The Wooden Camera Pro Lens Mount Adapter for ARRI PL-Mount Lens to Leica L-Mount Cameras, as its name suggests, lets you use PL cinema lenses on Panasonic and Leica L-Mount cameras.
The adapter is compatible with Sigma’s new fp and it should be compatible with the upcoming Leica SL2. Customers that order for the Sigma FP will also receive a special lens adapter mount since the 1/4-20 beneath the camera is in a bit of an odd spot.
With Panasonic’s flagship mirrorless camera the S1H now shipping, I wanted to see how that camera would perform when coupled with PL glass.
One of the key drawcards of the L Mount is its short flange focal distance. With an inner diameter 51.6 mm and a flange depth of 20.0 mm it allows enough room to place a lens adapter ring between just about any lens and the L Mount.
Below are the flange depths of some other camera systems:
- Nikon Z Mount 16mm
- Fujifilm X-Mount 17.7mm
- Sony E-Mount 18mm
- Canon RF-Mount 20mm
- Leica M-Mount 27.8mm
- Contax G-Mount 29mm
- Canon EF-Mount 44mm
- Nikon F-Mount 46.5mm
So let’s have a closer look at the Wooden Camera PL to L Mount Adapter.
Key features
- Allows an ARRI PL-mount lens to be used with a Leica L-mount camera
- Attached lens can focus to infinity
- Aluminum-alloy construction provides a lightweight camera-to-lens connection
- Lens Mount Shim Set provides the ability to adjust the flange focal distance of an attached camera and lens to help ensure that video or images are sharply rendered
- Lens Adapter Universal Support Foot or Lens Adapter Foot to help prevent stress on the camera mount if the supported camera and lens combination is to be placed on video support rig or tripod
- Screwdrivers for installation or removal of shims, Lens Adapter Universal Support Foot, or Lens Adapter Foot
- PL Mount Cap to protect the interior of a camera when the adapter is mounted on it without a lens
The Lens Adapter Support Foot features a 1/4″-20 camera mount, twelve 1/4″-20 accessory threads throughout its surface as well as a 3/8″-16 accessory thread, plus three pairs of extension posts to fasten the lens mount adapter while aligning it to the camera mount. For attachment to tripods or quick release plates with 1/4″-20 mounts, the Lens Adapter Foot is tapped with a 1/4″-20 accessory thread. The Lens Adapter Foot is also tapped with holes to accommodate its included Phillips screws and socket cap screws that together, can also allow it to connect an attached lens mount adapter to select video support rigs.
If you are using the L-Mount to PL Mount Pro (Panasonic and Leica) without a camera cage, it’s recommended that you use the Lens Adapter Support Foot and attach it directly to the bottom of your camera and lens mount. This allows all the weight to be transferred from the lens mount to the bottom of the camera to avoid any flexing or damage that could occur when using heavier lenses.
The Lens Adapter Support Foot allows you to securely mount the PL to L Mount adapter on the Panasonic S1H so that there is no movement or wobble between the adapter and the camera’s mount.
Wooden Camera also includes a PL Cap so your sensor is protected when you don’t have a lens attached to the mount.
Weight & Size
The adapter weighs 251g (0.6 lbs) and has physical dimensions of 85.1 x 81.8 x 48 mm (3.4 x 3.2 x 1.9 in).
Build Quality
The build quality of the adapter is not bad. It is fairly lightweight which worries me a little bit when attaching heavy PL lenses. I would definitely recommend using the foot support with this adapter. I would actually go a step further and highly recommend you use 15mm rods and a lens support if you are going to run PL lenses that weigh more than 2kg.
Flange Focus
If you are going to use expense PL glass on a camera through the use of an adapter you need to make sure the adapter you are using not only keeps the lens secure and doesn’t wobble around, but that it has been pre-shimmed for accuracy.
Before the adapters are shipped, Wooden Camera sets the flange focus using collimation tools. You only need to adjust the shims should you find that your camera is out of calibration.
The adapter is shimmable by loosening six socket cap screws around the collar area, separating the two sections, and adding color coded shims of various thickness. Back focus should be checked using collimation tools or a wide lens focused to infinity. Above you can see a nice instructional video from Wooden Camera that shows you how to do this. I like that Ryan makes a lot of instructional videos for Wooden camera products, more companies should be doing this.
Performance
As I always mention with lens adapter reviews, I can never quite understand why people always seem to browse eBay or Amazon to find the cheapest lens adapter available. If you are going to put an expensive piece of glass on your camera why would you want to use the cheapest adapter you can find? You wouldn’t put retreads on an expensive car, so why would you want to do the equivalent thing with your camera.
One of the common complaints with lens adapters is lens wobble because the connection between the adapter and the camera mount is not tight enough. So how does the Wooden camera Adapter fare? Unfortunately, I did find that the mount didn’t fit that snuggly onto the S1H and this introduced wobble between the camera body and the adapter. Now, this is easily solved by using the included Lens Adapter Support Foot.
You just need to be aware that if you do use the adapter without the Lens Adapter Support Foot you will get wobble.
The locking PL mechanism is smooth and lenses attach to the adapter without any problems.
Other Alternatives
Wooden Camera is not the only company that makes a PL to L Mount Adapter. There are adapters on the market that range from $149.95 USD all the way up to $1,3000 USD. Here are some of the other available options:
What do you get?
- Wooden Camera Pro Lens Mount Adapter for ARRI PL-Mount Lens to Leica L-Mount Camera
- 2 x Screwdrivers
- Wooden Camera PL Mount Cap
- Wooden Camera Lens Adapter Universal Support Foot
- Wooden Camera Lens Adapter Foot for Pocket Cage
- Wooden Camera Lens Mount Shim Set (Round)
Wooden Camera also makes PL to:
- Canon EOS RF
- Fujifilm X-Mount
- Leica L-Mount
- Nikon Z-Mount
Price & Availability
The Wooden Camera Pro Lens Mount Adapter for ARRI PL-Mount Lens to Leica L-Mount Camera costs $499 USD and it has just started shipping.
At $499 USD the adapter is well priced when you look at other quality PL to L mount adapters that are also available.
Conclusion
The Wooden Camera PL to L Mount Adapter does it’s intended job. As long as you use the included Lens Adapter Support Foot you will get a rock solid connection between the adapter and the camera’s mount.
The S1H is arguably a camera that a lot of people will use lens adapters with. If you are using the S1H on larger productions or as a B or C camera to more expensive digital cinema cameras then a PL adapter is going to come in handy.
If you are after a PL adapter for your Sigma fp, Panasonic S1H/S1/S1R, or even the new Leica SL2, then the Wooden Camera option is certainly worth looking at.
