In fact, you can easily downgrade as well. Basically, you need an app to apply new version (Please follow Techart Pro firmware upgrade instruction). The app is nothing more than applying the version you select and overwrite an existing version in your adapter.
doctt wrote:
Does anyone of you have Commlite Nikon AF adapter? I have it and works very similar to Techart Pro, but Commlite is only for Nikon AF lens.
For those who have Commlite, did you test it with A7III/A7RIII firmware 3.0? Does it work?
Thanks
I tried a few different Nikon AF adapters for Sony. None of them were very good for my needs (meaning they worked with some G lenses, and not others, even with the latest firmware updates at the time. It was a few years ago, so FYI).
Also, AFAIK, the Commlite is an electronic adapter and works with Nikon AF lenses by adapting their AF system to Sony's.
The TAP is for manual focus lenses and provides the physical AF mechanism itself.
doctt wrote:
Does anyone of you have Commlite Nikon AF adapter? I have it and works very similar to Techart Pro, but Commlite is only for Nikon AF lens.
For those who have Commlite, did you test it with A7III/A7RIII firmware 3.0? Does it work?
Thanks
I use the Commlite ENF-E1 Pro adapter and seems to work fine with FW 3.0. It works best with all the Nikon 1.4/1.8 G primes and Sigma 1.4 Art primes. It works in a pinch with my Nikon 24-120mm f/4, 70-200mm 2.8 VR-II and 300mm f/4 PF lenses, but I wouldn't use it for any major action shooting. I'd get the Commlite mainly for prime lens usage. For example the Nikon 20mm 1.8 G and 85mm 1.8 G lenses work very well on the Sony. In fact I think the Nikon 85mm 1.8 to be optically better on the Sony vs the Sony 85mm 1.8 FE. It's also kept me in the Sony camp for now, so I can also use the TAP on my Sony A7III.
I'm waiting to see how the Techart Sony E to Nikon Z adapter pans out. I've yet to see examples utilizing C-AF which I do regularly with my A7III.
I completely agreed with your assessment on the Commlite adpater. It works great with prime lens. My sigma 24 1.4 and Nikon 17-35 works as well as the native mount on AF-S. 24-70 & 70-200 are good enough. 24-120....forget it.
AF-C....not reliable on the above lens.
I know this is not a Commlite forum. But for those who have tons of AF Nikon lens, Commlite is definitely an option. I love my Techart Pro, but I always worry about its longevity due to the wear and tear on the motor.
Just want to make sure I follow your answer. The commlite adapter continues to perform the same before and after you applied the FW 3.0 to your Sony? Am I correct?
I completely agreed with your assessment on the Commlite adpater. It works great with prime lens. My sigma 24 1.4 and Nikon 17-35 works as well as the native mount on AF-S. 24-70 & 70-200 are good enough. 24-120....forget it.
AF-C....not reliable on the above lens.
I know this is not a Commlite forum. But for those who have tons of AF Nikon lens, Commlite is definitely an option. I love my Techart Pro, but I always worry about its longevity due to the wear and tear on the motor.
Just want to make sure I follow your answer. The commlite adapter continues to perform the same before and after you applied the FW 3.0 to your Sony? Am I correct?
I tried it with my Sigma 35mm and 50mm Art lenses with real-time eye-AF and it seems to work fine. I haven't gotten around to try my other lenses yet, but I don't think there will be any issues.
BTW - I do believe the TAP can be user serviceable if it eventually fails and you have moderate soldering skills. I posted a TAP tear down on this thread somewhere, showing the DC motor and gearing mechanism. Fortunately if you have access to either Amazon Prime or eBay, they sell similar DC motors that can be used as a replacement. From the looks of it, that looks like the only modular component that would need replacing.
Jonathan F wrote:
I tried it with my Sigma 35mm and 50mm Art lenses with real-time eye-AF and it seems to work fine. I haven't gotten around to try my other lenses yet, but I don't think there will be any issues.
