happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

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Archive 2009 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

rfkiii
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p.1 #1 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Both advertise the latest self programmable AF confirm chips. Happypagehk's price is $90 vs Big_is's $45.

Links to the products

happypagehk

Big_is

Happypagehk's adapters appear to be made with a different material than the typical Chinese adapter which may contribute to the higher price. If I replace all of my adapters, it would be nice to pay half as much though.

However my main concern is adapter thickness since I use a 5D and 5D2 which are quite finnicky as we all know. I have been educated to believe that a thickness of 1.42 mm is the best "middle of the road" measurement for Contax/Nikon ZF adapters and I presume happypagehk is still providing adpaters with that thickness. I just received an email from Big_is who says his adapters are 1.34 mm. Still, I haven't seen any one say their Big_is adapters just wouldn't work (due to thickness).

I'd like to save money and buy Big_is but I desire proper focus more and mirror clearance. Is 1.34 mm okay generally, or are there certain Contax lenses where the thinner thickness is not such a problem? I could buy Big_is for those and happypagehk for the others.

My first use of the new chip would be on my 35-70 where I have the idea that I could self-program in the field for the FL I am using at the moment.

Sorry if this topic has been covered here previously.

For those who have purchased non-AF confirm adapters, here is a kit to install the latest chip. I got this from a post on dpreview.

http://store.tagotech.com/product_info.php?products_id=139

May 25, 2009 at 01:22 PM

StevenPA
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p.1 #2 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

rfkiii wrote:
Happypagehk's adapters appear to be made with a different material than the typical Chinese adapter

It looks like they're coated with Teflon, ala Kindai. I wonder if the quality is as good. Has anyone asked them what kind of adapters they use. Widepan?

May 25, 2009 at 02:09 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #3 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Ditto on the 35-70. I'll be watching to see how this one plays out.

May 25, 2009 at 02:11 PM

rhorta
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p.1 #4 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I'd put the BiG IS on hold until they've solved the compatibility problems they are currently having with the first batch of self programmable chips.

Also they seem to have different chips for different models. Although I was pretty enthusiastic about their apparent value for money, you'll never know if your af chip will continue to work on a new body.

Be sure though that the Happypagehk chip doesn't present similar problems.

Ruy

May 25, 2009 at 02:17 PM

mMontag
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p.1 #5 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

HappypageHK can also provide programed chips - you have to install them. Try a few emails to the "Happy" site.

Also beware of the cheap black coated adapters (and step-up rings). The coatings come off when mounting / un-mounting and the debris finds it's way directly to the sensor.

May 25, 2009 at 03:43 PM

Grenache
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p.1 #6 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I have a HappypageHK adapter for my Leica 2/50, and it works great: infinity focus, easy threading, etc. It is programmed correctly. Only minor complaint is that there is a little wiggle to the mount...comparable to my native Canon 24-70.

I ordered a Big_IS chipped adapter about three weeks ago for a Contax lens, and it is still not here (HappypageHK order took <1 week to arrive in the middle of Christmas mailing traffic). Not sure what the turn around time issue is at Big_IS, but waiting this long, it needs to perform well.

Jim

May 25, 2009 at 07:39 PM

Alex
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p.1 #7 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Ruy,
What compatibility problems does BiG IS have? (I've just ordered one for my 5D

)

Alex

May 25, 2009 at 09:57 PM

kays
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p.1 #8 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

They don't have any issues with the 5D it's been out forever, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't still be selling chips if that was the case.
I've only had the Big Is chip's but I've seen and handled many other brands and types, I will say for the money you aren't getting a better product thus far. I haven't had any issues with the chip, the shipping and never with customer service.
I've always gotten my chips with ina week or two, if people aren't getting the chips right away I am sure it's because they are making the switch over to the new self programmable chip set as stated on the Big Is website.

They actually e-mailed me and asked if I wanted to wait another week and would upgrade me free of charge to the new type of chip.

I have now owned and seen three real progression changes in the AF chip style. The first was the longer style with bigger contacts but also a harsh step up, then the newer darker style that was much smaller and now the self program which I haven't seen them side to side yet but I think it's the same or close to the same as the newer style chips.

I will at some point be picking up a few Happypagehk's so I can do a write up on my site for all my Zuiko buddies. I'd love to hear more feed back from people who actually own both or who have had a real issue with one or the other.

