NF-GFX Fringer AF Performance On GFX50S

[Batdude]

I'm completely new to this system and I'm learning as I'm going.

I just got the Fringer adapter and I'm not very pleased with it. AF performance is not that great. My main dislike is that it hunts a bit too much. The GF 35-70 is really snappy, but other super expensive GFX native lenses are not fast either. I'm wasn't expecting for the Fringer to drive my Nikkor lenses as fast as if they were on my Nikon bodies, but I did expect more decent performance. Simple as that.

I have been writing to Fringer and this is what they told me: "As for AF performance, since you are using GFX50s which don't support PDAF, low AF performance is normal. Many SLR lenses were designed for PDAF only. Contrast AF is much slower and error-prone on them. If you do want SLR-like AF performance, you may consider GFX100 or GFX100S."

Will Fringer be capable of improving AF in the near future with this adapter, that I have no idea, but the support person doesn't sound very optimistic.

Is it true that if I had a GFX100 series my Nikkor lenses work better?

Having said that, if I end up returning this NF-GFX adapter, is there any option like getting a different mount with different brand lenses that perform much better? What options do I have?

Worst case scenario I'll just return the adapter and shoot manual, or keep this adapter and such it up hahaha!

Thanks

 

[Knorp]

I'm completely new to this system and I'm learning as I'm going.

I just got the Fringer adapter and I'm not very pleased with it. AF performance is not that great. My main dislike is that it hunts a bit too much. The GF 35-70 is really snappy, but other super expensive GFX native lenses are not fast either. I'm wasn't expecting for the Fringer to drive my Nikkor lenses as fast as if they were on my Nikon bodies, but I did expect more decent performance. Simple as that.

I have been writing to Fringer and this is what they told me: "As for AF performance, since you are using GFX50s which don't support PDAF, low AF performance is normal. Many SLR lenses were designed for PDAF only. Contrast AF is much slower and error-prone on them. If you do want SLR-like AF performance, you may consider GFX100 or GFX100S."

Will Fringer be capable of improving AF in the near future with this adapter, that I have no idea, but the support person doesn't sound very optimistic.

Is it true that if I had a GFX100 series my Nikkor lenses work better?

Having said that, if I end up returning this NF-GFX adapter, is there any option like getting a different mount with different brand lenses that perform much better? What options do I have?

Worst case scenario I'll just return the adapter and shoot manual, or keep this adapter and such it up hahaha!

Thanks

Another worst case scenario: keep the adapter and swap your 50s for a (discounted) 100s and be happy/happier ...

All the best.
..............................................................................................................................
Bart

 

[bokesan]

I'm completely new to this system and I'm learning as I'm going.

I just got the Fringer adapter and I'm not very pleased with it. AF performance is not that great. My main dislike is that it hunts a bit too much. The GF 35-70 is really snappy, but other super expensive GFX native lenses are not fast either. I'm wasn't expecting for the Fringer to drive my Nikkor lenses as fast as if they were on my Nikon bodies, but I did expect more decent performance. Simple as that.

I have been writing to Fringer and this is what they told me: "As for AF performance, since you are using GFX50s which don't support PDAF, low AF performance is normal. Many SLR lenses were designed for PDAF only. Contrast AF is much slower and error-prone on them. If you do want SLR-like AF performance, you may consider GFX100 or GFX100S."

Will Fringer be capable of improving AF in the near future with this adapter, that I have no idea, but the support person doesn't sound very optimistic.

Yep. Contrast AF with largely unknown lens parameters will be slow and hunt a lot.

Is it true that if I had a GFX100 series my Nikkor lenses work better?

In principle, yes. The adapter is very new, though, and not as well-tested as the EF adapter. Might be a few firmware kinks to work out. Maybe you can test it with an 100s in a store?

Having said that, if I end up returning this NF-GFX adapter, is there any option like getting a different mount with different brand lenses that perform much better? What options do I have?

Unlikely. As said, the Fringer EF adapter has been on the market much longer and might work a bit better. But not much better because of contrast AF.
- Chris

 

[just Tony]

I'm completely new to this system and I'm learning as I'm going.

I just got the Fringer adapter and I'm not very pleased with it. AF performance is not that great. My main dislike is that it hunts a bit too much. The GF 35-70 is really snappy, but other super expensive GFX native lenses are not fast either. I'm wasn't expecting for the Fringer to drive my Nikkor lenses as fast as if they were on my Nikon bodies, but I did expect more decent performance. Simple as that.

I have been writing to Fringer and this is what they told me: "As for AF performance, since you are using GFX50s which don't support PDAF, low AF performance is normal. Many SLR lenses were designed for PDAF only. Contrast AF is much slower and error-prone on them. If you do want SLR-like AF performance, you may consider GFX100 or GFX100S."

