New Commlite Nikon F autofocus adapter video

[SAR_admin]

[Jimmy Goodwood]

According to this video looks like the Nikon adapter works properly, but the Canon one just hunts.

 

I have pre-ordered it 3 weeks ago, and I am hoping it works on my long Sigma lenses. 120-300 2.8 & 150-500.

[JGM]

I received mine a few days ago. I will be posting a video review on my website and YouTUBE channel soon. TBH In it's current incarnation It doesn't work very well at all - it's very inconsistent with constant focus motor stutter and really slow focusing. (The 50mm on this video does it) My 70-200 zooms also just hunt and hunt for ages to acquire focus - similar to the performance of the Canon adapter in this video. Does it Autofocus? Yes! ...but not very well. In some cases it just locks up the A7R II and I have to switch off and on to reset. It is disappointing really - I hope they update the firmware (or hardware) soon to improve it. There's no way I'd recommend that someone spend over $300 on it based on the performance of the version I received. I will send my findings to them soon - hopefully they will take them on board and improve matters, because if they could improve it, it would be a handy piece of kit.

[reeltime]

Have you tried using just PDAF for focus settings?  Also what type of lens(es) have you tried?  Are you getting lens data / settings to show up on the camera display when shooting?  Have you confirmed that 'steady shot ' is working?  Is the camera reading the correct focal length of the lens your using?  If not you may need to enter the steady shot 'focal length info manually...  There are a lot of new 'focus modes' on the A7rII and a lot of the new settings don't work even with Sony A-mount lenses and an LA-EA3 adapter....  If you have a focus setting 'on' that is not compatible with the adapter it could be confusing the adapter reading, like face detection for example....   Any of these things may be causing focusing errors / hunting...  Also are your nikon lenses newer models?  I know most cannon pre 2006 lenses won't work well (or don't work at all) even on the $460 metabones IV adapter....

[JGM]

Happy New Year to you!   

Have you tried using just PDAF for focus settings? | It only works with PDAF at the moment.

 

Also what type of lens(es) have you tried? | 6 Nikon lenses, 3 Tamron lenses. Sigma are sending me some next week.

 

Are you getting lens data / settings to show up on the camera display when shooting? | Yes.

 

Have you confirmed that 'steady shot ' is working? | Yes. 

 

Is the camera reading the correct focal length of the lens your using? | The adapter passes the EXIF data to the camera correctly for every lens I tried. All the EXIF data is viewable in Lr CC.

 

There are a lot of new 'focus modes' on the A7rII and a lot of the new settings don't work even with Sony A-mount lenses and an LA-EA3 adapter....  If you have a focus setting 'on' that is not compatible with the adapter it could be confusing the adapter reading, like face detection for example.... | I am fully conversant with the different focus modes thanks. Commlite advised AF-S - Flexible Spot. I've used it in Wide mode too - much the same. For the hell of it I also tried it in AF-C mode but it was a complete nightmare.

 

Also are your nikon lenses newer models? | Yes. I am a Nikon Pro  - NPU supply me with lenses regularly. The Tamron lenses are all current too.

 

Based on the performance of the adapter I was sent, at the moment It's not happening mate. Believe me - I wanted it to be awesome straight out of the box, but it's not.  I really wish it was, because I'd use it all the time. I just looked at their launch video and they mention it wasn't working properly either. Hopefully they will improve it (quickly) via firmware/hardware to make it work consistently and make it usable in a professional capacity. For a piece of kit that costs $359 I guess they had better. (Quick iPhone shot below)

 

[reeltime]

Thanks for the detailed response!  I wasn't aware you were a pro.  Sorry for the 'basic' questions...  Never know who you may be responding to on here ;-)   I guess I will wait for an update or revision of the commlite adapter...  Like you I was hoping it would be usable right out of the box...  I have all my nikkor glass just waiting for a fully functional adapter to use on my A7rII.   Hope you get some good news from commlite soon...

 

JJ

[JGM]

No worries buddy  I am always happy to help and share info. I will post a video in the next few days if I can find the time.

I have contacted them for an update based on my findings so far - hopefully the news will be good! At the risk of reinforcing a typical Scottish stereotype, I kinda want it to work myself as I'd rather use the glass I have rather than splashing cash on Sony E Mount lenses. 

[Tobamory]

Wonder why metabones never did one?

I'm currently using fotodiox and manual with 24/70 and 70/200 I use metabones v4 for canon glass and works as advertised..

[mkg3]

I wrote Metabones about F to E regarding this very subject last month.  Here is their response:

 

"Thanks for your enquiry!

Sorry that we don’t have schedule for developing this product.

Please feel free to contact us if you need further information.

Regards
Elsie
GBI Ltd"

 

Also, looking at the new video posted today 1/10/16, why are all these Commlite focus demos done inside?  They need to go outside onto a street in real conditions - moving cars and people, focus near and far, natural lighting and contrast.

 

So far very disappointing demos.  Steel Chan's adapter maybe better based on similar demo thus far (hoping??)

[Berek]

Just watched their new video. Seems almost useless except for the 12-24.... which is a shame.

[JGM]

I decided to delay the video review as the adapter I have been sent performs so badly. We shot in the studio with Nikon, Tamron and Sigma lenses and the performance was exceptionally poor. Hopefully V2.0 firmware will improve matters ( a lot) so I will wait until it's available and re-test. It's a pity really - for $350 I expected a lot better. In the end, I decided there was no point in posting a video showing an adapter that's currently as useful as a mint flavoured suppository. ;-)

 

They would be better off in the interim releasing a $40 version that gives VR/VC capability and passes EXIF data, but minus the AF feature.

[mkg3]

I decided to delay the video review as the adapter I have been sent performs so badly. We shot in the studio with Nikon, Tamron and Sigma lenses and the performance was exceptionally poor. Hopefully V2.0 firmware will improve matters ( a lot) so I will wait until it's available and re-test. It's a pity really - for $350 I expected a lot better. In the end, I decided there was no point in posting a video showing an adapter that's currently as useful as a mint flavoured suppository. ;-)

 

They would be better off in the interim releasing a $40 version that gives VR/VC capability and passes EXIF data, but minus the AF feature.

 

 

Have you received v2 firmware, as implied by SAR story today of product release?

 

Looking forward to your video review - would be great if you can give us preview update though....

 

Thx

[JGM]

Have you received v2 firmware, as implied by SAR story today of product release?

 

Looking forward to your video review - would be great if you can give us preview update though....

 

Thx

 

Hi mkg3

 

I have updated to firmware version 2 and it is much improved with regards to focus speed but it still has the annoying lens motor stutter whilst acquiring focus (although not as bad as before). It now works with my Sigma Art lenses where it didn't before, In fact my Sigma and Tamron lenses actually perform better than my Nikon lenses - go figure! Commlite have informed me they have updated the hardware on the adapter (mines is v1) and also that a V3 firmware will be made available. The problem is that it won't be available until after the Chinese NY holidays. Late Feb? March?  They will send me an adapter with the updated hardware along with V3 firmware. To be fair to them I thought it best to wait to post a full review until they have ironed out any issues, but if enough of you guys are interested I could post a quick video based on what I have at the moment.

[gwegner]

Hi JGM, I'm experiencing the exact same problems with the commlite ENF-E1 adapter with my Nikon and Sigma lenses on the A7 RII. How did you upgrade the firmware? Is it possible to do this by yourself?

Thanks for any hint...