Voigtländer adapter expands lens pool for Micro Four Thirds cameras
By Darren Murph 
posted April 27th 2009 5:33PM
posted April 27th 2009 5:33PM
Granted, this was totally expected, but we can't possibly be more excited to see such a peripheral emerge before the Micro Four Thirds segment even has a chance to blossom. Cosina, parent company of Voigtländer, has just introduced a new adapter which aims to make Micro Four Thirds cameras (you know, like Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G1) compatible with a slew of existing Voigtländer, Leica and Carl Zeiss lenses. Unfortunately, we're told that the device is mechanical only, which could cause issues with some of the more advanced features that require tight knit camera-lens communication. Head on past the break for a full list of suitable lenses, and feel free to ping your favorite Japanese importer with a mailing address and at least ¥19,800 ($205).[Via Wired]
Can I just say that I'm a huge fan of the micro 4/3 logo?
you may, and the logo itself is the same for the not-so-micro four thirds system. It just doesn't have "Micro" written under it.
The primary reason I don't like 4/3:
"A major reason to choose 4:3 sensor proportions was similarity to the aspect ratio on standard definition television. Computer monitors also commonly use a 4:3 aspect ratio, as found in the VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA+, UXGA and QXGA standards."
A. I'm no longer interested in standard def only TVs
B. I'm no longer interested in 4:3 ration monitors.
I much prefer 3:2
wow... and to think, when I look at a picture or a painting the last thing I think about is the aspect ratio.
It's worth mentioning that 4:3 also makes slightly more efficient use of the same image circle.
But hey, if you don't like the 4:3 ratio, give the GH1 a look. Much like the LX3 before it, this model has an oversized sensor. Which means that it can handle multiple aspect ratios while retaining the same angle of view.
crop your photos....
Normally, one ends up cropping anyway.
Aspect ratio isn't important as end result concerned - it is important to the light which falls on the sensor: vignetting is simply non-existent on 4/3.
Hey, to each his own...
I don't necessarily want to crop my photos. I try to frame them the way I want them when I shoot them. Personally I find a wider format more pleasing to the eye, just like I prefer wide screen movies...
Also, my GF prefers a hexagonal douche, not that it is any of your business...
> Personally I find a wider format more pleasing to the eye, just like I prefer wide screen movies...
I do not have any particular preferences myself - it's just my camera is 4:3. Could never understand people praising 4/3 for its aspect ratio.
I can't believe this conversation has gone on this long without someone mentioning the glaringly obvious reason why 3:2 is more pleasing to look at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
@jollyllama
3:2 is not a golden ratio. Maybe if you spent more time learning math and less time jerking off, you wouldn't be such an idiot.
And don't respond with something smart like "Well, I didn't explicitly say 3:2 was a go..."; you implied it.
@Billy:
Wow, way to be both incredibly rude and incredibly ignorant:
http://fotogenetic.dearingfilm.com/golden_rectangle.html
@jollyllama
1.5 != 1.6180339887 (approximately) no matter what you might think.
It's now apparent you have a language deficiency to go along with your lack of mathematical understanding.
And way to be predictable, too.
Well if you want a small camera with a decent sensor, micro 4/3 is your only choice. They don't make a 3/2 sensor that is in between an APS size DSLR and a tiny point and shoot sensor..
@loosely_coupled
There is sorta an in-between APS-C and compact. It's APS-C!
Okay, what I mean is that APS-C doesn't just refer to one size of digital sensor. But several. The 1.5x crops used by Nikon, Pentax, and Olympus. The 1.6x used by Canon. And the 1.74x used by SIgma. The compact DP1 and DP2 feature the last of these.
Anyways... but as I pointed out before, the GH1 has a multi aspect ratio sensor:
http://www.pbase.com/viztyger/image/109862819
Whoops.... I meant to say Nikon, Pentax, and SONY.
Sensors should be 1:1 ratio to make use of the lens more efficiently.
great i can use my m mount lenses!
$205 not so great. why does everything affiliated with leica have to be so much??
Indeed, $200+ for a small ring? It better be 24 carat.
There is no real electronic connection between a Leica and its lens anyways. Sure there is the bar code reader on the M8, but that would be of little use here. And the mechanical link is also unnecessary, since µ4:3 aren't true rangefinders.
Not sure if posting store links is allowed on engadget, but $205 is sort of the MSRP. You can get the adapter on CameraQuest for $175 here http://www.cameraquest.com/adp_micro_43.htm
Still a little pricey, but most rangefinder lens adapters tend to be.
Before reading the headline or the article I noticed the photograph and thought, "Oh, has Sony designed a new MP3 player?"
Considering market position of 4/3 (far below top) and average age of rangefinders (and their owners), I wonder how much people would be interesting in buying the adapter.
I was buying 4/3 body solely for reason that it's new format and isn't flooded with the cheap glass (and it's turned out, Oly's optics is simply outstanding) forcing you to read likewise endless flood of all possible reviews, opinions and FAQs - all that just to find a decent fast zoom.
Some lenses on the list might be interesting, but I'd rather buy new lens from Oly or Panay: it would be a much better fit to my 4/3 body anyway.
On most of the dedicated photography forums I visit there seems to be a fair amount of interest. Especially since Voigtländer aren't that expensive comparatively.
Realize that other than the Leica M8 and Epson rangefinders, *micro four thirds* is the only digital system that they lenses will actually work with. And it is the only one that actually gives you a TTL view.
This is all ignoring the fact voigtlander lenses are some of the best lenses ever made?
Might be to some.
I went through threir catalog - http://www.voigtlaender.de/cms/voigtlaender/voigtlaender_cms.nsf/id/pa_fdih7pyk8x.html - and see nothing interesting to me. Wide angle primes are definitely interesting - but crop factor 2.0 of 4/3 would make them not so wide.
Nevertheless, catalog is quite impressive.
True, the crop factor does tend to negate one of the advantages of these lenses.
On the other hand there is a fine selection of fast glass. Something µ4:3 is lacking right now. And even regular 4:3 doesn't offer much of (something to do with the original patent apparently).