New Vello Nikon F to Sony FE mount

[jstevensphoto]

Just curious if anyone out there has ordered or plan to buy this thing.   If it works, it will solve big problems for me.   I have lots of Nikon F mount lenses I would love to put on my A7Rii and my wife uses an A7R.   B and H is taking preorders.   It's expensive ($400) but would save me buying a long telephoto lens.   Any thoughts?

[JGM]

It's just the Commlite rebranded. I've had the Commlite for 4 months. It still doesn't work very well - in fact, I've stopped using it as it's performance is so poor. They were supposed to be releasing new firmware in March, then it was April, and now it's May...  Best avoided until they get it working properly.

[JGM]

I updated my Commlite to v3.0 firmware today. It seems to be a good bit better. It's focusing faster, the motor stutter is (almost) gone and it works with a few more lenses in my collection. I will test more comprehensively tomorrow.

[jstevensphoto]

I updated my Commlite to v3.0 firmware today. It seems to be a good bit better. It's focusing faster, the motor stutter is (almost) gone and it works with a few more lenses in my collection. I will test more comprehensively tomorrow.

 

That's good to know.   I went ahead and preordered the Vello from B and H.   It was supposed to be available 5-1, but have not heard from B and H.   It's not worth $400, but I had a gift card for $200 so I took a shot.   If I can just auto focus my long Nikon F mounts, it will be worth it.   

[Golem]

Right, hardly worth $400 ... consider that a Sony OEM

version of the same idea, but intended for A-mount not

F-mount, is $200 and has been on sale for $150 lately.

Why should a 'Brand-X' iteration of the same concept

cost double [or more, depending ... ]. It should NOT ! 

 

Speaking of "same concept": I have been unable to

determine whether the Commlite has only electrical

pass-thru for rather modern F-mount lenses, or does

it also have a mechanism for the mechanical auto-iris

system in most Nikkor lenses. Anyone know for sure ?

 

Sony's own A-mount version has the mechanical iris

actuator .... altho it lacks mechanical shaft drive for

Minolta AF lenses [OK with me]. If the Commlite can

earn a good reputation, and only if it can activate the

iris stop-down in AI-Nikkors, I'd buy it after the initial

high price collapses.

 

I have a vaaaaast array of AI Nikkors that I use on a

Metabones 'E-NF' adapter, but I'd love to restore auto

iris convenience to these lenses. I've already done it

for my dozen Maxxum-era lenses, via Sony's LA-EA3,

and I really don't miss AF. OTOH the LA-EA3 cost me

only $150 !

[jstevensphoto]

Right, hardly worth $400 ... consider that a Sony OEM

version of the same idea, but intended for A-mount not

F-mount, is $200 and has been on sale for $150 lately.

Why should a 'Brand-X' iteration of the same concept

cost double [or more, depending ... ]. It should NOT ! 

 

Speaking of "same concept": I have been unable to

determine whether the Commlite has only electrical

pass-thru for rather modern F-mount lenses, or does

it also have a mechanism for the mechanical auto-iris

system in most Nikkor lenses. Anyone know for sure ?

 

Sony's own A-mount version has the mechanical iris

actuator .... altho it lacks mechanical shaft drive for

Minolta AF lenses [OK with me]. If the Commlite can

earn a good reputation, and only if it can activate the

iris stop-down in AI-Nikkors, I'd buy it after the initial

high price collapses.

 

I have a vaaaaast array of AI Nikkors that I use on a

Metabones 'E-NF' adapter, but I'd love to restore auto

iris convenience to these lenses. I've already done it

for my dozen Maxxum-era lenses, via Sony's LA-EA3,

and I really don't miss AF. OTOH the LA-EA3 cost me

only $150 !

 

I could be wrong, but I think I read somewhere where this thing DOES NOT have the mechanical device for Nikon AI lenses.   Too bad.   

[jstevensphoto]

Well I finally got this thing and good news is it works with my Nikon 85 f1.8.   Bad news, it will not lock onto auto focus on my Nikon Zooms.   Sending it back to B and H today.   Too bad.   Would love to be able to use my 70-200 f2.8 or even my old 70-300 f4.5-5.6.   Can't find the focus on either.   Dang!!!!