Best (cheap) lens with adapter for S5 / S5ii?

After selling my D200 some years ago, I could not resist the urge to see what mirrorless is about and bought the S5 secondhand with 20-60 kit lens.

I noticed the days for secondhand lens shopping which is possible with the earlier DSLR camera's are (kind of) over? There are however adapters which make lenses interchangeable but you pay the price missing out some functionality (AF?)

So I'm curious, do you use any adapter with (cheap) lenses which give you all functionality as the Lumix S L-mount lenses do?

I use the Sigma MC-21. Sigma makes both cheap and expensive lenses. If you use the later lenses (designated A,S and C) you don't lose any functionality but the AF is rather slow.

You can use an adapter for Canon EF lenses. However, because the S5 does not have PDAF focusing, only CDAF, the AF will be slow on the adapted lenses.

Now, if you are willing to use older manual focus lenses, you can go to town, as there is lots of nice old MF glass out there for not a lot of $. And, the adapters for those to L mount are very inexpensive, but no, you will not have any electrical contacts or EXIF information that is fed to the body, as those adapters have no direct connections whatsoever to the body of the camera.

I tried out a lot of vintage manual focus lenses on my early M43 bodies, before they had a great native lens selection at the time. Out of all of those, I kept only two; a Yashica ML 50mm f1.7, and a Micro Nikkor 55mm f3.5 non-AI macro lens. I did get the adapters for them to mount on my S5, and they do work as expected. (Both are great lenses, by the way). But I never went for non-native AF lenses on either the Panasonic M43 or the S5, as they just don't play well with CDAF focusing.

I am sure someone with direct experience with Canon EF to L mount lenses can tell you more about their functionality on the S5, so, hopefully they will see this thread and answer in more direct detail.

-J

Growing old but still relevant:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64144183

The MC21 works quite well for Sigma EF Mount lenses if the lens firmware can be updated. Also on many fairly recent Canon oem EF mount lenses which use a well known set of consistent protocols.

I would not classify the EF lenses adapted to L mount as "blanket" slow focusing (in fact some were playing up quite badly). But others have a quite useful AF-S performance.

Electronic adapters are not "one-type suits all EF lenses".

I have since tested more lenses but never updated my spreadsheet. The general lens feedback has been positive for the extra lenses.

Note that Sigma's brief was to make their own EF mount lenses compatible so they have not bothered pursuing the finer AF details of other brand compatibility. Other adapters technically will focus Sigma EF mount lenses (firmware updated) just as well as the MC21 but have tried harder to get satisfactory performance out of a wider range of Canon oem EF lenses.

None of these adapters will work C-AF focus on the S5 body but I believe that C-AF works on the S5II/x bodies.

As Jalywol advises legacy MF lenses can adapt well to most modern ML mount systems for MF only.

--
Tom Caldwell

While I wait for someone to fill the gap in L, I'm using a Minolta AF 100-200/4.5 as my light mid-telephoto zoom. It's so small andl light compared to both 70-200 Lumix lenses or my SA-mount 70-300 Apo.

The adapter controls the aperture but not in discrete measurable steps, and no electronics for AF, focal length data or shutter-priority /program modes.

My other adaptations are Pentax K. The DA 40/2.8 & 70/2.4 are made for aps-c sensor, but I use them in 4:3 ratio where they fill the ~21.5Mpx frame nicely.

To me, it really depends on what you mean by "cheap."

I have a $35 Minolta MD 50mm f/2 on a $12 adapter and it works quite well.

I have a Nikon 80-200 f/4 (about $100) on a $45 adapter that also works pretty well, as well as the Minolta 100-200 f/4.5 mentioned above.

Heck, I have the Minolta 85mm f/2.8 Each Choice lens, again mounted on an inexpensive Minolta AF to L Mount adapter.

The problem with zoom lenses on "dumb" adapters (meaning they don't transmit the EXIF data to the body), is that whenever you zoom, you have to reset the IBIS focal length info.

