Problem with MTF adapters?

K

KineticNZ

Member
Has anyone had issues or feel that their MTF nikon adapter isn't quite 'on'?

Testing our F3 with Noikon primes at the moment, viewing on a Panasonic Pro Plasma, using the Abel Cine picture profiles.

This image just isn't sharp enough. It has a general softness that I do not recognize from shooting this camera with CP2's.

Can anyone offer advice about testing this combo to see if its working optimally. Casually, I don't believe the F3 with these lenses is resolving the same detail as my GH13
 
Corrected one typo with another typo! :)

A good Nikon prime should be as sharp as the best out there as they are designed for ~21 megapixel resolution and you're only shooting ~2 megapixels.

In a well lit area inspect the lens. Any scratches on the front or back lens, any fungus, oil or haze inside?
Try a couple more lenses just in case.

Don't use the distance markings on the lens to set focus. They may be off. Use your peaking function and see how it looks.

Make sure the MTF adapter is fully seated and the lens is fully seated. If, for example, the lens didn't click (and it is tight in the adapter before it clicks) the distance isn't going to be quite right.

Check the back focus adjustment. I didn't need to do it for my MTF, but you never know. I haven't done it on the F3, but there's probably a thread here. I know there's a thread for the EX1. (Something about a certain combination of buttons to access a service menu?)
 
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Make sure you're not using a PP with the sharpness turned way down. From what Alister Chapman said if its down low enough its always soft.
 
Duke M. said:
A good Nikon prime should be as sharp as the best out there as they are designed for ~21 megapixel resolution and you're only shooting ~2 megapixels.


Don't use the distance markings on the lens to set focus. They may be off. Use your peaking function and see how it looks.
Click to expand...

Actually a lot of Nikon Primes are so so for sharpness...I say this having used them for 20 + years on F3HP D70 D3 D3s and adapted to MF digital back cameras....the best are very good but
the majority of the Nikon primes are a bit overrated. However on a 2 or 3 MP video system they should be more than adequate.

Any adapter that is out of spec will still have a point that will be in focus...they may just not reach focus at infinity. So in addition to the above recommendations I would suggest that
you find a mid-aperature (ideally F5.6 but with adapter it will be a guess.) setting and vary your focus SLOWLY...then in post look to see if you have a place where it is critically sharp.
If not the lens or PP setting is wrong...not the adapter. IF you can find a focus that is critically sharp but it does not happen at infinity or at your distance scale you will need to adjust
the focus. Hot Rod has an adjustment for their PL adapter to fine tune the focus...as does Phase ONE and Hasselblad and Alpa for their MF digital backs. Once you have adjusted this it will work
for all lenses on that adapter. If the adapter does not allow for fine tuning you can calibrate the scale yourself....it will be out proportionally across the focus range. I had a 45 Apo Distagon from
Rodenstock that needed a 1.5 times correction for every setting from 2 feet to infinity. Once I determined that it was easy to make the adjustment needed for perfect focus.

And as an aside...I recently received an MTF adapter from a major retailer that looked like it had been dropped from a C130 Hercules onto the tarmac...sold as new with major gouge on the camera interface and
at least two divots in the body of the adapter. It was very tight to mount my Nikon primes and I assume someone returned it to them...as I live in Dallas they must have figured I would be ecstatic to be honored
with anything they sent my way. Needless to say it went back the next day and my upcoming camera and PL prime order will be directed elsewhere.

The reason I mention the above is I felt that the MTF Nikon to F3 was overly tight in the Nikon mounting.....may be why it was so banged up as the prior owner struggled to reclaim his prime?

So....if there is a point of focus that is critically sharp it may be the adapter...if not a lens or PP issue.

Bob
 
back focus t is correct. Your adapter is not causing softness unless you are using lens marking distances to focus. Incorrect back focus can cause you to not hit infinity focus or throw infinity too soon and throw off your barrell markings. It can cause a Parfocal lens to not track focus through the zoom but it will not make you unable to focus sharply at all.

Old Nikon AI and AIS primes are often very good but usually not great wide open. 2 stops down they may be terrific, but they all vary and there are better and cheaper Nikon primes just like many other brands
 
Lenilenapi said:
back focus t is correct. Your adapter is not causing softness unless you are using lens marking distances to focus. Incorrect back focus can cause you to not hit infinity focus or throw infinity too soon and throw off your barrell markings. It can cause a Parfocal lens to not track focus through the zoom but it will not make you unable to focus sharply at all.

Old Nikon AI and AIS primes are often very good but usually not great wide open. 2 stops down they may be terrific, but they all vary and there are better and cheaper Nikon primes just like many other brands
Click to expand...

I agree about wide open which is why I suggested 5.6...max sharpness prior to diffraction effects.

I just received an Adaptimax Plus Nikon to F3 adapter....mounted a Nikon 85 G 1.4 and it is a lovely mount....had reservations about the screw thread but works sublimely....easy on and off no binding. Very stout robust mount
that seems to be ideal. And this was not dropped dinged nor scratched......thanks BH Photo. Sorry that I strayed in a moment of weakness...will not make that mistake again.

