Well it seams that my cheap adapter may be the problem (too thin).
I did some more testing today with paper shims to increase the adapter thickness. I cut 4 shims out of 80gsm Bond photocopy paper and shots tests using no shims to 4.
Please note that these were simple hand held shots, so the image content varies due to my different location for each pic. Regardless of position though, I think you will see quite a difference in lens quality.
So today I ordered one of the more expensive Kindai adapters from Japan. These claim to be "spot-on" in terms of their manufacture, so with luck even more improvement will be seen over my current "shimmed" images.
Well, the paper shims seem to definitively have done the job! And your adapter was the problem.
I got mine on ebay from China, and it seems a good product.
What about posting a stickey about adapter information? Everybody posts which adapter from which seller he used on which lens, and the problems/advantages/experiences.
I contacted the supplier of my Chinese adapter regarding the lack of infinity focus and got this as part of their reply....
"it does sound as if your purchase may have a fault due to the handmade manufacturing"
Hmm?... yes "handmade" manufacturing would be a problem, as even the very best hands will prob never be able to make an adapter within the minute tolerances required..... sure they may fluke a few exactly right, but hand making these things is Russian Roulette on my book.
From reading a few other reports, it seems that the shorter the focal length, the MORE critical the tolerances.... so if you are looking for an adapter for a wide angle solution, it may be best to check that your intended purchase has come from CAD drawing that has been plugged into a CNC machine for manufacture.
If you are after one for telephoto work, you "may" get away with one of the cheapies. :-)
pixelpix wrote:
If you are after one for telephoto work, you "may" get away with one of the cheapies. :-)
I must say it always surprises me that people will spend large amounts of money on cameras and lenses but then they buy the cheapest adapter possible and are disappointed when it doesn't measure up.
Personally, I'd be more worried about a cheap adapter breaking and dropping a prize lens onto the concrete below (I picture myself sobbing over my broken Zuiko 24mm shift lens as people walk past, shaking their heads...).
Now, if you'd spent money on one of the expensive adapters and that didn't work, well then you'd have a case for complaing!
Neil.D wrote:
I must say it always surprises me that people will spend large amounts of money on cameras and lenses but then they buy the cheapest adapter possible and are disappointed when it doesn't measure up.
Personally, I'd be more worried about a cheap adapter breaking and dropping a prize lens onto the concrete below (I picture myself sobbing over my broken Zuiko 24mm shift lens as people walk past, shaking their heads...).
Now, if you'd spent money on one of the expensive adapters and that didn't work, well then you'd have a case for complaing!
Not all of us are cheapskates as you seem to infer.
My purchase of the Chinese adapter was not one motivated by price, it was one made out of ignorance of the different adapters available. I have now purchased a Kindai and it measures up perfectly.
But now that the adapter is a non-issue I can see that my Oly 21mm is not a stellar resolver, as my 17-40 (perhaps it's a good one) easily beats it... even in the corners.
I will see if I can find another lens to test, or perhaps put this one in for a service.... but at some stage I do need stop throwing money at this quest. (not a cheapskate comment, just one of reason as a line has to be drawn somewhere)
pixelpix wrote:
Not all of us are cheapskates as you seem to infer.
My purchase of the Chinese adapter was not one motivated by price, it was one made out of ignorance of the different adapters available. I have now purchased a Kindai and it measures up perfectly.
But now that the adapter is a non-issue I can see that my Oly 21mm is not a stellar resolver, as my 17-40 (perhaps it's a good one) easily beats it... even in the corners.
I will see if I can find another lens to test, or perhaps put this one in for a service.... but at some stage I do need stop throwing money at this quest. (not a cheapskate comment, just one of reason as a line has to be drawn somewhere)...Show more →
Sorry if I gave that impression - perhaps false economy would have been a better 'accusation'
I am not sure. It goes forever without being touched. I think the best would be to collate it properly and put it on a proper webpage. Does anyone have space?
