DavidBM
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
|
genji wrote:
This might help. Fred asked earlier in the thread if someone would volunteer to do an FAQ and I had some spare time on my hands. Any corrections or suggestions for additional FAQ topics are welcome!
What is the Techart PRO?
The Techart PRO adapter (abbreviated as "TAP") is an autofocus adapter for manual focus camera lenses when mounted on certain Sony mirrorless cameras. According to the Techart PRO website:
What are the main features of the Techart PRO?
- Leica M Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera
- Optimized for Use with A7 II & A7R II
- Shifts Lens up to 4.5mm for Autofocus
- Supports PDAF with AF-S & AF-C Modes
- Improves Close Focusing Ability
- Bluetooth 4.0 Connectivity & Mobile App
- Stores 10 Sets of Lens Data
- Compatible with 5-Axis Stabilization
- Drives Lenses Weighing up to 700g
FM member d-intrigue provided a realistic assessment of the Techart PRO:
Can the Techart PRO be used with any Sony mirrorless camera?
The Techart PRO has been designed to provide optimum performance with Sony cameras that support 3rd party PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus):
- Sony A7 II
- Sony A7R II
- Sony A6300
Techart do not recommend its use with CDAF-only cameras (Sony A7, A7R, A7S, etc) and a number of FM members have reported poor performance with these cameras.
Which autofocus features does the Techart PRO support?
- Focus Mode: AF-S, AF-C
- Focus Area: Wide, Center, Flexible Spot (S/M/L
- Smile/Face Detection
Eye AF is not currently supported.
Why does the Techart PRO does not autofocus with my Sony A7 II / A7R II / A6300 camera?
The Techart PRO relies on PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus). Check Menu > Custom Settings (Gear Icon) > 7 > AF System and see that Phase Detection AF is selected.
Why is my Techart PRO having difficulty finding focus?
FM member GMPhotography offered a useful tip:
FM member ecarlino suggested the reason for this:
FM member k-h.a.w offered a tip for focusing fast lenses more accurately:
Why does the Techart PRO drain my battery so quickly?
The excessive battery usage is a known issue/bug. Fred Miranda suggested [https://www.fredmiranda.com/testforum/topic/1445543/43#13718779]a method to stop battery drainage[/url]:
In a later post Fred elaborated:
Why don't the Techart people answer email messages promptly?
FM member DavidBM provided a credible explanation:
How does the Techart PRO affect image quality?
For unit focusing lenses (i.e. those in which the entire optical assembly moves back and forward as the focusing ring is turned), the TAP does not affect image quality. For lenses with a floating element (FLE) design (i.e. the distance between lens groups is adjusted as the lens is focused in order to improve performance at close range), the TAP will have an effect on image quality. In this case, if using the lens at close distances, it will be preferable to pre-focus manually before allowing the Techart PRO to achieve accurate focus.
FM member freaklikeme elaborates:
Using the TAP with floating element lenses is discussed at length in this thread.
Will the Techart PRO autofocus over the full focusing range of the lens?
The autofocus range varies with the lens. The Techart PRO FAQ gives ranges from 6.5cm to Infinity for a 15mm lens up to 4.2m to Infinity for a 135mm lens when the focus ring on the lens is set to Infinity.
Must the focusing ring on the lens always be set at Infinity?
No, the focusing ring on the lens can be set according to the circumstances. FM member k-h.a.w explained in this post how he divides his lenses into groups:
How should I configure my A7 II / A7R II to switch from autofocus to manual focus and back?
Although this can be done via the (Android) configuration app, it is best to assign a Custom Button to do this. Choose Menu > Custom Settings (Gear Icon) > 7 > Custom Key Settings and assign AF/MF Ctrl Toggle to a button. FM member d-intrigue suggested using the Center Button whilst others prefer to use the AF/MF button.
The Techart PRO has a Parking feature which determines what the adapter does when switching from AF to MF mode:
- F36 parks the adapter at infinity focus
- F40 parks the adapter at closest focus
- F45 parks the adapter at the current focus
To implement this, set the aperture on the camera to the desired value, take a picture, then set the aperture on the camera back to F2.
What is the heaviest lens that can be used with the Techart PRO?
