F3: Nikon to FZ adapter?

R

ReelFilmGeek

Well-known member
Does anyone have a recommendation on an adapter for the F3 cameras as I have seen some on eBay ranging from $50 to several hundred. Is there a recommend brand or company to buy one from?
 
The best adapter I've used is the Optitek Prolock FZ to Nikon mount. Rock solid, smooth, clickless iris adjustments whether you have a Nikon lens with or without an F-stop ring. I've also used the MTF Nikon adaptor, but if you have lenses without an f-stop ring, the iris adjustment by way of a set screw is really fiddly and hard to lock in just where you want it.

In either case, you get no autofocus nor image stabilization control.
 
I have used the MTF one and now have the Optitek, like the above poster. If you are concerned about spending money and $300 is a lot, you will probably not be interested in the Optiek Prolock. Although if you check the archives you will see that everyone who has ponied up for one feels it is worth it. It essentially gives you Nikon lenses a positive solid lock like a PL Lens, so the lens does not wiggle when you turn focus, zoom or iris on the lens. You also have the ability to easily calibrate the iris ring and get a pretty good sense of the f-stop you are using.
 
The Optitek is priceless. Seriously, everything else is literally 30% as good, hence the price. I've had mine on my F5 for 2 years and F3 before that. I think Andrew was quoting $300 in regards to your "several hundred". Search my user name + the word Optitek and you can read all my rants how good it is.
 
Aw dang, like I knew the MTF goes for like $300 used but didn't expect one to cost $1000, hats a lot more then I planned for nikon f mount lenses
 
In this business, you get what you pay for. Most of the time.

:cheesy:

Dollar for dollar, the Prolock is probably one of the best values for what I spent. But it does cost a pretty penny if you can't find a well used one.
 
How does the MTF one hold up for starters then? May not be able to afford the prolock right now unless I get a really good deal on a used F3
 
It's what I started with. Works well, locks in fairly tight, but there is a little play on the lens side sometimes. Biggest issue I had was with newer lenses with no iris ring. There is a ring on the MTF that opens and closes the lens iris for you, but it's got a spring or something inside it, and doesn't stay put very well. There is a little finger set screw on the MTF ring that will lock the iris in place, but I found that nearly every time I tightened the screw down, it moved the iris a bit...so I ended up fiddling with it several times before I got the exact exposure I wanted. Not real handy for run and gun, but it's certainly doable if that's all the budget will allow.
 
Aw okay that's fine for me since all I use are Older Nikon lenses with the manual apurture ring so that should work for now then while I start. Just been wanting to get out of DSLR territory and F3 seems like the best bang for the buck with the sxs to sd card adapters for internal recording and 10 bit external
 
I purchased the MTF with the original purchase of my F3. It was stiff, awkward and constantly needed various screws tightened. I purchased the Optitek as soon as Jacek started shipping and found it to be absolutely rock solid and worth every penny.

Ned Soltz
 
I'm just going with the cheapest Nikon G to FZ adapter that I could find! (About a hundred bucks) So far so good. (Though did have to replace it once when my camera dropped and snapped off the 1st one... lesson learned the hard way? Get a stronger tripod! Camera set up currently is just over ten kilos)
 
Prolock is way better adapter no doubt plus you have readable f stop markings which is quite helpful. Biggest problem I had with the MTF was that the lenses would get loose in the mount. That can be mitigated by taking a jewelers screwdriver and bending apart the flanges that hold the lens in place. Sorry I can't explain that better. I saw something on the web about it somewhere though with pics.
 
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