coase wrote:
I've found lots of different ones work, but there's one gotcha.
Most M42 adapters have a small "ledge" inside the outer ring to push down the auto pins on later M42 lenses. But some early lenses (like many from Zeiss) won't focus to infinity with that ledge blocking the way...
For sure. Also, many relatively-new M42 lenses with auto-aperture have aperture index tabs and other gizmos that grind against the rim, which prevent both aperture operation and infinity focus. T
he only lenses that need a rimmed adapter are those with only a simple push-pin that actuates the manually-set aperture, in the same way as an Auto/Man switch does on more recent M42 lenses. In fact, I've used a drop of Krazy glue to hold down an aperture-control pin on an early M42 lens, and it works great (but might not be reversible).
My approach is that I use K&F adapters for those mounts I don't use that often. They fit well but the are a bit short and have issues with internal reflections. Both issues can be easily fixed though
For Minolta SR and Canon FD I own Novoflex adapters because they fit so well and I don't need to worry about them. I think Rayqual adapters are even nicer but they cost twice as much here in Germany.
Decided to go with the best after trying both the Novoflex and a cheapo one local store carried. The Novoflex was built like a tank with some very high precision. Mine was spot on for infinity and while not overly tight, there was 0 wiggle room when mounted... literally 0 movement even when trying hard.
The cheapo OTOH, although seemly accurate on infinity, there was a tiny bit of movement... just a bit too loose to feel confident.
My approach is that I use K&F adapters for those mount's I don't use that often. They fit well but the are a bit short and have issues with internal reflections. Both issues can be easily fixed though
For Minolta SR and Canon FD I own Novoflex adapters because they fit so well and I don't need to worry about them. I think Rayqual adapters are even nicer but they cost twice as much here in Germany.
Have you tried the Polish FD adapters sold on Ebay? Very good quality and reasonably priced. Great fit with no play.
coase wrote:
Have you tried the Polish FD adapters sold on Ebay? Very good quality and reasonably priced. Great fit with no play.
Can you give me some more details to find it? So far I haven't
I never tried them, but Yeenon adapters are reportedly very good. For what I see, prices are around $100-140 i.e. much higher than most Chinese manufacturers. I'm curious to know how they compare to expensive products like Novoflex/Kipon/Kindai. Anybody here has experience with this brand ?.
scrappydog wrote:
What are people using to adapt M42 lenses to Sony E-mount?
Leicaist from TechArt. Not expensive (all ca. US$20-25) if bought in China, they are far more expensive, ca US$70-100 upwards it seems, if bought from their US Store. All a very good tight fit with zero play and I haven't had an issue with a single one (I have 5 different mounts, all to M).
Fotodiox was awful for me. A variety of others in the interim but I only buy Leicaist now.
I've tried multiple adapters for various lens-camera combinations. I use Leica-R and C/Y lenses on A7R most of the times and I've just recently bought a Novoflex adapter for each along with the ASTAT-NEX tripod mount. Awesome adapter, fits smoothly and perfectly on the lens and the camera. The infinity for both R and C/Y is very slightly before the mark on the lens. Thats fine by me. I also have the Novoflex M-Nex adpater for M glass and it is also perfect including infinity.
I had a Metabones Nikon to Nex earlier and it was not that great. I had the R lenses leitaxed to Nikon mount and they worked well on the D700 but on the A7R, the infinity was way off. Plus it was heavy. Other Nikon lenses fitted so tightly on this adapter that I thought It might damage the lenses.
The leitax adapters are the best as they act like a native lens to the particular camera and it can take heavy lenses. Slightly expensive and its one for each lens. So its only for the ones that are keepers.
I've also used Big-Is, fotodiox (not pro) and also some chinese M42 to Canon adapters. They had various issues ranging from significant play, being too tight, infinity being off and one of the adapters was not planar. One or two were ok. But its a gamble.
I once had my Contax 100-300 with a no name adapter + a7r2 dropped approximately 1 ft on soft turf. The adapter broke at the lens mount screw part. Luckily it was the adapter that broke. The lens and body were both OK. I use novoflex now.
