Hi all,
I recently got an A7r and a beautiful Contax G 90mm F2.8 lens. These lenses are relatively cheap, super sharp (sharper than three copies of the Leica Tele-Elemarit M 90mm that I tested) but they need an adapter that let's you focus them. Because the Contax G lenses were made for autofocus, they do not have a smooth helicoid mechanism and the manual focus experience depends on the adapter.
In the end, I ended up trying three different ones:
1. The TechArt / Deo Tech autofocus adapter, mark 3. (about $300) This adapter their latest version and focusses quite well. It is a bit noisy but works just fine. Not the fastest focus around but for non-motion subjects it works well enough. Moreover, due to the high-torque focus motor, you can very easily focus using the small wheel on the side -- this works surprisingly well and precise. The adapter is very high-quality and fits really well. Surprisingly, it is also the lightest of the bunch. Ordering it is a real hassle though and it tooks weeks before it was delivered.
The manual focus wheel.
2. The Metabones adapter . (about $140). This one has an oversized focus ring which makes it easy to hold tight. Works quite well but I do feel sometimes some points during focussing where I need to put more power on it and then sometimes 'overshoot'. This is also the heaviest adapter by far. Also, the switch to 'lock' the lens on the adapter is on the back of the adapter so you need to take off the adapter from the camera first in order to remove the lens. For me no problem since I always leave the lens on one adapter but it is something to be aware of.
The locking mechanism on the back
3. The Kipon adapter (about $120). This adapter has a more thin focus ring but on my system it actually is more smooth to focus than the metabones one -- I think because it has more throw. In the end I prefer this one the most. Just like the TechArt adapter, the lens lock mechanism is a simple metal tab that fits in the little hole in the frame of the lens, so you can remove the lens while keeping the adapter on the camera. Here is a close-up of the locking tab:
Close up of the locking tab on the lens (left-upper corner)
All adapters work just fine and focus to infinity for my lens.
Ok, here are some pics in the camera:
With the TechArt adapter -- notice the manual focus wheel
With the Metabones adapter.
With the Kipon adapter
I recently got an A7r and a beautiful Contax G 90mm F2.8 lens. These lenses are relatively cheap, super sharp (sharper than three copies of the Leica Tele-Elemarit M 90mm that I tested) but they need an adapter that let's you focus them. Because the Contax G lenses were made for autofocus, they do not have a smooth helicoid mechanism and the manual focus experience depends on the adapter.
In the end, I ended up trying three different ones:
1. The TechArt / Deo Tech autofocus adapter, mark 3. (about $300) This adapter their latest version and focusses quite well. It is a bit noisy but works just fine. Not the fastest focus around but for non-motion subjects it works well enough. Moreover, due to the high-torque focus motor, you can very easily focus using the small wheel on the side -- this works surprisingly well and precise. The adapter is very high-quality and fits really well. Surprisingly, it is also the lightest of the bunch. Ordering it is a real hassle though and it tooks weeks before it was delivered.
The manual focus wheel.
2. The Metabones adapter . (about $140). This one has an oversized focus ring which makes it easy to hold tight. Works quite well but I do feel sometimes some points during focussing where I need to put more power on it and then sometimes 'overshoot'. This is also the heaviest adapter by far. Also, the switch to 'lock' the lens on the adapter is on the back of the adapter so you need to take off the adapter from the camera first in order to remove the lens. For me no problem since I always leave the lens on one adapter but it is something to be aware of.
The locking mechanism on the back
3. The Kipon adapter (about $120). This adapter has a more thin focus ring but on my system it actually is more smooth to focus than the metabones one -- I think because it has more throw. In the end I prefer this one the most. Just like the TechArt adapter, the lens lock mechanism is a simple metal tab that fits in the little hole in the frame of the lens, so you can remove the lens while keeping the adapter on the camera. Here is a close-up of the locking tab:
Close up of the locking tab on the lens (left-upper corner)
All adapters work just fine and focus to infinity for my lens.
Ok, here are some pics in the camera:
With the TechArt adapter -- notice the manual focus wheel
With the Metabones adapter.
With the Kipon adapter
