Techart Pro adapter: user experience and how to adapt non Leica M lenses

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This is a guest post from Bui Le Minh. To write a guest post follow the instructions on that page. Thanks!

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As many people here including me were excited with the release of [shoplink 48291 ebay]Techart Pro adapter for autofocusing MF lenses (Leica M mount)[/shoplink] on A7ii/A7Rii/A6300, I pre-ordered this adapter on February and just got it few days ago. Since this adapter is designed to use with Leica M lenses but I don’t have any, I decided to get Canon EF – Leica M and Canon FD – Leica M adapters to add the Leica M mount to most of my lenses, then mount them on the Techart Pro (which was demonstrated on their videos). However, there are few things they don’t mention in their website that I think we should take account of:
– For non-Leica M users like me: only Techart adapters for adapting other lenses to Leica M system will fit the Techart Pro. Theoretically we just simply need to get a cheap Chinese adapter and put it on, but upon getting this adapter from Techart, I realized that mine doesn’t fit. That is because of the cover in front of Techart Pro, it’s too thick for another adapter to get in. I searched everywhere and found no adapter that is thin enough to fit. One way to fix it was mentioned by Dirk Westermann in this post: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/yes-this-is-cool-first-canon-fd-autofocus-test-from-dirk-westermann/. However, since the adapter is metal, and even it’s plastic, it doesn’t mean everyone can reshape it to fit Techart Pro. I didn’t have any tool to do the same thing so I was very upset at first, as I had the adapter but cannot use, and because they didn’t mention anything like that. A simple way is to order extra adapters from Techart, I’m sure they will fit but it will cost extra $140, which is about half the price of the adapter, and I have to wait for long time until they’re delivered to me. Luckily, I found another way to simply fix the problem, even though it might be temporary, but it’s good enough for you to use your lenses. I will give more details below.
– Problem with IF lenses and lenses with floating element. While you can do AF with basically any lens that fit your camera, Techart didn’t mention the possibility of lowering image quality with Internal Focus lenses and lenses with Floating element. I demonstrate here how it can reduce image quality and how we can minimize the problem.

1. Simple way to adapt non Leica M lenses to use with Techart Pro
If you can’t trim the Leica M adapter to fit it into Techart Pro, you can modify the Techart Pro to fit them in a non-damaging way.
First, you need to remove the black plate covering the front side of the adapter by unscrew it from behind (there are two screws on the back)
Notice the (1) part is the motor and the function of the plate is to limit the movement of the motor. The first time when I took the plate off, the motor can turn out of the designated area and kept running unstoppably (we will fix it later). The rim (2) of the plate is the reason other adapters can’t fit to Techart Pro, now it’s gone and we have plenty of space.
Since it’s not good to leave the adapter open, I covered it with a piece of hard paper, then with black tape outside.

Now they’re easily fitted into each other and ready to use on your camera. Remember to keep the disassembled part carefully, in case you need to restore the original conditions.
As I mentioned earlier, the movement of the gear on the motor is needed to be constrained, other wise it will stop working when it runs out of its base. I found an easy way to keep it fixed without using glue: find a big paper clamp, it’s hard enough.
Doing this way, you don’t have to worry about the motor anymore and it also provides you sort of “metal plate” under your camera. However, it’s not convenient to use the camera for a long time when the clamp presses on your palm. Another negative point is you have to remove your leather half case since it will prevent the adapter with the clamp to be mounted.

So now the Techart Pro is working well for me, even with heavy lenses like FD 300mm f/2.8 L. I just need a stable support like tripod or monopod and pre-focus to near-sharp focal plane, then press the button for the AF to engage and refine the focus.

2. Performance with Internal focus lenses and lenses with Floating elements

These kinds of lens need the rear element to be fixed at a certain distance to the sensor, and any movement of that element will degrade the quality of the photo. Therefore, if you just let the adapter to focus for you, there is a high chance that you will get worse image. I did some tests with Samyang 135mm T2.2 (internal focus), FD 50mm f/1.2 L (floating element), and compare with a normal one: FD 24mm f/2.
The method is first, I used MF mode to focus and shoot all by myself (image 3), and second, I turn on the AF mode and let the camera with Techart Pro to focus for me under two conditions: I did pre-coarse adjustment (image 1), which means it’s very close to a correct focus, and I didn’t do pre-coarse adjustment (image 2), or turned the focus ring away from the focus point.

Here is the result with 100% crop in the center to show the sharpness:



From the results, you can see that moving the rear element away from the sensor significantly reduces image quality if your lens has floating element (such as FD 50/1.2 L, 85/1.2 L), even when I did pre-coarse adjustment or the rear element moved just few mm. With internal focus lens such as Samyang lenses, the situation is brighter, as the change is not much, and I don’t see much changes with FD 24/2 neither.

I recommend to practice the pre-coarse adjustment regularly, especially when you use rather long lens, since the focus throw with these lenses is longer than normal and wide lenses and sometimes you won’t get AF with near subjects. Beside minimizing the image degradation, it also reduces time for AF to focus correctly. The last thing you should remember when you focus closely to the camera is you always need to rotate the focus ring past the focus point in order to let the AF work. Since the flange distance only can be increased, it can’t be shorten less than the native flange distance, if your focus doesn’t reach the focus point in the native lens-sensor distance, Techart Pro can’t help you.

I hope that this post will be helpful for Techart Pro users. If you have anything to ask, just reach me on my Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/langstrum/

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Sony Tidbits…

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Sony RX 10 III Takes on a6300 and FS5, Part 1: 4K Rolling shutter, High ISO

Batis 18mm review by Dale Matson.
A7rII, RX10III and RX100m4 win the CameraGP Hapan 2016 award.
My Sony Alpha experience! The switch from Canon (Andrewdophoto).

