Customer Reviews

Panasonic DMW-MA1 Lumix G 4/3 DSLR Mount Adapter

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've used this adapter for almost a year now with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Blue), and it allows me to adapt standard Four Thirds lenses with my Micro Four Thirds camera. Using this adapter, I believe I have snapped a combined 5,000 exposures using the following lenses:

Olympus 25mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

Olympus E 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras

Konica Hexanon AR 40mm f/1.8 Lens

The adapter still looks great and functions as it did from day one.

This adapter functions just the same as the currently more expensive Olympus MMF-1 Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds Adapter and OLYMPUS 260964 MMF-2 Four-Thirds Lens Adapter. The only difference among these adapters is color (the Panasonic is colored to match Lumix cameras) and the weight (the MMF-2 is lighter-weight due to increased use of plastics).

Autofocus performance using this or either of the Olympus adapters is more a function of the specific lens and the camera body used. None of the adapted lenses are going to focus as fast as native Micro Four Thirds lenses, but with some lenses, like the 25mm f/2.8 pancake, focus is pretty snappy.

It's important to note that not all Four Thirds lenses are able to autofocus on Panasonic bodies, but most Olympus and Panasonic Four Thirds lenses will allow the user to automatically enter manual focus assist mode on an Panasonic body simply by turning the focus ring. For questions about autofocus and other compatibility issues, this chart published by Panasonic is very helpful: [...].

This is less of an issue with Olympus Micro Four Thirds bodies, as those bodies are able to autofocus with all Olympus Four Thirds lenses.

Because it functions exactly as advertised and its price has settled at a reasonable level, I give this adapter 5 stars. I would have only given it 4 stars at its original introductory price of about $179-$200.

This adapter allows you to mount full sized 4/3 lenses on Micro 4/3 bodies, whether Olympus or Panasonic. It's successful as such, and it's a good bit cheaper than the Olympus MMF-1 Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds Adapter. Since this adapter works fine on Olympus bodies, there's absolutely no reason to pay a premium for the Olympus version unless you really value the appearance of the latter.

There are adapters for many mounts which work with M4/3, but to my knowledge the 4/3 to m4/3 adapter is the only one that allows for fully automatic lens controls on a PEN. Even if you don't already own any 4/3 lenses, you might consider purchasing them along with this adapter to fill some of the gaps in the m4/3 native lineup.

A couple of observations regarding usage on my E-P2 along with my Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens:

- The automatic functionality of the 4/3 lens is retained on the PEN, including a limited form of autofocus (which is not always the case on the Panasonic bodies)

- The degraded mode AF is slower than AF on a DSLR, resulting in a rapid succession of tiny adjustments prior to locking focus. It can also hunt in low light, but it's usable

- AF is limited to single mode only; continuous and tracking are not available

- Even a not-so-big (by DSLR standards) lens like the Zuiko 50mm f/2 can really dominate the E-P2 when mounted on the adapter, which seems to add around 2 cm to the length of the setup

There are a few 4/3 lenses which are designed to fully support contrast detection AF when mounted on a M4/3 body; in those cases, AF should function just as it would with a native Micro 4/3 lens.

** Update 11/22 **

I can now add more lenses to the list I've used with this adapter: the Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras, the Olympus Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras, and the Olympus EC14 1.4x Teleconverter Lens (for at f/2.8 on E-System lenses).

The 70-300mm with the latest firmware supports CDAF natively, and as a result it works with full autofocus capabilities (even when on the TC). I've used it to take moon shots with my Olympus PEN. It's a cheap and reliable lens and the autofocus makes it a wonderful option.

The 50-200mm with the latest firmware still does not have full AF support on the PEN, but its focus motor is fast enough that the "hunting" mechanism works serviceably well. For action though, you probably need to pre-focus and use MF.

Both of these lenses look absolutely hilarious when mounted on the E-P2 using the mount adapter. The 50-200mm SWD is especially humorous: stick on a lens hood and the TC, and you're shooting with a sublimely ridiculous piece of kit. I can't tell you how many odd glances I get when shooting with a huge semi-pro fast zoom on such a tiny body, and how much fun it is when I get them.

I've been using a bridge camera for a few years and just upgraded to my first DSLR, the Panasonic Lumix G1. And, while the micro four thirds system offered by the G series may be innovative, it can also be a little problematic when it comes to finding lenses. Enter this convenient little gadget.

This adapter was very easy to use to connect my Olympus lens to the G1, which has produced quality results. And although it seems a little bulky, one can sure tell that it is well made. Panasonic didn't cut any corners with this one.

BIGGEST PROS:

1. Easy to attack and use.

2. Works with countless lenses that use the original four thirds system.

3. Has a professional look and feel.

BIGGEST CONS:

1. It's a little bigger than I expected.

2. The price for such adapters, this one included, tends to be higher than necessary.

All things considered, it was a good investment.

I ordered this item so I could use several existing Olympus 4/3 system lenses with my Panasonic G2. It is extremely well made and it works perfectly. You just put the adapter into your camera like you would put in a lens. Then you put the 4/3 system lens into the adapter, again, like you would normally put a lens into the camera.

The two Olympus lenses I tested were the 50 mm prime and the 14-45 mm zoom. They both auto-focused and worked correctly. I used the "P" setting but I don't think that is relevant.

I have to add, I like using this sweet little camera better with the native lens I have, the 14mm. It focuses much faster than with the Olympus lenses which are of a different design. But for those special shots where the 14mm is not the right lens I will be using the adapter and my set of Olympus glass.

I have had this adapter for several months now and it works great with all my Olympus four thirds lenses on my Olympus E-P2. I use it with my Olympus 9-18mm, Olympus 40-150mm, Olympus 70-300mm. No focusing issues.

If you are shooting the GH1 and you want to use some of the nice original 4/3rds Olympus Lens that are on the market this is the only way to go in regards to adapters. It gives you full control so that it feels like you are shooting on a native Lumix lens. There is no glass, so there is no light loss. I'm not an autofocus shooter so I can comment on that capability very much but it's perfect for everything else.

A simple product. But it does exactly what it is supposed to - and for much less than the Olympus version!

good adapter. on occasion I get "be sure lense is on" error on camera but usually can ignore and it shoots no problem

I coupled this product to my Panasonic G1 and an Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens and it works! I'm very happy. Quality is traditional Panasonic which means very good.

great accessory for micro four thirds users allows one to use four thirds lenses. I've tried it with sigma 24mm f1.8 om my GH2S and got good results. Be mindful though that continuous autofocus (AFC) is not available with four thirds lenses and camera will remind you to switch. I think this accessory is a must for any 4/3 user.

As always amazon had the best price