Beware inexpensive lens adapters

One frustrating event on my trip was my inadvertent use of an inexpensive “chipped” lens adapter, to mount the Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon on my Canon 5D Mark II (the chipped feature is of no real value in my experience).

I had purchased the adapter some time ago, and instead of discarding it after noticing that it had difficulty coming off the lens (so I could never use it by accident), I had left it in my camera bag. Since adapters all look pretty similar, that was a big mistake, as I ended up attaching it to my Zeiss ZF.2 35mm f/2 Distagon.

Later, while attempting to remove the adapter, the release lever failed. How to remove the adapter is unclear, leaving me for now with a useless Zeiss 35/2 Distagon. It looks like destructive surgery is needed to remove it, but how to do so safely without causing any harm to the lens is unclear. A locking pin is what keeps it attached, but there is no way I can see to get at the pin to allow the adapter to come off the lens. No way except drilling perhaps. I would be delighted to destroy the adapter and thus be rid of it forever, but not at the expense of damage to the lens.

Update: I successfully removed the adapter, in pieces! Good riddance.

I’ve had problems with lens adapters before: one "pro" brand would not latch on, setting the lens up for destruction when it leaves the camera heading for the pavement. It’s not just such obvious issues, it’s also precision, fit, and materials used.

Bottom line: there are only two brands that have worked reliably for me: CameraQuest and Novoflex. Neither are inexpensive, but my recent experience once again shows that they’re the only smart choice. Read more about lens adapters.