p.1 #1 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
This will be short. It works. Solid operation and no play in the mount.
But the standout feature here is the adjustable infinity hard stop, which is a huge plus. Most adapters are slightly short, and your M lenses will not hit infinity at the hard stop, which can cause IQ issues, especially for M lenses with floating elements. Having the adjustable infinity position makes the experience much more like using an M body – no more having to check infinity focus in the EVF for every shot. So even if you don't want to use the macro function, this adapter still allows you to set the infinity hard stop specific to the body and/or lens you're using. All my M lenses hit infinity at the same place, but if I had an oddball lens that hit infinity slightly before the hard stop, I could purchase one of these to use just for that lens and always keep them paired together.
Do not buy this adapter direct from the Hawk's Factory website, at least until the pandemic is much further in the past. I had to get my money back via PayPal due to back and forth with missed delivery window promises. Instead, buy this from eBay from someone selling a used one or from a Chinese camera store that has them in stock. In the case of the L-mount version, you may pay more for it, but you will actually get it. I only see they have M adapters to Leica L-mount, Sony E-mount, and Fujifilm X-mount on the Hawk's Factory website, but on eBay I have seen ones for Nikon Z-mount and Canon R-mount as well. I'm not sure if the Z and R mount versions are new or if they stopped making them.
Green: loosen screws to adjust infinity position / Red: notch for infinity lock
p.1 #2 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
Great post, useful info.
I bought one of these years ago direct and it was fine.
I attempted to buy one direct a year or so ago and it was a total nightmare. They misplaced my order, took my money and did nothing for ages until I complained. Loads of hassle and all I ended up with was a refund. Quite rude in emails but that might just be me being sensitive.
I assumed they were stopping making them but I checked the other day and they still have them listed. Which is great as they are so good and as you show, they’re unique.
The up coming voigtlander looks good, not as light but still light (75g) and no infinity adjustment but I would imagine a better helicoid and possibly longer extension…
I have wondered how the hawks would cope with a heavy long lens…
These extending adapters are really awesome, it’s a genuine reason to use a non M mount body.
p.1 #3 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
Copy of a post I made over at l-camera-forum.com in the 28 Summaron thread:
28 Summaron -|- SL2-S -|- Hawk's Factory macro M to L adapter
This lens is transformed for close-distance shooting when used on the SL platform with a macro helicoid adapter. Sharpness is higher at macro MFD than it seems to be at the native MFD, which was a surprise.
With this adapter, the 28 Summaron can focus to an MFD of approximately 19cm. For reference, the Q2 focuses to an MFD of 30cm and 17cm in macro mode. In a practical sense, this means I can now use this camera/lens combination a lot like I use the Q2.
p.1 #5 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
The infinity tweak/lock is a big plus for this adapter. I don't know any other M-E or M-L adapter providing this feature.
It's transformed adapted M lens shooting for me. My SL2-S now feels like a big M+EVF body that can close focus
I got word that my silver M11 preorder was finally ready, so it will arrive Friday or Monday. If I like the M11, I will probably keep my SL2-S and sell my Q2.
p.1 #6 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
Update: the grease used on the helicoid of this adapter is complete crap – leaks out and gets on the mount of the lens. I'm going to see about sending it out to a lens-CLA person have the improper grease replaced with something better. I've had other cheap macro adapters actually arrive new with the grease coming out. The Kipon macro adapter is the only macro adapter I've had that hasn't done this.
p.1 #7 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
highdesertmesa wrote:
Update: the grease used on the helicoid of this adapter is complete crap – leaks out and gets on the mount of the lens. I'm going to see about sending it out to a lens-CLA person have the improper grease replaced with something better. I've had other cheap macro adapters actually arrive new with the grease coming out. The Kipon macro adapter is the only macro adapter I've had that hasn't done this.
That's really frustrating since you like the adapter so much. I think I owned the latest version (M-E) and never noticed grease on the mount of my lenses. I've seen this with cheap helicoid adapters from ebay.
p.1 #8 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
That's really frustrating since you like the adapter so much. I think I owned the latest version (M-E) and never noticed grease on the mount of my lenses. I've seen this with cheap helicoid adapters from ebay.
Yeah, it is frustrating for sure. I think I may try setting it out in the sun facing downward and see if any more leaks out – maybe it all leaked out already
p.1 #10 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
tri_fin wrote:
Great post, useful info.
I bought one of these years ago direct and it was fine.
I attempted to buy one direct a year or so ago and it was a total nightmare. They misplaced my order, took my money and did nothing for ages until I complained. Loads of hassle and all I ended up with was a refund. Quite rude in emails but that might just be me being sensitive.
That may be due to translation software or poor english skills. At least that's my experience in dealing with chinese sellers,
p.1 #11 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
freaklikeme wrote:
Oh, that sucks. I've had that problem with a Fotodiox M-E, but my two Hawk's haven't given any problems.
Thanks. Yeah, I had a new 7Artisans macro adapter arrive new from BH with leaked grease, and it went straight in the trash (I can't return stuff to B&H, long story but I've been on their poo-poo list since ~2017). Kipon has been ok so far.
I think the Hawk's issue is the result of pandemic/supply-chain issues – wrong grease was probably delivered and they may not have even known. It could even be a knock-off adapter for all I know!
p.1 #12 · Hawk's Factory M Macro Adapter Mini-Review
highdesertmesa wrote:
Thanks. Yeah, I had a new 7Artisans macro adapter arrive new from BH with leaked grease, and it went straight in the trash (I can't return stuff to B&H, long story but I've been on their poo-poo list since ~2017). Kipon has been ok so far.
I think the Hawk's issue is the result of pandemic/supply-chain issues – wrong grease was probably delivered and they may not have even known. It could even be a knock-off adapter for all I know!
