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Archive 2016Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!

  
 
candreyo
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p.69 #1Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Hi,

The heavier lenses I use are both below 700g.
They are the Zeiss 85mm ZF Planar with Nikon F to Leica M adapter and a B&W UV filter attached- which totals together to be 685g (I weighed it all using a scale)

And the other heaviest lens is the Leica 50mm f1.0 Noctilux, which weighs with its UV filter on to be together to be 629g

Both lenses are under the 700g weight limit of TAP

However, I don't use these lenses too often.

I mainly use the Zeiss ZM range of lenses 18mm thru 85mm), all which are well under the 700g limit, and the Jupiter 9 FSU M39 lens, which also is well under the 700g limit.
It was when I was using the ZM lenses mainly when this issue arose.

CE33 wrote:
candreyo & Jack - Did either of you use heavier lenses?

Dec 10, 2016 at 02:19 AM
genji
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p.69 #2Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
jacquesvroom wrote:
Kids:
a. I can't pretend to the sophistication or expertise of many colleagues here on FM. But I will say, it appears to me the gods do not want us to use heavier lenses with TAP. TAP instructions mention a dividing line of 700 grams. I believe most of you will not like the experience of using otherwise MF lenses much at all, if they are near or above that weight. It's possible, but not worth it. On the other hand, lighter, smaller MF lenses with the TAP are clear evidence of a beneficent deity. It's magical.
b. In the matter
...Show more →

I totally agree. I wrote a post in another thread suggesting that Techart's 700g limit is wildly optimistic; consequently, I set my personal limit to 350g for lenses without a tripod mount. And, I'm baffled by the need to combine lenses without aperture rings with the TAP when there are so many simpler and easier alternatives available.

---------------------------------------------

candreyo wrote:
Hi,

The heavier lenses I use are both below 700g.
They are the Zeiss 85mm ZF Planar with Nikon F to Leica M adapter and a B&W UV filter attached- which totals together to be 685g (I weighed it all using a scale)

And the other heaviest lens is the Leica 50mm f1.0 Noctilux, which weighs with its UV filter on to be together to be 629g

Both lenses are under the 700g weight limit of TAP

However, I don't use these lenses too often.

I mainly use the Zeiss ZM range of lenses 18mm thru 85mm), all which are well under the 700g limit, and
...Show more →
CE33 wrotecandreyo & Jack - Did either of you use heavier lenses?


Interesting. Out of curiosity, I looked up the weights of the various ZM lenses on the Zeiss website:

Distagon 2,8/15 ZM (550g)
Distagon 4/18 ZM (350g)
Biogon 2,8/21 ZM (280g)
C Biogon 4,5/21 ZM (210g)
Biogon 2,8/25 ZM (260g)
Biogon 2,8/28 ZM (230g)
Distagon 1,4/35 ZM (381g)
Biogon 2/35 ZM (240g)
C Biogon 2,8/35 ZM (200g)
C Sonnar 1,5/50 ZM (250g)
Planar 2/50 ZM (230g)
Tele-Tessar 4/85 ZM (310g)

Putting aside the 550g Distagon 2,8/15 ZM and the 381g Distagon 1,4/35 ZM (and assuming that you are not fortunate enough to own a 450g Sonnar 2/85 ZM), all the lenses in the 18mm - 85mm range -- with the exception of the 350g Distagon 4/18 ZM -- weigh well below 350g. So I guess one question to ask is which lens(es) you used most with the TAP?
Dec 10, 2016 at 03:24 AM
Jochenb
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p.69 #3Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
I got mine yesterday. I currently use my Zeiss 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 ZF.2 Planars on it.
It needs enough light and it's best to use the center AF point only... but this adapter will come in so handy. What's nice too is that you can register a focal length in the EXIF.
I'm happy so far.
Dec 10, 2016 at 03:58 AM
candreyo
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p.69 #4Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Hi,

The Zeiss ZM lenses I used most with TAP are the 50mm C-Sonnar, and the 25 and 28mm Biogons.