I have the Sigma MC-21 adapter to adapt a few Canon lenses to mount on my three Panasonic bodies, namely the Canon EF 16-35 f/4 L IS (a great lens considering you can pick one up used for under $500 and use it on a lot of today's mirrorless cameras. I mean, it's a Canon L lens, so it is pretty darn good), the 50mm f/1.8 STM (this is the third version of the lens), and the EF-S 10-18 IS STM (great for shooting ultrawide video at 4K 60fps).

If you are looking to alternatives to adapted lenses, Meike has released a couple of "budget" native L Mount lenses that can be seen here:


Note: Meike even has a couple of manual focus lenses in native L Mount. No idea if they are good, bad, or ugly...

Samyang will "theoretically" be releasing some more budget lenses some day (fingers crossed, breath NOT being held).

Hope this helps.

I use a Commlite EF to L adapter, which I find works better than the Sigma one, which provides all the functionality minus continuous AF.

I also use a number of K&F Concept adapters to use old vintage lenses, but that is lacking the AF and can only be used in manual or aperture priority (but it's still fun).

Not “really” cheap, but there is huge L market on eBay, especially with the Japan shops. MAP currently has about 180 L lenses, frequently near-new for up to half MSRP.

Off The Mark said:

To me, it really depends on what you mean by "cheap."

I have a $35 Minolta MD 50mm f/2 on a $12 adapter and it works quite well.

I have a Nikon 80-200 f/4 (about $100) on a $45 adapter that also works pretty well, as well as the Minolta 100-200 f/4.5 mentioned above.

Heck, I have the Minolta 85mm f/2.8 Each Choice lens, again mounted on an inexpensive Minolta AF to L Mount adapter.

The problem with zoom lenses on "dumb" adapters (meaning they don't transmit the EXIF data to the body), is that whenever you zoom, you have to reset the IBIS focal length info.

Click to expand...

The way I see it IBIS is simply a helper. On wider lenses it helps less and longer lenses it helps more. Some can manage without IBIS some swear it is the best thing since button up shoes. So it is possible to pick a focal length with a zoom and use more or less IBIS strength or something in between. But of course it will probably work best if it is precisely tuned to the focal length being used - but resetting it to different zoomed focal lengths as they are used could be somewhat of a nuisance. Switch off and follow the nag screen again every time the zoom was changed?

I happily used my Olympus E-M1 for many months with different lenses covering a wide spectrum of focal lengths before I realised that it did not nag for confirmation of the IBIS setting to be checked with MF lenses. Did not seem to bother the camera or the images it was making. Olympus users were made of sterner stuff and always remember to do the finger dance to check and reset the IBIS if necessary. There was no other way to confirm the then present IBIS setting that I knew.

Off The Mark said:

I have the Sigma MC-21 adapter to adapt a few Canon lenses to mount on my three Panasonic bodies, namely the Canon EF 16-35 f/4 L IS (a great lens considering you can pick one up used for under $500 and use it on a lot of today's mirrorless cameras. I mean, it's a Canon L lens, so it is pretty darn good), the 50mm f/1.8 STM (this is the third version of the lens), and the EF-S 10-18 IS STM (great for shooting ultrawide video at 4K 60fps).

If you are looking to alternatives to adapted lenses, Meike has released a couple of "budget" native L Mount lenses that can be seen here:

https://meikeglobal.com/collections/auto-focus-lenses

Note: Meike even has a couple of manual focus lenses in native L Mount. No idea if they are good, bad, or ugly...

Samyang will "theoretically" be releasing some more budget lenses some day (fingers crossed, breath NOT being held).

Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

I bought a Pholsy Nikon lens to L mount dumb ( no electrical contacts) adapter on Amazon. It fits snugly on a variety of Nikkor lens. I'm using an S5ll body. Have tried some classics the 105 f2.5 and the 200 f4 ais as well as a 24-85 afs g series lens. My Sigma for Nikon and Tokina also worked but the Tokina was APSC so vignetted. They all work but as others have mentioned you are somewhat blind as to how far you are stopped down. Its tedious to open up to focus and then stop down for exposure but the focus peaking makes it doable. Used my AFS 70-300 to capture a squirrel from my front window today the lens has VR but with the dumb adapter its off but the Pannys IBS works great and I was surprised how sharp the image is.

