Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

I've just ordered a FS5 and now want to get an adapter for my Nikon G DX lenses. Initially after discussions in other threads I thought the standard Metabones version was the way to go at just under £100

I'm assuming this one? Metabones]Metabones Smart Adapter - Nikon G to Sony E (MB_NFG-E-BM1) - Wex Photographic

But then I watched a video by Alister Chapman and he recommends the MTF Nikon adapter at nearly £300

This one I assume: MTF MTNIKSEM Nikon G to Sony E Mount Adaptor (NEX & VG10 & FS100) - MTF from Tnp Broadcast UK

So what is the difference that justifies nearly x3 the price? Also I'm spotting some Commlite versions on eBay for around £50, so are they worth considering?

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Back when I used a Panasonic AF-100, I bought an MTF Nikon G to Micro 4/3 adapter. The lens release on that adapter was small and very stiff, resulting in my tearing up my thumbnail whenever I released the lens. I replaced that with a Voigtlander adapter, which was much easier to operate.
When I got a Sony FS7, I couldn't find a Voigtlander adapter for it, but I got a Metabones Nikon G to Sony E adapter, and it works great. (I did NOT get the Speedbooster version, just the mount adapter.)

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

I can't think of what would justify such a difference for a passive adaptor.

To be honest for my VG10 I've spent 3 years using a cheap chinese adaptor costing about 15 quid which has been fine. A little bit of play on the mount but otherwise fine. Image wise its always been fine. As its been used the movement on the aperture ring has become looser. But it cost next to nothing!

But for the FS5 I have a Metabones mount on order as it has measures to reduce internal reflections and is supposed to have a tighter fit and nicer aperture control.

But they are all passive adapters and it was hard to justify the cost of the Metabones one let alone one even more expensive.

I'll feed back on the Metabones once I have it.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

That's why I would never get a cheap adapter, even if it's just a passive one, that little bit of play makes it useless because everytime you touch your lens to focus you risk introducing a shake in your image which only gets worse in zoom lenses. You also can have just the opposite, that it requires force to get the lens on the adapter or the adapter on the camera causing one of the mounts getting damaged while you have to apply excessive force to get it off again.

Those very cheap adapters are often not machined precisely enough for a tight fit which is crucial, you can also ask yourself, if you just spend that amount on a camera, is it worth to save a bit on a adapter?

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

When I say "play", let me be clear that it wasn't loose. If you gripped the lens firmly and started moving it then you could feel it wasn't a tight fit. Adjusting the focus wasn't a problem however. I do take your point but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as you describe.

And as I said, I'm not willing to tolerate that on the FS5 hence the Metabones has been ordered.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

I just wanted to warn Nigel about those cheap Commlite versions on eBay for around £50, they are cheap for a reason.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Nigel,

I use both the standard and the speed booster versions of the Metabones Nikon to eMount adapters and they both are great...rock solid. No worries.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Is this the version you have, ie the 'smart' version?

Metabones Smart Adapter - Nikon G to Sony E (MB_NFG-E-BM1) - Wex Photographic

Would I be right is saying this adaptor will give my FS5 electronic control over the aperture in my Nikon G lenses? In other words would the FS5 take care of automatic exposure?

On is there a simpler route on the FS5 where you can set the Nikon lens to a specific aperture and the FS5 will adjust the electronic ND to provide correct exposure?

I guess what I'm trying to work out is whether I'll need to set both focus and aperture manually with Nikon glass on my FS5 or if there's any way the camera can take care of exposure? Obviously in run-n-gun scenarios I'd rather not be doing both.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

The adapters have no electronic connections to the camera. They are manual adapters. If you want electronic connections head to the Canon lens side.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Hi Jemery. I know that's true of the standard mechanical version. But on this smart version they claim:

True electronic integration of aperture diaphragm - let camera automatically choose aperture in P or S exposure modes, or dial in yourself on the camera body in A or M modes.
EXIF data such as lens identification, focal length and aperture.

Obviously this relates to the modes found on Sony NEX cameras, but I was wondering if any of this carried over onto the FS5 since they are both, I assume, set up the same way electronically on their E mounts.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

I read in a review that there were accuracy problems with the commlite smart nikon to Sony E adapter.
The Commlite Nikon F to Sony E adapter will come with autofocus and stabilization support | Nikon Rumors
That was a pre-production model, so current release may be improved.
I've heard rumors that Techart could be making a similar adapter.
Interesitngly enough, they have an autofocus adapter that will work with manual lenses.
Not sure how that can be done, but if it works that would be incredible.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

The speed booster version of the Metabones Nikon to eMount adapter has NO electronic integration. I used it on an Interview shoot this afternoon with my Nikon 80-200 f2.8 and it was great, but it is fully manual.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Now I might be wrong, but looking around the Net there seem to be three versions of the Metabones Nikon to Sony adapter. 1) The standard one without electronics, 2) The speedbooster version 3) A standard version, but also termed 'smart', with (I assume) electronics.

