Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
p.2 #1Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Henning wrote:
As you know, wide angle lenses are much more sensitive to poorly manufactured adapters especially insofar tilt is concerned. Lenses with floating elements are sensitive to the adapter length, with wideangles again being more sensitive than longer focal lengths. I don't have experience with the Trioplan, but I believe that neither it and definitely the Helier do not have floating elements and certainly with the Heliar's spherical aberrations tilt becomes very hard to detect.
These are different issues though.
Lenses with floating elements are not ideal to use with the LM-EA9 adapter because the latter works best with wide and normal lenses set to infinity distance. So, for example, when focusing the Leica 35/1.4 FLE on a subject at 2m distance, the lens should be set to infinity and the adapter focuses great. However, because of FLE, this lens performs better if the focus ring is set to 2m instead of infinity. It's not a big issue but something to keep in mind.
In regards to lenses with lower contrast due to spherical aberration like the Heliar and Trioplan mentioned previously... I was expecting worse AF performance but to my surprise, the adapter did well as far as acquiring and tracking focus when shooting with these lenses wide open.
Fred Miranda wrote
Yes, I also tested it on the Voigtlander 50/1.5 Heliar which just like the Triopan is a soft focus low contrast lens wide open. Surprisingly the LM-EA9 worked well with these two lenses.These are different issues though.
Lenses with floating elements are not ideal to use with the LM-EA9 adapter because the latter works best with wide and normal lenses set to infinity distance. So, for example, when focusing the Leica 35/1.4 FLE on a subject at 2m distance, the lens should be set to infinity and the adapter focuses great. However, because of FLE, this lens performs better if the focus ring is set to 2m instead of infinity. It's not a big issue but something to keep in mind.
In regards to lenses with lower contrast due to spherical aberration like the Heliar and Trioplan mentioned previously... I was expecting worse AF performance but to my surprise, the adapter did well as far as acquiring and tracking focus when shooting with these lenses wide open.
Aug 11, 2022 at 10:03 PM
p.2 #2Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I may have just gotten lucky, but when I stacked adapters with the LM-EA7, I did infinite testing with the Pentax 31 limited + a7r2 without any issues.
Which adapter did you use? Some have better tolerance than others.
I may have just gotten lucky, but when I stacked adapters with the LM-EA7, I did infinite testing with the Pentax 31 limited + a7r2 without any issues.
Which adapter did you use? Some have better tolerance than others.
Aug 12, 2022 at 10:19 AM
p.2 #3Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Nice review and samples Fred. Nifty little device for sure. I have sold off my remaining Sony gear but if this ever came available for the SL2, I would be first on the pre-order list.
Aug 12, 2022 at 10:35 AM
p.2 #4Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
MEDISN wrote:
Nice review and samples Fred. Nifty little device for sure. I have sold off my remaining Sony gear but if this ever came available for the SL2, I would be first on the pre-order list.
We need a SL3 with PDAF (and Leica / Panasonic branded AF adapter ideally) for that dream to happen
Nice review and samples Fred. Nifty little device for sure. I have sold off my remaining Sony gear but if this ever came available for the SL2, I would be first on the pre-order list.
We need a SL3 with PDAF (and Leica / Panasonic branded AF adapter ideally) for that dream to happen
Aug 12, 2022 at 11:23 AM
p.2 #5Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
Which adapter did you use? Some have better tolerance than others.
K&F Concept. Mine is when the first TAP was new, like 2017 or so. Not sure if they have changed their adapter/manufacturing since.
nehemiahphoto wrote
I may have just gotten lucky, but when I stacked adapters with the LM-EA7, I did infinite testing with the Pentax 31 limited + a7r2 without any issues.K&F Concept. Mine is when the first TAP was new, like 2017 or so. Not sure if they have changed their adapter/manufacturing since.
Aug 12, 2022 at 11:43 AM
p.2 #6Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Bicyclelad wrote:
We need a SL3 with PDAF (and Leica / Panasonic branded AF adapter ideally) for that dream to happen
SL3 with PDAF would be very welcome. I am not optimistic about L-mount future but have no interest in going back to Sony. So basically I'm out of luck
MEDISN wrote
Nice review and samples Fred. Nifty little device for sure. I have sold off my remaining Sony gear but if this ever came available for the SL2, I would be first on the pre-order list.SL3 with PDAF would be very welcome. I am not optimistic about L-mount future but have no interest in going back to Sony. So basically I'm out of luck
Aug 12, 2022 at 01:40 PM
p.2 #7Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Now available for pre-order at B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
Aug 13, 2022 at 09:10 AM
p.2 #8Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
Now available for pre-order at B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
Will these have warranty?
Now available for pre-order at B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
Will these have warranty?
