p.12 #1 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
Which lenses is the TZE-01 working with best?
From what I have gleaned from reading this thread it is mostly fast wide lenses.
I have the Sony 16-35 F4, Batis 85 and Sony 70-200 F4. Nikon already has native Z lenses that replace the first two. The lens I would most like to use it with is the 70-200. I am wondering if it is worth getting for that.
I also like to shoot with lensbaby and have several FE mount lensbaby lenses but I assume a $20 dumb adapter would work for those.
Jan 01, 2020 at 01:52 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.12 #2 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
treacle wrote:
Which lenses is the TZE-01 working with best?
From what I have gleaned from reading this thread it is mostly fast wide lenses.
I have the Sony 16-35 F4, Batis 85 and Sony 70-200 F4. Nikon already has native Z lenses that replace the first two. The lens I would most like to use it with is the 70-200. I am wondering if it is worth getting for that.
I also like to shoot with lensbaby and have several FE mount lensbaby lenses but I assume a $20 dumb adapter would work for those.
No exactly the opposite. The TZE-01 messes up the IBIS with wide angle lenses. I think the TZE-01 works best with fast 50mm lenses. I like it a lot with my Voigtlander 50 f/1.2 and the green focus box focussing is great and very useful with such a lens.
p.12 #3 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
Like Steve said, the closer to 50 the better. 70 would probably be fine, 200 would probably be under-stabilized so it would just be less effective. As you get wider it becomes over stabilized and can ruin images on its own.
Also, dumb lenses won’t work on it so you’d need that $20 adapter for the Lens Babies.
treacle wrote:
Which lenses is the TZE-01 working with best?
From what I have gleaned from reading this thread it is mostly fast wide lenses.
I have the Sony 16-35 F4, Batis 85 and Sony 70-200 F4. Nikon already has native Z lenses that replace the first two. The lens I would most like to use it with is the 70-200. I am wondering if it is worth getting for that.
I also like to shoot with lensbaby and have several FE mount lensbaby lenses but I assume a $20 dumb adapter would work for those.
p.12 #4 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
If you are using manual focus lens, it is probably better to use lens adapter without chip. And then use the Non-CPU Lens data in the camera settings which will bring the correct IBIS. Hopefully Nikon might bring an update that gives green box / focus dot confirmation for Non-CPU lenses.
p.12 #5 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
But the 16-35 F4 has it's own OSS. So it should be possible to deactivate the IBIS in the camera to get decent results with the TZE-01?
Jan 04, 2020 at 05:29 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.12 #6 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
tont wrote:
But the 16-35 F4 has it's own OSS. So it should be possible to deactivate the IBIS in the camera to get decent results with the TZE-01?
That assumes that the TZE-01 can activate and use properly the OSS in the lens and I am not at all sure that the adapter can do that. I don't have the 16-35 f/4, so I can't test that, but I have my doubts that will be a solution.
p.12 #7 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
Everyone:
I have a couple of Loxia lenses and I gather from reading through this thread that this Techart will work with these lenses on the Z7. I also gather there are issues with the IBIS functioning well. Since these are wide angle lenses for landscapes, I am not sure if IBIS is that important to me. Given my use, is it worth considering the Techart, or go with a dumb adapter? I see there is quite a price spread on those - any recommendation on brand?
Thanks
Doug
p.12 #8 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
If you're on a tripod then IBIS isn't useful. If you're handheld, it's harder to live without, both for removing blur and for making precise manual focus much easier.
For manual lenses, the TZE gains you EXIF information and focusing aids. Up to a point--the aperture won't be correct stopped down below f5.6 without some additional effort, as discussed earlier. Plus it's a fair bit more expensive. Whether that's worth it depends mostly on how you shoot and how much you value EXIF.
I tried a total of three dumb adapters. A really cheap Chinese one (~$20) that goes by many names. Has a cutaway for a very cheap push-button release in the main mounting ring. That means that the rubber on the Loxia's butt is stressed and it scraped the bottom of the lens a bit. The gap and/or lack of baffling also caused light leakage ghosting sometimes. Good infinity focus at least. Not recommended for nicer lenses.
A Gabale pretty cheap Chinese one (~$30). Has a solid metal mounting ring. The lens release button can't be accessed with the adapter on the camera though. Infinity focus was VERY far off on this one. Not recommended for lenses with floating elements.
A Kipon (~$100? Supply is limited). I ordered from Adorama (much safer than ordering from China, which can't really be returned) and it came after a few weeks of backorder. This one seems to mostly get things right--baffling, decent release mechanism, reasonably close infinity focus. I didn't have a reference point to know true infinity focus. Recommended.
Given my experience with the cheapies, I'd be open to considering the high end ones from Novoflex and Voigtlander if they ever come to market.
I only tried a Loxia 25 on the Z7, and in the end, it wasn't for me. Either the different cover glass or slightly incorrect adapter thickness with a floating element lens design seemed to increase the field curvature to the point that flat field landscape shooting was impaired. I also saw some cyan tinging on the sides. Wickedly sharp where the focus plane hit, but the overall image wasn't more satisfying than what I can get with my 14-30/4 S.
p.12 #9 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
John:
Thanks for the feedback. Looks like these adapters have a ways to go before they work the way they should.
