Viltrox EF-M2 Adapter for Canon To m4/3 AF x0.71 Review (Update 1)

My Viltrox EF-M2 arrived after a few weeks, finally. First of all, it didn't work with E-M1 (disappointed) but it worked with E-M5 very well as promised. The package was very nice. The box contained two screwdrivers. I was wondering why it came with a small cross type screwdriver at the first place. After the first few test shots, I knew why... Infinity focus was unavailable (off badly). There was a tiny screw on the camera mount side like Metabones'. Unscrewing it a bit and you turn the glass anti-clockwise a few times until you can focus the far objects.

From the test, EF-M2 was very sharp and AF fast with E-M5. I felt bad about I couldn't use it on E-M1. Comparing to Kipon Bav EYES, EF-M2 has a bit better image quality. I didn't touch the infinity focus adjustment screw on Kipon Bav EYES from the first day. It might affect the result (Should I adjust it too?). However, Kipon Bav EYES worked with E-M1 very well and EF-M2 couldn't.

For the price, EF-M2 is a good deal. I hope the future firmware update will fix the E-M1 compatibility issue.

Viltrox EF-M2 Advantage over Kipon Bav EYES:
- A little bit Sharper
- Better mount fitting (both lens and camera end)
- Better contact between lens to the adapter
- Camera knows your correct lens focal length after x0.71 (Correct in body IS)
- Cheaper (USD199 now)

Kipon Bav EYES Advantage over Viltrox EF-M2:
- Works with E-M1
- No need to tune infinity focus. Works right out of package.

*EF-M2 Firmware version 2.2 (Firmware Update Here)
*Official supported cameras: GH5/GH4/GF1/E-M5/E-M10/E-M5 II/E-M10 II/PEN-F/E-PL3
*Official non-supported cameras: E-M1 II/E-M10 III

Some people said Olympus has lots of good lenses in smaller size and why using Canon lenses. Yes, you are right if you only have m4/3 cameras. However, Olympus's Pro f/1.2 are all over-priced (cost as much as full frame Canon L Primes) and not light weight, too. Pro f/1.2 lenses are not for the people like us who have almost the whole set of Canon L Primes after 11 years of professional career. We prefer to keep using the lenses that can be for work and leisure at the same time. In 2018, it's a fact that m4/3 is still not commonly used in wedding jobs unless it can provide a usable ISO6400 photos. Before that point, I still think Olympus Pro f/1.2 lenses are over-priced.

Raymond & Jessie
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You will find two screwdrivers inside. The small cross-type one is very important!!!



I test with 24mm f/1.4L and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART



The infinity focus was way off. Now it is ok after 20 mins adjustment. AF point at the line "zoom 24-105mm" on i40 flash.



E-M5 + EF-M2 + 24L
1/200s, f/1.8, ISO400



100% pixel



E-M5 + EF-M2 + 24L



100% pixel



Let's compare with Kipon Bav EYES



E-M1 + Kipon Bav EYES + 24L
1/200s, f/1.8, ISO400



100% pixel



E-M1 + Kipon Bav EYES + 24L



100% pixel: Seems like the focus shifted to backward (on the traffic light instead of the hand)

Peak Design Camera Strap: Slide - Unexpectedly Good

Before we start this short review, we have to tell you that don't get money from Peak Design or contact with it. It's just a personal review.

We travel quite often with cameras especially with two Olympus OM-D's. For leisure use, we use the neck strap instead of the double side way ones for wedding shoots. First, it's weird to carry two cameras on each side as a visitor. Second, we carry bags (with kids, we have no choice). The old red foam strap is getting dirty and we need a replacement.



Peak Design's strap caught our eyes because of the detachable feature. At the same time, it's 15% off for me to get one. Why not?

The package is really fancy - Apple product type of packaging. We don't expect it comes with 4 knots thingy. That means I can switch the strap between my E-M1 and E-M5 (or two as backup). Put it on... it is surprisingly comfortable.







The knot thingy is easy to lock and unlock. The string is looking strong. Now, we can share the strap between two cameras.



