p.57 #4 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
johnvanr wrote:
I see the situation between different systems as follows:
- MF with the Leica RF is relatively fast, but not 100% accurate. This can be a problem wide open. Zone focusing is fine.
- MF with the Nikon Zf is generally just as fast, but when you want accurate focus, it slows down when shooting wide open. Since for me accurate focus mostly matters when focusing on people's faces, the slow speed works against me, esp. since people move. Again, zone focusing is fine.
And the holy grail, but sadly more and more rare:
- An AF lens with a MF clutch and a DoF scale. In that case, I can use zone focusing most of the time and quickly switch to AF when I want fast critical focus. AFAIK, only Fuji and Olympus still make those kinds of lenses and OM System is deleting the clutch from newer versions.
In short, since for me the choice is between using a Nikon or a Leica with my M mount lenses, I may as well use the Leica, since the Nikon is in the real world not that much more practical for my purposes. This would be different if I shot mostly static subjects wide open. ...Show more →
I tried Nikon with Leica lenses, and my conclusion is simple: focusing speed with a rangefinder is much faster. With the Noctilux 50/0.95, it takes me up to a second to focus on the eye of a stationary person. The main problem is subject movement. And so far, there's nothing better than zone focusing for Leica lenses. Alternatively, use Nikon lenses with continuous autofocus. I'm completely disappointed with my experience using Leica lenses on Nikon—the color and speed are all worse. But that's just my opinion.
p.57 #5 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I been shooting with manual focus on Nikon since 1988, and Leica RF on and off during that time. The reason I left Leica two times in the past, is the higher success-rate with my Nikon FM2/FA, toghether with the varation of lenses usable.
For me, the Zf has the best and manual focus experince among digital kameras I've tried and Im happy using older Leica lenses for fun or speciall featrures, Voigtländer Z-mounts when Im serious...
And Im back for a third time with analog Leica RF, this time for the pure fun of using them
p.57 #6 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Ne314satel wrote:
I tried Nikon with Leica lenses, and my conclusion is simple: focusing speed with a rangefinder is much faster. With the Noctilux 50/0.95, it takes me up to a second to focus on the eye of a stationary person. The main problem is subject movement. And so far, there's nothing better than zone focusing for Leica lenses. Alternatively, use Nikon lenses with continuous autofocus. I'm completely disappointed with my experience using Leica lenses on Nikon—the color and speed are all worse. But that's just my opinion.
I can’t focus exactly on my Leica wide open with longer lenses. I could using Leica lenses on the Nikon, but in daily life in those scenarios I just prefer any of my AF options. Especially if it involves people.
p.57 #7 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I finally have the TT Artisan 6-bit adapter...which is discontinued per TT Artisan, but still readily available on aliexpress. It's nice. It adds a better degree of focusing confidence with Leica lenses.
Lisa by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH 11874.
Mom by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH 11874.
p.57 #8 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Love that last vineyard shot! Which lens ?
_jim_ wrote:
I finally have the TT Artisan 6-bit adapter...which is discontinued per TT Artisan, but still readily available on aliexpress. It's nice. It adds a better degree of focusing confidence with Leica lenses.
p.57 #12 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
?s=eyJpIjo1NDk2OTU3OTk0OCwiZSI6MTc2NTEzMzExMiwicyI6IjMxMmM2YjJhMmQ5NzNmY2FlOWIxNWEyZjU1YjBhYjVhNjU4NDQwYjMiLCJ2IjoxfQ">Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
?s=eyJpIjo1NDk2OTY1NjY3NCwiZSI6MTc2NTEzMzIwNSwicyI6IjQ2OTg4YjU0YzEwZDEyNWIxNGMzNWFkYTEzYmZmYzQyMDRiOGQzNzAiLCJ2IjoxfQ">Upholstery by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
?s=eyJpIjo1NDk2NjU5MTQ3OSwiZSI6MTc2NTEzMzI4MCwicyI6ImViOTlkMDg5NDljOWZkN2Q0NmI2ZTQ4MDkxMDU0YTgxZmU3YTA4NGUiLCJ2IjoxfQ">Portra by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
?s=eyJpIjo1NDk2NDIwOTY5MSwiZSI6MTc2NTEzMzM1NCwicyI6ImYxOWU2MjY5YjBlOWEyMWRlOGYxNjI4MzIwY2VhNDkxNGMyMWJlZGQiLCJ2IjoxfQ">Mathieu by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
first two: Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH 11891
second two: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 '1966'
p.57 #14 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
RE: the Mandler 35.
It was a lot of fun, but ultimately I chose to just go with my 7A 35/1.4 in native Z-mount because it's much simpler to use. I've bought 4 different M to Z adapters and been displeased with all of them.
TTArtisan M-Z 6bit- Weightless aluminum doesn't inspire confidence, focal length selector easily gets bumped which alters exif and IBIS settings.
Small Japanese company's helicoid "macro" adapter- well built, solid, looks great, but doesn't reach infinity lol!
K&F- simple and solid, cheap, but goes a bit past infinity... Not very far, just turn the focus ring back a hair.
TTArtisan M-Z dumb adapter- looks sliiiiick, feels good, BARELY focuses past infinity. This is the closest one yet.
I hate fiddling with adapters. I hate the .7m minimum focus on a lens that I would love to use indoors and close up without extra steps and goofy adapters.
p.57 #15 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fot the TTArtisan 6bit adaptor, small strip of gaffer tape over the dial, dog ear one corner so it's easy to lift for changes. Doesn't get bumped any more.
p.57 #16 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
ISO1600 wrote:
RE: the Mandler 35.
It was a lot of fun, but ultimately I chose to just go with my 7A 35/1.4 in native Z-mount because it's much simpler to use. I've bought 4 different M to Z adapters and been displeased with all of them.
TTArtisan M-Z 6bit- Weightless aluminum doesn't inspire confidence, focal length selector easily gets bumped which alters exif and IBIS settings.
Small Japanese company's helicoid "macro" adapter- well built, solid, looks great, but doesn't reach infinity lol!
K&F- simple and solid, cheap, but goes a bit past infinity... Not very far, just turn the focus ring back a hair.
TTArtisan M-Z dumb adapter- looks sliiiiick, feels good, BARELY focuses past infinity. This is the closest one yet.
I hate fiddling with adapters. I hate the .7m minimum focus on a lens that I would love to use indoors and close up without extra steps and goofy adapters....Show more →
Shame about the adapters. how did Mandler perform though, would you recommend it to mirrorless camera users (non-leica)? Thanks.
p.57 #18 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Tim Zhou wrote:
Shame about the adapters. how did Mandler perform though, would you recommend it to mirrorless camera users (non-leica)? Thanks.
I prefer my 7Artisans 35/1.4 (first gen) Z mount. It's only a little bigger, but maybe 2x the weight. Balances and looks better, with easier handling, on the ZF, and I enjoy the photos from it more as well.
The Mandler was nice, but for adapting it has flaws IMO.
p.57 #20 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I know this ties in to another thread on the forum, but I am very excited to see how the LLL Dual Aspherical will compare to my copy of the Leica 11874. The amount of SA, close-up, is so lovely.
?). But today I managed to hold the camera 
