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p.10 #5 · p.10 #5 · Megadap ETZ21 just announced: will it be a game changer? | |
My experience after a full month of using the Megadap ETZ21:
Camera: Nikon Z9
Lens: Tamron 35-150mm 2.0-2.8 for Sony E mount
Adapter Build:
* Very thin but very sturdy
* Tight and secure fit to lens and body
* Being thin, it’s far easier to attach the adapter to the lens first and then attach the pair to the camera body. I leave it attached to the lens – it doesn’t even feel like there’s an adapter present; it looks and feels like part of the original lens. I generally prefer Z glass unless there’s a lens, such as the Tamron 35-150mm 2.0-2.8, that Nikon simply doesn’t offer. Honestly, given the tight fit, I’d prefer to keep the adapter attached and never remove it from the lens. If I had multiple Sony lenses, I might opt to get an adapter for each of them, but the Tamron is the only Sony E-mount lens I own. Maybe the fit isn’t as tight on native Sony lenses as it is on my Tamron 35-150mm 2.0-2.8
Focus: The same as my native Z zoom lenses, of which I own several. I did a lot of testing pushing the lens as far out of focus at all focal lengths.
Sharpness with the Tamron: Truly outstanding. Of course, there’s a reason that Tamron costs nearly two grand and is heavy.
EyeAF speed and accuracy: No different than with my native Z lenses.
IBIS: No issues
Issues: Nothing of any major consequence, but a few to note to be fair and balanced:
* It was a bit difficult to update the firmware; I did update to the latest version. The adapter comes with a USB clip as the adapter is too thin to host a plug-in USB port – so one has to be careful and precise to align the contacts just right. It took several tries. Not a big deal as updating the firmware isn’t a frequent activity but one has to be cautious as I suspect someone here might have fried their adapter if they didn't align the pins correctly nor follow Megadap’s explicit directions on the procedure.
* Since there are two connections (adapter to lens, and then adapter to body), one has to be sure the adapter is contacting both properly. Early on I experienced the camera not recognizing the aperture and AF and the cause was that the adapter’s contacts were not properly aligned. One has to make sure the adapter ‘clicks’ on both. When it did happen, simply turning the camera off, reattaching, and turning the camera back on remedied the problem. This might be due to the tight fit, but I prefer the fit to be tight and secure. Other than happening once or twice very early on, it has not happened again with heavy use. Maybe also with repeated mounting and dismounting, the adapter pins make better contact; it hasn’t reoccurred since.
* I’ve read one reviewer saying their adapter overheated during the firmware update. I’ve not experienced that since I was careful attaching the USB clip and ejecting the USB properly afterward. I’ve had no overheating issue when updating the firmware nor any overheating on the camera, nor have I read any reviews of anyone saying their adapter overheats when attached to the camera. Again, I suspect either a user error or a faulty adapter – not widespread.
* The only significant issue is that the buttons on the Tamron lens are not yet functional. This isn't an issue for me as I don’t use the lens buttons on my Z lenses either, but I suspect a future firmware update might remedy that. That might be a dealbreaker for this particular combo for some, but the 35-150mm 2.0-2.8 outweighs it for me.
There’s nothing equivalent to the Tamron 35-150mm 2-2.8 for event work. It has relegated my wonderful Nikkor Z 24-120 F4 to my backup bag most of the time unless I want something a little lighter. I’ve used the Tamron 35-150 with the Megadap ETZ for several events to date, thousands of images – changing between the Tamron and native Z lenses without any issues. I have no fear of it failing or damaging my Z9 having beat it up pretty well now under production use.
So, yes, I’d say the Megadap ETZ21 is a game-changer for those of us wanting to use Sony lenses - especially unique and stellar glass like the Tamron 35-150mm 2.0-2.8. I can only speak to the adapter with the Tamron and Nikon Z9, but all in all, I’m ecstatic.
Mike
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