I've used these on XT, IR XT (makes no difference but light leaks show through a lot stronger with IR) 30D, and currently a 40D & my 2nd 5D.

Last point is Big Is will also put chips on your adapters that do not come with them, I've never done it and have no idea what the cost or turn around time is on that.

Actually I think I'm going to buy a HappypageHk for my Zuiko's today, all this talking has me wanting to spend another $100 bucks on little photo gear that I don't actually need.

May 25, 2009 at 10:17 PM

mMontag
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p.1 #9 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Hey Jim,

I had the same complication on a Leica/EOS Happy adapter - the play (wiggle) was between the adapter and the lens. I used aluminum tape - Home D item - it's mainly used to tape the aluminum faced insulation panels. Super thin and the adhesive is very strong - stick the adapter to the tape and profile with a new sharp razor blade. Recommended remedy for adapters that stay on a specific lens. I couldn't notice a registration change - thinner than a piece of paper - & now it doesn't click back and forth during focus.

Also, I purchased a Big-IS for a friend needing to go through my ebay account and it took about a month to arrive - they kept emailing delay information.

May 25, 2009 at 10:35 PM

Grenache
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p.1 #10 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

mMontag wrote:
Hey Jim,

I had the same complication on a Leica/EOS Happy adapter - the play (wiggle) was between the adapter and the lens. I used aluminum tape - Home D item - it's mainly used to tape the aluminum faced insulation panels. Super thin and the adhesive is very strong - stick the adapter to the tape and profile with a new sharp razor blade. Recommended remedy for adapters that stay on a specific lens. I couldn't notice a registration change - thinner than a piece of paper - & now it doesn't click back and forth during focus.

Also, I purchased a Big-IS for a friend needing to go through my ebay account and it took about a month to arrive - they kept emailing delay information.

Thanks for the suggestion. The wiggle I have does not impact focus. It just is a bit unnerving from time to time. I have the same the issue when I accidentally support the lens front by the built-in lens hood on my Leica. That one is 100% user num-num-headedness. The adapter would certainly be better if it held more firm, though, so I will have to make a trip to HD.
Jim

May 26, 2009 at 01:13 AM

erichard
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p.1 #11 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I have several Big_IS adapters and have had no problems. I'm considering selling them to upgrade to the progamable ones though. I have had no clearances issues, and don't notice a battery drain problem. They tend to take up to two weeks to arrive. He has a 15 day moneyback guarantee, so it's hard to fault them, except for the hassle factor.

Happypage is generally one notch further down the development/innovation road than Big_IS, but then again, he charges for it. I have one HappyPage for a Leica.

I tend to prefer the adapters to be flat black where it counts, and I have painted the interior of the chrome ones to be that way. It doesn't matter what they look like elsewhere, including the surfaces that mate between the adapter and the lens or the camera. So far, so good with that strategy.

One additional strategy is to not pay too much for these adapters because you may end up wanting a new version in the future (like myself, now). The minimum requirement is that they be machined evenly and to the correct thickness, which has been the case thus far with Big_IS, for me at least.

May 26, 2009 at 02:20 AM

jay tieger
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p.1 #12 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I just wrote to Big_IS asking if the NON-chipped adapters are made of brass...he says in the chipped-adapter description that they are ('Lens adapter is made of brass with chrome coating.') but the description of the chippless version does NOT say so.

Got his reply...the non-chipped version is also made of brass.

May 26, 2009 at 03:59 AM

rhorta
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p.1 #13 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

If your lens has play on a Big IS adaptor it is a simple matter of widening the gap inside of the bajonet threads. With a little tweaking you should be able to get just the right traction, not too loose, but not to tight for removal either.

Secondly Big IS seems to custom make chips for certain models, hence you need a different chip for a 1Ds3 (their words).

As for compatibility issue, they have problems matching the new programmable chip with the 5D2, perhaps other models as well. That imho is a weak point as it indicates potential problems on future bodies. I guess it is like third party AF lenses, but worse since the research / budget must be far lower.

I agree that for the money involved Big Is is a real steal.

