Using Metabones Adapters
Aug 3, 2014 08:25:52 #
I have a Nikon D800 and am thinking of getting a Sony A7R as a backup camera and for street photography. I initially plan to purchase only one Sony-Zeiss lens, either the 35mm 2.8 or the 55mm 1.8. I am also planning to purchase a Metabones adapter so I can use my Nikon AF-S Type G lenses, albeit with manual focus until I can purchase more Sony lenses. I'm wondering how difficult is is to move the Metabones adapter from one lens to another,-Is this a problem because of tight fit?
Aug 3, 2014 08:58:44 #
steveg48 wrote:
I have a Nikon D800 and am thinking of getting a Sony A7R as a backup camera and for street photography. I initially plan to purchase only one Sony-Zeiss lens, either the 35mm 2.8 or the 55mm 1.8. I am also planning to purchase a Metabones adapter so I can use my Nikon AF-S Type G lenses, albeit with manual focus until I can purchase more Sony lenses. I'm wondering how difficult is is to move the Metabones adapter from one lens to another,-Is this a problem because of tight fit?
I bought an A7 a couple weeks ago and one of the first things I noticed when using an older lens was that manually focusing it was nearly impossible with the EVF of the LCD. Somewhat easier when on a tripod but handheld the results were mostly not worth using.
Aug 3, 2014 09:10:19 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I bought an A7 a couple weeks ago and one of the first things I noticed when using an older lens was that manually focusing it was nearly impossible with the EVF of the LCD. Somewhat easier when on a tripod but handheld the results were mostly not worth using.
Thanks for your input.
Did you use focus peaking? I thought that was touted as being very good?
Aug 4, 2014 13:43:01 #
Several points in this long post:
I use the Metabones Mark IV and the Fotodiox Viselex ND Throttle adapters with my Sony A7r. The ND Throttle has a built-in variable ND filter, is designed for Canon lenses only as far as I can tell, but it eliminates the issue of vignetting with wide angle lenses, supports only manual focus.
The Metabones adapter works well either handheld or tripod mounted. I always use focus peaking (Red is my preference) and have been able to nail focus even when handheld. For the most part, only use Metabones AF when on a tripod because it is slower than manual. The A7r has several neat focus aids such as focus zoom and focus peaking. I have found that I prefer manual focus for most of my shooting, especially when handheld. Focus peaking is a key!
Have never had an issue changing lenses with the adapters. Once the adapter is mounted to the camera, changing lenses is the same as if there was no adapter (hit the lens release, twist, insert next lens, twist on).
I purchased the Sony-Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens for use in shooting panoramas with a Panosaurus 2.0 Pano head (on Amazon). Great lens. When I need other focal lengths I use my Canon lenses with an adapter, but generally avoid changing lenses because you have to find the nodal point for each focal length and the pano head is marked for the Sony lens.
I simultaneously use two L-Brackets on the camera and the Metabones adapter (unless the battery grip is installed, then only use an adapter on the Metabones). This allows use of Arca Swiss plates and use of large lenses with the diminutive A7r body (wouldn't want to hang a heavy lens off the camera, would rather hang the camera on the sturdily mounted lens). The $37 Desmond L-Plate bracket (for the camera body without battery grip) is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AR04OI2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and the one I leave on the Metabones adapter is the $99 Hejner Photo Sony NEX 7 bracket at http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=183&zenid=d7pgrtcias5rd2felku6an38k5 This setup allows you to remove the Metabones adapter and still have an L-bracket.
I recommend that you purchase additional batteries since the A7r has a small battery and it consumes a lot of power with its EVF and electronics. Can endorse Wasabi Power (versus expensive OEM) $27 for two batteries and a charger (not a typo) on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049WBZEK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Because the A7r camera burns through batteries so quickly I use a Sony VG-C1EM battery grip (kit has additional goodies) at http://www.amazon.com/VGC1EM-VGC-1EM-Camera-Batteries-Accessory/dp/B00HNEQ9F6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407173132&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+battery+grip+a7r It's pricey, but necessary in my work. There is an entire post on today's UHH about using a grip on a mirrorless camera. Appears to be comments by many people who don't own a MILC and a grip. It isn't only about weight when going the A7r route.
I am really pleased with the Sony A7r despite some of its shortcomings (the biggest is that it only shoots jpeg when using some of the cool features).
Feel free to contact me at tm2guy@gmail.com if you would like additional info. Name is Gary.
I use the Metabones Mark IV and the Fotodiox Viselex ND Throttle adapters with my Sony A7r. The ND Throttle has a built-in variable ND filter, is designed for Canon lenses only as far as I can tell, but it eliminates the issue of vignetting with wide angle lenses, supports only manual focus.
The Metabones adapter works well either handheld or tripod mounted. I always use focus peaking (Red is my preference) and have been able to nail focus even when handheld. For the most part, only use Metabones AF when on a tripod because it is slower than manual. The A7r has several neat focus aids such as focus zoom and focus peaking. I have found that I prefer manual focus for most of my shooting, especially when handheld. Focus peaking is a key!
Have never had an issue changing lenses with the adapters. Once the adapter is mounted to the camera, changing lenses is the same as if there was no adapter (hit the lens release, twist, insert next lens, twist on).
I purchased the Sony-Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens for use in shooting panoramas with a Panosaurus 2.0 Pano head (on Amazon). Great lens. When I need other focal lengths I use my Canon lenses with an adapter, but generally avoid changing lenses because you have to find the nodal point for each focal length and the pano head is marked for the Sony lens.
I simultaneously use two L-Brackets on the camera and the Metabones adapter (unless the battery grip is installed, then only use an adapter on the Metabones). This allows use of Arca Swiss plates and use of large lenses with the diminutive A7r body (wouldn't want to hang a heavy lens off the camera, would rather hang the camera on the sturdily mounted lens). The $37 Desmond L-Plate bracket (for the camera body without battery grip) is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AR04OI2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and the one I leave on the Metabones adapter is the $99 Hejner Photo Sony NEX 7 bracket at http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=183&zenid=d7pgrtcias5rd2felku6an38k5 This setup allows you to remove the Metabones adapter and still have an L-bracket.
I recommend that you purchase additional batteries since the A7r has a small battery and it consumes a lot of power with its EVF and electronics. Can endorse Wasabi Power (versus expensive OEM) $27 for two batteries and a charger (not a typo) on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049WBZEK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Because the A7r camera burns through batteries so quickly I use a Sony VG-C1EM battery grip (kit has additional goodies) at http://www.amazon.com/VGC1EM-VGC-1EM-Camera-Batteries-Accessory/dp/B00HNEQ9F6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407173132&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+battery+grip+a7r It's pricey, but necessary in my work. There is an entire post on today's UHH about using a grip on a mirrorless camera. Appears to be comments by many people who don't own a MILC and a grip. It isn't only about weight when going the A7r route.
I am really pleased with the Sony A7r despite some of its shortcomings (the biggest is that it only shoots jpeg when using some of the cool features).
Feel free to contact me at tm2guy@gmail.com if you would like additional info. Name is Gary.
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