The eternal question– Canon or Nikon? Even if you have a Panasonic GH4, you will inevitably be asking yourself this very question as you begin exploring non-native lenses.

Now that Metabones offers a Speed Booster for both Canon EF and Nikon G mount lenses, this question is even more relevant to GH4 shooters. Which Speed Booster should you get?

Need more details? Then let’s dig in:

Good News: Both Mounts are Awesome

Regardless of which camera you use, there are really 2 main lens mounts for modern still lenses– Canon EF and Nikon F/G. Both Canon and Nikon make great lenses for their respective systems and most third-party lens makers offer lenses in both mounts as well.

This means that no matter which mount you go with, you’ll be able to use some great lenses. The real differences between mounts comes down to workflow and versatility, rather than lens options.

With that, here’s how the two Speed Boosters stack up:

Budget: Nikon

Being a passive adapter with no electronics, the Nikon G Speed Booster costs about $170 less than the active Canon EF Speed Booster.

Therefore, if you’re on a tight budget (and saving up is not an option), the difference in cost could be the deciding factor between which Speed Booster you get.

Aperture Control: Tie

The Nikon Speed Booster has a clickless manual aperture ring that allows you smoothly adjust a lens’ aperture. This means that you can even adjust the aperture in the middle of a shot without jarring the viewer.

On the other hand, the Nikon Speed Booster’s aperture ring only provides you with a rough approximation of how much the aperture is being adjusted as you turn it. If you require precise aperture control to set specific f-stops on a lens, then the Canon EF Speed Booster is the better option.

The Canon EF Speed Booster is an active adapter that allows the camera to communicate directly with Canon EF lenses. This means that you set an EF lens’ aperture using the GH4’s controls just like a native lens.

With the Canon EF Speed Booster, you can consistently set the lens to the specific f-stop you desire.

Versatility: Canon EF

In terms of versatility, the Canon EF Speed Booster has a slight edge over the Nikon Speed Booster thanks to Canon EF’s shorter flange distance.

Canon’s EF flange distance is only 2.5mm shorter than Nikon’s, but this is the key factor that makes Canon EF king of the hill. You see, this tiny bit of space allows you to mount Nikon lenses on Canon EF lens mounts with the aid of an adapter.

In other words, with the right adapter, you can use both Nikon and Canon EF lenses on the GH4 with the Canon EF Speed Booster.

Stabilization: Canon EF

Both Nikon and Canon EF lenses feature their own flavor of image stabilization (IS), but only the Canon EF Speed Booster allows you to use a lens’ IS with the GH4.

While the Canon EF Speed Booster is active and can power the lens’ IS functionality, the passive Nikon Speed Booster provides no communication or power to the lens at all.

I generally prefer shooting with a rig (even just a minimal one) over relying on IS, but IS can be useful when you need to shoot with a stripped down camera setup, or in environments where a rig would not be practical or safe.

The Winner: Canon EF Speed Booster

If you’re already heavily invested in Nikon mount lenses, it probably makes more sense to get the Nikon Speed Booster. Dealing with just one adapter simplifies things and allows you to focus more on getting great shots.

Otherwise, the Canon EF Speed Booster provides precise aperture control, gives you access to more of a lens’ built-in functionality, and allows you to use a wider variety of lenses with the GH4.

If you can afford the higher cost of entry, the Canon EF Speed Booster is the better option.

Related

• Metabones Canon EF to MFT Speed Booster
• Metabones Nikon G to MFT Speed Booster
• Novoflex Nikon G to Canon EF Adapter — Mount Nikon lenses on the Canon EF Speed Booster.
• Fotodiox Pro Nikon G to Canon EF Adapter — Budget-friendly adapter for mounting Nikon lenses on the Canon EF Speed Booster.
• Zacuto Target Shooter — Shoot stable footage without adding a lot of bulk with this minimal camera rig.

Lens Options for the Panasonic GH4

Introduction

• Micro Four-Thirds: Introduction & Overview
• Using Native Lenses
• Using Adapted Lenses
• How to Choose Your First Lens

Canon EF Lenses

• Using Canon EF Lenses
• Review: 7 Days with Metabones’ Canon EF Speed Booster
• Speed Booster Showdown: Canon EF vs Nikon
• PSA: Canon EF-S is not the Same as APS-C

Prime Lenses

• 5 Reasons You Should Be Using Prime Lenses
• 9 Awesome Prime Lenses (Wide Angle to Telephoto)
• Essential Prime Lenses for Your Documentary

Zoom Lenses

• 4 Reasons Zoom Lenses are Awesome for the Panasonic GH4
• Lens Throwdown: Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 vs Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8

Buying Guides

• Top 10 Wide Angle Lenses for Video
• Where to Buy Lenses
• 6 Rules for Buying Legacy Lenses

More Panasonic GH4 Guides

• Why You Should Be Excited About the Panasonic GH4
• Lenses for the Panasonic GH4 — Awesome glass for an awesome camera.
• Memory Cards for the Panasonic GH4 — Get the right memory cards for HD and 4K.
• Configuring the Panasonic GH4 for Video Production — Set the GH4 up for filmmaking.
• Rigging the Panasonic GH4 — Cages, Rigs, Components, Gear, and Reviews.
• Stabilizing the Panasonic GH4 — Tripods, Monopods, Sliders, 3-Axis Gimbals, etc.
• Maximizing the Panasonic GH4’s Audio Performance — Sound matters.
• Powering the Panasonic GH4 — Keep the GH4 shooting all day.
• Should you buy the YAGH for the Panasonic GH4?
• 6 Reasons Why DSLR Shooters Love the Panasonic GH4