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Archive 2016Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
p.3 #1Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Oh, and firmware 2 results in a quieter, less 'chirpy' motor.
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:30 AM
p.3 #2Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
d-intrigue wrote:
floating element is set for whatever position the lens distance scale says it is focused too.
if the manual focus ring is turned to infinity then the FLE will stay in that position no matter what the techart adapter does. the same is true for any other manual focus ring positioning. the AF adapter doesn't move the floating element it moves the whole lens. if you want the FLE correctly positioned you should estimate the distance and by eye and set the focus ring to that distance before engaging the AF.Of course, the Techart moves the entire lens. But the question is whether the floating element is only engaged at specific distances; I.e., close up. If the element moves throughout the entire focus range then manual focus is the only way to get the optimal benefit of the FLE.
In this case it would be best to have a manual adapter for lenses with FLE, as there is no focus assist with the Techart when manually focusing using the lenses focus ring, unless I just haven't figured out how to enable it yet.
There is also the pending smartphone app which...Show more →
the floating element on the 35 lux FLE does changes it's position relative to the other optical elements throughout the focus range. how much impact that has on image quality probably varies with focus distance though.
in order for focus magnification to be engaged by turning the focus ring the techart adapter would need to have something on it to detect movement of the rangefinder focus follower on the lens and the adapter would need to communicate that to the camera. as far as i have seen the techart adapter does not have the physical mechanism to do this, but i haven't seen any particularly good images of the adapter mouth to tell for sure.
if you are just getting close with manual focus and fine focusing with AF you should probably just use peaking rather than magnification to save time and make composition easier.
sebboh wrote
d-intrigue wrote
Can you determine at what focus distance the floating element is engaged?if the manual focus ring is turned to infinity then the FLE will stay in that position no matter what the techart adapter does. the same is true for any other manual focus ring positioning. the AF adapter doesn't move the floating element it moves the whole lens. if you want the FLE correctly positioned you should estimate the distance and by eye and set the focus ring to that distance before engaging the AF.
In this case it would be best to have a manual adapter for lenses with FLE, as there is no focus assist with the Techart when manually focusing using the lenses focus ring, unless I just haven't figured out how to enable it yet.
There is also the pending smartphone app which...Show more →
the floating element on the 35 lux FLE does changes it's position relative to the other optical elements throughout the focus range. how much impact that has on image quality probably varies with focus distance though.
in order for focus magnification to be engaged by turning the focus ring the techart adapter would need to have something on it to detect movement of the rangefinder focus follower on the lens and the adapter would need to communicate that to the camera. as far as i have seen the techart adapter does not have the physical mechanism to do this, but i haven't seen any particularly good images of the adapter mouth to tell for sure.
if you are just getting close with manual focus and fine focusing with AF you should probably just use peaking rather than magnification to save time and make composition easier.
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:02 AM
p.3 #3Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Correct, there is no way for the Techart to know if the focus ring is being turned.
I finally was able to determine how to enable focus assist, as outlined in the earlier post.
But peaking does not show (nor is focus magnify possible) by default when in AF mode, one has to toggle AF/MF Ctrl first.
So, the process for my setup is:
• button press to toggle MF/enable peaking
• coarse focus
• button press to toggle back to AF
• back-button focus AF
Edited on Apr 20, 2016 at 09:28 AM · View previous versions
I finally was able to determine how to enable focus assist, as outlined in the earlier post.
But peaking does not show (nor is focus magnify possible) by default when in AF mode, one has to toggle AF/MF Ctrl first.
So, the process for my setup is:
• button press to toggle MF/enable peaking
• coarse focus
• button press to toggle back to AF
• back-button focus AF
Edited on Apr 20, 2016 at 09:28 AM · View previous versions
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:14 AM
p.3 #4Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
d-intrigue wrote:
Correct, there is no way for the Techart to know if the focus ring is being turned.
I finally was able to determine how to enable focus assist, as outlined in the earlier post.
But peaking does not show (nor is focus magnify possible) by default when in AF mode, one has to toggle AF/MF Ctrl first.
So, it's a button press to toggle MF/enable peaking; coarse focus; button press to toggle back to AF, then back-button focus AF.
ah, did not know that. i've never used the AF on my a7... even in dmf mode?
Correct, there is no way for the Techart to know if the focus ring is being turned.
I finally was able to determine how to enable focus assist, as outlined in the earlier post.
