- With the EOS R and RP, Canon introduced
an entirely new lens mount for the first time
in decades, the RF mount, and since then,
Canon's been releasing new RF lenses at,
like, a pretty frenzied pace.
But that RF lineup, it's nowhere near
as complete as the reigning EF lineup.
Fortunately, though, as many of you know,
Canon also released an EF to RF adapter
that allows EF lenses to work natively with RF cameras,
which basically means that the lens's features
and its focus work flawlessly.
It is awesome.
And that basic RF to EF adapter usually comes in
around $99, but a lot of times,
depending on where you're looking and where you're shopping,
it can be found as a free add-on with the R
and the RP.
But more than simply adapting lenses,
Canon used this as an opportunity
to do something pretty cool.
And there's one version of the RF adapter
that features a drop-in filter,
and you can either have this
as a polarizer or a variable ND.
The biggest benefit is that this filter sits
behind the lens, so one side of the adapter mounts
onto the RF mount of the camera,
and the other side is an EF mount
that adapts to any EF lens.
So this means that, for using the filter,
you don't need to worry about lens diameter.
It'll work with any lens,
and it'll work with any lens hood,
so if you're someone who's ever gone
through the experience of having
to switch filters from one lens
to the other every time you swap 'em,
and then you can't use the hood
because the filter, and you can't reach the filter
if the hood's on the lens,
you'll appreciate this.
Since this sits behind the lens,
you can easily just swap out lenses anytime,
and the filter doesn't change.
Most importantly, though, with filters,
you want them to be a good quality,
and the ND that comes with this adapter
is a really good filter.
It doesn't give that dark x pattern
that some lower-quality filters do,
and it really just doesn't negatively affect
your image quality in any way.
It only helps you.
And the whole purpose of having an ND filter is
to basically allow you to film in brighter locations,
especially with a wide-open aperture.
So if you're using a lens like the Sigma 24 1.4,
and I go outside, at 1.4 everything's gonna
be totally blown-out, but if I use this ND filter,
then I'm gonna still be able
to use that wide aperture with a very shallow depth
of field, even outdoors in bright light.
And the design of this filter is really simple.
And it's super easy, as you've seen,
to swap filters in and out.
There's a small dial that lets
you adjust the filter pretty easily
while using the camera.
And it's a really cool design.
Everything is very mechanical and satisfying.
You can see little gears and parts moving around.
I really enjoy the way that this filter is put together
and designed, but it's not all perfect.
And as great as this adapter is,
there area few cons that I found with it,
some of which I actually consider
to be pretty major.
And the first one is the build quality.
And the build quality is fine.
But that's the problem is that it's just fine.
I'm gonna talk about price in a minute,
but suffice it to say that,
for the price of this filter,
the build quality should be more than fine.
That's not say there's anything wrong with it.
It kinda just feels like any adapter
you've probably ever used,
but it is more lightweight and plastic-y feeling
than I expected it to be.
And I know you probably wouldn't want
an adapter to be very heavy,
because then your camera and your lenses are going
to be heavier, but for $400,
I'm just not super impressed
with the build quality.
And that's right.
That's the price.
This adapter, with the ND filter,
is usually about $400, which is a lot of money,
and as much as I love using this adapter,
that price puts it beyond the budget
for many people, myself included.
I borrowed this one.
I just use the regular adapter that came free
with my EOS R when I bought it.
So this also ties in to my biggest complaint
about this adapter, which isn't the price
or the build quality.
But it's the cost of a clear filter.
If you're using this adapter,
and you don't wanna use the polarizer or the ND,
you need to get a filter adapter
that looks just like these but is totally clear.
And that costs usually about $130,
so you need to spend $130 for literally nothing,
keeping in mind that the regular RF to EF adapter
usually sells for $100.
So the clear filter is a higher price
than the entire regular RF adapter,
but the reason that you need that clear filter is because,
if you remove the polarizer or the ND,
because you're not using it,
you're left with this empty space
on the side of the adapter.
And this exposes your camera's sensor
to dust and light, and you really just don't
wanna be using your camera with this exposed.
So that clear adapter pretty much just fills that opening.
I really think that's something
that should be included for free
with the adapter.
I don't think you should have to buy that separately,
especially considering how expensive this is
in the first place.
Now please don't get me wrong.
I do think this is an incredible tool,
and I really love using this adapter,
but the reason I wanted to make this video is because
when this adapter was first released
there was, like, a lot of talk,
and a lot of discussion about it,
but I haven't heard anything recently.
So I figured now that the hype has died down,
it was a good time to sort of take
an objective look at what works and doesn't work
with this adapter, because it does offer
some pretty awesome and unique functionality.
And as far as my personal opinion on this adapter goes,
I think that it's really smart.
I think it's incredibly innovative.
I love the idea of it.
And I would love to own one myself
that I could us any time I want,
but the $400 price tag is just beyond my budget
for an adapter.
So as much as I've enjoyed using this one,
I just can't bring myself to spend $400,
plus the cost of a clear filter.
Whether or not this drop-in adapter is worth
it for you kinda depends really
on your specific budget and how much
of a positive impact this is gonna have
on your individual workflow.
Now when it comes to the Canon EOS R in general,
it's pretty safe to say that I'm a huge fan of it,
and that's no secret.
I've made quite a few videos about it,
so if you wanna know a bit more about my thoughts
on the EOS R, here are a couple
of my favorite EOS R related videos
that I've put together to learn a little bit more
about this awesome camera.
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