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Can Adapter Really Hold 4/3 lenses?

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Beth

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The 70-300 4/3's lens arrived today. I don't have an adapter yet, so can't try it out. I showed my husband and his question was, "Can that small camera (e-PL-1) really handle a lens that size?"

I think he has visions of it falling off or breaking at the connection between the camera and the lens. Any comments from people using this combination? I plan to shoot with the camera on a monopod; not hand hold it.

Beth

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I've had my adapter for about a month but it was only last week that I finally got around to using it with the 70-300mm.

It's a combination that calls for some common sense. While I don't have any particular fear that the lens and/or adapter will break away from the camera, you do have to be aware that the 70-300 is about at the limit of what you should reasonably expect the mount to support (which is why many lenses have a tripod mount on the lens itself).

Even when I use the lens on my full size DSLR, I cradle the lens in my hand. If you have your camera on a monopod, you could overstress the mount by moving the monopod and repositioning it too abruptly. So just be logical....right hand on the camera, left hand cradling the lens. No problem.

BTW, you may find this is one of the more problematic combinations to autofocus so don't be discouraged if it gives you a hard time. I've tried four or five 4/3 lenses on my E-P1 and the 70-300 tends to be a "hunter" if it doesn't have a good, high contrast target.
 
I don't think you'll have problems with the combo, because one of your hand will be holding the lens, and this hand under the lens will support the hold combo. The other hand just needs to hold lightly on the camera just for steadying the camera and pressing the shutter. So, the camera will never have to bear the weight of the lens, it's the lens that bears & carries the camera.
 
Brian Mosley said:
The E-PL1 grip is also better matched for heavier legacy lenses - you can do this for example :



imho, build quality is excellent - don't mistake light plastic materials with weakness of construction... I've used the ZD 35-100mm f2 lens on this camera and it's solid - no creaks whatsoever.

Brian
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Click to expand...
 
One long lens that is an obvious choice is the current 40-150mm f4 kit lens that comes with some of the full size Oly DSLRs. It's extremely small and light. It definitely won't stress a lens mount. I've used it (see the picture below).

If you look around, it can usually be had for $99.00 or so.

Of course, at 150mm max, it's only HALF the reach of the 70-300. And the 70-300 is a great lens. The 70-300 may be the best value of all Oly lenses. It's sharp and well built while being relatively inexpensive. I love it. I just don't find it very easy to use on my E-P1. But, if you need reach, it's the king. And if you pick up a full size DSLR body some day, it's a wonderful lens to have.

 
Beth said:
The 70-300 4/3's lens arrived today. I don't have an adapter yet, so can't try it out. I showed my husband and his question was, "Can that small camera (e-PL-1) really handle a lens that size?"
Click to expand...
The answer is "you may be pushing the weight limit of the adapter design with a big lens, so always hold the camera by the lens"...
Member said:
I think he has visions of it falling off or breaking at the connection between the camera and the lens. Any comments from people using this combination? I plan to shoot with the camera on a monopod; not hand hold it.
Click to expand...
That's a possibility, so take some care. I think the weight limit for that mount (at least for the G1) is 1kg static, which means with a heavy lens that's anywhere close to that weight limit you're asking for trouble if you hold the camera and not the lens, especially if you do any sort of movement (produces a dynamic load that can well exceed the static limit of the mount). I think that lens weighs 620g, so you're getting close to the weight limit. You may be even more inclined to swing it around while perched on a monopod as you walk around - see if you can find a good lens collar instead so you can support the lens on the monopod directly.
 
Beth said:
The 70-300 4/3's lens arrived today. I don't have an adapter yet, so can't try it out. I showed my husband and his question was, "Can that small camera (e-PL-1) really handle a lens that size?"

I think he has visions of it falling off or breaking at the connection between the camera and the lens. Any comments from people using this combination? I plan to shoot with the camera on a monopod; not hand hold it.

