your backfocus isn't calibrated. Mine stays in focus while zooming, which is one of the major benefits to this kind of lens over a photography lens. You calibrate it with the set screw next to the macro slider.
Make sure you do your due diligence on compatibility, like I mentioned there are some slight differences with the blackmagic units. This might work with the studio camera but I can't guarantee it. Check some forums perhaps or go ahead and take the leap of faith hah. Let us know what you find in the comments. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1103381-REG/fotodiox_b4_mgc_mft_p_b4_magic_mft_pro_lens.html/?ap=y&gclid=CjwKCAjw9qiTBhBbEiwAp-GE0VC4_2iy4XoeOoSOi9pGSU_81rkQm0QebSOWJTD2Yk6k3xQRB9hVhxoCO5UQAvD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=y
This lens is not even designed for 720p, I'm not talking about Full HD and even more so 4K. And so you can fasten and take pictures, with chromatic aberrations and not a clear picture.
Yeah it's a compromise for sure, but for the price and the need that it accomplishes, definitely worth it for me personally. Just depends on what you're trying to accomplish I suppose.
Thank you for this comparison. It's a shame that you loose the low light benefit. I am still looking for how to film in a church or theater (not the cinema type), with an f 2.8 it seems to be to dark most of the time. I bring the ISO up to 3000+, any other suggestions for a cheap zoom lens in lower light condition with an gh5?
The GH5 should be really solid in low light 🕯️. What frame rate and shutter speed are you using? If you're doing 60p that could be part of it or it's just incredibly dark. There are some good videos on YT about camera settings to maximize your light intake. I would start by checking your settings since that camera should perform nicely. Otherwise, seems Sony sensors are the kings of low light, I really was impressed by the Blackmagic Cameras too.
This a really great review. But I wonder why the B4 video quality is so inferior compared to the kit lens? I was gonna get myself one to use with a Sony A6400 (which has 1.5x/2x digital zoom), but after a few videos I watched I kinda think it's not worth it?
It's definitely inferior, especially when you see them side by side. I can't speak precisely to scientific reasons but older lenses were designed for different camera's, film for example or 3 chip sensors. So the sensor and the lems were never designed to work together. So you get some undesirable image qualities but of course the zoom range is incredibly helpful for certain use cases.
Most of this lenses are for SD cameras so lenses didn't need to be so sharp, with HD cameras new really expensive B4 lenses came out with better quality. Some people say that you avoid SD lenses but I think a lot of them worth it, specially in terms of price and quality.
Sorry to bother you ,may I ask you a question? How to find the two power source pins from the 12 pins in the socket ? Which is the positive and which is the negative ? I know they has the sequence from 1-12
As someone who is getting a Panasonic AG-AF100 camera, and has a collection of vintage ENG cameras and B4/B3 lenses, is this a better idea than buying a normal M4/3 lens?
If you already have the lenses, buying a cheap adapter is totally worth it. Image quality is noticeably lower vs a modern M4/3 Lens. Less noticeable in sunlight I would argue.
Using the right camera setup I think you can get a VERY pleasing look with a B4/ENG lens. Granted some lenses are way past their prime but if you get one in decent condition and pair it with, say, a BMPCC 4K/RAW you get an image that is sharp BUT the sharpness is dampened just the right amount by the older lens. You get something akin to a Super 16mm film look because the lens also has slight artifacts (such as chromatic aberration and blooming) that are not great for modern TV but just fine for a nature scene. Case in point, I shot this with a BMPCC 4K and a B4 (probably my Canon but could be the Fuji) where the zoom is really good. A tip: don't try this handheld like I quite OBVIOUSLY did! ua-cam.com/video/4p4XQUtieKA/v-deo.html
@@lostproductionspdx thank you for the reply. A b4 adapter is not too expensive although some are outrageous in price. It's crazy. I see them cheap sometimes and think I would get a kind of consistent "holga" "toy" camera look. I do wonder if I can hand hold them or perhaps use a mini 6 inch tripod or strobe frame as a "pistol grip"
@@lostproductionspdx btw I came across some old angeliuex lenses, the zoom ones 25 mm to 125 mm? Something like that, unfortunately they are the old Krasnogorek mount and hard to find a adapter. It did come with one old lense adapter to c mount. I might just tight bond together. It feels a bit loose. They seem amazing. Many old films were Done with them. I believe Truffut , Kubrick French wave etc. Excuse any typos. 😂
@@unbroken1010 Some of the adapters are for specific cameras and need expensive glass so that's a possibility depending on camera. Some cameras are definitely light enough like this gh4. Bigger cameras might need lens rails. Just read as much as you can before spending money. Lots of info out there.
