User Experience is Top Metric Again

charlyw64 wrote:

Steve Balcombe wrote:

charlyw64 wrote:

Adapted lenses have big advantages, for one they are less expensive, a lot are available used in good condition and the adapters with control ring or filter are excellent ideas. The latter even gives you an incentive never to switch to RF lenses,

Never say never, but it's possible I will never give up my EF 16-35/4L IS.

and for that adapter the Meike version is even better because the VND-filter is better quality and a lot less expensive...

I've never been able to do an actual back-to-back vs the Canon VND, but the Meike I recently picked up is very good.

I have seen a back to back test of the two and the Meike is clearly the better VND. It suffers from lower variability of the color cast (although at low filter settings it does have a noticeable warm color cast but it stays consistent across the whole range of filter strength - unlike the Canon which goes from neutral to decidedly weird) which means you can use it with a single white balance taken best at middle strength. The Meike VND also does not exhibit the typical cross polarization vignetting that runs through the frame unlike the Canon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l061YS30Qno

That was very interesting, thanks for the link. I made my decision based on the cost and a couple of favourable reviews, so it's good to see it supported by CVP too.

I was originally planning to go with Breakthrough Filters, and even placed an order, but they were chronically unable to supply the product so I gave up and cancelled. More than two years later the adapter is still showing as "Coming soon" on their website" 🙃

For the price I think the Meike is a nobrainer. I now have found another one that I hope to test out some time this summer, the JJC, which comes with polarizer and VND out of the box, because I am mainly interested in the polarizer this means I am drawn to this one as it costs about the same as the Meike which only comes with the VND and clear filter and you must buy the polarizer separately.

I've spent my money now, but it will be interesting to see what JJC can do for an even lower price.