How I chose adapters for the NEX

[Pontus]

I've done a lot of research on adapters for the NEX system. Here's how I chose and why:

It took me a long time to figure out which adapters to buy for my lenses. I decided that I would not buy any no-name adapters. I'm fond of my lenses and some of them are rather expensive so I don't want to take any risks.

I chose Novoflex for the following lens mounts:
- Minolta MC/MD
- Contax C/Y
- Canon FD
- Leica R
- M42
- Olympus OM
- Pentax K
The cost is high but the quality is excellent and I can use the Novoflex ASTAT-NEX tripod collar with all of these adapters.

Contax G:
Metabones - Best quality but rather large and heavy. I found a used one cheap, otherwise I might have chosen a Kipon.

X-Fujinon
Kiwifotos - The only one available.

Nikon F:
Kiwifotos - Found a couple of favourable reviews and it is inexpensive. I would have bought a Novoflex but they don't have one without the aperture mechanism. There is a very nice but expensive Voigtländer adapter available but I decided to save money on this one, especially since you cannot use the ASTAT-NEX tripod collar on the Voigtländer.

Olympus PEN-F:
Kiwifotos - Inexpensive and one of very few branded adapters available (no Novoflex or Voigtländer yet). I could have bought the Fotodiox as well.

Leica-M:
Hawk's v2 - Good quality with helicoid (quasi macro), it is expensive but worth the cost I think. Did not want to buy clones especially as the lenses tend to be expensive, I do not want to take any chances.

Minolta/Sony AF:
Sony LA-EA1 - Can be had for a good price right now, much less expensive than the LA-EA2 and no light transmission loss. AF works with SSM and SAM lenses with the LA-EA1 (AF does work on all a-mount lenses with the LA-EA2 and better too but at a significant cost).

[iangreenhalgh1]

I've got about a dozen NEX adapters, all from China, cheap ones, and they are all really good, not had an issue with any of them.

I have the Kiwifotos Fujinon-X one and the quality is identical to the unbranded ones, probably came out of the same factory in China.

[Tedat]

I didn't had problems with cheap chinese adapters.. except for Konica AR, Fotga was the only one which is tight enough with all my AR lenses. I had big_is and two similar looking adapters, all was too loose either on NEX or lense side.

[iangreenhalgh1]

That's interesting, I've got a few big is adapters and not had that problem.

[Pontus]

I do agree that the Novoflex adapters probably are overkill but on the other hand I don't find them that expensive. The ones I decided to buy are about 110 euros each on average if bought from Germany. Kipon/Metabones/Voigtlander/Sony/Hawk's are all in the same price range or even more expensive.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Wow, 110 euros. I think I paid 15-20 each for the cheap ones.

The EOS one I got feels a bit light but works good, the Praktica PB and Contax/Yashica ones are heavy and feel real quality.

Then again, I don't have any really expenses lenses to worry about.

[Pontus]

[Tedat]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Yes, I have two AR-NEX adapters, not had a problem with either.

To me, machined aluminium is machined aluminium, I could understand if the cheap ones had issues, but honestly, I can't fault any of the ones I have.

[Pontus]

I received the Kiwifotos LMA-FJ.EM adapter for X-Fujinon mount and the Kiwifotos LMA-PEN.EM for Zuiko PEN-F mount.

The X-Fujinon adapter fits well and focuses spot on at infinity with my EBC X-Fujinon 50/1.6 but there is a problem (I think). I can't change aperture, the lens is stuck fully open. When I hold the lens in my hand without camera and adapter I can change aperture by turning the aperture ring while sliding a small lever half a centimeter. Shouldn't the adapter be constructed so that the lever goes into the right position when the lens is mounted? Do I really have to modify the lens (fix the lever in the right position somehow)?

The PEN-F adapter is way too tight. I can barely attach my 40/1.2 to the adapter but the fit is so tight that I'm afraid to break the lens when I attach or detach the lens to the adapter. I have to apply way too much force. With the 60/1.5 it gets worse, I haven't dared attach the lens to the adapter because I'm sure something would give in.

I'm not too happy right now.

[Attila]

I also use cheap Chinese ones, no serious issue.

[Rolf]

[Pontus]

I noticed today that the Kiwifotos PEN-F adapter does not allow aperture setting either. I have to push a button on the lens in order for the aperture to work. Are there any adapters available that will make the lenses aperture mechanisms work as they should?

[Pontus]

UPDATE: My Kiwifotos adapter for PEN-F now fits perfectly. I unscrewed the three small screws and the shiny ring came loose. I used a diamond file to remove a very slight amount of metal and now the fit is just right. Shouldn't have needed to do this on a brand new adapter though.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I think you were just unlucky there, not had any problems with any of my cheap adapters.

[ManualFocus-G]

I received my Pen-F to Nex adapter today and seem to have suffered the opposite problem to the one described here i.e. the bayonet is too loose, meaning that the locking pin doesn't work I guess this is why some of the adapters are very tight...the locking pin only extends by about 1mm Or is just my lens?

[Pontus]

[Feldin]

Do you guys know any good and affordable Pentax DA to NEX adapter?
I have my two kit zoom from my last d20 and I'd like to try them on the NEX3

Or for Minolta AF?

[Hari]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I've got a C/Y-NEX adapter sat here I only used once, Optix brand, worked great for me.

[Hari]

[Hatch]

My experience is that all my adapters had to be shimmed for infinity.

Depending om the locking system it's wise to invest in a more expensive adapter, or not.

An M mount adapter has a simple pin which locks the lens.
Easy to make well.

Minolta has a sort of claw though which if not engineered or finished properly can cause problems.
So for the M I use a cheap brand and for Minolta a Novoflex.

For my Contax lenses I'll get a Novoflex I think.
Just so I can use the tripod adapter for tele's on both systems.

It'll probably need shimming as well though

[peterqd]

Does anyone know where I cam buy a plain M42-NEX adapter without the flange that pushes the pin?

All the adapters on eBay seem to have this flange, and for me they are a problem. They don't accommodate Pentax S-M-C lenses properly - the aperture lever jams on the flange, stopping the lens screwing fully home and preventing any aperture adjustment. I prefer to set the A-M switch to Manual, which obviates the flange.

[bhargav]

[peterqd]