It's a Hirose cable, you need to make sure the pin configuration is correct, look up your lens model and confirm what it needs before buying something. 4 pin, 6 pin, 8 pin and 12 pin Hirose cables exist, just confirm what's on your lens and which pins need DC power.
@@lostproductionspdx cool, I have a lens adapter with an L just like yours. The strain between the lens and the adapter is not something to worry about?
your backfocus isn't calibrated. Mine stays in focus while zooming, which is one of the major benefits to this kind of lens over a photography lens. You calibrate it with the set screw next to the macro slider.
Thanks for the tip!! Did not even notice
How hard is that to figure it out? Can you use the lenses as manual with out the power zoom?
This was a very useful video thank you very much!
Truly appreciate the video, I've been researching using a Blackmagic studio camera and using a B4 on it. Would you have a link to the lens adapter?
Make sure you do your due diligence on compatibility, like I mentioned there are some slight differences with the blackmagic units.
This might work with the studio camera but I can't guarantee it.
Check some forums perhaps or go ahead and take the leap of faith hah.
Let us know what you find in the comments.
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1103381-REG/fotodiox_b4_mgc_mft_p_b4_magic_mft_pro_lens.html/?ap=y&gclid=CjwKCAjw9qiTBhBbEiwAp-GE0VC4_2iy4XoeOoSOi9pGSU_81rkQm0QebSOWJTD2Yk6k3xQRB9hVhxoCO5UQAvD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=y
This lens is not even designed for 720p, I'm not talking about Full HD and even more so 4K. And so you can fasten and take pictures, with chromatic aberrations and not a clear picture.
Yeah it's a compromise for sure, but for the price and the need that it accomplishes, definitely worth it for me personally. Just depends on what you're trying to accomplish I suppose.
The trick is b4 to canon ef mount and speedbooster. Does so much better in resolving 4K
@@ArtandMiserycan you use them for still photos and adjust the Aperture and focus without the power zoom part?
Thank you for this comparison.
It's a shame that you loose the low light benefit. I am still looking for how to film in a church or theater (not the cinema type), with an f 2.8 it seems to be to dark most of the time. I bring the ISO up to 3000+, any other suggestions for a cheap zoom lens in lower light condition with an gh5?
The GH5 should be really solid in low light 🕯️. What frame rate and shutter speed are you using? If you're doing 60p that could be part of it or it's just incredibly dark. There are some good videos on YT about camera settings to maximize your light intake.
I would start by checking your settings since that camera should perform nicely.
Otherwise, seems Sony sensors are the kings of low light, I really was impressed by the Blackmagic Cameras too.
This a really great review. But I wonder why the B4 video quality is so inferior compared to the kit lens? I was gonna get myself one to use with a Sony A6400 (which has 1.5x/2x digital zoom), but after a few videos I watched I kinda think it's not worth it?
It's definitely inferior, especially when you see them side by side. I can't speak precisely to scientific reasons but older lenses were designed for different camera's, film for example or 3 chip sensors. So the sensor and the lems were never designed to work together. So you get some undesirable image qualities but of course the zoom range is incredibly helpful for certain use cases.
