Canon EOS M Adapter Review

Here’s my review of the EOS M Adapter.

EOS M Adapter plus camera and lens

Pros

• Build quality
• Detachable tripod mount
• Enables the use of any EOS lens on an EOS M camera

Cons

• Expensive

Limitations

• It can’t change the laws of physics – many EOS lenses aren’t ideal matches to the M cameras due to their size
• Auto-focus on the M cameras isn’t as good as on a top of the range DSLR and this adapter can’t fix that

Introduction

The range of EF-M lenses is slowly growing but is limited. Although these lenses are good, EOS M users may be frustrated that their favourite EOS lenses aren’t replicated with an M version.

The existence of this adapter, to a great extent, eliminates the frustration.

Trawling through the Web I’ve found not a few negative reviews about this adapter with users complaining about the expense, that they don’t need it and that it is pointless with the diminutive M series of camera.

None of these criticisms make any sense to me. If you don’t want/need it then don’t buy it. If it’s too expensive and you’re prepared to risk a cheaper, 3rd party solution, then go for that. If you think the M series using large lenses is pointless, fine.

For me, my first thought was ‘wow, that’s brilliant!’. Why?

Well, why not? If I were an existing EOS DSLR user, with a stack of good lenses, and got an EOS-M camera as a lightweight ‘walkabout’ camera, there could well be occasions when I’d want to use one of my existing lenses with it. The smaller primes, for example, fit quite well on the diminutive M100. And, if I owned one of the ultra wide zooms (EOS-S 10-18MM STM etc) then being able to fit it to the M body is quite appealing.

In use

The adapter just fits onto the M camera in the same way that an extension tube would. EOS EF/EF-S lenses then fit onto the front of the adapter. Then you use them, it’s that simple.

On the latest generations of the M cameras, the imaging chip is the same as in the latest Canon EOS APS-C DSLRs and the image quality will, therefore, be identical to those DSLRs.

Read the above again. That alone is compelling reason to get the adapter if you already have EOS EF/EF-S lenses, especially the smaller ones.

The smaller lenses work very well with the adapter. The EF 50MM F1.8 STM works well on the tiny M100. Yes, the combination looks a little odd, but it works. And this is a full frame lens! The quality is fantastic.

The aforementioned EF-S 10-18MM STM also works well on the M100, with excellent image quality to boot.

Autofocus

The auto-focus speed is determined by both the camera and the lens. The later EOS M cameras have good auto-focus but, no, they can’t compete with a high end EOS DSLR and this adapter can’t change that. So, if you are used to the auto-focus speed of one of these DSLRs you’re going to notice the speed reduction when attaching the same lens to an M series camera. Don’t blame the adapter for this – it’s just reality and you can’t beat it.

I’d argue that the EOS-M cameras aren’t designed for use as a sports/wildlife camera and it would be totally unrealistic to use one of these cameras for such a purpose. But, then again, I’m biased because I’m a landscape photographer who also likes a walkabout camera for taking family scenes and the like. AF speed is pretty much meaningless to me.

Tripod mount

The tripod mount suddenly makes this adapter a huge asset. The ability to fit any lens, however heavy, to this camera and put it on a tripod without any concerns about the lens’ weight damaging the camera is a huge advantage. The same goes for macro work. Canon do a fine EF-M macro lens, but if I owned the EF 100 macro lens then this adapter makes it viable with even the M100.

But why do this if I own an EOS DSLR? It’s a good question, but my thinking is that handholding a DSLR with a medium sized lens on it whilst having the EOS-M camera on a tripod is better than doing the opposite. And, as a landscape photographer, I frequently have one camera on the tripod and another handheld… But, that’s just me.

Limitations

Many reviews list limitations as negatives/cons. I don’t think that’s right. I mean, if you buy a Volkswagen Golf you don’t complain it won’t compete at a Grand Prix. So, my review list my equipment’s limitations as basic facts and not criticisms.

This adapter:

• Makes the camera bigger. I felt it was OK on the M100 but your mileage may vary.
• Can’t make the camera auto-focus any quicker. But it won’t make it slower. But if a lens focuses too slowly then that’s the reality of the M system’s AF system. The adapter isn’t a factor here.

Conclusion

This adapter does what it says on the tin, and it does it well.

If you already own some EOS lenses and have added an M series camera to your kit then it gives you the flexibility to use them.

If you are just getting into the Canon system, it lets you 1) use EF/EF-S lenses on an M series camera when there isn’t an equivalent EF-M lens and, 2) have lenses that will fit an EOS DSLR should you later decide to get one.

So it’s simple. If you have an M series camera and want to use an EF/EF-S lens on it, get the adapter. If you don’t have/want EF/EF-S lenses then there’s no need for the adapter.

Third party alternatives

The Canon adapter is expensive. But it works. And it has the tripod mount.

The third party adapter will be cheaper. If it is properly built (is exactly the right size and the electronic connections are correct) then it should work. The build quality won’t be as good and if it doesn’t have a tripod mount then its usefulness is compromised, in my opinion…

Get the adapter from…

If you wish to purchase this item please do so using the links below. This helps me to pay for this site as I received a small commission for any purchase you make.

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Further images

EOS M Adapter, side view

Front view

Rear View

The adapter on the M50 with the 55-250 STM lens attached