Autofocus with Nikon Ai, Leica M & R and Contax CY lenses

[Jan Anne]

Techart already made an autofocus adapter for Contax G lenses for the Sony a7 series. But those were already autofocus lenses, now they are taking things one step further by making autofocus adapters for manual focus lenses

Here's a beta adapter for the Leica M lenses on a Sony but they plan to also make them for Nikon Ai, Leica R, etc.



As found on http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/techart-is-also-considering-to-make-leica-r-contax-cy-and-nikon-ai-mount-autofocus-adapter/

[chris dees]

So with this adapter you can AF with Nikon MF-lenses on Sony A7xcamera's?

[Erik Lund]

Yes,,, we'll sort off AF it will work for unit focusing lenses.
If you fit it on a Nikon F to Leica M on top of the new one.

[bjornthun]

I have seen something about a weight limit of 300 grams for the lens.

[Erik Lund]

That would make perfect sense, in the video it looks like they are shooting a Leitz Hektor 135mm 4.5 around 500 gram 

[tommiejeep]

Just colour me sceptical  .  I think adapters are getting better but so is my speed on MF.  Biggest plus to me would be the communication if the camera can identify the FL for Steady Shot settings/other camera aids/functions and I do not have to take notes/remember the lens  .  I'm following the first reports on the Commlite Nikon AF and have been following the Contax AF for a while.

One thing I think is missing with these Vids is that they do not post the images taken , just trying to watch it on the rear display.  So no real idea of how accurate the AF is 

I can always live in hope 
Tom

[pluton]

There's the issue of accuracy, which is TBD.  Then there is the issue of the focus travel of the adapter, which is clearly not going to be enough for a lens longer than about 85mm, if not 50mm.

[smage85]

Interesting.

This is quite similar to Nikon TC-16 teleconverter except there's no glass and only shifting the lens back and forth.  I guess if it could support heavy lenses like Nikon's super-teles, it could work as a semi-autofocus lens where you focus on the approximate distance and the adaptor will do the rest.

I know there are some modified TC-16s out there that work with modern DSLRS but I'm not sure on their optical quality.  Apples to oranges anyway.

[Jan Anne]

Lots more new videos are posted at SAR.com with lenses like the Leica 35/2, Zeiss 25/2.8 ZM, Leica 90/2, etc.
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/first-images-of-the-first-m-mount-to-e-mount-autofocus-adapter-and-new-videos-too/

On some some lenses they manually zone focus the lens so its within the autofocus range of the adapter.

As expected the EXIF doesn't show any aperture changes, not sure if the adapter can read Leica lens coding (white dots) for focal length registration which would at least be something.

[Tristin]

I'd certainly give one a whirl if they made one I could use on a Nikon body

[Jan Anne]

I'd certainly give one a whirl if they made one I could use on a Nikon body

The body needs to be mirrorless to make room for the adapter, plenty of rumours flying around but who knows when they come up with a A7 series counterpart.

[Tristin]

Ah, nevermind then.  I couldn't see myself going mirrorless until they get a good hybrid VF and a grip that feels like a solid grip.  I'm sure Nikon will when they feel they've gotten it down.  I'd be amazed if they haven't been tinkering with it, though I am drifting well off topic now.

[Erik Lund]

Nikon Mirrorless is called Nikon 1 and there is an Nikon F adapter for it, FT1, it actually does surprisingly fast and accurate AF with AFS lenses...

[tommiejeep]

It appears that the Commlite Nikon AF adapter is making progress.  Still expensive ( I can buy a mint- Contax 90 2.8 for less  ) .   I am getting more interested in the Techart Leica M to Somy AF but about the same price.  At least we now know how the Firmware upgrade for Commlite is accomplished , on camera.  It finally does AF the 58 1.4G and my two Sigma Arts

Now if the price would come down 
Tom

[bjornthun]

It appears that the Commlite Nikon AF adapter is making progress.  Still expensive ( I can buy a mint- Contax 90 2.8 for less  ) .   I am getting more interested in the Techart Leica M to Nikon AF but about the same price.  At least we now know how the Firmware upgrade for Commlite is accomplished , on camera.  It finally does AF the 58 1.4G and my two Sigma Arts

Now if the price would come down 
Tom

Where have you found the information about the firmware update procedure for the commlite adapter? Do you have a link?