Most of this lenses are for SD cameras so lenses didn't need to be so sharp, with HD cameras new really expensive B4 lenses came out with better quality. Some people say that you avoid SD lenses but I think a lot of them worth it, specially in terms of price and quality.
Is it ok to use these lenses without lens support?
Sorry to bother you ,may I ask you a question? How to find the two power source pins from the 12 pins in the socket ? Which is the positive and which is the negative ? I know they has the sequence from 1-12
www.google.com/search?q=b4+lens+pin+out+diagram&oq=b4+lens+pin+out+diagram&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i10i160.5811j0j4&client=ms-android-motorola-gfw&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=qoMqpCkVuYQRtM
just wow
Pretty nifty, I don't think these lenses are walking lenses though XD
Could it work without a power supply? I mean in full auto mode like other vintage manual lenses
Yep, you can use them manually. Manual focus and zoom.
As someone who is getting a Panasonic AG-AF100 camera, and has a collection of vintage ENG cameras and B4/B3 lenses, is this a better idea than buying a normal M4/3 lens?
If you already have the lenses, buying a cheap adapter is totally worth it.
Image quality is noticeably lower vs a modern M4/3 Lens.
Less noticeable in sunlight I would argue.
Using the right camera setup I think you can get a VERY pleasing look with a B4/ENG lens. Granted some lenses are way past their prime but if you get one in decent condition and pair it with, say, a BMPCC 4K/RAW you get an image that is sharp BUT the sharpness is dampened just the right amount by the older lens. You get something akin to a Super 16mm film look because the lens also has slight artifacts (such as chromatic aberration and blooming) that are not great for modern TV but just fine for a nature scene. Case in point, I shot this with a BMPCC 4K and a B4 (probably my Canon but could be the Fuji) where the zoom is really good. A tip: don't try this handheld like I quite OBVIOUSLY did! ua-cam.com/video/4p4XQUtieKA/v-deo.html
Can you use them with out the power zoom part and just focus and adjust aperture manually?
Yes.
@@lostproductionspdx thank you for the reply. A b4 adapter is not too expensive although some are outrageous in price. It's crazy. I see them cheap sometimes and think I would get a kind of consistent "holga" "toy" camera look. I do wonder if I can hand hold them or perhaps use a mini 6 inch tripod or strobe frame as a "pistol grip"
@@lostproductionspdx btw I came across some old angeliuex lenses, the zoom ones 25 mm to 125 mm? Something like that, unfortunately they are the old Krasnogorek mount and hard to find a adapter. It did come with one old lense adapter to c mount. I might just tight bond together. It feels a bit loose. They seem amazing. Many old films were Done with them. I believe Truffut , Kubrick French wave etc. Excuse any typos. 😂
@@unbroken1010 Some of the adapters are for specific cameras and need expensive glass so that's a possibility depending on camera.
Some cameras are definitely light enough like this gh4. Bigger cameras might need lens rails.
Just read as much as you can before spending money. Lots of info out there.
@@lostproductionspdx is the focus and aperture hard to do manual with out the zoom? I more interested in using them for stills. Thanks for the reply
Is there image stabilisation in those lenses?
Not in this one, possibly in newer models but more likely sensor stabilized since the sensors are so small
Please what adapter was used can you share the link… Thx
It's a Hirose cable, you need to make sure the pin configuration is correct, look up your lens model and confirm what it needs before buying something. 4 pin, 6 pin, 8 pin and 12 pin Hirose cables exist, just confirm what's on your lens and which pins need DC power.
is it ok to use these lenses without lens support?
depends on the camera setup, the gh4 is floating on this lens. Heavy cameras would need rails, light cameras no.
@@lostproductionspdx cool, I have a lens adapter with an L just like yours. The strain between the lens and the adapter is not something to worry about?
@@AidanCasey-xz3xz Just need to use your best judgement, if there's no flex probably fine.