Nikon lenses with a7RII? Your experience.

rhlpetrus · Aug 25, 2017

I'd like to hear from a7rII owners who also own and use Nikkors on it. AF, easy of use, etc, how is it?

I have already read a bit about it,

Guide to Nikon Lens Adapters for Sony E-Mount Cameras

Here's a round-up of Nikon lens adapters for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras including Nikon AF Smart Adapters, Nikon G and Nikon F manual focus adapters

briansmith.com

so I know it can be done, just wanted personal experiences. Thanks in advance for replies.

armin304 · Aug 25, 2017

I only have a A7II, but the restrictions with the A7rII and the Commlite CM-ENF-E1 are the same. The A7rII can do only PD AF with it and only with lenses with internal motor. Your AF-D 2/35 will have no AF, but you are able to control the aperture at the camera, you will get the focal length set for IBIS and aperture and focal length recorded in the exif data. AF does not work with all my lenses and with some it's dead slow. Search for the list with tested lenses, just found one for the successor of mine in http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commlite-CM...-ver-04-A7M2-A7RM2-A6300-/162002938964?_ul=AR and it doesn't look good for the FX lenses in your gear list.

AZ Steve · Aug 25, 2017

My experience with the Commlite adapter has been very discouraging. AF is OK with some lenses, not with others, eg Sigma macros. My adapter had a slight tilt which took some file work and shimming to reduce to tolerable levels. Owing to a firmware bug, the current version of the Commlite does not allow VR to work, and the Sony cameras will not invoke IBIS with VR lenses on the Commlite, so there is no stabilization with VR lenses (both AF and MF lenses can use IBIS if they do not have internal stabilization). On my Commlite, if you set the lens to stop down say, three stops, you get something more like four stops -- the control of the aperture setting lever is inaccurate.

There are rumors of a new version of the Commlite which fixes the above (the preview announcement specifically referred to more accurate diaphragm control), and perhaps an entirely different full-function F-mount adapter out of Taiwan. But nothing shipping so far.

The situation is much, much better with Canon adapters, and although I'm mostly a Nikon shooter I've bought two lenses in Canon mount to use with the a7rII -- they work fine, so far as I'm concerned.

AZ Steve · Aug 25, 2017

Oops, I see on eBay the new Commlite, either ver 5 software or "ENF-E1PRO ver 5", is now available from China. I'm tempted to order one.

My remarks above refer to ver 4, rebranded and marketed in the USA by Vello.

The ver 5 firmware seems to be available from various vendors with either the old or newer hardware (the newer has a smaller lip on the tripod mount foot).

Has anyone tried these later versions?

rhlpetrus · Aug 25, 2017

armin304 said:
I only have a A7II, but the restrictions with the A7rII and the Commlite CM-ENF-E1 are the same. The A7rII can do only PD AF with it and only with lenses with internal motor. Your AF-D 2/35 will have no AF, but you are able to control the aperture at the camera, you will get the focal length set for IBIS and aperture and focal length recorded in the exif data. AF does not work with all my lenses and with some it's dead slow. Search for the list with tested lenses, just found one for the successor of mine in http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commlite-CM...-ver-04-A7M2-A7RM2-A6300-/162002938964?_ul=AR and it doesn't look good for the FX lenses in your gear list.

Thanks, very useful!

rhlpetrus · Aug 25, 2017

AZ Steve said:
Oops, I see on eBay the new Commlite, either ver 5 software or "ENF-E1PRO ver 5", is now available from China. I'm tempted to order one.

My remarks above refer to ver 4, rebranded and marketed in the USA by Vello.

The ver 5 firmware seems to be available from various vendors with either the old or newer hardware (the newer has a smaller lip on the tripod mount foot).

Has anyone tried these later versions?

Thanks for comments, I will try to follow it here and elsewhere.

olstrup · Aug 27, 2017

AF adapters for Nikon lenses with internal focusing motors work but the user experience seems to be mixed so far. These lenses CAN be used manually with dumb adapters equipped with a primitive kind of aperture ring (for example Novoflex), but the aperture setting will not be very accurate and manual focusing of these lenses doesn't have a nice feel.

AF-D ("screwdriver" AF) lenses won't AF at all with a Sony camera (a focus motor in the camera is needed). They can be used fully manual as they have both focus and aperture ring, but the ergonomic feel is often less than ideal.

Older MF lenses like AI/AI-S and older works fine on a dumb adapter and the ergonomy is good - because they were designed specifically for MF. They have a good focus throw, are nicely dampened (provided they are well lubed) and the focus ring is in the right place for relaxed operating. They are very well built.

At the present state, I won't use any other Nikon lenses than the old MF because I want the slick and smooth ergonomy.

federikk79 · Aug 27, 2017

AZ Steve said:
The ver 5 firmware seems to be available from various vendors with either the old or newer hardware (the newer has a smaller lip on the tripod mount foot).

hello, i own a "new" version with software 04, do you know if ver 5 is awailable for download somewhere?

on the commlite website there's still ver 04 for download

thank you

NetSlob · Aug 29, 2017

I recently bought the COMMLITE Nikon to Sony Autofocus adapter -- the new upgraded 2017 "Pro" version . The new version has better hardware and software.