I have used the Viltrox smart adapter on my Fuji cams but they unfortunately do not make an L mount adapter. My Nikkors work almost as well as the native fuji glass. Overall the smart adapters are quite expensive and add length and weight to your rig so its a stop gap measure until you can get the native lens. My thought was for macro work its slow paced and manual focus works better for some cases. My Nikkor afs G 60 goes to 1:1 and the Fuji 60 only does 1:5 plus I already had the Nikkor.

I am finding that the newest lens by all manufacturers are performing better than some of the old classics so for me it is hard to justify the inconvenience. There are many great bargains on Panasonic L mount lens the 20-60 can be found for less than $300 US and it is a great lens but suffers the dreaded Kit moniker which lowers its monetary value but its image quality and useful focal lengths make a super bargain. Todays lens with rounded aperture blades and many leaves give pleasing bokeh in spite of their small openings. Panasonic has been including 50 and 85 prime lens as a purchase incentive and these reportedly good lens are also bargains on the used market. Some never used sold as "open box". Good luck with your new gear.

jalywol said:

You can use an adapter for Canon EF lenses. However, because the S5 does not have PDAF focusing, only CDAF, the AF will be slow on the adapted lenses.

Click to expand...

Maybe this wasn't obvious to the OP, but the S5II *does* have PDAF focusing like DSLRs, so many adapted lenses should work better there than on the S5. Hence, going for the newer model may save you money if you have a lot of Canon EF glass and look for continuous AF:

Johan Borg said:

jalywol said:

You can use an adapter for Canon EF lenses. However, because the S5 does not have PDAF focusing, only CDAF, the AF will be slow on the adapted lenses.

Click to expand...

Maybe this wasn't obvious to the OP, but the S5II *does* have PDAF focusing like DSLRs, so many adapted lenses should work better there than on the S5. Hence, going for the newer model may save you money if you have a lot of Canon EF glass and look for continuous AF:

Click to expand...

Given that the OP says in his first post that he already bought the S5 and 20-60mm, used, I think this might be not entirely relevant advice for his situation?

-J

dezinerd said:

I bought a Pholsy Nikon lens to L mount dumb ( no electrical contacts) adapter on Amazon. It fits snugly on a variety of Nikkor lens. I'm using an S5ll body. Have tried some classics the 105 f2.5 and the 200 f4 ais as well as a 24-85 afs g series lens. My Sigma for Nikon and Tokina also worked but the Tokina was APSC so vignetted. They all work but as others have mentioned you are somewhat blind as to how far you are stopped down. Its tedious to open up to focus and then stop down for exposure but the focus peaking makes it doable. Used my AFS 70-300 to capture a squirrel from my front window today the lens has VR but with the dumb adapter its off but the Pannys IBS works great and I was surprised how sharp the image is.

I have used the Viltrox smart adapter on my Fuji cams but they unfortunately do not make an L mount adapter.

Click to expand...

Oh, but they do .... make EF-L mount adapters and they work tolerably well. Nikon to other mount adapters that "do" AF exist but they are not nearly as common as electronic EF AF lens adpaters.

dezinerd said:

My Nikkors work almost as well as the native fuji glass. Overall the smart adapters are quite expensive and add length and weight to your rig so its a stop gap measure until you can get the native lens.

Click to expand...

Electronic adapters that focal reduce to smaller sensor bodes are actually shorter and smaller than their equivalent "smart" adapters without optics. But the extra glass would add some more weight in FR adapters.

The only issue with native lenses on ML camera bodies is that they almost all will only work on bodies with their designated mount. This is certainly true for all L-Mount lenses.

If we are set "forever" in using L-Mount kit then obviously the L-Mount lens will always be superior and the desirable way to travel. On the other hand as someone already well invested in EF mount lenses it seemed much more sensible to forego selling up my EF lenses at a loss and just adapt to L and most of the other ML mount systems can always be used at some time in the future by simply buying a suitable set of adapters.

Adapted EF lenses give the owner much more freedom of choices - Nikon lenses as well, but perhaps not quite as universally useable.

dezinerd said:

My thought was for macro work its slow paced and manual focus works better for some cases. My Nikkor afs G 60 goes to 1:1 and the Fuji 60 only does 1:5 plus I already had the Nikkor.

