The MTF LensAdaptor PL to Micro 4/3 Adaptor, as the name suggests, allows you to put PL lenses onto any Micro 4/3 mount camera, such as Panasonic’s GH5.
Even though the GH5 is predominately a stills camera, it has a host of high-end features that enable it to be used by video professionals. One of those features is the ability to record Open Gate 4:3 anamorphic images. For a sub $2000 USD camera this is very impressive, but most anamorphic lenses only come in PL mount. To be able to use a PL lens on your GH5 you are going to need a PL to Micro 4/3 Adaptor. Just one of many companies making these adapters is MTF.
The MTF LensAdaptor PL to Micro 4/3 Adaptor is handmade in the U.K and features a HE30 aluminum body and stainless steel Micro 4/3 mount. The adapter is beautifully made and has a nice blue anodised finish.
I have been using MTF lens adapters since 2011 when I purchased a Nikon G to Sony FZ Adaptor for my Sony F3. At the time this was the world’s first adapter that allowed me to run lenses such as the Zeiss ZF2 primes on my F3. I also own a PL to Sony E mount Adaptor that I have used on the Sony FS700, FS7, and a7S.
The MTF LensAdaptor PL to Micro 4/3 Adaptor fits onto the GH5 and there is no wobble between the lens and the camera mount. The locking PL mechanism is smooth and lenses attach to the adapter without any problems.
On the bottom of the adapter, there is a removable lens support. A word of warning though, if you are using the adapter with your GH5 mounted in certain camera cages you will need to take the lens support off to be able to fit the adapter on your camera. This is because a lot of the camera cages protrude out slightly from the body of the GH5 and the lens support won’t have enough clearance.
The lens adaptor also comes with a really nice anodised PL mount cap. This is beautifully made and a lot nicer than a lot of the cheap plastic mount caps that come with other adaptors.
I tried the adapter out with a variety of PL lenses to see how it worked. What you do need to be very mindful of when using heavier PL lenses (anything over about 1kg in weight) is that you need to use a lens support. Larger PL lenses will put a lot of stress on the cameras mount so to make sure you don’t damage the mount you need to use a lens support (preferably on rails).
The MTF LensAdaptor PL to Micro 4/3 Adaptor is not cheap at £350.00 ($460 USD), but if you are going to use a $20,000 PL lens on a GH5 you really do want make sure you use a quality adapter. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly not going to trust an $80 adapter I found on eBay with a lens that costs 10x more than the camera.
Other PL to Micro 4/3 adaptors that the MTF LensAdaptor is competing against include:
Letus Micro 4/3 to PL lens mount– $450 USD
Wooden Camera MFT to PL Adapter– $399 USD
The MTF LensAdaptor PL to Micro 4/3 Adaptor is well made and does an excellent job of keeping expensive PL glass safe and secure. The adapter comes with a twelve-month warranty and is available directly from MTF LensAdaptor or through their authorised distributors.
Do you use a PL adaptor on your GH5, if so which one? Let us know in the comments section below.
