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Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #1 · p.15 #1 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

So I used the app to map F11 to 35mm f/1.7 and F13 to 75mm f/1.8 because those are the only lenses I use with the adapter. It made it faster to change the focal length but the set aperture had no effect. f/2 is still the fastest aperture I can select. Did I miss anything or doesn't it make any sense to change the aperture in the app.

Jan 22, 2017 at 03:25 PM

genji
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p.15 #2 · p.15 #2 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Phillip Reeve wrote:
So I used the app to map F11 to 35mm f/1.7 and F13 to 75mm f/1.8 because those are the only lenses I use with the adapter. It made it faster to change the focal length but the set aperture had no effect. f/2 is still the fastest aperture I can select. Did I miss anything or doesn't it make any sense to change the aperture in the app.

You didn't miss anything. Currently the EXIF will show F2 no matter what maximum aperture you have set via the app. When Fred asked Techart about this, they said they'd intended for the aperture value to be recorded into the EXIF via the app but couldn't get it to work properly.

So, by default, the TAP will expose correctly only when the aperture on the camera is set to F2 (and then F2 is recorded in the EXIF). F numbers other than F2 will result in overexposure because the camera is trying to compensate for the smaller aperture (larger F number).

But FM member joe256 figured out that you can record the actual aperture on the lens in the EXIF by setting a matching aperture on the camera then using a negative exposure compensation to counteract the camera's overexposure. So you'd set F4 (say) on the lens and in the camera and set the exposure compensation to -2.

There's a full explanation of this at the very end of the FAQ.

Jan 22, 2017 at 05:23 PM

jwpstl
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p.15 #3 · p.15 #3 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

CE33 wrote:
It mounts to my camera bodies pretty tight and I haven't had any dust issues (though, I also use a rocket blower regularly). I wouldn't use it in the rain.

How tight does it fit? Mine arrived from Amazon and it took some force to get it on the A7II. Too much force for me. I felt it a danger to the mount so I'm sending it back. Is it supposed to be this way? I was initially concerned enough that I decided to return it for a refund instead of an exchange. Too hasty?

Jan 22, 2017 at 07:20 PM

genji
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p.15 #4 · p.15 #4 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

jwpstl wrote:
How tight does it fit? Mine arrived from Amazon and it took some force to get it on the A7II. Too much force for me. I felt it a danger to the mount so I'm sending it back. Is it supposed to be this way? I was initially concerned enough that I decided to return it for a refund instead of an exchange. Too hasty?

I have two copies of the TAP and two Voigtlander Close Focus adapters and they all require roughly the same amount of effort to mount on the A7R II. However, the Voigtlanders definitely mount more smoothly; the TAPs feel somewhat rough by comparison. In your situation I would probably have returned it because mounting it on the camera should definitely not require an uncomfortable degree of force. I don't recall anyone reporting an experience similar to yours, though I could be wrong. I guess you could try getting one from B&H. At least then you'd have a point of comparison.

Jan 22, 2017 at 10:36 PM

thompsonkirk
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p.15 #5 · p.15 #5 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

My CV close focus adapter is harder to align than the regular version. I have to fiddle to insert it, but then it rotates with the same pressure as TAP and other adapters until it clicks. Or if there's a difference, it's not enough for me to have noticed it.

Kirk

Jan 23, 2017 at 12:15 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.15 #6 · p.15 #6 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

genji wrote:
You didn't miss anything. Currently the EXIF will show F2 no matter what maximum aperture you have set via the app. When Fred asked Techart about this, they said they'd intended for the aperture value to be recorded into the EXIF via the app but couldn't get it to work properly.

So, by default, the TAP will expose correctly only when the aperture on the camera is set to F2 (and then F2 is recorded in the EXIF). F numbers other than F2 will result in overexposure because the camera is trying to compensate for the smaller aperture (larger F number).

But...Show more →

That's an awesome summary genji!
Although Joe had a great idea on the exposure compensation to offset the aperture change from f/2, in practice I don't use it that much. Hopefully, TechArt will sort this out soon.

Jan 23, 2017 at 12:49 AM

genji
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p.15 #7 · p.15 #7 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Fred Miranda wrote:
That's an awesome summary genji!
Although Joe had a great idea on the exposure compensation to offset the aperture change from f/2, in practice I don't use it that much. Hopefully, TechArt will sort this out soon.