BTW - I do believe the TAP can be user serviceable if it eventually fails and you have moderate soldering skills. I posted a TAP tear down on this thread somewhere, showing the DC motor and gearing mechanism. Fortunately if you have access to either Amazon Prime or eBay, they sell similar DC motors that can be used as a replacement. From the looks of it, that looks like the only modular component that would need replacing....Show more →
Unfortunately replacing the DC motor won’t fix the most serious (and common) problem afflicting the TAP: The Wobble.
doctt wrote:
How bad is the wobble? I have TAP for only a month. Have not fully used it yet other than some basic testing.
Is it so bad that it becomes unusable? Is there any advice how best to avoid it?
Thanks
From inspecting a dismantled TAP, the DC motor rolls on a long gear which moves the mount forward and backwards. My guess is that whatever causes the wobble in some TAP adapters could be a misaligned gear which should be a simple enough fix. Though I usually stick to smaller prime lenses and lenses with short focus throws (30ft. before infinity) to minimize strain on the TAP. Though I've used long lenses like my Nikon 200mm f4 AI-S and it's worked fine. For long focus throw lenses you can help the TAP out by manually adjusting the focus ring so that it doesn't have to go through the full range in order to focus.
The other option is buying a Fotodiox Pronto Pro Adapter which is a literal direct knockoff of the TAP. I also dismantled one and internally they look almost similar, in fact you can move the internals and vice-versa, and they'd fit with just minimal fitment issues. The advantage of the Proto Pro is that it's cheaper, has a USA warranty of 2 years and it also accepts the FW updates from the TAP app.
doctt wrote:
How bad is the wobble? I have TAP for only a month. Have not fully used it yet other than some basic testing.
Is it so bad that it becomes unusable? Is there any advice how best to avoid it?
Thanks
I have since months and for now no wobble, you just have to be very attentive in support with your free hand any lens that you attach to it that weights, let's say, more than 400gr or that is really front heavy.
It is really meant to be used with leica-esque primes, but with some care you can of course mount basically anything on it (provided that with longer lenses you will have to pre-focus manually).
thanks all for good advice. I have been using TAP on my Zeiss prime and it works perfectly.
I recently got a Contax Zeiss 135/2.8 for only $150. It is such a steal. TAP truly opens a world of possibility for me. I hope they will continue to improve and even come up with a newer version with stronger motor. I would be the first one waiting in line to order it
Nope, since it's an E-mount, flange distance won't allow it, you can only adapt lenses whose flange distance would allow accomodation of the TAP and whatever other adapter you'd need to the TAP's M-bayonet.
FWIW... I had a shoot yesterday that I re-tried the TAP with the ZM 35mm 1.4 on. Previous use had been adequate and worth pursuing but not hugely exciting (and a bit random). With the new firmware I obtained virtually all eye focus shots bang on when wide open! I came home and tried pet focus too and that was equally successful. In fact, none of the animal focus were anything less then bang on the eye. Very happy...
photomadnz wrote:
FWIW... I had a shoot yesterday that I re-tried the TAP with the ZM 35mm 1.4 on. Previous use had been adequate and worth pursuing but not hugely exciting (and a bit random). With the new firmware I obtained virtually all eye focus shots bang on when wide open! I came home and tried pet focus too and that was equally successful. In fact, none of the animal focus were anything less then bang on the eye. Very happy...
After my positive shoot, a couple of posts back, I decided to shoot some urban landscapes with the ZM 35 and the TAP.
I notice my TAP has developed the dreaded 'wobble'... Its become a tilt lens without me wanting it to be! The images I took are decidedly less sharp in the lower part of the image at the focal plane.
Came home and put a dumb adaptor on and everything is great again. This is the second TAP Ive had, the orginal one just stopped working. Time to move on from it.....
photomadnz wrote:
After my positive shoot, a couple of posts back, I decided to shoot some urban landscapes with the ZM 35 and the TAP.
I notice my TAP has developed the dreaded 'wobble'... Its become a tilt lens without me wanting it to be! The images I took are decidedly less sharp in the lower part of the image at the focal plane.
Came home and put a dumb adaptor on and everything is great again. This is the second TAP Ive had, the orginal one just stopped working. Time to move on from it.....
Yeah, it's sad when it happens and the main reason I gave up on it. Too bad because it's a great idea that could be improved.
Its become a tilt lens without me wanting it to be! The images I took are decidedly less sharp in the lower part of the image at the focal plane. 