This provides autofocus with Nikkor "G "(AF-S) lenses. It does a great job allowing electronic control of aperture AND transmitting all EXIF data. I've been using it with my A7ii and my a6500 (which is not listed as an officially supported camera, but it seems to work fine).

So far I've only tried it with 3 lenses.

It works pretty well with my 35mm f/1.8 DX. Focus is reasonably quick and accurate.

It works acceptably with my 200-500 FX lens. But sometimes the focus hunts without locking onto a target, which can be quite frustrating. I wouldn't recommend it for something truly challenging like birds in flight.

It works poorly with my old 18-55 DX kit lens... so poorly that the VR radically jumps around and renders the lens almost unusable.

So, is the adapter worth $369? It depends on what you intend to use it for. It seems to work well with some lenses. I suspect it's at its best with primes. I'm keeping mine, as I think it merits the cost for me.

AZ Steve · Aug 30, 2017

Sorry for the delay in replying. I noticed the same thing about the Commlite site -- that the ver 5 software wasn't there. It's a mystery.

AZ Steve · Aug 30, 2017

Many thanks for the report. Since you mention the VR fail with the kit lens, I presume VR works to at least some extent with the 200-500mm. On my ver 4 no stabilization works with any internally-stabilized lens.

I ordered the PRO ver 5 one from Sharpest Light, Hong Kong. Expectations pretty low.

mgonda · Aug 30, 2017

federikk79 said:
federikk79 said:

The ver 5 firmware seems to be available from various vendors with either the old or newer hardware (the newer has a smaller lip on the tripod mount foot).

Click to expand...

hello, i own a "new" version with software 04, do you know if ver 5 is awailable for download somewhere?

on the commlite website there's still ver 04 for download

thank you

The version 5 is not just firmware but HW too.

What I recall reading is that firmware 5 will only work with the new HW.

mgonda · Aug 30, 2017

rhlpetrus said:
I'd like to hear from a7rII owners who also own and use Nikkors on it. AF, easy of use, etc, how is it?

I have already read a bit about it,

http://briansmith.com/nikon-lens-adapters-sony-e-mount-cameras/

so I know it can be done, just wanted personal experiences. Thanks in advance for replies.

FSPhoto · Aug 30, 2017

I checked the Commlite web site and there is no mention of the new adapter...

armin304 · Aug 30, 2017

FSPhoto said:
I checked the Commlite web site and there is no mention of the new adapter...

Yes, this is a little bit curious. But you'll find it in ebay. In one of the offerings they state that FW 5 will never be available for download, but a future FW 6 will (but not if it will for the old version of the adapter I own).

rhlpetrus · Aug 31, 2017

I read all replies, won't refer to any in particular.

It seems that at this point AF with other mounts lenses is still in development. Likely because so much proprietary technology involved and AF systems are pretty sophisticated parts of current cameras, and results are excellent with native lenses.

MF with older lenses is an option, but not in my case, as my truly MF ones are very old screw Takumars (Asahi Pentax) and Also ancient Leica M lenses.

Will keep following it anyway, thanks again.

FSPhoto · Aug 31, 2017

Yes but it's not just the SW I could not find on the Commlite web site, it's the new adaptor.

NetSlob · Sep 1, 2017

AZ Steve said:
Many thanks for the report. Since you mention the VR fail with the kit lens, I presume VR works to at least some extent with the 200-500mm. On my ver 4 no stabilization works with any internally-stabilized lens.

I ordered the PRO ver 5 one from Sharpest Light, Hong Kong. Expectations pretty low.

200-500 VR does work with the new "PRO" Commlite. The electronic aperture control works great.

I'm sorry to report that my Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 G FX prime barely works with the Commlite. I did some testing today and was sorely disappointed. Sometimes it focuses slowly, sometimes not at all. It's pretty much an experience in frustration and I wouldn't recommend the combo to anyone.

What's odd is that Commlite's website lists the 85 f/1.8 as a supported lens in ver 4 of the firmware. But mine barely cooperates.

You guys may find this video interesting -- it displays testing with a huge number of Nikkor lenses.

wburgphoto · Sep 1, 2017

Sony's glass is so good I dont see the point in adapting at all unless its a tilt shift lens or something Sony doesnt offer at all. Just convert all Cannikon glass to a handful of Sony primes and live la dolce vita.

wburgphoto · Sep 1, 2017

NetSlob said:
sorry to report that my Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 G FX prime barely works with the Commlite.

Im happy to tell you the Sony 85 1.8 is a world class optic for $600.

Nikon lenses with a7RII? Your experience.

Forum Pro

Leading Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Forum Pro

Forum Pro

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Forum Enthusiast

Leading Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Well-known member

Leading Member

Forum Pro

Well-known member

Forum Enthusiast

wburgphoto

Guest

wburgphoto

Guest

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts