p.35 #1 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
dennishy wrote:
The TTArtisans 6-Bit adapter has a dial on the adapter ring itself with a couple preset focal lengths on it. I think this is how using the adapter in combination with non-chipped lenses still provides focus confirmation on the Zf. Once it arrives I'll be able to test for myself using the CV50/1.5 VM.
Oh, 50/1.5 - nice, I want to buy this lens for my Zf - please do share photos once you get it.
And show a photo of this fantastic combo!
p.35 #2 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Why we still don't have adapter with screwdriver? Its so possible to make, there is one for Contax lens already (TZG-01), why nobody made one for Nikon F?
p.35 #3 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I note for the Z8 that simply an adapter connected to the body with electrical contacts is sufficient enough to enable the working of the focus box.
It doesn’ t require the complete path to have electrical contacts.
I just tried this, using the Fringer EF-NZ II adapter which has contacts on the Z mount side, simple no contacts EF-LR adapter, Leitz Wetzlar Summilux-R 80/1.4, no contacts, and focus box works.
p.35 #7 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
dennishy wrote:
I think the TT-Artisans 6-bit adapter and the Techart TZM-02 would allow focus confirmation with some caveats. My TT m-z adapter is still en route so I can't confirm, but using the preset options of [135, 90, 75, 50, 35, 28mm] lengths on the dial should provide you the green highlight confirmation +/- how close your lens focal length is to the preset dial.
I don't think the focal length dial on the TTA adapter has anything to do with focus. From what I read, it tells the camera the focal length to that it can apply the appropriate stabilization.
One thing I've noticed about the dial is that it occasionally gets moved without noticing, and also I forget to change it when I swap lenses. Neither of these seem to affect images in any way I can notice.
p.35 #8 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
bikenerd wrote:
I don't think the focal length dial on the TTA adapter has anything to do with focus. From what I read, it tells the camera the focal length to that it can apply the appropriate stabilization.
One thing I've noticed about the dial is that it occasionally gets moved without noticing, and also I forget to change it when I swap lenses. Neither of these seem to affect images in any way I can notice.
That's good to know - IBIS aside, it's great to have flexibility in focal lengths. I was thinking of getting a simple adapter for, say a 40mm, but now it looks like I won't have to.
p.35 #10 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
After I declared the Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8 metal "pancake" as the kit lens for my Zf, I stumbled onto this less known lens - ArtraLab Nonikkor 35/1.4 Z-mount (BTW what a ridiculous name!). They offer two versions with slight cosmetic differences: "1960s" and "1980s", styled after vintage Nikkor SLR lenses in those times. I got a used "1960s" copy off Ebay from a U.S. seller, saving a bit, especially considering their official store on Amazon doesn't offer Z-mount options and ~$40 shipping will be added if ordered from their website. The aluminum build has some good quality. The lens looks right at home on Zf! Perfect fit for Zf? by Sander Li, on Flickr
Interestingly, the 7/5 optical design is different from the vintage Nikkor 35/1.4 (non-AI, AI, AI-S) but actually similar to Summilux V1 and V2. The image quality is just Okay or maybe "not that great" by today's standard but shall be similar to Summilux V1 or V2. The rendering, however, is somewhere in between 1950/60s vintages and clinical modern lenses, with modest glow and some but not extreme "nisen" bokeh. Its rendering is actually close to those better corrected vintage Nikkors in the 1970/80s, e.g, the aforementioned Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8. "Queen of Sweden" in the yard by Sander Li, on Flickr
p.35 #12 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
The reason why I went with this one was exactly the lack of similar offerings from Nikon or Voigtlander. Nikon 40/2 Z SE is all plastic and doesn't feel right on Zf. Voigtlander has some retro (aka vintage Nikkor clones) options but currently only for APS-C.
In terms of output, I didn't have a high expectation for image quality and it turned out to be more or less similar to what I expected - "good enough" is what I would describe. Not my favorite rendering either because I usually prefer more vintage rendering in general. Surprisingly I am actually pretty happy with it as a kit lens for Zf - a nice retro look, good for indoor random shots to document my life, a good MFD for foods etc., and somewhat reasonable for travel / street. I will put on my other vintage lenses if there is a specific look I am looking for.
RoamingScott wrote:
I wish we could get native lenses that size from the main players instead of having to get low grade smearshows from China, but what are you gonna do.
