jstevensphoto Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 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? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 Hi jstevensphoto, Take a look here New Vello Nikon F to Sony FE mount. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
JGM Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGM Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstevensphoto Posted May 8, 2016 Author Share Posted May 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golem Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 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 ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstevensphoto Posted May 8, 2016 Author Share Posted May 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstevensphoto Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 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!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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