I am finding that the newest lens by all manufacturers are performing better than some of the old classics so for me it is hard to justify the inconvenience. There are many great bargains on Panasonic L mount lens the 20-60 can be found for less than $300 US and it is a great lens but suffers the dreaded Kit moniker which lowers its monetary value but its image quality and useful focal lengths make a super bargain. Todays lens with rounded aperture blades and many leaves give pleasing bokeh in spite of their small openings. Panasonic has been including 50 and 85 prime lens as a purchase incentive and these reportedly good lens are also bargains on the used market. Some never used sold as "open box". Good luck with your new gear.

Click to expand...

jalywol said:

Johan Borg said:

jalywol said:

You can use an adapter for Canon EF lenses. However, because the S5 does not have PDAF focusing, only CDAF, the AF will be slow on the adapted lenses.

Click to expand...

Maybe this wasn't obvious to the OP, but the S5II *does* have PDAF focusing like DSLRs, so many adapted lenses should work better there than on the S5. Hence, going for the newer model may save you money if you have a lot of Canon EF glass and look for continuous AF:

Click to expand...

Given that the OP says in his first post that he already bought the S5 and 20-60mm, used, I think this might be not entirely relevant advice for his situation?

-J

Click to expand...

I suppose that the PDAF on the S5II/x and S9 works only in C-AF mode like it does with the M4/3 G9II. The CDAF focus system seems to be deemed quite quick and competitive enough for S-AF. As it always has. This raises interesting questions for adapted EF lenses in AF mode (probably the same for electronically adapted Nikon lenses as well). These lenses are optimised for PDAF camera bodies but if they are used in S-AF mode they are still used with CDAF and nothing much has changed with their focusing capabilities - which range from "quite good" for some lenses - to decidedly "lazy" - and some even stumble a bit.

Using C-AF for the more recalcitrant EF lenses has seemingly improved their performance but it is a lengthy difficult process to seriously check this assertion.

But the good news seems to be that switching to C-AF will allow all EF lenses to use the PDAF system. As far as I know as a S1 owner - C-AF is now available for the S5II/x and S9 bodies.

I might be wrong in my interpretation, and will welcome other considered views on this subject.

Tom Caldwell said:

jalywol said:

Johan Borg said:

jalywol said:

You can use an adapter for Canon EF lenses. However, because the S5 does not have PDAF focusing, only CDAF, the AF will be slow on the adapted lenses.

Click to expand...

Maybe this wasn't obvious to the OP, but the S5II *does* have PDAF focusing like DSLRs, so many adapted lenses should work better there than on the S5. Hence, going for the newer model may save you money if you have a lot of Canon EF glass and look for continuous AF:

Click to expand...

Given that the OP says in his first post that he already bought the S5 and 20-60mm, used, I think this might be not entirely relevant advice for his situation?

-J

Click to expand...

I suppose that the PDAF on the S5II/x and S9 works only in C-AF mode like it does with the M4/3 G9II. The CDAF focus system seems to be deemed quite quick and competitive enough for S-AF. As it always has. This raises interesting questions for adapted EF lenses in AF mode (probably the same for electronically adapted Nikon lenses as well). These lenses are optimised for PDAF camera bodies but if they are used in S-AF mode they are still used with CDAF and nothing much has changed with their focusing capabilities - which range from "quite good" for some lenses - to decidedly "lazy" - and some even stumble a bit.

Using C-AF for the more recalcitrant EF lenses has seemingly improved their performance but it is a lengthy difficult process to seriously check this assertion.

But the good news seems to be that switching to C-AF will allow all EF lenses to use the PDAF system. As far as I know as a S1 owner - C-AF is now available for the S5II/x and S9 bodies.

I might be wrong in my interpretation, and will welcome other considered views on this subject.

Click to expand...

I hope that Sean Robinson (or someone else who works for panasonic) can confirm this either way.

I am not sure I would be the idal person to test out the S5 IIX + Sigma MC-21 + Canon EF lenses to see whether PDAF works in AF-S or not.

I guess I could compare my Panasonic 50mm f/1.8 with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (that's the third version of the Canon nifty fifty, to anyone out there who doesn't have a decoder ring capable of deciphering the nomenclature), but my concern is that I might be oblivious to subtle performance differences when shooting in S-AF.