Will Fringer be capable of improving AF in the near future with this adapter, that I have no idea, but the support person doesn't sound very optimistic.

Is it true that if I had a GFX100 series my Nikkor lenses work better?

The Sigma Art 40mm has acceptable PDAF behavior on the 100S that is nearly in line with the native GF 45. There is a touch of hunting in the end game that I didn’t see with the GF but it does settle within a fraction of a second.

Anecdote: A truly unacceptable behavior to me with the Techart TZ-02 (Sony E to Nikon Z) was its cycling that can continue for a few seconds and/or settles at a far out of focus condition. Strictly manual focus if I should ever need it again.

Having said that, if I end up returning this NF-GFX adapter, is there any option like getting a different mount with different brand lenses that perform much better? What options do I have?

Worst case scenario I'll just return the adapter and shoot manual, or keep this adapter and such it up hahaha!

Thanks

--
Wag more; bark less.

 

[bobby350z]

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

 

[Batdude]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

 

[bobby350z]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

Is this Fringer Pro adapter? My Sigma 135mm f1.8 works quite good on GFX100s.

 

[Batdude]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

Is this Fringer Pro adapter? My Sigma 135mm f1.8 works quite good on GFX100s.

I'm not an expert with these adapters, but I believe it is. I just don't know why only the Canon EF mount says "pro". I have no clue why the "pro" is not printed on the other adapters. Maybe Canon payed Fringer to say that?

 

[dbateman]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

Is this Fringer Pro adapter? My Sigma 135mm f1.8 works quite good on GFX100s.

I'm not an expert with these adapters, but I believe it is. I just don't know why only the Canon EF mount says "pro". I have no clue why the "pro" is not printed on the other adapters. Maybe Canon payed Fringer to say that?

No the pro adapter has an added control ring which turns on the adapter.

There are other Fringer EF-mount adapter that aren't pro, which don't have that control ring.

 

[VoltMan]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

If you’re referring to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM - it’s not listed as tested and optimized for this adapter. The Sigma Art line is reported to be very good with AF on this adapter. The Art primes are also tested , corrected , etc. I’m getting the Art 85 1.4 to test next week.

 

[bobby350z]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

Is this Fringer Pro adapter? My Sigma 135mm f1.8 works quite good on GFX100s.

I'm not an expert with these adapters, but I believe it is. I just don't know why only the Canon EF mount says "pro". I have no clue why the "pro" is not printed on the other adapters. Maybe Canon payed Fringer to say that?

How much was it? The canon one is $500.

 

[VoltMan]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

Is this Fringer Pro adapter? My Sigma 135mm f1.8 works quite good on GFX100s.

I'm not an expert with these adapters, but I believe it is. I just don't know why only the Canon EF mount says "pro". I have no clue why the "pro" is not printed on the other adapters. Maybe Canon payed Fringer to say that?

How much was it? The canon one is $500.

Canon - EF Pro -GFX version has a physical aperture ring control that operates in 1/3 stop increments. $474.

Nikon - NF-GFX doesn’t have a ring - lacks physical clearance I would think. $499. Mine just arrived.

 

[Batdude]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

Is this Fringer Pro adapter? My Sigma 135mm f1.8 works quite good on GFX100s.

I'm not an expert with these adapters, but I believe it is. I just don't know why only the Canon EF mount says "pro". I have no clue why the "pro" is not printed on the other adapters. Maybe Canon payed Fringer to say that?

How much was it? The canon one is $500.

Canon - EF Pro -GFX version has a physical aperture ring control that operates in 1/3 stop increments. $474.

Nikon - NF-GFX doesn’t have a ring - lacks physical clearance I would think. $499. Mine just arrived.

Correct, $499.

 

[Batdude]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

If you’re referring to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM - it’s not listed as tested and optimized for this adapter. The Sigma Art line is reported to be very good with AF on this adapter. The Art primes are also tested , corrected , etc. I’m getting the Art 85 1.4 to test next week.

Hahahaha that sucks the reason why I had originally purchased this Sigma lens version is because it is so much smaller and lighter. That Sigma Art lens is just too damn big and heavy that's why I never got it and this Sigma 85mm EX DG I'm using is just as good.

I'm going to have to contact Fringer to talk about that hopefully they will add it to the list. But, I will say this, my Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G seems to be on the list yet the AF is not very good. I was really surprised because this particular Nikon lens has a really fast internal auto focusing this lens is one of THE fastest lenses I have ever used yet is really slow on the 50S thru the Fringer adapter.

Yes I know and I understand the 50S is the slowest of them all but I still think the Fringer adapter's software is not the greatest either. That's my impression.