Beth

--
Story Hour Photography
'Life's a story. Let us illustrate it!'
http://www.pbase.com/cokids/ or
Blog: http://storyhourphotography.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...
I have used this combo a few times now and find that it works quite good. The camera is so small compared to the lens that you will end up supporting the weight of the lens with your left hand anyway. Even if I was using a monopod, I would still carry the combination by the lens. I am not concerned about the weight of the lens on the camera but to each their own. Just another tip using the 70-300, focus is tough in lower light when zoomed all the way at 300 so I just acquire focus zoomed back a bit and then zoom in all the way if you want the maximum reach. It is a fun lens and took me awhile to start getting better images using it, but like most things practice makes better. Have fun, cheers!
LdH
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I'd like to give this lens a go at some point - got the Panasonic 45-200 which isn't bad but more reach would be nice for wildlife stuff and it's a liitle soft at long FLs.
 
Shouldn't be a problem. The 70-300 is not THAT heavy and should be supported with the left hand when extended. Regardless of the weight, it's the sensible way to hold a long lens (for stability).

I sometimes use a 50-200 with my E-P2. That combo feels a bit awkward, but it's a much heavier lens.
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... shouldn't deter you from getting this lens if it's what you want to get. We're simply saying that you should use some precaution when using a heavy lens with these cameras because the mount doesn't have infinite strength. As long as you hold the system by the lens and not the camera, you should be OK.
 
It seems pretty obvious to me. If the lens is heavier than the camera, then hold the combination by the lens. It will be easier and more natural in any case, since you can hold the lens at the balance point.

--
Tony Collins
 
You bought a small, lightweight camera. That means that an awful lot of lenses are going to be heavier than the camera body.

Do you really make lens choices based on the weight of the lens and the stress it will put on the mount if not supported? That will be pretty limiting.

Seriously...just cradle the lens with your hand (as others have said). It's no big deal. I do it with the lens on my E-510. I do it with the lens on my E-P1. This is not really an issue. You always support a heavy a lens on any camera. On the E-PL1, a LOT of lenses will be heavy. So just put your hand under it.

Problem solved.
 
Well, I weighed my 100-400 Canon lens and it came in over 4 lbs! So, i guess if I can handle that one, I can handle this one! My plan is to use the 'left hand under the lens' strategy...and to think of it as a lens with a camera attached!

I ordered the adapter today, so in a few I should be ready to 'play.' Gotta get out there and fill the birdfeeders! Otherwise; it'll be red squirrels for me!

Beth

--
Story Hour Photography
'Life's a story. Let us illustrate it!'
http://www.pbase.com/cokids/ or
Blog: http://storyhourphotography.blogspot.com/
 
Beth said:
The 70-300 4/3's lens arrived today. I don't have an adapter yet, so can't try it out. I showed my husband and his question was, "Can that small camera (e-PL-1) really handle a lens that size?"

I think he has visions of it falling off or breaking at the connection between the camera and the lens. Any comments from people using this combination? I plan to shoot with the camera on a monopod; not hand hold it.
Click to expand...
Beth...I've used this lens a lot with my E-p1. I've walked around for two days at a blues festival last year with this combo....you will automatically just hold it by the lens whether you are taking a picture or just holding it. I also have the 40-150...and perhaps I have a bad example of it...but I find the 70-300 sharper then the smaller lens. As far as focusing speed...the 70-300 is so slow even on my 510 or E-1 that it doesn't seem to make much difference when mounted on the E-p1.
 
Thanks clan, glad to read that the camera doesn't seem to make much difference when it comes to focus speed. i wondered about that. Had read quite a few Oly 4/3's shooters using this lens and wondered if a regular 4/3's camera might make it focus more easily?

I'm pretty patient and willing to take time to figure it out.

Beth

--
Story Hour Photography
'Life's a story. Let us illustrate it!'
http://www.pbase.com/cokids/ or
Blog: http://storyhourphotography.blogspot.com/
 
photoSmart42 said:
That's a possibility, so take some care. I think the weight limit for that mount (at least for the G1) is 1kg static, which means with a heavy lens that's anywhere close to that weight limit you're asking for trouble if you hold the camera and not the lens,
Click to expand...
I don't have the G1 - currently using the EP2 - but was wondering where you got this information about the "weight limit"? I don't remember seeing it quoted anywhere. Just curious.

Now I completely agree that with any of the smaller m4/3 cameras (and I include the EP1/2 in that catagory) you have to use some common sense and realize that the camera is basically a large "lens cap" on some of the bigger lenses and that the lens/camera combo needs to be supported properly.
 
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