For what I knew, AF-S should be an hybrid one, i.e. it uses PDAF and the there is some kind of "focus confirmation" using CDAF, which in theory should provide more precise focusing than PDAF alone, at the expense of being a little slower.
In fact, it doesn't seem to me that the Techart website recommends to not use AF-S with the adapter, but unfortunately, it seems that at the moment such system doesn't work so well with TAP+A7III (for me it's not a big deal as I back-button focus and AF-C seems to work pretty good and precise most of the times).
HWH7: I have had the exact same experience. My TAP suddenly went from standard, fine, performance to zilch. It wouldn't respond at all. Techart did not respond to my emails regarding service/repair. So I own a dead TAP. The only avaiable solution I found was to buy another TAP (original, not that unauthorized copy) at a reduced price from a third party vendor.
newst wrote:
HWH7: I have had the exact same experience. My TAP suddenly went from standard, fine, performance to zilch. It wouldn't respond at all. Techart did not respond to my emails regarding service/repair. So I own a dead TAP. The only avaiable solution I found was to buy another TAP (original, not that unauthorized copy) at a reduced price from a third party vendor.
Sorry to hear that.
I guess I should not expect much from Techart. Perhaps with enough such failure, someone would begin offering repair services for the TAP adapter.
Regarding Techart's claim that the TAP adapter was patented, anyone has any idea regarding the patent publication number? Coincidentally I'm a patent practitioner, and it would be of interest for me to have a look at the application. The product has been around for awhile, any patent applications should be published by now.
I'm wondering if I should add a caution at the beginning of the FAQ to the effect that, given the wobble and the non-existent customer service, the TAP is now an inherently risky purchase.
genji wrote:
I'm wondering if I should add a caution at the beginning of the FAQ to the effect that, given the wobble and the non-existent customer service, the TAP is now an inherently risky purchase.
I just purchased a brand new one and after a few days, it's wobbling...
Since it seems to be a design flaw, it would be helpful if we could somehow adjust it ourselves.
It's a shame since firmware v6.0 is working really well with the A7R3 and A9 bodies.
Can you guys describe in further detail what the wobble consists of? Just trying to understand if it is slop when you shift the lens around with your hand or if it wobbles on its own during AF.
Wow Fred, sorry to hear, seems you have been quite unfortunate with it..
I had mine for a bit more of a month or so and for now seems everything ok, I'm perusing it with a quite heavy lens (guess really at the limit of the advised 700gr with the adaptor), so we will see how much time will pass before it begin to wobble as well (seems almost a given if you don't use it only with petite lenses).
Difficult to tell if it is a design flaw, or just iffy assembly, for sure it helps to use it only with dimiutive lenses to avoid the risk (but it's not a guarantee of course).
It’s really so unfortunate that TechArt doesn’t seem to practice any customer service.
Such a brilliant product idea but poor execution.
Therefore I treat a TAP as an expensive consumable.
They need to come up with a more robust product and an acceptable form of customer service.
I also wonder how TechArt will be affected by the current trade situation.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just purchased a brand new one and after a few days, it's wobbling...
Since it seems to be a design flaw, it would be helpful if we could somehow adjust it ourselves.
It's a shame since firmware v6.0 is working really well with the A7R3 and A9 bodies.
Fred, sorry to hear about your faulty new TAP. But the v6.0 firmware with the A7R3 didn’t seem to me to be much of an improvement over the v5.0 firmware with the A7R2. I’m wondering which settings (e.g. Focus Area, Focus Mode, Face Detection) and which lens(es) have been particularly successful for you?
Not sure if the v6 FW was meant to "improve" anything rather than simply render the TAP fully compatible with the A7RIII/A9 cameras (and incidentally, the A7III).
What I'm experiencing with my A7III is that it consistently works only in AF-C, in AF-S it happens quite a lot that focus ends way off from the optimal spot (guess that the CDAF part of the AF-S focus algorythm just doesn't go along with the PDAF-only TAP).
