Author Topic: Problems with the TechArt TZE-01 Adapter for Mounting Sony-E Lenses on the Nkon  (Read 6908 times)

PeterN

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Thank you for sharing. The techart seems to be an option indeed.
Did you also try the Zeiss Batis lenses?
Btw: inspiring photos (as always!)
Peter

Michael Erlewine

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Thank you for sharing. The techart seems to be an option indeed.
Did you also try the Zeiss Batis lenses?
Btw: inspiring photos (as always!)

I don't have any more Sony E-Mount lenses than that.
My Zeiss are all F-Mount
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Michael Erlewine

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The Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 110mm f/2.5 for Sony E-Mount

I have checked out the second Macro APO-Lanthar, this time the 110mm f/2.5 Lens for the Sony-E Mount, but on the TZE-01 adapter for the Nikon Z7. In the previous blog, I worked with the 65mm f/2 lens and found it very useful for my work, which is close-up stacking of images.

I am not as happy with the 110mm, for a couple of reasons, which may not affect most readers here, especially if you don’t stack focus.

Both the 65mm and the 110mm Voigtlander APO-Lanthars are about the same size, and they are external focus, so they hang way out there on the Nikon Z7 and the TZE-01 adapter. This is not SO bad if you are taking a single shot photo. Yet, for stacking, where I may have to take 150-250 images (or less or more), that overhanging lens is very hard to keep stationary. And the 110mm weighs 771 grams (1.78 lb.), while the 65mm weights 625 grams (1.4 lbs.). that 146 grams difference actually makes a difference in this case and for my work.

I usually use as a tripod head the geared Arca-Swiss C1 Cube. However, the C1 Cube is a little spongy because of the manual knob that allows the whole head to swing open 90-degrees. That knob has a little give to it. And so, given the long extension of the 110mm and the extra weight (146 grams), plus the helicoid on the 110mm is “stiffer” than the helicoid on the 65mm, the effort to turn the helicoid moves the lens more than it otherwise should, IMO. It’s no fun if you are doing many layers of images.

So, I went to the most steady tripod head I know of which is the Burzynski “Protec,” which as lens-master Bjørn Rørslett says “It simply defines what “dead solid” is all about.” Using the Burzynski helped a lot, but I still have to say that for complex focus stacking, the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 110mm lens may not be for me. I can make it work, but my guess is that I may call on other lenses more often than choose it. 

So, there you have it. I like and can use the Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm lens, but have my doubts (and gave reasons) why the 110mm is probably a bridge too far as for stability in stacking images. It is just not steady enough because of weight, overhang-stress on the adapter, and stiffness of the helicoid, plus the focus throw is not (IMO) as long as I like them.

That aside, it is my best judgment, after examining the 110 APO-Lanthar that this lens is a step above in quality of the image from the legendary CV-125 (Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 125mm) lens. And so, I will be keeping it, but using it a little sparingly perhaps. This is an exquisite lens and I would recommend it.
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Akira

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Gorgeous images, Michael!

I wonder if you had the same problem with the older 125mm as with the new 110mm.  Also, I wonder if an attached focus lever would mitigate the problem?
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

Michael Erlewine

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Gorgeous images, Michael!

I wonder if you had the same problem with the older 125mm as with the new 110mm.  Also, I wonder if an attached focus lever would mitigate the problem?

Focus lever would not change things. Don't have the problem with the CV125 because it is on the FTZ adapter which  is stronger overall.
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Michael Erlewine

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The Nikon Z7 with the Sony-E version of the Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar f/2.5 with the TZE-01 adapter.

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PeterN

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So inspiring and gorgeous!
How many photos did you take for this stack (I assume it is a stacked photo)?
Peter

Michael Erlewine

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So inspiring and gorgeous!
How many photos did you take for this stack (I assume it is a stacked photo)?

42 layers
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PeterN

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42 layers

Thank you. An impressive number. May I also ask which software you used and which method you used?
Peter

Michael Erlewine

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Thank you. An impressive number. May I also ask which software you used and which method you used?

Zerene Stacker, both methods, with DMap as base and PMax to overlay. Then retouching.
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PeterN

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Zerene Stacker, both methods, with DMap as base and PMax to overlay. Then retouching.

Thank you. I always thought one has to choose.
Peter

Michael Erlewine

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Nikon Z7, TechArt TZE-01 adapter, Voigtlander 65mm for Sony E-Mount

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Birna Rørslett

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Apparently, the TechArt now works?

Michael Erlewine

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Apparently, the TechArt now works?

It does. It fits well, is almost invisible in size, and opens the door for many other lenses. The Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 65mm and 110mm macro are very fine lenses that otherwise I would not have been able to use without a Sony mirrorless camera, which I am not that fond of. 
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PeterN

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Michael, you write that the CV110 is a step above the CV125. Could you please elaborate on that? Is it sharpness? micro-contrast? bokeh? all? BTW: I find the sharpness of your CV110 photos astounding.
How do you compare this lens to the Zeiss 135mm APO lens from an IQ standpoint? I am thinking about starting a "flowers project" and was thinking about using the Zeiss lens and the Nikon 60mm for macro. But the CV110 seems to be an attractive alternative except for the stability issue you mention.
Peter