Category Archives: Adapters

The best fullframe mirrorless camera for adapting manual focus lenses

Introduction

etz e to z e2z adapter neewer megadap techart comparison haoge nikon sony e-mount z-mount
Laowa 35mm 0.95 via Neewer ETZ on Nikon Zf

With the release of Sony’s first A7 series camera we saw a renaissance of many legacy lenses from “dead” mounts like Canon FD, Olympus OM, Minolta SR and several more. Because of flange focal distance issues these lenses often couldn’t be attached to modern DSLRs. And even if it was possible, it was a pain to use them on DSLRs, thanks to their matte screens being unsuitable for manual focus lenses.

Let’s have a look at the history of focusing aids in fullframe mirrorless cameras and who does it best.

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Review: Monster LA-FE1 and LA-FE2 AF Adapter (Nikon-F to Sony-E)

Introduction

monster la-fe2 lafe2 lafe 2 la-fe 2 II Mark MK autofocus autofokus auto focus adapter sony nikon z e mirrorless screwdrive screw driven review performance eye af
Monster LA-FE2 adapter

Canon users that wanted to get into the fullframe mirrorless E-mount world early were in a good spot: the Sigma MC-11 and the metabones Canon EF to Sony E adapters allowed using Canon EF-mount lenses on Sony cameras with only little limitations. For Nikon F-mount users the situation was sadly way worse and it took some time before the first similar adapter (Commlite CMF-EN1) was released – and that one had a lot of issues.

But suddenly, out of nowhere, the situation changed. With the release of the Monster LA-FE1 and later the LA-FE2 adapter we can now finally adapt Nikon F-mount lenses in a similar quality as those Canon EF-mount ones. The LA-FE2 even allows auto focus with the screwdriven Nikon AF(-D) lenses to work on Sony – something not even possible on Nikon’s own Z-mount cameras. Let’s have a closer look.
Update 07/24: more lenses tested, FW 06 for LA-FE1 tested

Continue reading Review: Monster LA-FE1 and LA-FE2 AF Adapter (Nikon-F to Sony-E)

Adapting Lenses – Still worth it in 2023?

Introduction

canon ef 200mm 2.0 l is usm sony 42mp high res review 1.8 comparison sharpness bokeh resolution brenizer
Canon EF 200mm 2.0 L IS on Sony A7III via Metabones Smart Adapter

There have always been people adapting lenses to other camera systems, but it was really the release of the Sony A7 that completely changed the game, being the first affordable fullframe mirrorless camera with a short flange focal distance, Liveview and built-in EVF.
This not only made it possible to use long forgotten legacy lenses from decades ago on a modern camera, it also led to some of the most sophisticated adapters we have seen so far.
This was the end of 2014 and since then a lot has changed, so let us see what are the reasons to adapt lenses and in what cases it is still worth it today.

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Leica M to Sony E Close Focus Adapters

Introduction

Sony A7s with Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron M (pre Asph) and VM-E Close Focus Adapter

Classic rangefinder lenses usually spot less staggering minimum focus distances compared to (D)SLR and the latest lenses for mirrorless cameras because of how focusing with rangefinder cameras works. In 2022 several manufacturers are offering close focus adapters. These adapters have their own additional helicoid which allows you to focus your lenses much closer than you could with a conventional adapter. I have used several of these myself, so let’s see which ones are worth the asking price.
Last Update: December 2024

Sample Images

7artisans leica summulix 28mm 1.4 f/1.4 wide angle fast 42mp sony feplus resolution contrast coma review close focus range macro extension tube helicoid adapter hawks factory
Sony A7rII | 7artisans 28mm 1.4 | f/1.4 | Hawk’s Factory Close Focus Adapter
raven Bokeh Voigtlander 28mm 2.0
Sony A7 | Voigtländer Ultron 2.0/28 | f/2.0 | Voigtländer VM-E Close Focus Adapter
7artisans leica summulix 28mm 1.4 f/1.4 wide angle fast 42mp sony feplus resolution contrast coma review close focus range macro extension tube helicoid adapter hawks factory
Sony A7rII | 7artisans 28mm 1.4 | f/1.4 | Hawk’s Factory Close Focus Adapter
bokeh summicron 90mm 2.0 sony a7 review 42mp leica m10 24mp sharpness contrast
Sony A7rII | Leica Summicron 90mm 2.0 pre-Asph | f/2.0 | Voigtländer VM-E Close Focus Adapter

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Review: Laowa Magic Shift Converter 17mm 4.0

Introduction

laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective
Sony A7rII with Laowa Magic Shift Converter and 12mm 2.8 Zero-D lens

You ask what the heck a Magic Shift Converter is? This is a 1.4x tele converter for wide angle lenses and adds ±10mm shift movement. It for example turns Laowa’s 12mm 2.8 in a 17mm 4.0 ±10mm shift lens. In this review you will find out how this can be useful and what the influence on the image quality of the master lens is.

Sample Images

laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/8.0
laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/8.0
laowa magic shift converter msc m.s.c. review 17mm 4.0 12mm 2.8 architecture correction perspective sample image
Sony A7rII | Laowa 12mm 2.8 Zero-D on Magic Shift Converter | f/4.0

Continue reading Review: Laowa Magic Shift Converter 17mm 4.0