E-Mount adapters at DVinfo.net

Stephen Gradin · April 30th, 2013, 09:38 AM

I plan on getting the Sony VG-30 so I can use it with my Steadicam Merlin, use it for an occasional interview, and be a good match to my existing Sony HDV cameras. I do not like the stock zoom lens (too slow for me for low light situations). I do not own any lenses so want to start from scratch and get some 2.0 or faster lenses. I am looking at some Sigma and Rokinon lenses (some auto, some completely manual) but need advice in picking out a lens adapter.

I like the Sony LA-EA1 but I hear it has issues when manually adjusting iris on lenses that have no manual iris ring (opens up fully, then closes down to assigned setting). Not a deal breaker for me, but can it at least do auto iris on lenses that have this capability (via the camera) or am I stuck with always manually adjusting the iris? The LA-EA2 is a little too pricey for me and I hear it soaks up some light due to the translucent mirror. Is this always the case or does it only soak up light when engaging auto focus? Can it do auto iris?

The other options I am looking at: Fotodiox, cheap but reviews not good (loose fit, light leaks); Metabones, they make reasonably priced Nikon adapter but does it have aperture ring?; Novoflex, good build but pricey, again does it have aperture ring?

For those of you who have any of these adapters, I would love your feedback.

John Vincent · April 30th, 2013, 08:53 PM

I have several of the Chinese $15-20 "dumb adapters (both FD and EOS to NEX), and all of them work fine. A few of them jiggle a little bit, both not enough to interfere with pulling focus and the like.

All but one of my lens is a manual F stop, so no real need for the more expensive "smart" adapters.

I'm interested in the metabones adapter myself, but haven't played with it yet.

Craig Marshall · May 1st, 2013, 07:43 AM

Now that I sold my 18-200, I use cheap passive $10 ebay adapters out of H.K and they are great. For wide, I have Sony's recent motor zoom, the SEL 16-50mm and for everything else I use only Carl Zeiss vintage primes. Their speed, 'look' and build quality cannot be surpassed. Now that Metabones have released their Speedbooster adapter mount in CY-NEX, it's top of my list.

Ron Little · May 16th, 2013, 07:31 AM

As far as I can tell the speed booster only works with full frame lenses. So most of my lenses will not work with it. My favorite lense the Tokina 11-16 is for APS-C. So I am getting the Metabones smart adapter MARK III. It won’t speed boost but it will control the lens, and looking at the list of tested lenses all of mine will work.

Chris Harding · May 16th, 2013, 07:43 AM

Hi Stephen

I have the Novoflex NIK/NEX and it's well worth the money ..you get get them for around $200 and they fit the camera with no issues and yes, they have a decent aperture ring too!! I also have a FOTGA adapter ..it's super tight on the Nikon lenses and won't fit on my EA-50 body at all...Total Junk!!

Buying the cheap Chinese adapters is like a raffle ..you might be lucky and get one that fits but most are way out of spec!!

Chris

April 30th, 2013, 09:38 AM	#1
Stephen Gradin Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nottingham, MD Posts: 66	E-Mount adapters I plan on getting the Sony VG-30 so I can use it with my Steadicam Merlin, use it for an occasional interview, and be a good match to my existing Sony HDV cameras. I do not like the stock zoom lens (too slow for me for low light situations). I do not own any lenses so want to start from scratch and get some 2.0 or faster lenses. I am looking at some Sigma and Rokinon lenses (some auto, some completely manual) but need advice in picking out a lens adapter. I like the Sony LA-EA1 but I hear it has issues when manually adjusting iris on lenses that have no manual iris ring (opens up fully, then closes down to assigned setting). Not a deal breaker for me, but can it at least do auto iris on lenses that have this capability (via the camera) or am I stuck with always manually adjusting the iris? The LA-EA2 is a little too pricey for me and I hear it soaks up some light due to the translucent mirror. Is this always the case or does it only soak up light when engaging auto focus? Can it do auto iris? The other options I am looking at: Fotodiox, cheap but reviews not good (loose fit, light leaks); Metabones, they make reasonably priced Nikon adapter but does it have aperture ring?; Novoflex, good build but pricey, again does it have aperture ring? For those of you who have any of these adapters, I would love your feedback. __________________ Stephen Gradin Dockside Video Productions

April 30th, 2013, 08:53 PM	#2
John Vincent Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,065	Re: E-Mount adapters I have several of the Chinese $15-20 "dumb adapters (both FD and EOS to NEX), and all of them work fine. A few of them jiggle a little bit, both not enough to interfere with pulling focus and the like. All but one of my lens is a manual F stop, so no real need for the more expensive "smart" adapters. I'm interested in the metabones adapter myself, but haven't played with it yet.

May 1st, 2013, 07:43 AM	#3
Craig Marshall Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 170	Re: E-Mount adapters Now that I sold my 18-200, I use cheap passive $10 ebay adapters out of H.K and they are great. For wide, I have Sony's recent motor zoom, the SEL 16-50mm and for everything else I use only Carl Zeiss vintage primes. Their speed, 'look' and build quality cannot be surpassed. Now that Metabones have released their Speedbooster adapter mount in CY-NEX, it's top of my list.

May 16th, 2013, 07:31 AM	#4
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	Re: E-Mount adapters As far as I can tell the speed booster only works with full frame lenses. So most of my lenses will not work with it. My favorite lense the Tokina 11-16 is for APS-C. So I am getting the Metabones smart adapter MARK III. It won’t speed boost but it will control the lens, and looking at the list of tested lenses all of mine will work.

May 16th, 2013, 07:43 AM	#5
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: E-Mount adapters Hi Stephen I have the Novoflex NIK/NEX and it's well worth the money ..you get get them for around $200 and they fit the camera with no issues and yes, they have a decent aperture ring too!! I also have a FOTGA adapter ..it's super tight on the Nikon lenses and won't fit on my EA-50 body at all...Total Junk!! Buying the cheap Chinese adapters is like a raffle ..you might be lucky and get one that fits but most are way out of spec!! Chris