Thanks, Fred. I'm with you in that I leave the camera-set aperture at F2. Although it would be nice to have the real aperture recorded in the EXIF, it does require extra effort and attention to ensure that the lens aperture and camera aperture are the same and the appropriate exposure compensation has been applied. My main fear is that in the heat of the moment I'll forget one or the other and wind up with poorly exposed frames. For certain styles of photographing though I can see it working really well.

Jan 23, 2017 at 05:05 AM

k-h.a.w
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p.15 #8 · p.15 #8 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

There must be a better thought out way to accomplish recording the actual f-number used, no?

K-H.

Jan 23, 2017 at 05:27 AM

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #9 · p.15 #9 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

genji wrote:
it does require extra effort and attention to ensure that the lens aperture and camera aperture are the same and the appropriate exposure compensation has been applied. My main fear is that in the heat of the moment I'll forget one or the other and wind up with poorly exposed frames. For certain styles of photographing though I can see it working really well.
Thanks for the answer

That extra effort is what made my experience of the Techart Pro much less pleasant. I spent a lot of time turning the camera wheel to change the aperture to f40 or f36 and back again. Changing the focal length is also much less pleasant than in the camera.

My review should be up tomorrow.

Jan 23, 2017 at 05:28 AM

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #10 · p.15 #10 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

My Techart Pro Review is online now. A big thanks to the crowd here, the FAQ helped me a lot to figure the adapter out. Let me know if I missed anything

Jan 24, 2017 at 02:18 AM

genji
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p.15 #11 · p.15 #11 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Phillip Reeve wrote:
My Techart Pro Review is online now. A big thanks to the crowd here, the FAQ helped me a lot to figure the adapter out. Let me know if I missed anything

Thank you for this excellent review, Phillip, it's very fair and balanced. The only thing I'm curious about is this statement:

I found that the close focusing feature is very nice to have indeed and it allowed me to take some pictures I otherwise couldn’t have taken but I also found it quite annoying to activate it. To activate it you have to turn the aperture dial 26 clicks, take a picture and turn it back 26 clicks.

The TAP has three settings that determine what the adapter does when switching from AF to MF mode:
* F36 to park the adapter at infinity focus
* F40 to park the adapter at closest focus
* F45 to park the adapter at the current focus

Correct me if I'm wrong but from your review it seems that you have used F36 (infinity parking) as the default, with the lens also set at infinity focus. These are the optimum settings for most shooting situations. And that those 26 clicks take you from F2 to F40 (closest focus parking).

Before going any further I need to ask whether you are using MF or AF with the close focusing feature...

Jan 24, 2017 at 04:40 AM

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #12 · p.15 #12 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

genji wrote:
Thank you for this excellent review, Phillip, it's very fair and balanced. The only thing I'm curious about is this statement:

The TAP has three settings that determine what the adapter does when switching from AF to MF mode:
* F36 to park the adapter at infinity focus
* F40 to park the adapter at closest focus
* F45 to park the adapter at the current focus

Correct me if I'm wrong but from your review it seems that you have used F36 (infinity parking) as the default, with the lens also set at infinity focus. These are the optimum settings for most shooting situations....Show more →
My default is infinity parking (F36) and I want to focus manually up close. I tried F45 before but had a few frustrating experiences with not really reaching infinity focus when I switched to MF. I also tried to use AF-lock for focusing close but then I couldn't zoom in to check focus.

Edit: Now that I think about it: I configured F14 to 35mm parking close and F16 75mm parking close. Still not great but far fewer clicks.

Jan 24, 2017 at 04:46 AM

genji
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p.15 #13 · p.15 #13 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Phillip Reeve wrote:
My default is infinity parking (F36) and I want to focus manually up close. I tried F45 before but had a few frustrating experiences with not really reaching infinity focus when I switched to MF. I also tried to use AF-lock for focusing close but then I couldn't zoom in to check focus.

Forgive me if this sounds like a stupid question but are you setting the lens to its minimum focusing distance when you want to focus manually up close?

I generally photograph at distances from 0.5 meters to 5 meters and have the TAP set to F45. To photograph a close subject, I set the lens to its minimum focus distance, use AF to extend the TAP to its maximum amount, and switch to MF to achieve accurate focus (I've set the AF/MF Button to AF/MF Ctrl Toggle). If I then wish to photograph a distant subject, I set the lens at infinity, switch back to AF, and shoot. The only effort required is to set the lens at either its minimum focus distance or infinity.

However, I guess all of this can depend on the focal length of the lens you're using. Even though I purchased multiple adapters for legacy SLR lenses, I finally settled on using 50mm M or LTM mount lenses with the TAP and find it quite predictable and reliable in use.

