metabones contax G>m4/3 adapter: a big lie

[rbelyell]

i cannot say how disappointed i was in the metabones contax g adapter i received. i was so excited to try one of the best lenses ever made, the zeiss biogon 28/2.8 on my new OMD. i was very hesitant about going down this road because the 'cheaper' adapters almost all specifically said they did not work with this lens unless surgery was performed, which i was not willing to do.

alomg comes this ad for the $140 metabones adapter that says SPECIFICALLY it works with both the 28 and the 21, both of which have the elongated back lens protectors:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221013296509?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_2166wt_984

the ad makes a big deal of how 'deep' the adapter is, and with no proviso about lens surgery, it seemed obvious they were charging an extreme price premium because their technology allowed use of these lenses in their native form.

well, obviously that was wrong. even though it is expressly NOT written that way, nor lists any warning or proviso, this adapter DOES NOT work with the biogon 28 without surgery. further, the lens does not even fully lock into the adapter, in what i found was a common problem when i did some research on the internet.

yes, they ARE giving me my money back, but thats not the point. i bought this lens only after i saw this adapter. the ad was not just misleading, it was an actual lie, in that they, as sophisticated sellers fully knowing about this problem, stated unequivocally the lens/adapter/camera worked without any mention that the lens needed to be substantially altered in order for this to be true. and then, this highly priced, quality product, doesnt even lock the lens properly in place.

looks like i'll be selling this lens soon, thanks for nothing metabones. last time i buy any of your products. i hope my story dissuades others from doing business with these guys.
tony

[Nordentro]

This is bad news for Metabones reputation. I feel your pain
Mf lenses can sometimes be challenging

[ForenSeil]

Where exactly is the problem/What does not fit?
The AF nipple of Contax G lenses is slightly "rotateable" which is often a problem. I often saw compatiblity issues in a German forum were people als said that their adapter is incompatible but after a little playing around they were all able to rotate the nipple in the correct position without any modification. I can't explain with words how to do this but it's not very hard if you find the trick.

But maybe you have a different problem of course.

I have no problem with the metabones adapter + biogon 28/2.8 on NEX bye the way

[rbelyell]

i think apsc cams have different clearamces than m4/3.

the main problem which is well known, is that without cutting the protective 'legs' neither the biogon 28 nor 21 can be rotated to fit into an m4/3 camera. this is noted in almost every other adapter ad, but the metabones ad expressly said these two lenses could properly e used with the adapter and made no mention of cutting the legs to make it work. to the contrary, it site the 'depth' of the adapter as a big plus justifying the price, and implying the depth would mitigate the 'issues' with the 28 lens.

second, the adapter has a lock on the back side. it does not 'lock' with the lens attached. i know the lens collar helps lock the lens by tension, but it does not truly lock on the adapter unless the 'lock' button can be effected, and it cannot. when i researched this issue, i found it a common problem with the metabones adapter.

thus, it is useless with the 28 and 21 contax g biogons and m4/3 cameras.

[ForenSeil]

Oh, ok, now I understand your problem.
You should buy a cheap Dremel- or Proxxon-Set etc. and fix this issue. I think it's not hard to do and I think definately worth it!
You can still use it on NEX and on Contax G afterwards without degradation of quality so it won't interfere much with the selling price etc., as long as it's not a fully mint copy.

I like the lens a lot, very sharp and very very low CA already wide open, very good 3D, very natural bokeh and it produces almost perfect colors and contrast. Center performance is breathtaking. Only drawback is sometimes visible vignetting (around about one stop wide open, doesn't bother me much, as it's not visible in most pics) on my NEX in the corners but that should improve when used on MFT.

[rbelyell]

maybe i'll trade my OMD for an xpro1...tbh, if the xpro had no issues with RF lenses, i wouldve done so already.

[Orio]

What about getting a Contax G camera instead of selling the lens?
They are delightful cameras to use. And you will save the lens from possible abuses.

[Attila]

[rbelyell]

yes, a contax green label g1 is on its way. i just feel i have too many cameras to not be able to use the lenses on both film and digital. that was my plan here. i am also a little afraid of auto focus film cameras, as i cannot determine the accuracy of the AF in all situations, and i find that a little stressful. maybe i'm a little crazy, huh?
tony

[ForenSeil]

With the 28/2.8 the focus is generally pretty precise with the G1 - only the 45/2 struggles sometimes and I would say the 90/2.8 often.
I also prefer MF with rangefinders, as there's no way to find out if the pic is focused correctly before developing the film with the G1.
The Contax G2 seems to be better bye the way.

I sold my G1 and I will go for an Leica M3/M2/M4/M5/M6, but I will keep the Contax G Biogon until I'm able to swap it against a ZM Biogon.

[lasjashk]

Really sorry! Tony......I think we need to enhance our items technology information and after-sell service, so more helpful to us and customers........

Yes! If customer need use G21 & G28 Lens on M4/3 camera, so Lens must need to cut the rear legs (plastic) around 5mm,
this is not a adapter problems....because the Lens rear legs is too long and block by camera sensor cover when install......

You can find more information on this website:
(www.componentgeek.com/lenses-micro-four-thirds/contax-g-lens/contax-g-21mm-28mm-metabones-adapter/)

We selling this kind of contax G adapter since last year, we just heard a few user have this question or problem at the start,
so we have not sense of this technology information and update our listing, i think i have not take care of new user......but I can say i have not premeditated to conceal and lying on this point.......

Anyway, i will follow up your case and reply you ASAP.....

Thank you!
Lasjas

[rbelyell]

well, i will say, i received very prompt and cordial responses from the seller, and there was no problem in my sending the adapter back for a refund.
tony

[std]

Well i was also disappointed at first because i was using the Biogon on Nex with Kipon adapter and it was just fine. Most probably the clearance is smaller in m4/3 - i have tried the same Kipon adapter style as the one i had on Nex but it was not good. So i have decided to keep the Metabones m4/3 adapter after all i do not use the 2.8/28 Biogon so often on m4/3 - i prefer the 2/35 Planar.

The issue with Biogons and this adapter is that there is no space around stutter assembly on Pen in order to rotate the lens while it is mounted to the adapter. The only way you can mount it is to put the adapter on the camera first and then the lens on the adapter. And yes you cannot lock it any more so you need to be careful not to drop the lens if you rotate it by accident. The lens will not detach by itself unless you rotate the ring under the aperture ring.

So this adapter allows usage of 28 Biogon on m4/3 without modification to the lens - just you need to be careful.

[rbelyell]

yes stefan you are correct. however, imo, any 'solution' that involves the lens not being locked into the adpater is not one i am going to use. additionally, the adapter i received would not lock the lens in regardless of mounting procedure. my only point is that metabones and sellers need to CLEARLY tell people what they are buying, and that these adapters CANNOT be used 'normally' with the 21 and 28mm lenses.
tony

[turbines]

My 2 cents FWIW.

I bought 6 Metabones Contax G Adapters for Nex and m4/3 several years ago.. I knew before purchasing that the 21mm and 28mm would require some surgery. That took me about 15 minutes with some tape an Exacto saw and a fine mill file to get them job done. Out of the six I had a problem one with right out of the box and Metabones replaced it quickly. I have never had any installed lens come loose or fall off when installed properly. I have been very pleased with all of my Metabones adapters and I consider Metabones quality to be every bit as good as Voigtlander, Novaflex, Yeenon and Rayqual.