 

[bobby350z]

Yes I know and I understand the 50S is the slowest of them all but I still think the Fringer adapter's software is not the greatest either. That's my impression.

Have you tried TechArt or Kipon? Fringer Pro is so much better.

 

[Batdude]

Yes I know and I understand the 50S is the slowest of them all but I still think the Fringer adapter's software is not the greatest either. That's my impression.

Have you tried TechArt or Kipon? Fringer Pro is so much better.

No I haven't, got a link?

 

[bobby350z]

Yes I know and I understand the 50S is the slowest of them all but I still think the Fringer adapter's software is not the greatest either. That's my impression.

Have you tried TechArt or Kipon? Fringer Pro is so much better.

No I haven't, got a link?

They aren't worth it. Fringer is the best option atleast for Canon-GF adapter.

 

[VoltMan]

1. bobby350z wrote:

I don't shoot Nikon but would also depend on how good those Nikon lenses are to begin with. All adaptor mfg always come with Canon first and then Nikon is thrown in later. Maybe it is due to larger base of Canon I don't know. On GFX100s my Fringer Pro is as good as native GF lenses. I haven't tried in on my GFX50s. It would be slow, how slow I am not sure. I have Kipon and TechArt, and both were slow on the GFX50s.

The Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G is a really fast and snappy AF lens. Is quick as heck. My Sigma 85 1.4 HSM DX is also very responsive, It is unfortunate that they perform not very good on this Fringer adapter.

If you’re referring to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM - it’s not listed as tested and optimized for this adapter. The Sigma Art line is reported to be very good with AF on this adapter. The Art primes are also tested , corrected , etc. I’m getting the Art 85 1.4 to test next week.

Hahahaha that sucks the reason why I had originally purchased this Sigma lens version is because it is so much smaller and lighter. That Sigma Art lens is just too damn big and heavy that's why I never got it and this Sigma 85mm EX DG I'm using is just as good.

I'm going to have to contact Fringer to talk about that hopefully they will add it to the list. But, I will say this, my Nikon 50 1.8 AFS-G seems to be on the list yet the AF is not very good. I was really surprised because this particular Nikon lens has a really fast internal auto focusing this lens is one of THE fastest lenses I have ever used yet is really slow on the 50S thru the Fringer adapter.

Yes I know and I understand the 50S is the slowest of them all but I still think the Fringer adapter's software is not the greatest either. That's my impression.

The 50S is pretty slow at focusing although people don’t like to admit it. I have a GF 45-100/4. My portraiture “sensei” got really frustrated with me because I seemed to miss focus too often with it - then he tried using the camera and came up with nearly the same miss rate - under LED lighting I might add. And he’s an oft published pro. Sony A1 shooter.

Yes fair enough on the Nikon AF-S 50 1.8G! I also have a 50S. To be clear - I will be testing the adapter and a few rental lenses first, mostly for vignette and distortion issues. If it passes those tests I’ll rent the GFX100S and do a final judgement on AF. If that passes I’ll upgrade to the GFX100S. If it doesn’t I’ll keep the 50S, rent 110/2, and reconsider my everyday system needs.

 

[VoltMan]

Yes I know and I understand the 50S is the slowest of them all but I still think the Fringer adapter's software is not the greatest either. That's my impression.

Have you tried TechArt or Kipon? Fringer Pro is so much better.

No I haven't, got a link?

They aren't worth it. Fringer is the best option atleast for Canon-GF adapter.

My TechArt EF-GFX works fantastic- …. as an expensive paperweight. .

 

[rokoko]

"As for AF performance, since you are using GFX50s which don't support PDAF, low AF performance is normal. Many SLR lenses were designed for PDAF only. Contrast AF is much slower and error-prone on them. If you do want SLR-like AF performance, you may consider GFX100 or GFX100S."

I bought 50SII first, sold it eventually because of the same problem.

Will Fringer be capable of improving AF in the near future with this adapter, that I have no idea, but the support person doesn't sound very optimistic.

So far I have no experience CDAF is well supported by adapters in the market from Fringer, Metabone, Techart, Simga etc.

Is it true that if I had a GFX100 series my Nikkor lenses work better?

Having said that, if I end up returning this NF-GFX adapter, is there any option like getting a different mount with different brand lenses that perform much better? What options do I have?

Please ask Fringer the question how Nikon adapter compares to Canon. I don't have the Nikon version to speak of. And I am not quite sure how many F mount lenses have large enough image circles to cover the GFX sensor. You can check this:

Lenses: Coverage of Full Frame Lenses on Larger Formats - Google Sheets

My approach was replacing my F mount lenses by EF mount equivalents like Milvus 135/2 etc., adding some more together with what I already have (EF lenses).

PDAF on 100/s is not as good as FF camera yet.