4/3 that will eventually replace my GRD...

Yeah, if the Olympus body has image stabilizsation, this will be SWEET. The crop factor's pretty extreme, though...

Originally Posted by Trius

If it's red, I ain't buyin' it.

I believe it comes in a variety of colors. I dislike the pointless SLR styling though.

[Trius]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

I dislike the pointless SLR styling though.

Amen brutha.

[HenningW]

Originally Posted by DC1030

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

It won't be dark. Your DOF will increase, but just as you expect an f/8 exposure to be as well exposed as an f/2 exposure, so an LCD (whether on the back or in the VF) will show the scene equally bright, within the limits of the exposure/ISO limits.

It's not the finder that will compensate. The full camera exposure system will compensate, if it's set to automatic exposure.

The camera feels rather cheap and dinky and was not terribly impressive overall, but it should work reasonably.

Since things like the C mount adapter are also mentioned, that would be a reasonable route for off brand wideangles if you're so inclined.

Henning

[veraikon]

Novoflex has announced an adapter µFT -> M in early 2009 and later a µFT -> R
(source a pers comm. to a LuF Member). And in early 2009 there will be also an Olympus µFT camera...