Great to see so many replies. Reading this quickly I realize I'm a total noob and there is more than enough possibilities for playing around with other lenses even today native is a thing.

Back in the days I did played around with manual lenses and it's extra work but was actual fun indeed. You can see some samples of my Nikkor 105mm AIS on Flickr which I loved for the bokey.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/diem-/

Firstly my next purchase will be a native S L-mount 50 or 35mm. Not sure yet. The 35mm might offer me a more versatile usage as in crop mode it comes near 50mm on the S5 body. Then again it might lack the compression/bokey like the 50? We'll see.

Next to that, thanks to your replies, I think I may revisit manual lenses for fun even with the S5 body. This time a nice fast vintage lens would be something to be on the lookout for. I knew the S5ii would be the better camera but pricewise the S5 /w 20-60 kit lens was the better option for me.

Thank you all again for the in depth and specific lens/adapter information! I have some reading up and into to do

Off The Mark said:

Tom Caldwell said:

jalywol said:

Johan Borg said:

jalywol said:

You can use an adapter for Canon EF lenses. However, because the S5 does not have PDAF focusing, only CDAF, the AF will be slow on the adapted lenses.

Click to expand...

Maybe this wasn't obvious to the OP, but the S5II *does* have PDAF focusing like DSLRs, so many adapted lenses should work better there than on the S5. Hence, going for the newer model may save you money if you have a lot of Canon EF glass and look for continuous AF:

Click to expand...

Given that the OP says in his first post that he already bought the S5 and 20-60mm, used, I think this might be not entirely relevant advice for his situation?

-J

Click to expand...

I suppose that the PDAF on the S5II/x and S9 works only in C-AF mode like it does with the M4/3 G9II. The CDAF focus system seems to be deemed quite quick and competitive enough for S-AF. As it always has. This raises interesting questions for adapted EF lenses in AF mode (probably the same for electronically adapted Nikon lenses as well). These lenses are optimised for PDAF camera bodies but if they are used in S-AF mode they are still used with CDAF and nothing much has changed with their focusing capabilities - which range from "quite good" for some lenses - to decidedly "lazy" - and some even stumble a bit.

Using C-AF for the more recalcitrant EF lenses has seemingly improved their performance but it is a lengthy difficult process to seriously check this assertion.

But the good news seems to be that switching to C-AF will allow all EF lenses to use the PDAF system. As far as I know as a S1 owner - C-AF is now available for the S5II/x and S9 bodies.

I might be wrong in my interpretation, and will welcome other considered views on this subject.

Click to expand...

I hope that Sean Robinson (or someone else who works for panasonic) can confirm this either way.

I am not sure I would be the idal person to test out the S5 IIX + Sigma MC-21 + Canon EF lenses to see whether PDAF works in AF-S or not.

I guess I could compare my Panasonic 50mm f/1.8 with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (that's the third version of the Canon nifty fifty, to anyone out there who doesn't have a decoder ring capable of deciphering the nomenclature), but my concern is that I might be oblivious to subtle performance differences when shooting in S-AF.

Click to expand...

Me also Mark. I am a great person for remembering that I saw something written with some authority somewhere but not remembering the circumstances of what I read.

I would like to see some factual source confirm this issue.

All that I can say from personal experience is that Panasonic CDAF gave very fast S-AF focusing in its own right and it was the C-AF where issues lay. My PDAF experience with Panasonic bodies is limited to the G9II clone of the S5II and it seems to my perception only that C-AF is working better that S-AF with at last some electronically adapted EF lenses.

But I am not holding a stop watch. Note also that I believe that suddenly since the S5II/x C-AF has been enabled for adapted EF lenses.

So we have a situation where S-AF worked fine for native oem lenses - the issue was with C-AF and if PDAF improves the C-AF with native oem lenses then it is nearly all good news.

However if PDAF is indeed restricted to C-AF then it does leave adapted lenses that were optimised for use with PDAF in much the same way as they were before PDAF as respects S-AF focusing - therefore perhaps we should simply use C-AF for all electronically adapted EF lenses for the purposes of AF. Obviously not sure and some confirmation would not go astray. Perhaps even there may be some issues in using C-AF for all focusing attempts with adapted EF lenses?

