Lens Mount Options Growing for the Fujfilm MK Zooms
Duclos and MTF offer conversion services for the popular and cost effective cine zooms.
When the original FujiFilm MK zooms came out this spring, we loved them but were frustrated they came in only one mount, E. Clearly, the target for this lens was the exceptionally popular Sony FS7 camera. While that camera has been a huge hit and is a smart target for Fuji to cater towards, we have been hoping from the start for more choices in the mount. The company quietly released a version for its own X-mount around NAB, which is wonderful for XT2 users, but until Fujfilm gets around to launching its own X-mount cinema camera, it still is a limited selection when compared to the wide array of choices you get from something like the Sigma line.
Of course, when a manufacturer doesn't deliver something the market is hungry for, aftermarket vendors step in to deliver. In recent weeks, two well known and trusted lens vendors, Duclos and MTF, have started offering services customizing the MK zooms into other mounts.
Credit: Duclos
Duclos is a well known name in lenses, running the popular blog The Cine Lens and offering a variety of services along with a tremendous wealth of information. Duclos offers a conversion to the Sony FZ mount for $500, or $400 if you also purchase your MK zoom there. The FZ mount is used on the F3, F5 and F55 cameras from Sony. According to NewsShooter, Duclos explored creating an EF conversion but it was impossible considering the current optical design of the lens.
Current E mount, designed in such a way that EF mount would be impossibleCredit: Charles Haine
The other option for filmmakers who want other mounts is London-based MTF Services, which is well known for its lens adapters and other hardware. MTF will convert the MKs to either FZ mount or MFT mount for £200, which works out to about $265, but for North Americans you'll have to factor in the cost of shipping. The company offers same day service, and if you hang on to the original E mount, MTF can reverse it for you in the future. However, that's not a field serviceable feature, so you'll need to send the lens back in to get it. MFT is the exciting feature here, since it should make the lens a nice compliment to the popular Panasonic GH5.Hopefully this will tide users over until Fujifilm comes out with an X-mount cinema camera.