Aug 13, 2022 at 11:46 AM
p.2 #9Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Michael Gordon wrote:
I would not expect to circumvent the "no free lunch" rule of optics with stacked adapters. Somewhat disconcerting was the discovery that even the use of one well made expensive adapter usually degrades performance --readily measured on an optical bench. Roger at Lensrentals has commented upon this.
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/09/there-is-no-free-lunch-episode-763-lens-adapters/
If Roger cringes with one adapter, I wonder what his reaction would be with stacked adapters?
That be said, I do it all the time but don't expect perfect corner performance with WA lenses. With the
nicely rendering bubble bokeh wonder, Triopan 100 f2.8, I doubt it would matter.
Roger cringes at it with optical bench testing with flat test targets.
Roger wrote in the post:
What Does It Mean in the Real World?
Like a lot of laboratory testing, probably not a lot. Adapters couldn’t all stink or people wouldn’t use them. Like a lot of tests, you can detect a very real difference in the lab that doesn’t make much difference at all in the real world.
I would note that front tilt is very popular with large format landscape photographers precisely because it affects how the plane of focus falls across the scene, the Scheimpflug principle and all.
I would not expect to circumvent the "no free lunch" rule of optics with stacked adapters. Somewhat disconcerting was the discovery that even the use of one well made expensive adapter usually degrades performance --readily measured on an optical bench. Roger at Lensrentals has commented upon this.
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/09/there-is-no-free-lunch-episode-763-lens-adapters/
If Roger cringes with one adapter, I wonder what his reaction would be with stacked adapters?
That be said, I do it all the time but don't expect perfect corner performance with WA lenses. With the
nicely rendering bubble bokeh wonder, Triopan 100 f2.8, I doubt it would matter.
Roger cringes at it with optical bench testing with flat test targets.
Roger wrote in the post:
What Does It Mean in the Real World?
Like a lot of laboratory testing, probably not a lot. Adapters couldn’t all stink or people wouldn’t use them. Like a lot of tests, you can detect a very real difference in the lab that doesn’t make much difference at all in the real world.
I would note that front tilt is very popular with large format landscape photographers precisely because it affects how the plane of focus falls across the scene, the Scheimpflug principle and all.
Aug 13, 2022 at 01:23 PM
p.2 #10Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD wide open using Eye AF:
(This lens is very gently on the skin, especially at close distance due to SA)
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
(This lens is very gently on the skin, especially at close distance due to SA)
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
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Aug 13, 2022 at 03:27 PM
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p.2 #11Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??
Aug 13, 2022 at 03:29 PM
p.2 #12Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Donzo98 wrote:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??
It looks like it's still in pre-order phase. You may pre-order one directly from Techart or B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
Fred Miranda wrote
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Is this adapter readily available yet??
It looks like it's still in pre-order phase. You may pre-order one directly from Techart or B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
Aug 13, 2022 at 03:44 PM
p.2 #13Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??It looks like it's still in pre-order phase. You may pre-order one directly from Techart or B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
I’ll definitely get one at some point… having AF with the Noctilux should be very cool.
Donzo98 wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Is this adapter readily available yet??
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
I’ll definitely get one at some point… having AF with the Noctilux should be very cool.
Aug 13, 2022 at 04:07 PM
p.2 #14Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Donzo98 wrote:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??It looks like it's still in pre-order phase. You may pre-order one directly from Techart or B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.I’ll definitely get one at some point… having AF with the Noctilux should be very cool.
Yes, especially since focus and recompose does not work very well with the 50/1 Noct. The 0.95 version is on the heavy side for this adapter weighing 768 grams. (the official 700 grams is not accurate)
With the TAP2 adapter, one can engage tracking at center and recompose while AF sticks to the subject. With Eye AF, it's easier to set focus mode to "Wide" and let PDAF do its job.
Fred Miranda wrote
Donzo98 wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Is this adapter readily available yet??
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
Yes, especially since focus and recompose does not work very well with the 50/1 Noct. The 0.95 version is on the heavy side for this adapter weighing 768 grams. (the official 700 grams is not accurate)
With the TAP2 adapter, one can engage tracking at center and recompose while AF sticks to the subject. With Eye AF, it's easier to set focus mode to "Wide" and let PDAF do its job.
Aug 13, 2022 at 04:20 PM
p.2 #15Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Fred Miranda wrote:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??It looks like it's still in pre-order phase. You may pre-order one directly from Techart or B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
No “may not” about it.The Techart order page specifically states that “No warranty will be provided to eBay / Amazon purchase” together with a request to follow a link to a page that carefully describes the limitations of the TAP2. (It might be worth adding the text of this page to the new FAQ.)
Donzo98 wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Is this adapter readily available yet??
