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A7II using only Nikon F AI and AIS lenses- tips, tutorials?


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I'm new to this list. A search brought up none of my key words, so sorry if I missed a relevant thread. Here goes: I bought the A7II to get as much of a fully manual SLR feel and control as possible. I've since purchased a mix of AI and AIS lenses. I'm simply looking for tips, tutorials and recommendations to better my skills and photos.

 

The only specific for this post is: are there any adapters out there that aren't ~3cm long? the length of the adapter creates weight by its cantilever.   

 

Best,  -Josh

 

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................

 

 are there any adapters out there that aren't ~3cm long?

the length of the adapter creates weight by its cantilever.   

 

Best,  -Josh

   

Okaaay you definitely do need a tutorial, but you 

are getting waaaay ahead of yourself in seeking 

a tutorial for using AI lenses. Start with a tutorial 

on the basics of why gear is the way it is ... real 

basic. Your question is kinda like, "Can I get any

ice that won't melt on a hot day ?" No doubt thaz 

a seemingly desirable trait, but ... well ... I gotta

believe you would never actually ask that. Get 

tuted on the basics and you won't ever ask if all 

adapters hafta add 3cm. It's not rocket science, 

so it will be an easy read, and will open up many  

useful concept that help you get the most out of 

your gear ... And you'll be getting that due to a 

grasp of essentials, rather than simply learning 

various procedures and settings devised to yield

known results. IOW, basic understanding means 

less need to memorize procedures ... which will 

make things much simpler.   

    

Sorry, but I have no idea of any specific tutorials  

to suggest. Asking for a referral about that might 

be your next logical question to post :-)  

   

I fully expect that the "Basics Tutorial" will also

answer your original question, AND will serve as 

your "Using Adapted AI Lenses" tutorial as well,   

cuz using adapted AI lenses really is simply an 

exercise in applying the basics. Yup, your idea 

that an a7-II plus some AI lenses offers a close 

approximation of a fully manual SLR is right on. 

That has been my kit for a coupla years and I've 

been doing this for a coupla generations. It's a 

very fine "Essentials Kit" ... which is all I need :-) 

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This recent Article on philipreeve.net might hold some insights that could help you. 

 

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/adapters-manual-lenses-sony-a7-series-guide/

 

In regard to the length of the adapter the following illustration from the article is most comprehensive why these adapters not only need to make a physical connection of different bayonet standards but must also maintain the proper distance to the projection plane. If the adapter is too long, you lose the ability to focus on a target at infinity and if it is to short, you decrease the close focus ability. Both errors push the lens in directions for which it hasn't been designed/optimized for.

flangeFocalDistance.jpg

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Guest Jaf-Photo

I'm simply looking for tips, tutorials and recommendations to better my skills and photos.

Practice. Shooting with manual lenses takes practice. Focusing needs to be second nature so you have to work it into your muscle memory. Start with simple, static scenes to get to the point where you can reliably focus the lens and work the camera settings without reflecting on it. Then move on to moving subjects and continue practicing.

 

At the same time get a book that teaches basic image processing techniques. If you're using Lightroom or Photoshop, try Scott Kelby. His chirpy prose is an acquired taste, but his techniques are solid and easy to learn.

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