One of the best features should be this length adjuster. It is well designed for easy adjustment but we don't know if it's durable (we will know in the next trip). Design like this can be very good when it's new but turn into big problem if the metal lock can't hold it after the test of time. Let's see what will happen after 2 months.



Another smart design is the rubber on one side of the strap. When it's wore as cross body strap, we want no friction. However, if it's wore on the single shoulder, we need the friction to avoid the strap falling off the shoulder. This strap will look the same from a distance no matter we wore with which side.

At this moment, we are happy with this product. It will face our first travel test in March. Come back and see what we think of this strap. Stay tuned!

Raymond & Jessie

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Canon EF To m4/3 Focal Reducer (Speedbooster) Review

After vacation, I picked up this focal reducer (FR) from Billy and tested it. Now, I can show you how things work. First of all, this FR has no aperture control and no electronic connection with camera. Your Canon EF lenses will be wide open all the time at its own largest aperture. I don't have any Canon EF-S lens but I'm pretty sure it can't work with EF-S lens. Without this FR, EF lenses' focal length on m4/3 cameras is doubled. A Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L will be a 100mm f/1.2 lens. With this Chinese made FR, the lens becomes 72mm f/0.86 (50mm x 2 x 0.72 = 72mm) & (f/1.2 x 0.72 = f/0.864). Pretty cool, right?

First test is using my old Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC with the FR. This lens is pretty good for travel. You can see (below) the shot that I took at St. Peter's in years ago. Camera body is Canon 30D. The widest end 10mm is 16mm on 30D (APS-C sensor 1.6x). You can see the lens is sharp.

Let's mount Sigma 10-20mm on Olympus OM-D E-M1 + FR!

OK! It fits. When I had "Canon 1D Mark II N" (APS-H sensor 1.3x) many years ago, I mounted this Sigma lens on it without breaking the mirror. Therefore, I'm very sure it works with this FR. I know the "usable focal length" is around 14~15mm.

@10mm (= 14.4mm on E-M1): Dark and not sharp at the 4 corners... Can be fixed in Lightroom.

@20mm (= 28.8mm on E-M1): Without serious problem.

Let's take a look at the performance with Canon EF lens! I pick 50L because it has the largest aperture with MF control (85L needs power to focus).

Focus at Ironman's forehead. Auto white balance. M Mode. Equal to 72mm f/0.86

Same M Mode setting with the previous one. Equal to 100mm f/1.2. It's obviously about 1-Stop darker without the Focal Reducer. Photo is sharper. E-M1's auto white balance acts differently, too.

Using Canon 50L. Focus at Start/Stop button. See the "C" at Canon Logo? Mm... Our 50L should be very sharp on 5D Mark III. Maybe, the reflections inside the FR affects the quality.

Let's try it with Sigma 35mm f/1.4 (Equal to 50.4mm f/1.0)

Subject is my E-M5 and 45mm f/1.8. I tried to focus at the white "37mm" word on the filter...

Look closer... I missed the focus a bit but you can see the lens' focus ring on the right is very sharp. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 rocks!

Conclusion: I think the result is acceptable when this FR is only $100+. What do you expect? I expect Metabones will make one with electronic control very soon.

Speaking of E-M1, its AF speed is really really fast (See the photo below taken with 12-40mm f/2.8 and 10 fps). It is a camera you can trust.

I brought E-M1 and E-M5 to San Diego last week. They served us very well. Light weight and weather proof. We could look at the photos on our iPads with Wi-Fi connection. I put an old Tamron 28-200mm lens on E-M5 for getting longer reach at the Zoo and Safari Park. The photo below is what I get from 200mm end + E-M5. Quite amazing!

Mirrorless products improve in a lightning speed recently. However at this stage, they still can't replace the pro series DSLR like 5D Mark III, 1DX, D4, and D800 etc. You never know what Sony will do in the coming months. If Sony updates their full frame A7/A7R like E-M1, it may change the whole industry.

Raymond
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