Edit: Not sure what you mean by "configured F14 to 35mm parking close and F16 75mm parking close".

Jan 24, 2017 at 05:10 AM

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #14 · p.15 #14 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

genji wrote:
Forgive me if this sounds like a stupid question but are you setting the lens to its minimum focusing distance when you want to focus manually up close?

I generally photograph at distances from 0.5 meters to 5 meters and have the TAP set to F45. To photograph a close subject, I set the lens to its minimum focus distance, use AF to extend the TAP to its maximum amount, and switch to MF to achieve accurate focus (I've set the AF/MF Button to AF/MF Ctrl Toggle). If I then wish to photograph a distant subject, I set the lens at...Show more →
I think your method won't work for me because whenever I have the time I still prefer to focus manually, I used AF for casual picture taking when socializing and for a few portraits. I also used the close focusing abilities.

I tried pretty much what you describe but my problem was that the focus at infinity wasn't a 100% were I wanted it which is no fault of the adapter, I would have had the same issue with a native lens. But when I send the adapter to the parking position I have a reliable base and know that my CV 1.7/35 set to exactly f/8 and 5m will give good infinity sharpness without sacrificing any DOF in the foreground. When I used the F45 setting, focused at infinity and switched to MF I didn't get a reliable base, sometimes I was just before infinity.

I'll quote myself about my workaround:
"
Update: I worked out a workaround which makes the experience less annoying: With the app I made the following configuration:

F11: 35mm, Parking: Infinity
F13: 75mm, Parking: Infinity
F14: 35mm, Parking: Closest
F16: 75mm, Parking: Closest
This reduced the number of clicks to 17 or 18 and also made it less likely to end up with a super long exposure but of course it only works because I only use two lenses at the moment."

Jan 24, 2017 at 05:40 AM

genji
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p.15 #15 · p.15 #15 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Phillip Reeve wrote:
I think your method won't work for me because whenever I have the time I still prefer to focus manually, I used AF for casual picture taking when socializing and for a few portraits. I also used the close focusing abilities.

I tried pretty much what you describe but my problem was that the focus at infinity wasn't a 100% were I wanted it which is no fault of the adapter, I would have had the same issue with a native lens. But when I send the adapter to the parking position I have a reliable base and know that...Show more →

Ah, now I understand. I'd forgotten you can specify the parking position along with the focal length. Your workaround is excellent in that it provides much finer-grained control of the DOF. Did you decide upon 5m at f/8 for your CV 35/1.7 after doing a series of tests? I've found that, when using adapters, the distance marks on the lens frequently don't correspond to the actual (i.e. measured) distance (which also renders DOF calculators useless).

Jan 24, 2017 at 06:18 AM

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #16 · p.15 #16 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

genji wrote:
Ah, now I understand. I'd forgotten you can specify the parking position along with the focal length. Your workaround is excellent in that it provides much finer-grained control of the DOF. Did you decide upon 5m at f/8 for your CV 35/1.7 after doing a series of tests? I've found that, when using adapters, the distance marks on the lens frequently don't correspond to the actual (i.e. measured) distance (which also renders DOF calculators useless).
It was just a simply zooming in at infinity and focus closer until there was an evident loss in sharpness. The Techart Pro is quite a bit too short to retain the correct markings.

Jan 24, 2017 at 06:25 AM

bluloo
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p.15 #17 · p.15 #17 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Phillip Reeve wrote:
My Techart Pro Review is online now. A big thanks to the crowd here, the FAQ helped me a lot to figure the adapter out. Let me know if I missed anything

Excellent review!

Jan 25, 2017 at 10:57 AM

Phillip Reeve
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p.15 #18 · p.15 #18 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

bluloo wrote:
Excellent review!
thanks!

Jan 25, 2017 at 11:05 AM

ratherfish
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p.15 #19 · p.15 #19 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

I'm having a problem with bluetooth on my TAP. It isn't discoverable on my bluettooth android tablet, which has no problem finding my other bluetooth devices. My phone can't see my TAP either. I'm selecting F90 on the A7RII, taking a photo and then turning the camera off. Am I doing something wrong on the camera/TAP side of the bluetooth connection? Thanks for your help. Emailed Techart support several days ago and have received no reply. Steve

Jan 26, 2017 at 10:51 AM

bluloo
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p.15 #20 · p.15 #20 · Techart PRO LM-EA7 FAQ

Are launching the TAP app, after you set the aperture and take a photo?

Jan 26, 2017 at 10:59 AM

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