Ruy

May 26, 2009 at 08:19 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #14 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Does anybody have any input on DVDTechnik adapters on Ebay
$40-$55 (mount dependent)

New Programmable Chip

Quality of Mount

(Bronze & Chrome)

Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-AI-Lens-Canon-EOS-Camera-Adapter-AF-Confirm_W0QQitemZ350206367234QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5189ed1602&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A200#shId

May 27, 2009 at 03:41 PM

Alex
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p.1 #15 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I ordered one DVDTechnik and hated it. It was like 0.1mm too thick. When mounted on the body the lens scale is pointed at 2 o'clock (they say by design). The stop screw is placed wrong so it is very inconvinient to take the lens of the body. I was actually happy when the chip fall of the adapter after a month of use

and I was able to glue it to another adapter.

The chips are good. I have several other chips of the same brand which I bought idependently. They indeed could be easely reprogrammed.

Alex

May 27, 2009 at 05:32 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.1 #16 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I just received 2 big_is adapters for OM yesterday. The af-confirm is great, but the fit of one of them is rather poor (on the EOS side). Mounting them to the Zuiko lenses is fine and there are no problems there, but one of them does not like to mount to my 5D and I almost feel that I have to "force it" to get it to go. Doesn't inspire confidence. The other is fine though.

Never have tried the happypagehk though. Maybe I should have.

May 27, 2009 at 05:51 PM

rhorta
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p.1 #17 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

weezintrumpete wrote:
I just received 2 big_is adapters for OM yesterday. The af-confirm is great, but the fit of one of them is rather poor (on the EOS side). Mounting them to the Zuiko lenses is fine and there are no problems there, but one of them does not like to mount to my 5D and I almost feel that I have to "force it" to get it to go. Doesn't inspire confidence. The other is fine though.

Never have tried the happypagehk though. Maybe I should have.

Odd, with the 5 recent adaptors I got (2x OM. 2x Nikkor & 1x PK) not one has a bad EOS fit. I'd return them if I were you.

Ruy

May 28, 2009 at 08:09 PM

rfkiii
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p.1 #18 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I have ordered one of the Big_is adpaters mostly out of curiosity for use with my CZ 35-70. I will pay close attention to adapter thickness/mirror clearance issues since Big_is adapters are thinner than happypagehk's. I will determine if changing aperture and FL in the field so that the correct info shows in the EXIF of each shot is worth the trouble. I will revisit this thread and report those findings when I get the adapter.

Interesting note: There are three readings in the EXIF that are transmitted by these earlier AF confirm chips, Lens FL range, lens current FL, and aperture. After reading the Big_is's description more carefully, I realized there were only two parameters that were programmable, so I wrote both happaypagehk & Big_is to ask how I was going to get 35-70 into the EXIF. Their answers below:

happypagehk:

Yes our current black Contax-EOS PRO adapter is made at 1.42mm. The black material is a new finish of the PRO adapter similar to the Kindai one. 35-70mm can be coded into Optix v4 firmware (the one we have been selling more than 1 year).

Is this to say that "35-70" can not be programmed into the Optic v5 chip?

Start and End focal length is different entity from the current focal length in the EXIF. Well... Yes 35-70 can be coded into the start and end focal length but you will not be able to change it with the setting function afterwards because the new function only change the current focal length value. That means your EXIF will always reads 35-70mm lens, while the current focal length can take up any value you set with the new function. We did considered this during development but it sounds too complicated for our customers to set all these values themselves. Thank you for your enquiry.

Big_is:

You can set for yourself if you buy the above
item. But it only can set 35mm or 70mm or other
mm. But it can't be set 35-70mm per time.

May 30, 2009 at 07:07 PM

rhorta
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p.1 #19 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

rfkiii wrote:
I have ordered one of the Big_is adpaters mostly out of curiosity for use with my CZ 35-70. I will pay close attention to adapter thickness/mirror clearance issues since Big_is adapters are thinner than happypagehk's. I will determine if changing aperture and FL in the field so that the correct info shows in the EXIF of each shot is worth the trouble. I will revisit this thread and report those findings when I get the adapter.

Big_is:

You can set for yourself if you buy the above
item. But it only can set 35mm or 70mm or other
mm. But it can't be set 35-70mm per time.

Although programming is relatively quick and you'd soon learn to do it from memory, changing on scene will only work if you'll keep the zoom at one FL for longer extended shooting, or else you'd be wasting a lot of time.

BTW, play around with the EV setting as you set the max. aperture, I'm curious if you have the same experience I have.

