Other Lenses

Neil_T wrote:

I'm new to MFT, just got a Lumix G7. I read somewhere "almost any non-MFT lens will work by putting an adapter between the G7 and the lens's mount (be it Nikon, Canon etc fitting)

I am not a Nikon man so you will be best advised by others - Nikon mount lenses can be adapted but might need a mecahnical iris control.  Canon EF lenses have electronic adapters and obviously work best with an electronic adapter.  If such an adapter is used you should get AF capability and full control from the camera body.

Metabones adapters are best sorted out over most lenses - cheaper ones like Viltrox and Kipon are more pot-luck for compatibilty and AF performanace.

With FD, PK, M42, MD, LM and most other Legacy MF mount systems a plain mount to mount adapter is quite reasonably priced and works well.

You get manual focus only, “A” setting works best but others can be used constructively as well.  “S” will be the same as “M”.  I have never tried “P” but I think it would be effectively the same as “A”.  You will need to set “shoot without lens attached” in your menu setting as there is no communication between camera and lens.

One little trick about “S” and “M” is that S-mode gains the screen up or down at light extremes so you can focus the camera but it does not show estimated true exposure.  M-mode shows true exposure but might be difficult to focus in deliberate extreme light captures.  Therefore you can always focus in S and switch to M on the dial and see what the estimated exposure will loook light.  This is only useful for deliberate extreme under or over-exposure captures.

Most adapters can be had in focal reducer form (more expensive) which includes some internal lenses and gives a 0.70x multiplier of stated focal length and adds a full stop worth of extra light.

I'm looking for a long telephoto so this could be a way to go - if that statement is correct. I guess the lens will have to be used with manual focus and Aperture?

Yes.  Be aware that adapted long telephoto lenses are likely to be quite large.  But I have used such lenses as EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 successfully on M4/3 bodies.

What's to know / be aware of?

Nothing much, other than MF with focus peaking via an evf is a whole lot easier on a dslr body.

Thanks in advance.