Tirpitz666 wrote:
Not sure if the v6 FW was meant to "improve" anything rather than simply render the TAP fully compatible with the A7RIII/A9 cameras (and incidentally, the A7III).
What I'm experiencing with my A7III is that it consistently works only in AF-C, in AF-S it happens quite a lot that focus ends way off from the optimal spot (guess that the CDAF part of the AF-S focus algorythm just doesn't go along with the PDAF-only TAP).
Yes, that's my experience. FW 6.0 was meant to fix the AF issues (hunting/pumping) when used with A7R3 and A9 bodies. There isn't much improvement going from A7R2 to A7R3, except that the latter body offer faster AF and compatibility with Eye AF.
Hopefully, this is just something simple I have overlooked, but with my TAP on an A7iii (v5 or v6), I can't select the manual focus mode. The camera says "Invalid with this lens" when I select manual focus.
I'd like to be able to get peaking with magnification, but is this not possible?
So I went ahead and bought a TAP after reading all these threads. It works great on a Voigtlander 35mm 1.7 and a 40mm 1.4. I also own the 40mm 1.2 in E mount so that last lens is a little redundant.
I do worry about the Wobble issue, is it eminent that it will eventually Wobble? It's got the Version 6 firmware and I'm impressed how good Eye AF works. There's just that voice that's in the back of my mind whispering, "Sell it before you have a problem". As always, your thoughts are appreciated.
Just a head's up guys. The internals of the Pronto Pro adapter fit the Techart Pro adapter chassis (though will need a little tape to fit it snuggly). Also the micro motor in the TAP appears to be replaceable if you're willing to do some minor electronics soldering. I've found a couple micro motors on Amazon Prime that may be used as a replacement. I think the main source of failure is the motor, it should be an easy repair.
Jonathan F wrote:
Just a head's up guys. The internals of the Pronto Pro adapter fit the Techart Pro adapter chassis (though will need a little tape to fit it snuggly) . Also the micro motor in the TAP appears to be replaceable if you're willing to do some minor electronics soldering. I've found a couple micro motors on Amazon Prime that may be used as a replacement. I think the main source of failure is the motor, it should be an easy repair.
Please do pass along some links on motor replacement. It would be good to add to the references.
rji2goleez wrote:
Please do pass along some links on motor replacement. It would be good to add to the references.
I actually haven't done the repair personally, but it looks simple enough if you have a broken TAP and you don't want a paperweight...it might worth a try.
Here's how it looks internally from my own teardown. As you can see the motor is soldered to the circuitboard and should be an easy replacement if you can find the right motor. Like I said, Amazon Prime sells a variety of different motors (with the gear assembly) and rather cheaply.
Also I just want to add, the wobble issue might be related to how some TAPs are attached to the railing which moves the adapter forward and backwards via the motor (not pictured). It's possible it isn't set flush to the motor causing movement and that's why some TAPs are fine and others wobble. The only reason I keep the TAP around to begin with is that it allows me to have the smallest 40mm and 15mm AF lens street pair!
Jonathan F wrote:
Just a head's up guys. The internals of the Pronto Pro adapter fit the Techart Pro adapter chassis (though will need a little tape to fit it snuggly). Also the micro motor in the TAP appears to be replaceable if you're willing to do some minor electronics soldering. I've found a couple micro motors on Amazon Prime that may be used as a replacement. I think the main source of failure is the motor, it should be an easy repair.
It's amazing how the Fotodiox Pronto copied the entire TechArt Pro hardware and software. It can even be updated using TechArt's firmwares!
The only difference I saw was that the bottom is metal instead of plastic which increased the adapter weight by about 10 grams.
BTW: The Pronto is prone to wobble as well since it copied the flawed design where the driver unit has no top support.
I’ve tried 6 times now and about to throw the thing against the wall. It just won’t update
I may send it to Fred he had luck updating his. I wonder if it’s my new iPhone with Version 12 on it. It goes through the whole process to. I have version 4 on it and trying to go to 6.
