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photo:lensadapters

lens adapters

introduction

  • there are almost none for Nikon cameras as very few lenses can be adapted to Nikon F dSLR system.
  • there are a multitude available for mirrorless camera systems cameras
  • basic adapters do not allow control of AF, optical IS or aperture from the camera, nor do they record lens information in the image EXIF data
  • adapters with an AF-confirm CPU chip may allow:
    • manual focus confirmation on dSLRs using the camera's AF sensors to detect when a subject is in focus
    • some may allow recording of a pre-set focal length and aperture into the EXIF data of an image - this needs to be programmed.
  • some adapters are fully electronic and allow AF, optical IS and aperture control
  • some adapters are special purpose such as tilt-shift adapters

basic lens adapters

with tripod mount for larger lenses

homepage2.nifty.com_rayqual_pic_type_t01s.jpg

tilt-shift capability

AF-confirm chip lens adapters

  • these allow dSLRs (but not mirrorless cameras) to display when subject is in focus during manual focus using phase contrast AF sensors
  • AF-confirm does not work in Live View mode and thus does not work on mirrorless camera systems
  • these will cause an error if directly connected to a Panasonic camera - use basic adapters instead.
  • the most common chip used is a Dandelion programmable chip which you can buy separately and glue to a basic adapter.
  • search Ebay for cheaper Chinese versions

manual aperture-control lens adapters

  • mainly for use with lenses without aperture rings - eg. Nikon G, Minolta AF, Pentax K, Canon EOS
  • if you use an adapter without aperture control on these lenses, the aperture will be fixed wide open unless you stopped it down on a dSLR of the same brand by holding down the DOF preview button as you removed the lens - the aprture will then be fixed at the aperture set prior to removal of the lens.
  • search Ebay for cheaper Chinese versions:
    • Big-is brand is preferable, nice aperture ring, less play, flange distance more accurate and less paint flaking internally than the Fotga brand

powered aperture control lens adapters

AF, optical IS and aperture control lens adapters

    • Sigma, Metabones, etc adapters for Canon EF lenses to Sony E-mount (also Nikon to Sony)
  • Panasonic and Olympus Four-Thirds to Micro Four Thirds adapters - these cost ~$200
  • Canon EOS EF to Micro Four Thirds adapters
    • Kipon Canon EF/EF-S AF adapter for MFT $US285
      • aperture control, on-sensor PDAF support, fast CDAF, optical IS support but no C-AF or video AF support1)
      • 2016 as of firmware v2.2 on Olympus OM-D cameras:
        • relatively fast PDAF support for E-M1 with certain lenses BUT NOT Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L lens which will not AF with the E-M1 but will do via CDAF on other cameras
          • this quirk arises as the E-M1 defaults to PDAF mode only (and no CDAF) is the attached lens is not recognised as having CDAF compatibility - unfortunately user cannot force the E-M1 to use CDAF mode
        • relatively fast CDAF on cameras excluding E-M1, including face detect AF
        • multi-pt area AF, C-AF and AF tracking modes do NOT work well
        • OIS works if lens OIS is ON but no dual IS support at this stage
      • see also the Metabones Speed Booster 0.71x focal reducer adapter!!
    • Viltrox AF EF-M1 adapter
      • announced may 2017, Canon EF to MFT
  • Sony have a basic adapter for Sony alpha lenses for NEX cameras with aperture control but no AF
  • Sony have a large, expensive phase contrast AF adapter for Sony alpha lense on NEX cameras
  • Sony FE lens to Nikon Z AF adapters
  • Canon EF to Canon R adapters
  • Nikon F to Nikon Z adapters
  • Canon EF to Nikon Z adapters

AF, optical IS and aperture control lens adapters with drop-in filter slot

  • Kipon EF-S/E AF ND lens adapter for Canon EF and EF-S to Sony NEX E mount
    • announced Feb 2016 and RRP $US428
  • Canon EF to Canon R adapters with drop in filters:

AF for MF lenses

  • Techart Leica M to Sony NEX E-mount
    • announced Feb 2016 and incorporates a AF motor to move the lens according to camera's phase detect sensor
    • RRP $US349
  • Fotodiox’s Pro Pronto AF adapter - Leica M to Fujifilm X cameras
  • Megadap MTZ-11 Leica M to Nikon Z adapter
    • announced Oct 2020
    • $US349

wireless remote controlled manual focus and aperture lens adapters +/- variND for cine/video work

focal length reducer adapters

with aperture control and OIS

www.metabones.com_images_stories_dsc2549.jpg

mechanical aperture control only

  • Fotodiox Pro EXCELL +1:
    • introduced mid 2014 with better optics to replace the Light Cannon
    • manual aperture control ring
    • 0.72x reducer = 1 stop faster aperture
    • $159
    • Nikon G to MFT
    • Canon FD to MFT
  • Vizelex Light Cannon
    • 0.72x reducer
    • Nikon F/G to MFT adapter also includes a manual aperture control ring
      • $US159
      • unfortunately users have reported very poor image quality with lots of blooming, and aberrations - might be OK for dreamy shots though
  • Zhongyi Mitakon Lens Turbo

drop-in filter adapters

  • these adapters allow a filter to be “dropped in” to the adapter thereby allowing the same filter to be used irrespective of which lens is being used
  • this is very handy when using lens with very large filter threads or no filter threads such as ultra-wide angle lenses or fisheye lenses
    • if only they would make one for Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds - be very handy for use with the Olympus ZD 7-14mm f/4 lens with a ND400 filter for long exposure bright sun shots of blurred water
  • having a filter in place also allows changing lenses without risk of dust entering the camera body and landing on the sensor
  • examples:

variable neutral density filter adapters

  • these are adapters which allow a variable neutral density filter within the adapter to change the light transmission without affecting aperture which is highly desirable in videography in particular
  • variable neutral density filters tend to give weird artefacts on wide angle lenses
    • no ability to change aperture
    • Canon EF lens to Sony NEX or MicroFourThirds
    • ~$US315
photo/lensadapters.txt · Last modified: 2023/02/17 10:11 by gary1

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