Bob
 
docmoore said:
And as an aside...I recently received an MTF adapter from a major retailer that looked like it had been dropped from a C130 Hercules onto the tarmac...sold as new with major gouge on the camera interface and at least two divots in the body of the adapter. It was very tight to mount my Nikon primes and I assume someone returned it to them...
Click to expand...

That's sad and funny at the same time. I mostly buy at B&H, but they were out of MTF adapters for a long time and back ordered. I found another major vendor was selling their demo MTF adapter at a significant discount. Its been perfect with no scratches, dings or wear. Color me happy.
 
I have to say I was a bit stunned....I had hoped to use the MTF as it is similar to the Novoflex I use on my GH2 with Zeiss ZF.2s and Nikon Primes. I think that fidelity in small issues is a good indication of how a company handles bigger details.

B&H still has had an out of stock listing on the MTF Nikon to F3...for almost five weeks.

So I am resigned to use the Adaptimax...which may turn into a long term deal as first impressions are very good.

Bob
 
I have been using the MTF Nikon adapter since the very first week they shipped in February. My lenses are Zeiss ZF. Works great. Super sharp.

Only issue I've ever had was a mechanical one - it's possible over time for the spring pin to rotate and unscrew itself, making it difficult to disengage the pin to remove a lens. To fix this, just remove the three small phillips screws, and carefully readjust the pin alignment. Takes two minutes. Five, if it's unfamiliar.

Worlds less issues than in the ground glass adapter days.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I've been testing with 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm Nikkors. Obviously I'm not focusing off the marks, I'm using red peaking and one to one functions.

Doesn't appear that there are too many complaints about the adapter. Maybe I'm expecting too much. I will try and beg another adapter from colleagues and see if I can compare them.

The build and quality of the adapter are excellent, no complaints about that. It is a very tight fit but with use its loosening somewhat.

Any benefit in adjusting the back focus on these? There is a means of adjusting the focal plane by moving the sensor position I believe but I am VERY loathe to attempt that. That would be a send off job.
 
I wouldn't mess with the back focus unless infinity focus is off or something similar because it was sharp on your CP2s. The adapter (as you know) is just a tube to get the distance right. If the lens is okay you should be able to get focus somewhere in the range.

Did you check your picture profile?

Make sure you didn't get dust on the sensor too.
 
KineticNZ said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I've been testing with 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm Nikkors. Obviously I'm not focusing off the marks, I'm using red peaking and one to one functions.

Doesn't appear that there are too many complaints about the adapter. Maybe I'm expecting too much. I will try and beg another adapter from colleagues and see if I can compare them.

The build and quality of the adapter are excellent, no complaints about that. It is a very tight fit but with use its loosening somewhat.

Any benefit in adjusting the back focus on these? There is a means of adjusting the focal plane by moving the sensor position I believe but I am VERY loathe to attempt that. That would be a send off job.
Click to expand...

Backocus has always been good for me.

But key thing is - it's a mechanical adapter - no glass. functionally it's just a spacer. If the image is soft, that's the lens. Switching the same lens to a different nikon adapter won't improve the image.
 
I just read the manual relating to the flange depth adjustment screw on the front plate of the camera. It was pretty clear about needing to adjust it first time a lens is attached and whaddaya know, I now have a much sharper image. I'm fairly sure this is as sharp as I'm going to get with these lenses.
 
My first MTF developed an issue where the button that engages the pin that disengages (got that) the lens stopped working. I emailed MTF and they said there were a few defective units they were trying to track down. Got a new one as soon as their shipment came in. Great service!
Also i had very carefully set my backfocus with a collimater and as far as I can see the 2nd unit was spot on.
 
docmoore said:
I have to say I was a bit stunned....I had hoped to use the MTF as it is similar to the Novoflex I use on my GH2 with Zeiss ZF.2s and Nikon Primes. I think that fidelity in small issues is a good indication of how a company handles bigger details.

B&H still has had an out of stock listing on the MTF Nikon to F3...for almost five weeks.

So I am resigned to use the Adaptimax...which may turn into a long term deal as first impressions are very good.

Bob
Click to expand...

Glad you like it Bob. Our Adaptimax Nikon and Canon EF to PMW-F3 adapters are made here in the UK by ourselves in our own workshop, not some factory in China, and are as sharp as tack. We quality control every stage and know when they leave us they are bang on the money.

The demand for our adapters has been frankly phenominal and exceeded all our expectations. We are constantly battling to keep up with demand. We do have a few Nikon Plus to F3 and Canon EF to F3 in stock at this time but stock is extremely limited and we are likely to go back to a 14 day lead time in the next few days. So if you are in the market for one don't delay.

As a sidenote we are about to launch a Nikon and Canon EF to Sony E-mount for the new Sony FS100.
 
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