Just tried a smallrig 2122 L plate, and the TAP and it will not mount. The techart for contax G fits ok but it is much less thick and does not use and space behind the lens mount.
A CV 15mm gave a little focusing with the L plate removed, but the TAP has not been updated for a while.
Tirpitz666 wrote:
What was exactly that held you back after the first trial?
Perceived "fatigue" of the TAP to move the lens back and forth? Slower movement than with a lighter lens?
I guess that holding the lens and move the camera could prove less stressful for the TAP only in case of lenses that weight more than the camera (i.e. more than ca. 600 gr), otherwise I agree that shouldn't make a difference. Besides, I'm a back-button focuser, so moving the camera back and forth is a no go for me...
P.S. since the C/Y 35 F1.4 has a floating element, did you notice any difference in perfomance in close focus if you shifted the lens from infinity to closer focus and then focus with the TAP or just keeping the lens at infinity?...Show more →
Definitely slower movement than with a lighter lens. My frame of reference is the lenses I use most often with the TAP: Planar G 45/2 (converted to M-mount), Nokton ASPH 50/1.5, C-Sonnar ZM 50/1.5, and M-Hexanon 50/2 -- none of which weighs more than 280g. I frequently photograph close subjects (and adjust the focus ring accordingly) but never tested for any difference in performance between the C/Y 35/1.4 set at close or infinity focus.
Ok many thanks, as soon as my camera arrives, will test it with the same combo and let you know, worst case I'll keep the lens just for MF operation and will grab a compact 35/2.8 for general use.
I wonder if it's worth thinking about the little brother Distagon 35 F2.8+TAP or if very similar money it's not better to go native with the Sammy 35 F2.8, at least I'd retain all the AF features of the camera (but no "Zeiss Look" of course).
Tirpitz666 wrote:
Ok many thanks, as soon as my camera arrives, will test it with the same combo and let you know, worst case I'll keep the lens just for MF operation and will grab a compact 35/2.8 for general use.
I wonder if it's worth thinking about the little brother Distagon 35 F2.8+TAP or if very similar money it's not better to go native with the Sammy 35 F2.8, at least I'd retain all the AF features of the camera (but no "Zeiss Look" of course).
Looks perfect for the TAP (although I'm still not fully convinced of the rendering, have to look for more samples)...Show more →
A couple of questions:
1. Which camera will you be using?
2. Have you already purchased a TAP?
I wasn't aware of the 7artisans 35/2. At first I assumed it was an APS-C lens but that's not correct -- their APS-C lens is a 35/1.2. The ballet studio pictures on the Amazon product page look good (although admittedly they're small). For USD289 I think I'll buy one myself.
Yes, already bought it but not tried yet, as I plan to use with my incoming A7III and do not have any other A7 body at the moment.
I'm reading a bit of contrasting reports for now about TAP+A7III: someone writes it works well, someone that it worked better with their A7RII.
Officially their last FW introduced support for the A9 and A7RIII but not for the A7III (which did not exist at the time), so guess it will be a bit of a bet.
P.S. the ballerina pics on Amazon in the reviews are from the 50 1.1, not the 35
Even considering the low price, I'd wait for some more pics/reviews to pop up before deciding, as the previous E-mount version of their 35 has quite a bad reputation for what I've read so far
I find the TAP satisfactory on the A7RII but not at all satisfactory on the A7RIII.
Thanks for the correction re the ballerina pics. Gotta love Amazon: reviews of the 50/1.1 on the product page for the 35/2. I really like the way the 50/1.1 renders and would have purchased one ages ago were it not for the clickless aperture.
Thanks, let's hope they will manage to update further the FW of the TAP to make it perform better on the newer bodies, but not holding my breath, as it is a vary small engineering team..
According to general consensus, the 35/2 should be quite sharper than the 50/1.1 wide open, maybe a bit less "artsy" but likely more usable
Tirpitz666 wrote:
Thanks, let's hope they will manage to update further the FW of the TAP to make it perform better on the newer bodies, but not holding my breath, as it is a vary small engineering team..
According to general consensus, the 35/2 should be quite sharper than the 50/1.1 wide open, maybe a bit less "artsy" but likely more usable
Oh, that would be disappointing to me. It’s precisely the “artsiness” that I find appealing, having tried unsuccessfully to achieve it with a single-coated CV Nokton 35/1.4.
I recently got the A7rIII and am considering TAP. I would like to use it one the C/Y 35-70, my favorite lens, which weighs 475 grams. Has anyone tried that combination, and if not do you think it would work with that lens?
I just wanted to see if anyone is having issues with the TAP using certain lenses on the A7III?
For example, both FW ver. 5.0 and 6.0 on the TAP is causing me issues when using my Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 Nokton on the A7III. With that particular lens, focus is just iffy and tends to hunt at closer distances like 10 feet and under.
Does anyone have any ideas why this particular lens might be having issues with focus? Using my A7II and the TAP, the 40mm 1.4 Nokton is spot on. Also other lens I use work fine with the A7III and TAP.
I’m confused by all the reports of the R3 not working with TAP. My A7R3 works much better than my R2 with TAP. I’ve never updated it.
I use the 35-70 f3.4 with A7R3 and TAP, works great! Focuses a lot faster than on my R2. Even eye AF works.