I will occasionally use the 35mm ZM Distagon and 85mm ZM Sonnar, but as I have a 85mm Batis Native FE, and 35mm isn't really my favourite focal length, these don't get used much either.

I do own fortunately a ZM 85mm Sonnar f2 lens, but this lens is a nightmare for me. While it's rendering is beautiful, I have been thru hell with mechanical issues. I sent the Lens to Zeiss Germany last year with the Zeiss wobble problem and it not focusing accurately with my Leica cameras. I had to pay over 1000 euros to have it fixed! It came back wobble free but the focusing was still off with my rangefinder. Over the course of a few months, the wobble came back even worse then before. I again sent it to Zeiss under there 1 year warranty guarantee on the work they carried out, and it came back once again wobble free, with more accurate focusing on the rangefinder, but still not perfect. Unfortunately now, like twice before, after a few months of very light use, the wobble has come back!
Both times When I sent the lens to Zeiss, I told them to ensure it will focus accurately, wide open at f2 on a Leica M240 type rangefinder. Their return certificate of repair even stated they tested it on. Leica M 240. But it is the least accurate rangefinder lens I own, with the Leica Noctilux at f1 being more accurate then this lens.

At this point, now that it's been over a year since the initial serive I paid for, I would need to pay for a new repair costing again over 1000 euros! Hopeless...
I beilieve it it for this reason, the known mechanical issues with this lens, which is why the production of the lens was stopped after 600 units and never restarted. The ZM 85mm Sonnar is probably a good museum or collectors piece, but not good for actual active use. It just seems to mechanically have issues over and over again for me.

Aside from this, most other ZM lenses I have are mechanically fine. My Zeiss 28mm did begin to get slightly loose once, but I tightened the rear retention ring with a camera spanner, and the issue nealry has gone away.

My favourite focal lengths are 50mm and 25-28mm to use with TAP, all ZM lenses.

Hope this helps.

genji wrote:
jacquesvroom wroteKids:
a. I can't pretend to the sophistication or expertise of many colleagues here on FM. But I will say, it appears to me the gods do not want us to use heavier lenses with TAP. TAP instructions mention a dividing line of 700 grams. I believe most of you will not like the experience of using otherwise MF lenses much at all, if they are near or above that weight. It's possible, but not worth it. On the other hand, lighter, smaller MF lenses with the TAP are clear evidence of a beneficent deity. It's magical.
b. In the matter of adapting lenses without aperture rings—combining lenses without them and the TAP is like working on a perpetual-motion machine—lovely idea, but likely to take a lot of time to figure out.
c. Thanks to all here.
Jacques Vroom
I totally agree. I wrote a post in another thread suggesting that Techart's 700g limit is wildly optimistic; consequently, I set my personal limit to 350g for lenses without a tripod mount. And, I'm baffled by the need to combine lenses without aperture rings with the TAP when there are so many simpler and easier alternatives available.

---------------------------------------------

candreyo wroteHi,

The heavier lenses I use are both below 700g.
They are the Zeiss 85mm ZF Planar with Nikon F to Leica M adapter and a B&W UV filter attached- which totals together to be 685g (I weighed it all using a scale)

And the other heaviest lens is the Leica 50mm f1.0 Noctilux, which weighs with its UV filter on to be together to be 629g

Both lenses are under the 700g weight limit of TAP

However, I don't use these lenses too often.

I mainly use the Zeiss ZM range of lenses 18mm thru 85mm), all which are well under the 700g limit, and the Jupiter 9 FSU M39 lens, which also is well under the 700g limit.
It was when I was using the ZM lenses mainly when this issue arose.

CE33 wrotecandreyo & Jack - Did either of you use heavier lenses?
Interesting. Out of curiosity, I looked up the weights of the various ZM lenses on the Zeiss website:

Distagon 2,8/15 ZM (550g)
Distagon 4/18 ZM (350g)
Biogon 2,8/21 ZM (280g)
C Biogon 4,5/21 ZM (210g)
Biogon 2,8/25 ZM (260g)
Biogon 2,8/28 ZM (230g)
Distagon 1,4/35 ZM (381g)
Biogon 2/35 ZM (240g)
C Biogon
...Show more →


Edited on Dec 10, 2016 at 05:34 AM · View previous versions
Dec 10, 2016 at 05:04 AM
candreyo
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p.69 #5Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Great to hear!