Ruy

May 31, 2009 at 07:21 AM

rfkiii
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p.1 #20 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

rhorta wrote:

Although programming is relatively quick and you'd soon learn to do it from memory, changing on scene will only work if you'll keep the zoom at one FL for longer extended shooting, or else you'd be wasting a lot of time.

BTW, play around with the EV setting as you set the max. aperture, I'm curious if you have the same experience I have.

Ruy

Big_is sends a manual after one places the order. I can see why now. It is clear that the only aperture that should be programmed into the adapter is the lens' max aperture. Also, the programming steps are so voluminous IMO as to be wasting a lot of time as you say above. I am not sure I even understand the steps at this moment.

For anyone comptemplating this adapter, here are the programming steps:

http://www.big-is.com/

For those of us who tend to dwell on the cynical side of things, what these new programmable chips really amount to is the transfer of the labor of programming from the vendor onto the user. The only advantage I see now for these types of adapter is if the user intends to use one adapter for several lenses (I buy one adapter for each of my lenses but that was when chipped adapters from happaypagehk were $50) or if the user sells the lens, he can use the adapter on the next lens he buys and change the coding. I'll probably return the Big_IS adapter and go with happypagehk since happypagehk can program in the lens "name" as 35-70. Can't be done on the Big_is adapters. If I am permitted, I will switch my item from a Contax to a Leica adapter as I have a Leica 35/2.8 I need a chipped adapter for and a single FL works fine on a prime.

May 31, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Grenache
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p.1 #21 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Here is my score card:

HappypageHK: total of 3 adapters purchased, each arrived in <1 week from Hong Kong to middle of the US, all work perfectly

Big_IS: 1 adapter purchased. 5 weeks from purchase to arrival, and the adapter would dock onto the lens but not rotate to lock into place

Su at Big_IS was very pleasant and indicated that this had never happened before and offered a replacement or refund. Customer service was good. Shipping was poor. Product delivered? If it is really the first time in 100s shipped, then maybe I was just unlucky. [I am the one that always gets the bone in his throat from the fish "filet".]

Jim

Jun 04, 2009 at 12:06 AM

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p.1 #22 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Love my happypagehk Optix v5 chip c/y adapter...very well made adapter, and the chip programming is very easy (when I did my 85 Planar vs Sonnar thing today, I used that adapter on both lenses, and just quickly changed the aperture value when I switched lenses so I could differentiate them.)

Jun 04, 2009 at 12:41 AM

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p.1 #23 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

Random thoughts:

It looks like Happypage is now using good, 2-piece adapters (probably Widepan) which is great.
-----------------------------------------

The difficulty in programming the Big IS is the same with Happypage's programmable V5. Both can be figured out, with a lot of patience.
-----------------------------------------

None of the programmable chips let you program just ANY aperture number. - It has to be a number that you can see in you camera's VF read-out. Thus, with my 5D I cannot correctly program for my Vivitar Series-1 135/2.3
If I'm understanding rfkiii's post, above, Rudy CAN program this into his V4 chips. Can anyone confirm this?

-----------------------------------------

There is a DIFFERENT programmable chip out there, that also can auto-fire your shutter. You dial-in the focus, and when your lens gets to the center of the sweet spot, it fires. This can be a real help in low-light, though I find it a bit of a pain, as sometimes the bloody camera won't fire at all, even manually. There's no easy way to defeat it.

Rudy is evidently NOT using this chip for his "V5" (I asked) and it doesn't sound like BigIS is. Some folks may want this, and the chips themselves are easy to apply.
The Tago chip rfkiii links to, above, DOES have this feature. You may love it, or you may end up ripping it out and tossing it in the river.

Jun 04, 2009 at 02:26 AM

John Black
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p.1 #24 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

I ordered a HappyPageHK Pro adapter a couple months ago. In terms of the materials it seems like a nice improvement over the older chrome versions. But adapter thickness wasn't any better. It works fine with my 100/2, but the adapters might be too thick for some of the wide angle lenses. Here's a quick write-up on the adapter.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Jun 04, 2009 at 02:44 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #25 · happypagehk vs Big_is adapters

John,

Thanks for that review. Clearly Rudolf is NOT using Widepan adapters. That's too bad.
Have you let him know that his new adapters have thickness issues? Perhaps he doesn't know.

Best to buy your own adapter (Widepan, Kaidan, fotodiox, etc) and install a chip yourself. -or send the adapter to Rudolf.

Jun 04, 2009 at 02:54 AM


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