Older Oly 4/3 lens on M4/3 body via adapter: I got an AF 4/3 to M4/3 adapter out of curiosity and am just wondering if there is any real difference in performance between the same...

radiojohn

I got an AF 4/3 to M4/3 adapter out of curiosity and am just wondering if there is any real difference in performance between the same basic kit lens in the larger mount vs. the smaller mount? [aside from size!]

fosis Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

No change unless the newer lens is better.
Since there's no glass in the adapter and auto focus is every bit as good, I've had no reason to think about ridding myself of the older lenses. The 50-200mm f:2.8-3.5 is still sweet!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

radiojohn wrote:

I got an AF 4/3 to M4/3 adapter out of curiosity and am just wondering if there is any real difference in performance between the same basic kit lens in the larger mount vs. the smaller mount? [aside from size!]

There are some differences in speed, but it will require electronic equipment to show the actual differences. Autofocus and other lens functions are probably a couple microseconds slower than a straight forward micro 4/3rds lens. It should be very hard for you to actually see or notice the actual difference. Other than optical differences between lenses, not much to slow down your shooting. I personally could not notice any real difference when I owned a standard 4/3rds lens compared to a micro 4/3rds lens.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

radiojohn wrote:

I got an AF 4/3 to M4/3 adapter out of curiosity and am just wondering if there is any real difference in performance between the same basic kit lens in the larger mount vs. the smaller mount? [aside from size!]

Run tests and find out.

Chances are that the AF might be a bit slower on the 4/3 lens when used with a Micro 4/3 adapter.

That said, there were some really good 4/3 lenses.

bw79st Loc: New York City

I have a couple of 4/3 to m4/3 adapters that I picked up when they were a lot cheaper than today. I was going to use them with 4/3 lenses but found it wasn't worth the extra weight on the lighter bodies. What they are good for is adapting legacy lenses to m4/3. I have a set of Zeiss C/Y mount lenses and use a C/Y to 4/3 adapter (much cheaper) instead of a C/Y to m4/3.
As for my 4/3 lenses: I bought a used Oly E30 body for $125, sent it Oly for a checkup ($100) and it takes wonderful photos with my Leica Lumix 14-150mm. That Kodak sensor has really nice colors!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

bw79st wrote:

I have a couple of 4/3 to m4/3 adapters that I pic... (show quote)

I just love post like yours. It just proves that some cameras just don't know how to quit.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

radiojohn wrote:

I got an AF 4/3 to M4/3 adapter out of curiosity and am just wondering if there is any real difference in performance between the same basic kit lens in the larger mount vs. the smaller mount? [aside from size!]

I played that game for awhile and got frustrated at the slower focus speeds using the EM1 and EM1ii. And with the EM5ii which couldn't do phase detect, it wasn't even possible to get good focus.

Finally sold my AF 4/3 lens and only use m4/3 lens and life is good again.

bw79st Loc: New York City

JimH123 wrote:

I played that game for awhile and got frustrated at the slower focus speeds using the EM1 and EM1ii. And with the EM5ii which couldn't do phase detect, it wasn't even possible to get good focus.

Ditto!

But the one good use for the 4/3 to m4/3 adapter is it is a lot more accurate than any of the legacy lens to m4/3 adapters which all seemed to not let me focus to infinity. I put a C/Y to 4/3 adapter on my Zeiss lenses as they are smaller and more accurately machined. That then is attached to an Oly or Lumix 4/3 to m4/3 adapter to use on my m4/3 bodies. Works fine!

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

bw79st wrote:

Ditto!

But the one good use for the 4/3 to m4/3 adapter is it is a lot more accurate than any of the legacy lens to m4/3 adapters which all seemed to not let me focus to infinity. I put a C/Y to 4/3 adapter on my Zeiss lenses as they are smaller and more accurately machined. That then is attached to an Oly or Lumix 4/3 to m4/3 adapter to use on my m4/3 bodies. Works fine!

That problem I haven't encountered. I get infinity focus with all my dumb m4/3 adapters.

This includes a-mount to m4/3, Minolta MC/MD mount to m4/3, PK mount to m4/3, m42 to m4/3, and more.

Nevergone

You can tell the difference a little. I have Olympus E10 II im selling great camera but it have me limited on what i can do. I do sports and it's not good for my option.