But peaking does not show (nor is focus magnify possible) by default when in AF mode, one has to toggle AF/MF Ctrl first.
So, it's a button press to toggle MF/enable peaking; coarse focus; button press to toggle back to AF, then back-button focus AF.
ah, did not know that. i've never used the AF on my a7... even in dmf mode?
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:18 AM
p.3 #5Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
With the Techart attached, DMF and MF are grayed-out in the menu. The only available options are:
AF-S
AF-C
with Wide, Center, Flexible Spot (L, M, or S.)
Toggling AF/MF Ctrl eliminates the Focus Mode menu option entirely (grayed out.) So DMF and MF can't be selected either way.
This is on an A7-II.
AF-S
AF-C
with Wide, Center, Flexible Spot (L, M, or S.)
Toggling AF/MF Ctrl eliminates the Focus Mode menu option entirely (grayed out.) So DMF and MF can't be selected either way.
This is on an A7-II.
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:25 AM
p.3 #6Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
d-intrigue wrote:
Ok I finally discovered the solution. Bear in mind I am new to Sony so, beg your pardon.
I had AF/MF Ctrl Toggle set to the center button. That might be the default, but in any case focus assist only works when this is toggled. I have focus assist magnification set to C2, so pressing center button will show focus peaking immediately and then C2 will magnify.
For an FLE lens then, get close with manual focus and then toggle back to AF to lock focus. Several button presses isn't ideal, perhaps this canbe streamlined somehow. Ideas?
Focus accuracy in the getting close part of this is unimportant, you just want the floating element in roughly the right place. So the easy solution would be not to switch to manual focus at all, just set the approximate distance on the focussing ring of the lens, and then use AF to nail the exact focus. Much quicker, and I would be surprised if measurably worse. just so long as your distance guess is even approximately right.
Ok I finally discovered the solution. Bear in mind I am new to Sony so, beg your pardon.
I had AF/MF Ctrl Toggle set to the center button. That might be the default, but in any case focus assist only works when this is toggled. I have focus assist magnification set to C2, so pressing center button will show focus peaking immediately and then C2 will magnify.
For an FLE lens then, get close with manual focus and then toggle back to AF to lock focus. Several button presses isn't ideal, perhaps this canbe streamlined somehow. Ideas?
Focus accuracy in the getting close part of this is unimportant, you just want the floating element in roughly the right place. So the easy solution would be not to switch to manual focus at all, just set the approximate distance on the focussing ring of the lens, and then use AF to nail the exact focus. Much quicker, and I would be surprised if measurably worse. just so long as your distance guess is even approximately right.
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:23 PM
p.3 #7Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Yes, if one can live without peaking, that is the technique to use, leaving the adapter in AF mode.
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:30 PM
p.3 #8Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
I seriously doubt the FLE being out of optimal position would be perceptible in most situations; if for example the subject is at 10 feet and the focus ring on lens was at infinity, with the Techart moving the lens forward to obtain focus. My guess is the effect of the FLE is mostly when focused near MFD.
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:34 PM
p.3 #9Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
d-intrigue wrote:
I seriously doubt the FLE being out of optimal position would be perceptible in most situations; if for example the subject is at 10 feet and the focus ring on lens was at infinity, with the Techart moving the lens forward to obtain focus. My guess is the effect of the FLE is mostly when focused near MFD.
Easy to test, no?
K-H.
I seriously doubt the FLE being out of optimal position would be perceptible in most situations; if for example the subject is at 10 feet and the focus ring on lens was at infinity, with the Techart moving the lens forward to obtain focus. My guess is the effect of the FLE is mostly when focused near MFD.
Easy to test, no?
K-H.
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:53 PM
p.3 #10Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Luckily I don't have any lenses with floating elements.
It would be an interesting exercise!
It would be an interesting exercise!
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:57 PM
p.3 #11Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
d-intrigue wrote:
Luckily I don't have any lenses with floating elements.
It would be an interesting exercise!
Thanks. I have the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4, it's pretty finicky about its FLE though We'll see.
Luckily I don't have any lenses with floating elements.
It would be an interesting exercise!
Thanks. I have the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4, it's pretty finicky about its FLE though We'll see.
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:42 PM
p.3 #12Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
I had add some pic used by techart LM-EA7
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2983149@N23/pool
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2983149@N23/pool
Apr 21, 2016 at 04:10 AM
p.3 #13Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Intrigued to try out the adapter. If anyone is looking to get rid of theirs and go back to MF PM me.