I have not thought about digging out my recalcitrant EF 50/1.8 MkII and giving it a try. The STM is a very sweet lens to adapt for S-AF both on L-Mount and M4/3 mount. Why the MkII fails seems to be a flaw in Metabones firmware which tries to rush-focus the lens - which is light and plasticky with what seems to be a very powerful motor. In the case of just this lens it might have been easier and provide actual quick reliable focus if it used a more measured pace for what cannot be a substantial distance adjustment. In any case the STM version is so pleasant, quick and accurate when adapted that the earlier MkII has been mouldering away in the naughty corner for years now.

One (only) of my adapters did fine focus the EF MkII when adapted easily but I forget which one.

A short, subjective, comparison for you:

I have the S5. I've never expected much from its C-AF, since I am also used to how Panasonic's CDAF M43 bodies behave in C-AF. As such, I pretty much always use S-AF (but it would be nice to have really usable C-AF for some bird work).

I've never been unhappy with the S-AF on the Panasonic M43 bodies. It's always worked very well for me.

However, the S5 S-AF is (again, subjectively) slower to AF and misses sometimes, where the M43 versions never do. This makes the S5 a little less pleasant to work with in my usual fashion, but with some adjustments to settings, I have gotten it to be acceptable.

Fast forward to the S9. (I have not used the S5II). ALL AF, both S-AF and (as expected) C-AF on the S9 is noticeably faster and better than the AF of any type on the S5. The S9 finds and locks on to things even in S-AF faster and more accurately than the S5 does. Of course, I am not sure if those differences are because of the PDAF, or if there are other CDAF tweaks Panasonic did But something is better.

Similarly, when I had the G9II last year, for about a month, I found all of its AF to be better, not just the C-AF. But, I didn't use that camera long enough to get any kind of detailed evaluation going, just a subjective one from use.

So, I don't know what Panasonic is doing with their PDAF bodies, but they do seem to work better in AF overall, not just C-AF...in my own personal experience with them.

-J

jalywol said:

A short, subjective, comparison for you:

I have the S5. I've never expected much from its C-AF, since I am also used to how Panasonic's CDAF M43 bodies behave in C-AF. As such, I pretty much always use S-AF (but it would be nice to have really usable C-AF for some bird work).

I've never been unhappy with the S-AF on the Panasonic M43 bodies. It's always worked very well for me.

However, the S5 S-AF is (again, subjectively) slower to AF and misses sometimes, where the M43 versions never do. This makes the S5 a little less pleasant to work with in my usual fashion, but with some adjustments to settings, I have gotten it to be acceptable.

Fast forward to the S9. (I have not used the S5II). ALL AF, both S-AF and (as expected) C-AF on the S9 is noticeably faster and better than the AF of any type on the S5. The S9 finds and locks on to things even in S-AF faster and more accurately than the S5 does. Of course, I am not sure if those differences are because of the PDAF, or if there are other CDAF tweaks Panasonic did But something is better.

Similarly, when I had the G9II last year, for about a month, I found all of its AF to be better, not just the C-AF. But, I didn't use that camera long enough to get any kind of detailed evaluation going, just a subjective one from use.

So, I don't know what Panasonic is doing with their PDAF bodies, but they do seem to work better in AF overall, not just C-AF...in my own personal experience with them.

-J

Click to expand...

Panasonic S-AF has always been quite acceptable for my M4/3 camera bodies. I have not bothered with C-AF mainly because I have not ever needed video. But I can see some advantages for C-AF in tracking moving subjects.

My L-Mount S1 has been mostly used for adapted EF mount lenses - in which case the performance has been as per my well publicised, but aging, tests of multiple EF adapters. Overall the EF lens performance has been adequate and I have tended to not use the Sigma MC-21 as third party brands offer a wider range of compatibility.

The question now is whether or not these adapters have improved the performance of EF lenses on Panasonic bodies that now use PDAF focus assist in some form or another.

This related to the S5II/x, S9 and for M4/3 the G9II. I only own the latter.

