vealti
Member
EDIT: I ending up getting a used Novoflex MFT/NIK for Nikon mount and after a few weeks with it I wanted to answer my own questions in case someone else will find it useful. First let me say I am very happy with the adapter. If some parts of this review seem negative it's because the adaper is a work around for using the cheaper Nikon G mount lenses. But it still enables me to confidently use the G lenses in a production enviroment.
As has been reported the Novoflex is very well built and feels very solid and durable and is light tight. I also have a Fotodiox FD adapter and the difference is huge in both construction and fit. Once mounted on the GH2 the Novoflex doesn't move. My lenses lock in with a reassuring click and also don't move. Even with my follow focus there is no play in the lens. In comparison my FD adapter moves a little even when hand focusing. To release the lens you pull back on a little metal pin that is right next to the lens body. It would be nice if Novoflex changed it so that you either push it towards the lens or up. As it is you have to pull it towards the camera body which is hard if you have big fingers. The Novoflex has an adapter ring to control the iris of Nikon G lenses. The ring turns smoothly if with a little more resistance than I would like, but it stays put and I don't have to worry about it slipping during shooting. It does give you the full range of the iris but doesn't control it as well as an aperture ring would. Not only is the distance between full open and full close shorter, but it doesn't immediately engage the iris when you twist it. On my Tamron 28-75mm (which does have an aperture ring) I have to turn the Novoflex adapter ring about 1/5 of the way before it starts to open the iris. 1/5 doesn't sound like much, but when the total turning range of the iris control ring is only about a 1/2 inch it makes it even harder to finely control your exposure. In comparison the turning range of the aperture ring on the lens is twice as long. Because the iris control ring is on the adapter it is located close to the
body of the GH2. If you are hand-holding the camera with your right hand it is pretty easy to turn with your left hand just as you would the focus ring. But when I have it mounted on my tripod setup you can't get at it as easily. Due to the resistance of the ring you can't move it with just one finger, you have to grab it with two fingers on both sides to turn it. Adjusting the iris ring is more awkward as I have to come at it from directly above the camera. Add a monitor or mic on your hotshoe and it becomes even harder. So while it is possible to change exposure during shooting you probably wont want to.
I'm going to be investing in some Nikon lenses, some G, and am looking for help with deciding which adapter to get. This thread isn't about what adapter can be used for Nikon G lenses or is cheaper. I've searched all that info already and am looking at either the MTF, Novoflex, or Adaptimax. What I can't find is people's impressions after using them in the field. I'm interested in things like thumb screw vs ring - are they easy to change apeture with? Is one easier then the other to use while shooting? Which can be adjusted smoother or has more range to it? Do they close down all the way? (A video I saw of the Novoflex looked like it didn't) Do the thumbscrew types interfer with any rails /tripod setup? Any info from those who are working with these adapters would be appreciated.
As has been reported the Novoflex is very well built and feels very solid and durable and is light tight. I also have a Fotodiox FD adapter and the difference is huge in both construction and fit. Once mounted on the GH2 the Novoflex doesn't move. My lenses lock in with a reassuring click and also don't move. Even with my follow focus there is no play in the lens. In comparison my FD adapter moves a little even when hand focusing. To release the lens you pull back on a little metal pin that is right next to the lens body. It would be nice if Novoflex changed it so that you either push it towards the lens or up. As it is you have to pull it towards the camera body which is hard if you have big fingers. The Novoflex has an adapter ring to control the iris of Nikon G lenses. The ring turns smoothly if with a little more resistance than I would like, but it stays put and I don't have to worry about it slipping during shooting. It does give you the full range of the iris but doesn't control it as well as an aperture ring would. Not only is the distance between full open and full close shorter, but it doesn't immediately engage the iris when you twist it. On my Tamron 28-75mm (which does have an aperture ring) I have to turn the Novoflex adapter ring about 1/5 of the way before it starts to open the iris. 1/5 doesn't sound like much, but when the total turning range of the iris control ring is only about a 1/2 inch it makes it even harder to finely control your exposure. In comparison the turning range of the aperture ring on the lens is twice as long. Because the iris control ring is on the adapter it is located close to the
body of the GH2. If you are hand-holding the camera with your right hand it is pretty easy to turn with your left hand just as you would the focus ring. But when I have it mounted on my tripod setup you can't get at it as easily. Due to the resistance of the ring you can't move it with just one finger, you have to grab it with two fingers on both sides to turn it. Adjusting the iris ring is more awkward as I have to come at it from directly above the camera. Add a monitor or mic on your hotshoe and it becomes even harder. So while it is possible to change exposure during shooting you probably wont want to.
I'm going to be investing in some Nikon lenses, some G, and am looking for help with deciding which adapter to get. This thread isn't about what adapter can be used for Nikon G lenses or is cheaper. I've searched all that info already and am looking at either the MTF, Novoflex, or Adaptimax. What I can't find is people's impressions after using them in the field. I'm interested in things like thumb screw vs ring - are they easy to change apeture with? Is one easier then the other to use while shooting? Which can be adjusted smoother or has more range to it? Do they close down all the way? (A video I saw of the Novoflex looked like it didn't) Do the thumbscrew types interfer with any rails /tripod setup? Any info from those who are working with these adapters would be appreciated.
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