I have been a long time Nikon film shooter from the 70s, but have been in the Sony camp for several years (RX100 II, A7RII + 24-105) and the Loxia 25, though it has never been as "fun" as when I "play" with my old lenses on a Df. I have been debating the whole Z7 vs A7RIII. I was hoping that the move back to Nikon might be easier than what it is appearing will be. The whole adapter thing for Zs is in its infancy - so maybe by the time the Z7 II rolls out some of these problems will have been resolved. Good reason to exercise patience!
Cheers
Doug
Jan 21, 2020 at 11:18 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.12 #10 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
I have both the tech-art and a cheap dumb adapter. I don't have any issues with the techart if I shut off IBIS or with the dumb adapter with IBIS with the Loxia 25. When shooting side by side I get near identical performance with the Loxia 25 on the Nikon Z7 and the Sony A7r II. The coverglass is very similar in the two cameras and the sensors are both backside illuminated from Sony, so it really isn't surprising performance is very similar. If John wasn't finding that, then I would bet on a bad adapter being the culprit and the performance on the Z7 could probably be improved if the adapter were shimmed.
IMO, the techart has nice focus aids and EXIF can be nice. It is a very nice option for a 50mm (or close to that) lens. For other lenses I wouldn't use it unless I shut off IBIS, which is fine if you are on a tripod, but probably not if you are not. My dumb adapter for the Nikon Z7 works just as well as the dumb adapter I have used with lots of different lenses for ten years. The advantage of the dumb adapter is they are cheap and if you want to tune best performance by shimming you can buy one for each lens and if you get a good one or you take the time to shim even a less than perfect one they can be a great option.
p.12 #11 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
Steve:
Just how do you shim a cheap dumb adapter?
Jan 21, 2020 at 10:53 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.12 #12 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
graytrekker wrote:
Steve:
Just how do you shim a cheap dumb adapter?
You just get a thin metallic tape and add pieces at four or five spots on the adapter. If you test as you add the tape it really is pretty easy. I think there is a sticky at the top of the alternative lens forum that describes the process.
p.12 #13 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
I own the Techart and have been using it with reasonnable success, but I am finding Sony lenses to be overall underwhelming compared to the Z native glass.
Even the supposedly reference level 135mm g1.8 GM feels lukewarm compared to the 85mm f1.8 S. And I have the same impression when using it on the a7r mkIV btw.
p.12 #14 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
Steve Spencer wrote:
You just get a thin metallic tape and add pieces at four or five spots on the adapter. If you test as you add the tape it really is pretty easy. I think there is a sticky at the top of the alternative lens forum that describes the process.
Ah yes, I have some of that for other purposes. I suppose it would be rather difficult if the adapter was too thick rather than too thin.
I have a couple of dumb adapters for my A7RII for manual Nikon lenses. with one, I am able to focus passed infinity, with the other, just barely not to infinity. I often get things backward (I think I am a bit dyslexic) - Is going passed infinity a symptom or too short or too long?
thx!
Jan 22, 2020 at 10:29 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.12 #15 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
graytrekker wrote:
Ah yes, I have some of that for other purposes. I suppose it would be rather difficult if the adapter was too thick rather than too thin.
I have a couple of dumb adapters for my A7RII for manual Nikon lenses. with one, I am able to focus passed infinity, with the other, just barely not to infinity. I often get things backward (I think I am a bit dyslexic) - Is going passed infinity a symptom or too short or too long?
thx!
I have had about 30 adapters; almost all of them were too thin. None were too thick. I think adapter makers typically try to make them a bit too thin as the consequences of too thin is less than too thick (can't infinity focus). Going past infinity means an adapter that is too thin. If you can't get infinity focus the adapter is too thick. Sounds like you got one adapter that is too thin and one that is pretty close to being as thick as it should be. That is pretty typical. What you almost never see is an adapter that is too thick, but if that ever happened it would be possible to sand it down to reduce the thickness. About 10 years ago you had to do that to adapt some Minolta MC/MD lenses to Canon EF. It a lot easier, however, to shim a too thin adapter than to sand down a too thick adapter.
p.12 #16 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
Thanks Steve
BTW - you mentioned a possible "sticky": I think there is a sticky at the top of the alternative lens forum that describes the process." I went there but didn't see a sticky - however, I am not sure what I was looking for - what do stickies look like on FM?
Jan 22, 2020 at 12:26 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.12 #17 · TZE-01 Owners Unite! Images/Evaluation Data for Techart Sony E > Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter / image picture pictu
graytrekker wrote:
Thanks Steve
BTW - you mentioned a possible "sticky": I think there is a sticky at the top of the alternative lens forum that describes the process." I went there but didn't see a sticky - however, I am not sure what I was looking for - what do stickies look like on FM?
What I have in mind the FAQ at the top of the Alternative lens board. I believe it has an entry somewhere in the FAQ about shimming adapters. I remember, but perhaps wrongly, that the FAQ used have a sticky symbol next to it, but I guess Fred isn't using that sticky symbol any more or maybe just I am misremembering that.
A little bit of searching and I was able to find a couple of links as well:
Their testing also shows a moderate decrease in sharpness in the corners, as well as a slight cyan tinge.
It's certainly possible that none of the four adapters I tried were the right length. The field curvature seemed to be related to how far off the infinity focus was--obviously this isn't easy to pin down completely. I'd never used the lens on a Sony body, so I wasn't sure how much field curvature is inherit in the design (other FM posts indicate some is).
Maybe I'll try again, with shimmed adapters, some day...but I'd rather just have the Nikon native lenses right now.
?