Only Metabones (which does not make for L-Mount) seem to have specifically addressed PDAF support (in their M4/3 product). Starting at v4.10 on 12 July 2024 (installed) and an update as V4.20 on 22 November 2024 which I have not yet installed.

Viltrox firmware for M4/3 (M2 EF=M4/3 focal reduced) is fossilised at v4.0 last updated at sometime before June 2022. Their L-mount firmware is at v1.2 which I have not installed but suggest that it does not cover Panasonic PDAF focus ability.

Sigma MC-21 is at v1.4 from 22 December 2022 and none of their updates mentions PDAF support. The most recent update was pre-Panasonic PDAF.

Consequently we can only presume that neither Viltrox nor Sigma thought it necessary to adjust their adapter firmware for PDAF support.

Metabones who seem to work hardest at keeping their firmware sweet and trouble free has made two adjustments to their software which in part involve PDAF support. But this is M4/3 country and does not apply to L-Mount.

Testing the Viltrox and Metabones adapters with the "glory be" huge Sigma 105/1.4 DG lens on my M4/3 G9II with S-AF indicates that the Metabones firmware is giving the usual "double-clunk" reaction of CDAF. Finding focus reasonably quickly then "clunk-stop" and backup to best found focus point "second-clunk".

Using C-AF it seems to almost casually glide into focus when the shutter is soft pressed and then tries to glide into focus again. But draws the line as gliding into closest focus with a test jar of flowers. It needs a new shutter soft press to bring the vase and flowers into focus - which it again does smoothly and at measured pace. The occasional "clunk" but my general impression is "clunk-free". My guess it is using C-AF with PDAF in measured transition as perhaps the more video interested amongst us would appreciate. The S-AF "double-clunk" presumed CDAF focus is certainly faster. The C-AF presumed PDAF focus is smoother but I don't have a convenient moving subject matter to test to see if the "measured transition" I was seeing was actually "measured-enough" to keep up with the motion and provide adequate re-focussing.

But I don't have an L-Mount body that features PDAF to see what native EF-L electronic adapters can offer. Certainly there doe not seem to have been any effort by either Sigma or Viltrox to update their adapters to take advantage of the PDAF facility - perhaps it was not necessary for L-Mount?

But Viltrox has also not updated their firmware from V4.0 for its EF-M4/3 adapters. Both S-AF and C-AF work but my impression is that the Metabones product does work better.

Testing again with a happy more compact lens such as the Canon EF 50/1.8 STM might make for another perspective.

Tom Caldwell said:

Panasonic S-AF has always been quite acceptable for my M4/3 camera bodies. I have not bothered with C-AF mainly because I have not ever needed video. But I can see some advantages for C-AF in tracking moving subjects.

My L-Mount S1 has been mostly used for adapted EF mount lenses - in which case the performance has been as per my well publicised, but aging, tests of multiple EF adapters. Overall the EF lens performance has been adequate and I have tended to not use the Sigma MC-21 as third party brands offer a wider range of compatibility.

The question now is whether or not these adapters have improved the performance of EF lenses on Panasonic bodies that now use PDAF focus assist in some form or another.

Click to expand...

Having no adapted AF lenses, I can't address that at all.

However, just this evening, out of curiosity, I was taking a set of images of a dried flower in a small vase, with all of my current bodies: S9, S5, G95, G100D, and GM5. ISO 1600, 42.5mm f1.7 lens at f2.0 on the M43 bodies, and 24-105mm f4 lens at 85mm and f4.0 on the FF bodies. All taken on a tabletop tripod for stability and consistency. Single small box AF, no other camera focusing modes in effect.

All the M43, even the old faithful GM5, S-AF'd just perfectly. The S9 was quick and accurate as well. The S5? Not a chance. It just would not lock on to the subject. Same settings, same light, same conditions, same size focus box. Nope. Had to help it along with MF.

So, whatever they have done with the AF in the PDAF L-mount bodies is really a step up from the first gen CDAF versions, which were, indeed, not as good as the M43 implementations.

Now, how much of this improvement would be carried over to non-native, non-DFD able, lenses, I have no idea. But it's definitely a thing for the native ones.

-J