It's the third version I'm referring to. You can see it advertised here with reference to the smart features: Metabones Smart Adapter - Nikon G to Sony E (MB_NFG-E-BM1) - Wex Photographic

Look under the 'Further Details' tab.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

THE Nikon G to E mount Speed Booster ULTRA

"Remark: This mount is manual aperture control. It does NOT support electronic aperture control. "

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Hi Jeremy. I'm not sure which one of us is getting confused. It's probably me since I don't own any of the range and can only go by what's on the Net.

But from your last post you seem to be referring to the Speedbooster, which is option 2) in my former post. Here in the UK that costs circa £400.

I am referencing option 3) the standard Metabones Nikon to Sony adapter that it appears to have been given their 'smart' adapter' technology.

Quote on Metabones website: "Our new Smart AdapterTM series of products add industry-leading electronic interfacing technology from Canada, with true electronic control of the lens' aperture directly from the camera body."

Metabones®

This new smart version costs approx. £120, wheras the older non-smart version costs circa £90.

If I'm right you own the other two Metabones adapters, ie the original non-electronic and the Speedbooster non-electronic.

I don't think you own the smart/electronic version. So am I misunderstanding something and you know something about this smart version?

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Nigel,

They make two kinds of adapters for the Nikon and neither of them offer electronic integration. I own both. There is not a third smart adapter for the Nikon mount. I just went on their website and saw that they have text with the Nikon adapter that does not go with it. If you examine the photos you will see that there are NO electronic contacts on the Nikon mounts. Go and demo one and you will see. Never found auto focus useful anyway with video cameras.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Thanks Jeremy. Their website certainly gives the wrong impression. So much so retailers like WEX are calling this adapter 'smart' when obviously it isn't.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

My adaptor arrived today. Not tried it yet but the machining and quality appear far above the previous adaptor I used.

Not bothered about lack of autofocus and aperture control from the camera. I always shoot fully manual so can't see the benefit unless you had the thing on a drone or something. Last thing I want is the camera making decisions for me.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

My FS5 has turned up and I'm worried about attaching my Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 mk1 to it by any sort of adapater. This 70-200 weighs circa 1.5kg and waiving that sort of bulk around on the end of an adapter is asking for trouble.

I realise the metabones (and others) have tripod mounts buit in to the collar, but that's still a lot of weight on either side of the adapter and of no use when going hand held.

The only thing I can think of is folks are holding the 70-200 in one hand and the FS5 in the other. But that will make swapping between focussing and zooming very hard to do with your lens supporting hand. So has anyone got another solution, eg using additional grip/bars supporting both underneath?

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

I've been trying, and failing, to find any suggestion from Sony as to what the maximum unsupported weight should be for the FS5. But 1.5KG sounds like it would make the camera awfully front heavy.

You might need to look into a set of rails/support system. Been looking into it myself and it looks like a minefield!

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Thanks Marcus. If you do find any appropriate rails, please drop me a line? I'll also investigate possible solutions.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Would something like this:

Gemtune Telephoto lens support for long big lens SUNWAYFOTO | eBay

or this work?

Telephoto Lens Support Long-focus Holder & 250mm Quick Release Plate For Tripod | eBay

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

This mght also work: Telephoto Lens Bracket Long Focus Support 20cm Quick Release Plate for Arca swiss Tripod Ball Head Clamp Canon Nikon Sony Camera-in Tripod Monopods from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Or this: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DHL-O...08.4.45.ZbdowE

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Will the Metabones speed booster work with Nikon DX (APS-C) lenses on a FS5? I realise it works with FX lenses but what about something like the Nikor 35mm f1.8 DX lens or even the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 DX ii?

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

A DX lens is not a full frame lens, therefore it won't work with a speedbooster. However, you could use a non-speedbooster adapter with a DX lens (or FX lens) but then you won't get the benefits of wider angle and faster aperture. Do you really need a speedbooster with a f/1.8 lens anyway?

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

I shoot in a lot of dimly lit churches so the extra stop, even on a f1.8, would be very welcome. However I was more interested in the Tokina 11-16mmm f2.8 though since I also shoot properties. Thus the 0.7 crop and extra stop would be huge benefit in that scenario. But I suspect there could be strong vignetting and distortion.

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Tokina 11-16 --
Not exactly an answer to your question, but may help provide an answer...

I don't have a speed booster, but I tried mounting my 11-16 onto my A7s in full frame mode.
When in movie mode (16:9 sensor area) vignetting starts just above 14mm on the lens,
In stills mode (full frame) vignetting starts at 15mm

So...
This presumably means that if you are really interested in that extra stop of exposure, you should be able to use a speedbooster, shoot at the 'long' end of the 11-16, end up with the equivalent of a usable 10.2 - 11.5 zoom at approx f/2
Just don't expect to be able to zoom out any further!

Re: Confused over Nikon adapters for FS5
 

Thanks Dave. I decided to order the Speed booster since some of my Nikon lenses are FX, so there is still some value in it. The extra stop on the DX Tokina would be nice, particularly since I don't like to run it at f2.8 where it is noticeably softer.