I also have both lens types in ZF/ ZF.2 mounts, and they are my favourite lenses to use when I'm at home shooting my children.

When out and about or traveling, I will mainly use the Zeiss Batis 85mm FE, along with the 50mm C-Sonnar and 25-58mm Biogons in ZM mount.

I absolutely love Zeiss rendering and character in the images their lenses make.
Between the 50mm Planar f1.4 ZF.2 and 50mm C-Sonnar ZM, I fell as if I have the best of both worlds. So much so, that I recently sold my 55mm f1.8 FE lens, because I just didn't like the bokeh and character the lens rendered out wide open. IMO, the other two Zeiss lenses I mentioned have a nicer character and bokeh too them. TAP has brought a breath of fresh air to my manual Zeiss lens collection. Amazing technology really.

I really don't care to much about absolute sharpness, and like lenses with character and pleasing Bokeh a lot more.
Jupiter FSU lenses like the Jupiter 3, 8,9 & 11 are not absolutely sharp and flare like no other, but their character and bokeh are amazing.

For anyone wishing to achieve Zeiss character type lenses on a budget, I would recommend Jupiter FSU lenses in M39 mount. They are extremely small and light, very affordable and render IMO very nicely. They all also very well with TAP, no issues.

You will need a LTM/ M39 to Leica M adapter, which costs anywhere from 10.00GBP and up.

Jochenb wrote:
I got mine yesterday. I currently use my Zeiss 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 ZF.2 Planars on it.
It needs enough light and it's best to use the center AF point only... but this adapter will come in so handy. What's nice too is that you can register a focal length in the EXIF.
I'm happy so far.



Edited on Dec 10, 2016 at 06:39 AM · View previous versions
Dec 10, 2016 at 05:15 AM
mortyb
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p.69 #6Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
My "philosophy" regarding TAP and weight is that I just use whatever lens I'd like, and if it breaks some time in the future, I've probably made some nice photos along the way. I'd just get another. Heaviest lens I use now is the C/Y 35/1.4 (appx. 650 g?). No issues so far.
Dec 10, 2016 at 06:11 AM
CE33
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p.69 #7Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
I don't want to replace the adapter unless it's with a new and improved version down the road. I forgot that it's suggested to slightly support over 300g. I have a couple 135mm lenses that I'd support, and a 70-210 that I may just opt to not use with the TAP altogether. The rest of my primes are fairly light (200-400g).

I have to say, so far I'm quite impressed with how well the TAP has worked on all the lenses I've tested - often in less than ideal, lowlight conditions. Looking forward to giving it a real run for its money very soon!
Dec 10, 2016 at 07:48 AM
bluloo
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p.69 #8Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
I almost always support the lens on the TAP, regardless of size, unless it's very awkward to do so.

Dec 10, 2016 at 08:09 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.69 #9Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
bluloo wrote:
I almost always support the lens on the TAP, regardless of size, unless it's very awkward to do so.


Same here, expect for the CV 50/1.5C and Heliar 40/2.8. The moving focus is not that sturdy.
Dec 10, 2016 at 10:18 AM
azenis
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p.69 #10Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
bluloo wrote:
I almost always support the lens on the TAP, regardless of size, unless it's very awkward to do so.



Third this. I used it with the Zeiss 55mm F1.2 Planar. It's well under the suggested max weight (550g), but as long as your hands are on both camera and lens, it has 0 issue. Without holding it though, you can feel that the adapter struggles slightly to move a heavy lens.
Dec 10, 2016 at 07:16 PM
genji
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p.69 #11Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
mortyb wrote:
My "philosophy" regarding TAP and weight is that I just use whatever lens I'd like, and if it breaks some time in the future, I've probably made some nice photos along the way. I'd just get another. Heaviest lens I use now is the C/Y 35/1.4 (appx. 650 g?). No issues so far.