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
No “may not” about it.The Techart order page specifically states that “No warranty will be provided to eBay / Amazon purchase” together with a request to follow a link to a page that carefully describes the limitations of the TAP2. (It might be worth adding the text of this page to the new FAQ.)
Aug 13, 2022 at 05:52 PM
p.2 #16Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
genji wrote:
Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.Nice…
Is this adapter readily available yet??It looks like it's still in pre-order phase. You may pre-order one directly from Techart or B&H Photo:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.No “may not” about it.The Techart order page specifically states that “No warranty will be provided to eBay / Amazon purchase” together with a request to follow a link to a page that carefully describes the limitations of the TAP2. (It might be worth adding the text of this page to the new FAQ.)
Thanks Jonathan,
I have added this info to the FAQ.
Fred Miranda wrote
Donzo98 wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Sample using the LM-EA9 + Leica 75mm f/1.4 Summilux at MFD using Eye AF:Straight out of the camera using the Adobe Standard profile.
Is this adapter readily available yet??
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1722621-REG/techart_pro_lm_ea9_leica_m_mount_lens.html
I was told by Techart that LM-EA9 units purchased from Ebay or Amazon, may not be eligible for warranty.
Thanks Jonathan,
I have added this info to the FAQ.
Aug 13, 2022 at 06:59 PM
p.2 #17Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
@fredmiranda
Aside from the other numerous benefits Fred, could you share any thoughts on the speed of the new adapter versus the OG TAP? Have you tested them side-by-side with the same body and lens or anything?
Aside from the other numerous benefits Fred, could you share any thoughts on the speed of the new adapter versus the OG TAP? Have you tested them side-by-side with the same body and lens or anything?
Aug 15, 2022 at 11:40 AM
p.2 #18Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Looks like it would be great kit with Sony A7c and lets say, CV40mm 1.4 VM.
I'm guessing it would work great with 7c?
I'm guessing it would work great with 7c?
Aug 16, 2022 at 05:58 AM
p.2 #19Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
With the new adapter all the wider aperture settings are used to assign focal lengths unlike the old version. If one uses exp compensation to get proper aperture exif, is there any consequence of using an assigned aperture? For example if one wishes to take a shot at F4 and use -2 exp comp does the FL get reassigned to 21mm? Perhaps that is for the next shot?
Aug 16, 2022 at 10:18 AM
p.2 #20Techart Pro LM-EA9 Review
Michael Gordon wrote:
With the new adapter all the wider aperture settings are used to assign focal lengths unlike the old version. If one uses exp compensation to get proper aperture exif, is there any consequence of using an assigned aperture? For example if one wishes to take a shot at F4 and use -2 exp comp does the FL get reassigned to 21mm? Perhaps that is for the next shot?
Hi Michael,
This was added to the LM-EA9's FAQ:
Is there a way that I can have the actual aperture recorded in the EXIF?
Both versions of the Techart Pro adapters require the camera aperture to be set to f/2 before taking a picture to allow proper exposure. With the previous model (LM-EA7), it was possible to write the lens working aperture to the EXIF with the help of exposure compensation, The procedure was to set the aperture on the camera the same as on the lens, then compensate exposure accordingly by using the exposure compensation dial or menu. For example: If the lens’ working aperture is f/2.8, set the camera aperture to f/2.8 (instead of f/2) while correcting the exposure by using exposure compensation " -1EV". If the lens is at f/4, set exposure compensation to "-2EV" and so on…
Unfortunately this is no longer feasible with the LM-EA9 because it requires wider apertures like f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, etc...to assign focal lengths and therefore this conflicts with the aperture EXIF recording method of the past.
With the new adapter all the wider aperture settings are used to assign focal lengths unlike the old version. If one uses exp compensation to get proper aperture exif, is there any consequence of using an assigned aperture? For example if one wishes to take a shot at F4 and use -2 exp comp does the FL get reassigned to 21mm? Perhaps that is for the next shot?
Hi Michael,
This was added to the LM-EA9's FAQ:
Is there a way that I can have the actual aperture recorded in the EXIF?
Both versions of the Techart Pro adapters require the camera aperture to be set to f/2 before taking a picture to allow proper exposure. With the previous model (LM-EA7), it was possible to write the lens working aperture to the EXIF with the help of exposure compensation, The procedure was to set the aperture on the camera the same as on the lens, then compensate exposure accordingly by using the exposure compensation dial or menu. For example: If the lens’ working aperture is f/2.8, set the camera aperture to f/2.8 (instead of f/2) while correcting the exposure by using exposure compensation " -1EV". If the lens is at f/4, set exposure compensation to "-2EV" and so on…
Unfortunately this is no longer feasible with the LM-EA9 because it requires wider apertures like f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, etc...to assign focal lengths and therefore this conflicts with the aperture EXIF recording method of the past.
Aug 16, 2022 at 11:10 AM