Problem with CameraQuest lens adapter
In the past I’ve recommended the lens adapters sold by Stephen Gandy at CameraQuest. These adapters allow (for example) mounting Nikon or Leica or Olympus lenses on Canon EOS bodies. Most of my experience has been with the Nikon-to-EOS adapters.
While shooting the Leica R 180/2.8 APO today on my Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III using a CameraQuest adapter, I discovered a problem: with the camera turned vertical, a slight gap would appear between the lens adapter and the lens (perhaps 0.2 mm or so). This gap was enough to see focus to pop in and out when using Live View (pushing on the lens)—a serious problem indicating misalignment of lens and sensor. Oddly, the gap does not seem to occur with the camera positioned horizontally, so I suspect a design problem.
Perhaps this is a problem specific to my particular Leica-to-EOS adapter rather than a general weakness in the CameraQuest adapter design for Leica lenses. The Leica 180/2.8 APO is a medium-weight lens at 2.2 pounds / 1kg. It might be that the design simply cannot sustain a lens of that weight, but since the 180/2.8 has no tripod collar, mounting the lens is not an option (and hanging a 2.7 pound camera off the lens isn't likely to fare any better!).
I’ve contacted Stephen Gandy at CameraQuest for an explanation, and I’ve requested that a replacement be sent in order to verify whether the problem is with my particular adapter. It remains to be see how Mr. Gandy will handle this situation. Expect a follow-up when I know more.
Also worth noting is that so far I have not observed this problem with the CameraQuest Nikon-to-EOS adapters, but I also have not mounted any lens over about about 1.5 pounds (the Zeiss ZF 100/2 Makro-Planar, which is also shorter). Nor did I observe a problem with the 1.7-pound Nikon 180/2.8 ED. However, I’ll have to now take a closer look.