According to the Techart PRO FAQ, the adapter can support lenses "as heavy as 700g". However, multiple FM members have reported success with much heavier lenses as long as the lens is supported firmly with one hand. In other words, instead of holding the camera and allowing the TAP to move the lens back and forward, one holds the lens so that the TAP moves the camera body back and forward.
Does the Techart PRO provide autofocus only with Leica M lenses?
No, other manual focus lenses with a longer flange distance (such as legacy SLR lenses) can also be auto-focused by inserting the appropriate M-mount adapter between the lens and the Techart PRO. For example, Contax C/Y or Olympus OM lenses can gain autofocus by adding a C/Y->M or OM->M adapter respectively.
Where do I buy the adapters for non-Leica M lenses?
Techart sell a wide range of Leicaist brand adapters in their store. However, the same Leicaist adapters can be purchased at lower prices on eBay.
FM members have reported varying degrees of success with other inexpensive XX->M adapters. In order for it not to interfere with the protruding motor of the Techart PRO, the adapter needs to be quite narrow at the M-bayonet end. The Leicaist adapters are tapered to achieve this.
Which non-Leicaist XX->M adapters do work with the Techart PRO?
According to posts in the this thread the following adapters have been reported to work with the TAP.
Canon FD
Contax C/Y
- K&F CY->M Concept adapter
- Fotodiox CY->M adapter
Hexanon AR
Leica R
- Fotodiox LR->M adapter
- Novoflex LEM/LER adapter
Minolta MD
- Fotodiox MD->M adapter
- Fotasy MD->M adapter
M42
Nikon F
- K&F Nikon F->M Concept adapter
Olympus OM
- K&F Concept OM->M adapter
Pentax K
How do I attach the Techart PRO and lens?
- Turn off the camera and remove the currently mounted lens.
- Align the white dot on the Techart PRO with the white dot on the camera's lens mount and rotate the adapter clockwise until it locks into place.
- If you are using a legacy SLR lens, attach the XX->M adapter.
- Align the red dot on the M-mount lens (or on the XX->M adapter) with the red dot on the Techart PRO and rotate the lens (or adapted SLR lens) clockwise until it locks.
- Turn on the camera.
- Set the aperture on the camera body to F2.
- Set the aperture on the lens to the desired working aperture.
Can I use the Techart PRO with an L-bracket?
Various FM members have reported incompatibility with the TAP and certain L-brackets. The following L-brackets are said not to interfere with the TAP:
- L-bracket for Sony A7II / A7RII (USD50.00 from the Techart Store)
- RSS L-bracket
- LB-A7M2 L-bracket on eBay
- Neewer NW-A7M2 L-bracket on eBay
- A7IIL L-bracket on eBay
Does SteadyShot (IBIS) work with the Techart PRO?
Yes. There are two ways to approach this:
- Configure either three Custom Buttons (or, alternatively, three Function Button options) for SteadyShot Adjust (Auto/Manual), SteadyShot (On/Off), and SteadyS. Focal Len. With SteadyShot (On) and SteadyShot Adjust (Manual), you can then use SteadyS. Focal Len. to set a value from 8mm to 1000mm.
- Set SteadyShot Adjust to Auto and set the correct focal length to be recorded by the Techart PRO as explained later in this FAQ.
How do I update the firmware?
The Techart PRO firmware is updated via Bluetooth using a mobile phone app.
- Download and install the Firmware Update app using the links on the Techart Downloads page for iOS or Android.
- Ensure that both the phone and camera batteries are fully charged.
- Make sure the Auto-Lock of the phone is set to Never (iOS) or Sleep is set to 30 minutes (Android).
- Attach the Techart PRO adapter to the camera body (see above).
- Turn on the camera.
- Set the aperture on the camera body to F90 and take a picture.
- Turn the camera off.
- Launch the Techart Update app.
- Select the firmware version from the list.
- Press Update.
- Wait for the update to complete (approximately 10 minutes).
- When the firmware update success message appears, wait for at least one minute before turning the camera back on.
- You can check that the firmware has updated correctly by accessing Menu > Setup (Toolbox icon) > 6 > Version. The Techart PRO firmware version is displayed under Lens.
- Reset the Auto-Lock or Sleep setting on the phone.
How do I configure the focal length of the lens so it is correctly recorded in the EXIF data?
