Archive 2019 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

I know nothing about Nikon mount lenses, so I have a question for you folks who do.

I've got a Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro coming Monday; unfortunately I can't actually use any of the 3 native mounts that are available, so I have to adapt. I'd have bought a Canon mount since I can adapt that to either of my cameras, but since it has an electronic adapter ring, I don't think it will work on my (very picky) Sigma EF-to-L mount adapter. I therefore ordered it with a Nikon mount, assuming that I can easily adapt a non-electronic Nikon F mount.

After I ordered it, I learned that some Nikon lenses have "aperture control" - apparently they have to be controlled from the camera, even though there's a physical aperture ring? The Laowa states that it has aperture control, and I'm guessing that's what it is. If this is true, can I use one of the adapters I've seen offered, containing its own aperture blades that are operated manually via the adapter? Sounds cumbersome, but if it's the only way I can use the lens, I'll make do with it. Thanks!

Aug 10, 2019 at 11:59 AM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

I wouldn't count out the MC21. Aperture control is relatively standard, so it may work. If it were an AF lens and you expected AF to work, you'd probably be in more trouble.

You don't want an adapter with the aperture behind the lens. It doesn't work the same way an in-lens aperture works and will cause mechanical vignetting stopped down. Nikon has had lenses with aperture rings that are mechanically coupled for a long time. Nikon has also had "G" series lenses that are mechanically coupled and there are adapters that give you some control over that coupling. Nikon "E" lenses (105/1.4, 200-500/5.6, etc) are full electronic and require one of the more sophisticated adapters. So, as long as the Laowa isn't fully electronic, and there is an aperture ring on the lens, you should be fine with a dumb adapter.

Aug 11, 2019 at 04:49 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

freaklikeme wrote:
I wouldn't count out the MC21. Aperture control is relatively standard, so it may work. If it were an AF lens and you expected AF to work, you'd probably be in more trouble.

You don't want an adapter with the aperture behind the lens. It doesn't work the same way an in-lens aperture works and will cause mechanical vignetting stopped down. Nikon has had lenses with aperture rings that are mechanically coupled for a long time. Nikon has also had "G" series lenses that are mechanically coupled and there are adapters that give you some control over that coupling. Nikon "E"...Show more →

The lens arrived today, and I'm glad to report that it works fine with the dumb Nikon-Canon adapter, as you expected it would. So much for someone's comment (not on FM) that it can't close the aperture manually. Since it works fine, I'll just keep this one; if it hadn't, I'd probably have sent it back to exchange for a Canon mount version and try my luck with the Sigma adapter.

I was hoping that it would also cover the GFX sensor at close range. It sort of does...at 1:1 or higher, only the very tips at the corners vignette. It may not be hard vignetting - I won't know till I try a test and bring it up in ACR. Even if they're not removable, it would only take a tiny crop or slight cloning to get rid of them.

Aug 12, 2019 at 07:00 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
The lens arrived today, and I'm glad to report that it works fine with the dumb Nikon-Canon adapter, as you expected it would. So much for someone's comment (not on FM) that it can't close the aperture manually. Since it works fine, I'll just keep this one; if it hadn't, I'd probably have sent it back to exchange for a Canon mount version and try my luck with the Sigma adapter.

I was hoping that it would also cover the GFX sensor at close range. It sort of does...at 1:1 or higher, only the very tips at the corners vignette. It...Show more →

Glad to hear it, Danny. I hope you enjoy the lens.

I'm using the EF-mount Irix 150/2.8 on an MC11, and it allows for aperture control, EXIF, reports focus distance, and lets me use the old APO DG 1.4x on the lens with no issues. There's what Sigma has tested and what they'll actually allow. It's something to keep in mind in the future.

Aug 12, 2019 at 07:19 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

freaklikeme wrote:
Glad to hear it, Danny. I hope you enjoy the lens.

I'm using the EF-mount Irix 150/2.8 on an MC11, and it allows for aperture control, EXIF, reports focus distance, and lets me use the old APO DG 1.4x on the lens with no issues. There's what Sigma has tested and what they'll actually allow. It's something to keep in mind in the future.

Agreed, the vast majority of my Canon mount lenses (most of which are actually Zeiss) work on Sigma adapters. I think the only one that won't work on the MC11 is the 65/2.8 1-5x MP-E; I expected that it wouldn't work on the MC21 either, and it doesn't. Oddly, it won't even show an image on the EVF. It was fine with Metabones on Sony; since I don't have the option anymore, I'm hoping that MB will come up with a EF-L mount adapter. It covers the GFX at 1:1, but oddly, starts vignetting as soon as magnification increases.

Aug 12, 2019 at 07:50 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Adapting the new Laowa 100/2.8 2:1 macro - Nikon mount to Canon mount

DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
Agreed, the vast majority of my Canon mount lenses (most of which are actually Zeiss) work on Sigma adapters. I think the only one that won't work on the MC11 is the 65/2.8 1-5x MP-E; I expected that it wouldn't work on the MC21 either, and it doesn't. Oddly, it won't even show an image on the EVF. It was fine with Metabones on Sony; since I don't have the option anymore, I'm hoping that MB will come up with a EF-L mount adapter. It covers the GFX at 1:1, but oddly, starts vignetting as soon as magnification increases.

That's weird. I wonder what's different about the MP-E that gets it excluded.

Aug 13, 2019 at 11:22 AM


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