---------------------------------------------

bluloo wrote:
I almost always support the lens on the TAP, regardless of size, unless it's very awkward to do so.


Two opposing approaches to lens weight and the TAP. My concern with using heavy lenses with the TAP is not so much that the TAP might be damaged or not be powerful enough to move the lens but rather that a heavy lens will "droop" and no longer be optically parallel to the sensor plane, thus impacting on the sharpness of the photos.
Dec 10, 2016 at 07:42 PM
partitura
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p.69 #12Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Here are four images taken today with Leica R lenses and the TAP. They are new to me, and I am enjoying getting to know them. The first three are with the Elmarit-R 28mm version II (amazing lens) and the last was with the Summilux-R 80mm (also an amazing lens).





© partitura 2016





© partitura 2016











Dec 11, 2016 at 11:17 PM
techartpro
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p.69 #13Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Mirrorlessons has just reviewed the Techart PRO AF Adapter for Manual Lens.

Dec 12, 2016 at 07:12 AM
GMPhotography
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p.69 #14Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
What was missed here and correct me if I'm wrong but by setting the focal length of the lens being used is Steady shot is set on auto it will act in accordance to the focal length set. Sample if set to F22 it will be a 35mm lens in Exif but also IBIS will use 35mm lens if steady shot is on auto.
Dec 12, 2016 at 08:46 AM
genji
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p.69 #15Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
That's certainly my understanding.

GMPhotography wrote:
What was missed here and correct me if I'm wrong but by setting the focal length of the lens being used is Steady shot is set on auto it will act in accordance to the focal length set. Sample if set to F22 it will be a 35mm lens in Exif but also IBIS will use 35mm lens if steady shot is on auto.

Dec 12, 2016 at 04:37 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.69 #16Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
GMPhotography wrote:
What was missed here and correct me if I'm wrong but by setting the focal length of the lens being used is Steady shot is set on auto it will act in accordance to the focal length set. Sample if set to F22 it will be a 35mm lens in Exif but also IBIS will use 35mm lens if steady shot is on auto.


I think he didn't read our FAQ!
Dec 12, 2016 at 04:42 PM
GMPhotography
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p.69 #17Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Just think we didn't even do a video too. Lol
Dec 12, 2016 at 05:55 PM
CE33
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p.69 #18Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
Last week I picked up some Voigtlander m-mount lenses to use with the TAP. The 40 1.4 works great, but the 15 4.5 constantly hunts and often fails to find focus. Not really a big deal, I guess, since MF isn't a problem with this lens, but I was expecting the ultra wide focal length to be super snappy, so I'm a little disappointed.
Dec 13, 2016 at 06:51 AM
k-h.a.w
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p.69 #19Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
CE33 wrote:
Last week I picked up some Voigtlander m-mount lenses to use with the TAP. The 40 1.4 works great, but the 15 4.5 constantly hunts and often fails to find focus. Not really a big deal, I guess, since MF isn't a problem with this lens, but I was expecting the ultra wide focal length to be super snappy, so I'm a little disappointed.


I don't have that problem with Choppy, a 15/4.5 M-mount lens.
What parameters are you using? Aperture? Focus points? IBIS? AF-C, S? etc.
Dec 13, 2016 at 07:08 AM
CE33
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p.69 #20Techart PRO AF adapter now In Stock!
k-h.a.w wrote:
I don't have that problem with Choppy, a 15/4.5 M-mount lens.
What parameters are you using? Aperture? Focus points? IBIS? AF-C, S? etc.


I've tried both AF-C & AF-S, but mostly used AF-C so far. Wide focus, various apertures, no IBIS (A6300). I took it out this morning in bright light and it had the same problems. I'd be happy to discover it's something I'm doing wrong, because its performance on the TAP is vastly inferior to all the other lenses I've tested.
Dec 13, 2016 at 08:46 AM
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