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When will a NIKON AF adapter be available?


hunterp
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Actually a Chinese manufacturer posted a month ago or so a video of a prototipe of a Nikon-Sony adapter with fully functional af (at least when used with AF-S lenses).

 

From what I recall it looked as it was working pretty decently as well, but no word on when they'll start selling it other than a generic "soon".

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In pre-production now but no final release date yet:

AF on this brand's Canon adaptor tends to be ranked worse than competitors - it's a much cheaper alternative.

Assuming their Nikon version is comparable, even the final version of this Nikon adaptor might not offer 100% reliable AF.

 


what do you mean with news on SAR

 

News will be posted on http://www.sonyalpharumors.com (aka SAR).

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Its kind of odd not to have autofocus F to E mount adapters already.  Clearly, folks like Metabone and others know how to do it, yet one doesn't exist - why?

 

The only thing I can think of is Nikon legal action.  Probably their "proprietary" interface and patent that protects them from others simply reverse engineering the adapter.

 

Since all the adapters on the market today for F mount are a dumb adapters, there is nothing Nikon can do about that (since F mount is used by others to make lenses and accessories already).  

 

So, given that, how likely is it for Commlite to actually sell what they are developing.  How long before they get cease and desist letter, if not already?

 

Hope I'm wrong as I am making the move from Nikon to Sony (a7R2 - should be delivered today) and own several Nikkors. 

 

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Its kind of odd not to have autofocus F to E mount adapters already.  Clearly, folks like Metabone and others know how to do it, yet one doesn't exist - why?

 

The only thing I can think of is Nikon legal action.  Probably their "proprietary" interface and patent that protects them from others simply reverse engineering the adapter.

 

Since all the adapters on the market today for F mount are a dumb adapters, there is nothing Nikon can do about that (since F mount is used by others to make lenses and accessories already).  

 

So, given that, how likely is it for Commlite to actually sell what they are developing.  How long before they get cease and desist letter, if not already?

 

Hope I'm wrong as I am making the move from Nikon to Sony (a7R2 - should be delivered today) and own several Nikkors. 

 

 

The "funny" thing is that an adapter for the old, screwdriver, lenses should be pretty straightforward to do (probably bulky, though, like the LA-EA4). And that would open the possibility to use a ton of pretty good glass with af...

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Well here it is the middle of September, and... nothing.   The adapter was 'close to production' back in June.  But hey, they had a video!

 

In today's world, any tech product you want is 'rumored', 'in development' or [cough] 'pre-production'.  I think vaporware has become an industry.  You make a video, and investors line up.  Or if your think your competitor is working on something, you create a video that looks like you're doing it to but are further along; he gives up his real project, and consumers get nothing. 

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A local geek here has been closely working with his Japanese partners for twenty years. The fact is very simple. There is no such thing as "brand" competition in-between different Japanese camera and lens makers. Each product they produce is simply discussed and carefully planned before appearing in the market. A Nikon F mount to Sony FE mount AF adapter is potentially threatening Nikon's survival so this product is not produced until they think it is time to launch one.

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Its kind of odd not to have autofocus F to E mount adapters already.  Clearly, folks like Metabone and others know how to do it, yet one doesn't exist - why?

 

The only thing I can think of is Nikon legal action.  Probably their "proprietary" interface and patent that protects them from others simply reverse engineering the adapter.

 

Since all the adapters on the market today for F mount are a dumb adapters, there is nothing Nikon can do about that (since F mount is used by others to make lenses and accessories already).  

 

So, given that, how likely is it for Commlite to actually sell what they are developing.  How long before they get cease and desist letter, if not already?

 

Hope I'm wrong as I am making the move from Nikon to Sony (a7R2 - should be delivered today) and own several Nikkors. 

No, it isn't Nikon legal action.  It's adapter complexity.

 

Precision mechanics are expensive and difficult.  Electronics are cheap and easy.  That's why the only AF adapters in existence for lenses with any sort of mechanical linkage come from the manufacturer of BOTH lens and body mounts - the Sony LA-EAn series.

 

All other AF adapters on the market are for mounts that are 100% electronic with zero mechanical linkages.  (Canon EF and Contax G)

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Great to see the update on SAR - Thanks!

 

"The Chinese forum Xitek interviewed the Nikon F to E-mount autotofocus adapter developer. The developer promised to keep improving the autofocus performance.  And today for the very first time the adapter is on sale on Taobab. After that it will go on sale on eBay under the “Commlite” brand name." 

 

When will it go on sale at eBay???

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A second entrant for this area by Steel Chang (SAR report and video) is a great news.

 

We just need them available and real world testing....

 

Hope by the end of 2016Q1, we'll have both the reviews, and availability for both makers.

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The Commlite Nikon F to Sony E AF adapter comes in january. I preordered one on ebay (chinaoptics, along with 75 other people) and got the message from the seller today that delivery is moved to mid of january due to firmwareupdates.

 

Cheers

Tom

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