Which EF to RF moun...
 
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Which EF to RF mount adapter works best for vintage lenses?

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My head is spinning trying to figure out which adapter to buy for my new R6. I have a bunch of old vintage glass that I've been using on my 5D for years and I really don't want to give them up. I spent hours looking at the official Canon adapters but the prices are just insane for what is basically a hollow tube of metal. I read online that the Viltrox ones are a good budget choice but then saw a bunch of people complaining about infinity focus issues and the mount being loose on the camera body.

Then there's the Meike ones and the Commlite ones and every review says something different. One guy says it's perfect and the next says it ruined his sensor or something crazy. I'm heading out to Seattle for a street photography trip next Friday and I'm honestly just frustrated because I don't have $200 plus to drop on a piece of metal but I also don't want my lenses falling off in the middle of a shoot. My budget is strictly under $150. Does the control ring version actually help with vintage manual glass or is it just a gimmick that gets in the way? I just need something that actually fits tight and doesn't screw up the optics. Which EF to RF adapter is actually reliable for old manual glass without breaking the bank?


11 Answers
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I went through this exact same headache with my R6 last year. Unfortunately, I tried saving a few bucks with one of those cheap clones and it was a total disaster. The tolerances were just off... my lenses had this annoying wiggle that made me constantly worried about the mount failing. It really wasnt as good as people claim on the forums. If you want something that actually stays tight, just get the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Its usually around $100 brand new, so I dont know where you saw the $200 price unless it was for the fancy versions. Honestly, the control ring is a gimmick for vintage glass. Youre already turning rings for focus and aperture anyway, so it just gets in the way. Stick to the basic official version. Its solid and you wont have to worry about your gear falling apart while you're out in Seattle.


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> I read online that the Viltrox ones are a good budget choice but then saw a bunch of people complaining about infinity focus issues Yeah, those infinity focus stories are no joke. If the flange distance is even a fraction of a millimeter off, your vintage glass wont hit focus at a distance, which basically ruins landscape or street shots. I would suggest checking out the Meike MK-EFTR-A EF to EOS R Mount Adapter. It is usually way under your $150 limit and the machining is surprisingly tight compared to the cheaper clones. Just be careful with the weather sealing tho... it is not quite at the level of the official Canon ones so maybe dont get it soaked in that Seattle rain. Also, forget the control ring for manual glass. Since you are already turning rings for focus and aperture, a third ring just gets confusing and adds bulk you dont need for street photography. Stick to the basic one and use the extra cash for a nice strap or something.


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Like someone mentioned, that annoying wiggle is usually the biggest deal breaker with the cheaper clones. Reading through the thread, it basically seems like:

  • The official Canon one is the only way to be 100 percent sure about the fit.
  • Meike is the go-to budget pick if you want to avoid the Viltrox infinity focus lottery.
  • It really comes down to whether you wanna risk a loose mount on a street shoot. Since you're heading to Seattle tho, you gotta hit up the public market super early. I went there last fall and spent way more time eating than actually taking photos. Those hills are absolutely brutal when you're lugging around a bag of heavy vintage primes... my legs were killing me after walking from the pier up to the city center. I think I ended up with more pictures of my lunch than the Space Needle... anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.


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Honestly I have had such bad luck trying to save money on gear like this lately. Every time I try to go the budget route it ends up being a disappointment because stuff just doesnt last or starts rattling after a month. I am always worried about my camera mount getting damaged by these cheap parts. Before you buy anything tho which specific vintage lenses are you planning to bring for the street shots?

  • the heavy ones
  • the ones with manual aperture rings
  • those old metal bricks Seattle is gonna be a total wash this time of year tho if you arent prepared. I went there a few years ago for a wedding and it rained the entire time I was trying to get shots. I spent way more on those stupid plastic rain sleeves for my gear than I did on my actual lunch. The coffee was okay but honestly way overpriced for what you get. Pike Place is cool for like ten minutes until you get hit by a flying fish or stepped on by a tourist. I ended up just sitting in a library for half the afternoon because my shoes were soaked through and my camera was fogging up. Anyway lol sorry I kinda went off on a tangent there.


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🙌


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^ This. Also, you really gotta be careful with the cheaper ones because the internal coating is sometimes non-existent and you get weird flaring. Before I give my take, what specific lenses are you planning to pack? If they have weird protruding rear elements, you might actually hit your sensor guard which would be a total nightmare. Seattle is gonna be a blast tho, even if the weather is moody. Last time I was there I spent the whole trip hunting for this specific ramen spot in the International District instead of actually shooting the skyline. I think I walked like ten miles in boots that werent even broken in yet. My feet were absolutely destroyed but that spicy miso broth was honestly life changing. I barely even took my camera out of the bag because I was too busy staring at the menu. Anyway lol sorry I kinda went off topic there.


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Same boat, watching this


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Exactly what I was thinking


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Facts.


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