Honest question: are you actually happy with that output?
p.35 #13 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
sander9t wrote:
After I declared the Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8 metal "pancake" as the kit lens for my Zf, I stumbled onto this less known lens - ArtraLab Nonikkor 35/1.4 Z-mount (BTW what a ridiculous name!). They offer two versions with slight cosmetic differences: "1960s" and "1980s", styled after vintage Nikkor SLR lenses in those times. I got a used "1960s" copy off Ebay from a U.S. seller, saving a bit, especially considering their official store on Amazon doesn't offer Z-mount options and ~$40 shipping will be added if ordered from their website. The aluminum build has some good quality. The lens looks right at home on Zf! Perfect fit for Zf? by Sander Li, on Flickr
Interestingly, the 7/5 optical design is different from the vintage Nikkor 35/1.4 (non-AI, AI, AI-S) but actually similar to Summilux V1 and V2. The image quality is just Okay or maybe "not that great" by today's standard but shall be similar to Summilux V1 or V2. The rendering, however, is somewhere in between 1950/60s vintages and clinical modern lenses, with modest glow and some but not extreme "nisen" bokeh. Its rendering is actually close to those better corrected vintage Nikkors in the 1970/80s, e.g, the aforementioned Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8. "Queen of Sweden" in the yard by Sander Li, on Flickr
I find the rendering quite good actually, I wasn’t interested in those lenses because I thought the output would be modern, it sure sits in between in a good way to my eyes. A little glow, some swirl and some structure in the bokeh(not the ugly creamy modern bokeh every company tries to butter more). It’s interesting, I saw they plan to release a 50mm 1.2.
p.35 #14 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I was worried that the rendering would be too modern for my taste as well, but it turned out to be right in the middle, something I can appreciate.
The other thing the lens does well, which I forgot to mention, is the great 3-dimensionality and nice focus falloff. I prefer this less dramatic tonality (more shades of grey) and slower transition from in-focus to out-of-focus which aids creating a sense of space in the transitional zone and even in the bokeh.
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I find the rendering quite good actually, I wasn’t interested in those lenses because I thought the output would be modern, it sure sits in between in a good way to my eyes. A little glow, some swirl and some structure in the bokeh(not the ugly creamy modern bokeh every company tries to butter more). It’s interesting, I saw they plan to release a 50mm 1.2.
p.35 #15 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
sander9t wrote:
After I declared the Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8 metal "pancake" as the kit lens for my Zf, I stumbled onto this less known lens - ArtraLab Nonikkor 35/1.4 Z-mount (BTW what a ridiculous name!). They offer two versions with slight cosmetic differences: "1960s" and "1980s", styled after vintage Nikkor SLR lenses in those times. I got a used "1960s" copy off Ebay from a U.S. seller, saving a bit, especially considering their official store on Amazon doesn't offer Z-mount options and ~$40 shipping will be added if ordered from their website. The aluminum build has some good quality. The lens looks right at home on Zf! Perfect fit for Zf? by Sander Li, on Flickr
Interestingly, the 7/5 optical design is different from the vintage Nikkor 35/1.4 (non-AI, AI, AI-S) but actually similar to Summilux V1 and V2. The image quality is just Okay or maybe "not that great" by today's standard but shall be similar to Summilux V1 or V2. The rendering, however, is somewhere in between 1950/60s vintages and clinical modern lenses, with modest glow and some but not extreme "nisen" bokeh. Its rendering is actually close to those better corrected vintage Nikkors in the 1970/80s, e.g, the aforementioned Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8. "Queen of Sweden" in the yard by Sander Li, on Flickr
p.35 #16 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
sander9t wrote:
After I declared the Nikkor AI-S 50/1.8 metal "pancake" as the kit lens for my Zf, I stumbled onto this less known lens - ArtraLab Nonikkor 35/1.4 Z-mount (BTW what a ridiculous name!).
That name looks like something I’d drunk text at 1.30am
p.35 #17 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I’ve been using my ZF for a couple of weeks now, and the focus confirmation and eye tracking have made shooting with manual focus lenses not only viable, but positively enjoyable for me.
I now own two Z-Mount lenses by Voigtlander: the 50mm F2 Apo-Lanthar and the 40mm f1.2 and shooting with them has been a revelation. I’m not yet there in terms of my manual focusing technique - and I’ve only recently come back to photography after a decade-and-a-half absence… it’s a long story - but I’m enjoying shooting more than I have in a very long time.
I have a 28mm M-Mount Thypoch Simera plus TTArtisan and Techart adapters on the way, and that should do it for my manual focus kit for the time being.
I’m sharing some images here, but please be aware that these weren’t made with great care, and certainly not with the expectation of sharing them… right now I’m mostly experimenting with this new way of shooting… that said, hopefully they can give someone considering either lens a sense of the overall look that these two very different lenses can provide.
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 40mm @ f2.8 ISO 100 1/1250s
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 40mm @ f1.2 ISO 100 1/8000s
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 40mm @ f1.2 ISO 100 1/800s
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 40mm @ f2.5 ISO 100 1/125s
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 50mm APO @ f2 ISO 10000 1/100s
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 50mm APO @ f2 ISO 1250 1/100s
Nikon ZF + Voigtlander 50mm APO @ f2 ISO 140 1/100s
Perfect fit for Zf?
Perfect fit for Zf?
"Queen of Sweden" in the yard
Rosa "KORbin" aka "Iceberg" in the yard
Rosa 'Flower Carpet Apple Blossom' in the yard
Takeshita Street, Shibuya, Tokyo
Enjoying chocolate drinks in Tokyo
Hot chocolate after walking in the rain, Coffee-Kan, Tokyo