Jörg:I just published a first impression video in German (my first video ever) about the new Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3v8JckTvZY

Clive:Just letting you know I managed to find a hands on of the Kipon Integrated ND adapter. I was very curious at the time despite their sloppy use of terminology and confusing pictures.
This has the potential to be as good as the Fotodiox ND Throttle but with the ability to remove completely for zero ND.  I was hoping to see more hands on videos online before I took the risk buying it, but there is nearly nothing about it! https://youtu.be/Qr-LR551IdU?t=1m25s

Hanna Saba:Check out blog on Milky way shots using the a7sii. Had some messages on how i captured the milky way the settings and what i used. https://hrimages.wordpress.com/2016/05/14/milky-way/

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Tamron 150-600mm for Sony sells for $875 ($120 off).

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[shoplink 48325 ebay]tsony[/shoplink]

If you want to get a real super zoom which can autofocus on A and E-mount cameras you may grab that deal: $120 off on the Tamron 150-600mm A-mount lens sold on [shoplink 48325 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. The lens got tested on the A7II by Luminous Landscape

The on-sensor phase detection AF of the A7 MKII and the system’s focus tracking capability allowed for capturing these completely unpredictable penguins as they jumped from the water. Their position can’t really be anticipated and their time above water is faster that ones ability to anticipate.Virtually every frame out of hundreds shot showed excellent lock-on and tracking. I frankly don’t think that I have ever used a long zoom lens / camera combo that could have done better.

Reminder: Accessory rebate deals on six FE lenses. This is how it works:

  1. Select on of the FE lenses below:
    Zeiss 16-35mm FE at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Zeiss 24-70mm FE at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1.4 at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Zeiss 55mm at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Sony 70-20omm at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Sony 90mm FE at BHphoto or Adorama.
  2. Once you are on the BHphoto page click on the green “Build Bundle” button (below the price info and add to cart button). If you are at Adorama click on the link above the price box.
  3. Now add the Sony accessories you like and enjoy the rebate :)
  4. Note that Adorama gives you an additional up to $100 free gift card on the lenses above and also on those lenses not eligible for the accessory deal:
    Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 FE at Adorama.
    Sony 24-240mm FE at Adorama.
    Sony 28-70mm FE at Adorama.
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Sony 24-70mm GM review by Digitalrev: “it’s stupendously good”

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Kai from Digitalrev tested the new Sony 24-70mm GM lens and was very impressed by its performance (and less by its size). He says the lens is “its stupendously good”. But as Kai pointed out we really need a bigger body for those big GM lenses :)

Jordan Steele from Admiringlight tested the new Sony 50mm FE lens and writes:

Ultimately, when you consider whether you should buy the FE 50mm f/1.8, the question you have to ask is: how important is quick autofocus to my shooting?  If you can wait for it to lock, or will be using the lens for tripod work and can manually focus, it’s quite an outstanding lens. If you are planning on using the lens for event shooting or other situations where fast and accurate autofocus is critical, you’ll want to give this lens a pass and move to the FE 55mm f/1.8.

24-70mm GM store links: [shopcountry 47915].
50mm FE store links: [shopcountry 47526].

 

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This week SAR readers photos selection.

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Pedro Santos‎
A7s + Leica Summarit 75/2,5

1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors or on the SonyAlphaForum image section.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors/photos_stream?tab=photos and on SonyAlphaForum.
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself!

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Techart Leica to Sony autofocus adapter listed on eBay for $588

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[shoplink 48291 ebay]Bildschirmfoto 2016-05-28 um 21.02.03[/shoplink]

For the first time the new Techart Leica to Sony E-mount autofocus adapter is on slae on [shoplink 48291 ebay]eBay for $588 (Click here)[/shoplink]. But be warned: this is a much higher price than the one you pay on the Techart site.

Reminder: We got two new Sony US deals. An accessory rebate action and a free gift card action:

This is how it works:

  1. Select on of the FE lenses below:
    Zeiss 16-35mm FE at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Zeiss 24-70mm FE at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1.4 at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Zeiss 55mm at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Sony 70-20omm at BHphoto or Adorama.
    Sony 90mm FE at BHphoto or Adorama.
  2. Once you are on the BHphoto page click on the green “Build Bundle” button (below the price info and add to cart button). If you are at Adorama click on the link above the price box.
  3. Now add the Sony accessories you like and enjoy the rebate :)
  4. Note that Adorama gives you an additional up to $100 free gift card on the lenses above and also on those lenses not eligible for the accessory deal:
    Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 FE at Adorama.
    Sony 24-240mm FE at Adorama.
    Sony 28-70mm FE at Adorama.
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Hong Kong Strong by Brandon Li

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Hong Kong Strong from Brandon Li on Vimeo.

SAR reader Brandon Li made that cool video that just became a a Vimeo Staff Pick. He writes:

“Thought you would like this one: I spent 6 weeks shooting, and 3 months editing, this travel video about Hong Kong that just got a Vimeo Staff Pick.  I used a massive list of Sony gear: a7rii, a7sii, a7s, a6000, rx10ii, plus many Sony lenses.  I also made heavy use of the Beholder Ds1 3-axis gimbal to keep the camera in constant motion. I made a detailed director’s commentary about the behind-the-scenes of the film: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3stPIuUoCDHG7COfwr0tEA
The video has been gaining a lot of popularity – I was interviewed by the South China Morning Post, HK Magazine, Hong Kong radio, and it’s been featured by blogs like Gizmodo, Petapixel, Fubiz, and others.

Cheers and hope you enjoy it!
Brandon Li
www.unscripted.com

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