Michael Everet wrote:
I recently got the A7rIII and am considering TAP. I would like to use it one the C/Y 35-70, my favorite lens, which weighs 475 grams. Has anyone tried that combination, and if not do you think it would work with that lens?
Jonathan F wrote:
I just wanted to see if anyone is having issues with the TAP using certain lenses on the A7III?
For example, both FW ver. 5.0 and 6.0 on the TAP is causing me issues when using my Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 Nokton on the A7III. With that particular lens, focus is just iffy and tends to hunt at closer distances like 10 feet and under.
Does anyone have any ideas why this particular lens might be having issues with focus? Using my A7II and the TAP, the 40mm 1.4 Nokton is spot on. Also other lens I use work fine with the A7III and TAP.
Hi. I just bought a TAP for my Sony A7RII with Leica 50mm f2 and 90mm f2.5. Could you tell me how can I find the firmware version? It should be ver. 6.0? Thank you!
denis_m wrote:
Hi. I just bought a TAP for my Sony A7RII with Leica 50mm f2 and 90mm f2.5. Could you tell me how can I find the firmware version? It should be ver. 6.0? Thank you!
The version can be seen under Camera firmware version page. A7RII should use firmware 5.0. 6.0 is for A7RIII and A9 (maybe also for A7 III)? I have A7 II and uses 5.0 instead 6.0. Although I did upgrade to 6.0 for kicks and saw little behavior differences. Your mileage may vary.
Under A7RII firmware ver. it is only lens ver. No mention about TAP in my Manu at Version. It is something I should do that my cam detect the TAP and display the version?
denis_m wrote:
Under A7RII firmware ver. it is only lens ver. No mention about TAP in my Manu at Version. It is something I should do that my cam detect the TAP and display the version?
As explained in the FAQ, the TAP emulates a Sony LA-EA3 adapter, in essence "pretending" to be an E-mount lens. The lens version is the TAP version.
Thank you very much genji and drjs! It is ver 06.
My TAP works good with Leica Summicron 50 (ver. 5). I used my phone to focus and take street pictures. I felt like I was using an autofocus lens, like Sony/Zeiss 55 or 35mm.
But with Leica Summarit 90, TAP is rather a ”confirmation” of the manual focus...I had to make first a manual focus and only after that TAP was coming with autofocus...
k-h.a.w wrote:
I would like to describe how my two TAP adapters behave on my A7rII and A9.
But first recall from the TECHART LM-EA7 Mount Adaptor Operrating instructions this page: https://photos.smugmug.com/KHW/Pics-by-Subjects/TechArt-Pro-TAP-stuff/i-dv75KgB/0/4cb79813/X3/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-18%20at%2010.35.18%20PM%201131x1384-X3.jpg
It shows the F-number settings one can choose to accomplish certain things.
I have in both cameras set F36 and shot an image.
Then either chosen F25 or F29 for my adapted lenses, shot a white image, and dialed the camera F-number to 2 and left it there.
As we know the actual F-number is mechanically set on the adapted lens.
I am using A mode, AF-C, and Flexible Spot S.
Cameras switched off, then attaching the TAP with lens.
Now, when I switch on the cameras, the TAP pushes out and then retracts, ready to be used with AF.
Now when switching a camera off, the TAP retracts all the way to the infinity focus position.
So far as I had expected.
Switching the camera back on, I hear a little noise, but the TAP doesn't push out the lens.
It simply stays at the retracted infinity position.
However, the TAP is nevertheless ready to be used with AF.
Simply point the lens at something and halfway press the shutter button. It autofocuses just fine.
Switch camera off and on, the same pattern happens again, etc.
Now switch camera off, detach the TAP just a bit so that there is no electrical contact, then attach again fully.
When switching the camera now on, the TAP pushes out and retracts, same behavior as when first attaching the TAP to the camera.
One more AF observation. The A9 with TAP successfully focuses in dim light when the A7rII is unable to.
The chart also shows my settings for the A7r and the a6300 that don't have IBIS=SteadyShot functionality.
While the A7r cannot be used with the TAP, the a6300 has support for the TAP.
The a6300 behaves similarly with TAP as the above described FF Sony cameras.
It also has the better AF in dim light, similar to the A9.
One more thing. I first have to attach the TAP to the a6300 before I attach the Meike battery grip.
Otherwise the Meike battery grip interferes with attaching the TAP. Such is life! Oh well.
BTW there is no such interference with the battery grip on the A7rII or A9.
AF/MF Ctrl Toggle is useful to switch back and forth between AF and MF.
Focus Magnifier for me is essential when using MF.
And finally the In-Camera Guide is handy when in the Menu.
denis_m wrote:
Thank you very much genji and drjs! It is ver 06.
My TAP works good with Leica Summicron 50 (ver. 5). I used my phone to focus and take street pictures. I felt like I was using an autofocus lens, like Sony/Zeiss 55 or 35mm.
But with Leica Summarit 90, TAP is rather a ”confirmation” of the manual focus...I had to make first a manual focus and only after that TAP was coming with autofocus...
With longer focal length lenses, it depends on the subject distance. My Tessar ZM 85/4 and M-Hexanon 90/2.8 behave similarly with close subjects. But for distant subjects, with the lens focused at infinity, AF should work as expected.