PM me.May 23, 2016 at 11:56 PM
p.3 #14Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
k-h.a.w wrote:
It would be an interesting exercise!Thanks. I have the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4, it's pretty finicky about its FLE though We'll see.
After manually pre-focusing, the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4 works like a charm with AF.
d-intrigue wrote
Luckily I don't have any lenses with floating elements.It would be an interesting exercise!
After manually pre-focusing, the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4 works like a charm with AF.
May 24, 2016 at 12:30 AM
p.3 #15Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
k-h.a.w wrote:
It would be an interesting exercise!Thanks. I have the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4, it's pretty finicky about its FLE though We'll see. After manually pre-focusing, the Summilux-M ASPH 50/1.4 works like a charm with AF.
If you are manually pre-focusing, how much faster is the total focusing time using the TechArt AF vs magnification MF? I would guess that the difference is not very great and that MF is more precise. As I see it, having to pre-focus manually largely defeats the purpose of an AF adapter.
Rob
k-h.a.w wrote
d-intrigue wrote
Luckily I don't have any lenses with floating elements.It would be an interesting exercise!
If you are manually pre-focusing, how much faster is the total focusing time using the TechArt AF vs magnification MF? I would guess that the difference is not very great and that MF is more precise. As I see it, having to pre-focus manually largely defeats the purpose of an AF adapter.
Rob
May 25, 2016 at 02:08 PM
p.3 #16Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Thanks Rob. Well, I would divide my lenses into several groups.
• Normal to WA lenses, simply set the M lens to infinity, typically no pre-focusing required.
• Lenses where the reach of the adapter's helicoid isn't large enough, so pre-focusing is necessary.
• Special lenses, e.g. with floating elements that need to be in the right position, also require pre-focusing.
• Extreme close focus, using the adapter's helicoid to achieve closer distances than possible with a rangefinder camera doesn't require pre-focusing but simply turning the M lens focus to closest distance.
I do all of these without relying on magnification or peaking.
Then the adapter focuses more precisely than I possibly could with my aging eyes.
In low light or low contrast scenes the adapter might not achieve focus at all and hunts.
However, if it achieves focus at all, it seems to really nail it.
I consider the adapter a work in progress, an alpha release, maybe a beta.
However, for my specific situation, I derive tremendous benefit from it already.
YMMV!
K-H.
• Normal to WA lenses, simply set the M lens to infinity, typically no pre-focusing required.
• Lenses where the reach of the adapter's helicoid isn't large enough, so pre-focusing is necessary.
• Special lenses, e.g. with floating elements that need to be in the right position, also require pre-focusing.
• Extreme close focus, using the adapter's helicoid to achieve closer distances than possible with a rangefinder camera doesn't require pre-focusing but simply turning the M lens focus to closest distance.
I do all of these without relying on magnification or peaking.
Then the adapter focuses more precisely than I possibly could with my aging eyes.
In low light or low contrast scenes the adapter might not achieve focus at all and hunts.
However, if it achieves focus at all, it seems to really nail it.
I consider the adapter a work in progress, an alpha release, maybe a beta.
However, for my specific situation, I derive tremendous benefit from it already.
YMMV!
K-H.
May 25, 2016 at 11:26 PM
p.3 #17Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Does the adapter work with Eye AF?
Jul 28, 2016 at 11:14 AM
p.3 #18Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
On A7RIII Eye AF works perfectly with Noctilux 0.95, but requires prefocusing (lens with FLE design)
Dec 15, 2017 at 03:18 PM
p.3 #19Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
how do you get the firmware v5? On techart website, it said the new adapter comes with V5. When go to download area, it only have v4 available to dl?
Dec 16, 2017 at 08:09 PM
p.3 #20Techart AF adapter for M (and other) lenses for A7-II and A7R-II
Bubble wrote:
how do you get the firmware v5? On techart website, it said the new adapter comes with V5. When go to download area, it only have v4 available to dl?
Great question.
Please follow the instructions and during the procedure the latest version can be selected.
Good luck!
K-H.
how do you get the firmware v5? On techart website, it said the new adapter comes with V5. When go to download area, it only have v4 available to dl?
Great question.
Please follow the instructions and during the procedure the latest version can be selected.
Good luck!
K-H.
Dec 16, 2017 at 08:18 PM