If the Techart PRO is used as shipped from the factory, a focal length of 15mm will be recorded in the EXIF. The Techart PRO can store up to ten focal lengths, with the default settings as follows.
- F11: 15mm
- F13: 18mm
- F14: 21mm
- F16: 24mm
- F18: 25mm
- F20: 28mm
- F22: 35mm
- F25: 50mm
- F29: 90mm
- F32: 135mm (MF only)
To change the focal length to be recorded in the EXIF:
- After switching lenses, turn on the camera.
- Set the aperture on the camera body to the corresponding aperture (listed above) for the desired focal length (e.g. F22 for a 28mm lens).
- Release the shutter (i.e. take a picture)
- Set the aperture on the camera body back to F2.
- Set the aperture on the lens to the desired working aperture.
Note that the default setting F32 for a 135mm lens switches the Techart PRO into Manual Focus mode. There seems to be general agreement amongst FM members that this was a poor choice by the Techart engineers. Firstly, because alternating between AF and MF is best achieved by setting a Custom Button on the camera for AF/MF Toggle. Secondly, because AF is just as desirable for 135mm lenses as for other focal lengths. However, this default setting for the 135mm focal length can be modified via the LM-EA7-CONFIG app.
How do I set focal lengths other than the default ones listed above?
The default focal lengths can be modified via Bluetooth using an Android mobile phone app. (Note: Currently there is no iOS version of this Configuration app.).
- Ensure that both the phone and camera batteries are fully charged.
- Download the Android APP for data settings (LM-EA7-Config.apk) from the Techart Downloads page to your Android phone.
- Install the LM-EA7-CONFIG app.
- Set the aperture on the camera body to F90 and take a picture.
- Turn the camera off.
- On the phone, go to Settings and in Display preferences set it to sleep after 10 (or 30) minutes of activity (so the display doesn't turn off during the update).
- Still in Settings, open the Bluetooth preferences. The LM-EA7 (i.e. the Techart PRO adapter) should be listed as an available device.
- Launch the LM-EA7-CONFIG app.
- The configuration app opens with a scrollable list of apertures, enabling you to change the focal length, parking behavior, and focus mode for up to ten lenses.
- Modify the default settings as desired and press CONFIG.
- When the configuration info has been successfully updated, turn the camera back on and set the aperture on the camera body back to F2.
- Test that it has worked by setting the aperture on the camera body to invoke a different focal length then take a picture.
- Set the aperture on the camera body back to F2, take a picture, and check the EXIF data.
- Reset the phone's Display settings if necessary.
Why does the EXIF data always show F2 even though I set a different maximum aperture with the LM-EA7-CONFIG app?
The EXIF will show F2 no matter what maximum aperture you have set via the config app. Fred Miranda asked the Techart people about this and they explained that, although they originally intended for the aperture value to be recorded into the EXIF via the app, they couldn't get it to work properly, so that functionality is currently blocked.
Why are my pictures overexposed when I set the aperture on the camera to a value other than F2?
When a legacy lens is attached via a dumb adapter the aperture value in the EVF on the LCD shows as "F--", because there is no electronic communication between the lens and the adapter. Correct exposure is then achieved by setting the camera to either A or M mode and using either a fixed ISO or ISO Auto.
However, in order to provide autofocus via Sony's 3rd party PDAF protocol, the Techart PRO emulates a Sony LA-EA3 adapter, in essence "pretending" to be an E-mount lens. The Techart engineers have chosen to emulate a 40mm SAM lens, probably because no such lens exists. Unlike a real A-mount lens whose aperture can be controlled electronically, the aperture on a legacy lens must be set manually. But the TAP still has to to provide an aperture value and F2 was the value chosen. Consequently, no matter what aperture is set manually on the lens, the TAP has been designed to give the correct exposure only when the aperture on the camera is set to F2. If the aperture on the camera is set, for example, to F2.8 then the camera increases the exposure to compensate and the picture will be one stop overexposed.
However, there is a way of circumventing this restriction, which is explained in the next topic.
Is there a way that I can have the actual aperture recorded in the EXIF?
FM member joe256 has reported a method of recording an aperture value (from F2 to F8) in the EXIF, whilst still exposing correctly:
...Show more →
Fantastic! Te manual that should have been! Thanks!
|
