Sorry another Sparky thread! - lens mount question

Sparky874

Sparky874

Well-known member
I have a PL mount on my F3 for my Carl Zeiss CP.2's. However I want to get a MTF Nikon to Sony F3 mount. However how do I remove the PL mount so I can attach the MTF/Nikon mount? Is this a straightforward swap? I've had a play but can't seem to remove the PL mount - and I don't want to break anything! Do I need to use a screw driver?
 
No screw driver! It turns counter clockwise by hand, though its tight at first. What's confusing is there are several tabs in the area. Starcentral did an illustrated picture recently to show which tabs when he learned he was pushing on the wrong tabs.

SonyF3PLmountremoval.jpg

I think MTF mounts are back ordered at the moment, but a few have/will hit the market due to the group buy of the Prolock mount.
 
As your facing the front of the camera the lock on the camera loosens counter clockwise, I have read on forums that others have had problems removing the PL adapter on a new camera out of the box. If it is too tight to remove by hand you should call Sony technical support for help.
 
Thanks for the diagram Duke - really useful. Removed PL mount successfully. The MTF mount must be pretty big if it fits directly on the F3, much wider diameter than the one I currently have which fitted my Nikon lenses to my old AF101.
 
Sparky:
Go directly for the "kill". Pass the MTF and go for ProLock directly... You'll be glad you did...
 
It depends on whether you're doing the number of lens changes, or lenses without aperture rings, or have the budget to justify it.
 
Here is the reason why go for ProLock over MTF, even if you have a lens with f-stop ring:
My experience with MTF adapter since February was with mixed feelings. It is great that was available even before the camera started shipping and this was the single reason I got F3 body and not the kit (as I find the size of Sony primes ridiculous for my type of work and travel). I was able to mount some relatively small size Nikon still lenses from the day one. Now, after extensive use of this adapter I noticed a few drawbacks: first, you never know what f-stop you are at when using "G" type lenses. And every time I needed to adjust the f-stop during the shot, the adapter would always "stick" even with the little screw loose... And this was EVERY TIME... Since my most used lenses are Nikon 17-55 and Tokina 11-16 (both no f- stop ring) it began to be a problem.
Now, ProLock comes in: what a smooth f-stop change! Nice and solid design, AND it shows f-stop values as well... Even with the still lenses that have f-stop ring, now there is no need declicking the mechanism as every lens can be used as "G" lens by closing the lens aperture ring to 22...
Only down side is the stiff price... But, I find a $400 difference worth it...
 
You have perked my interest also, my MTF has a crop factor, does the ProLock mount to the sony PL adapter or directly to the camera? Does the ProLock have a crop factor?
 
scocklin said:
You have perked my interest also, my MTF has a crop factor, does the ProLock mount to the sony PL adapter or directly to the camera? Does the ProLock have a crop factor?
Click to expand...

ProLock mounts the same as MTF. MTF, or ProLock or any other full mechanical (not optical) adapter mount has no "crop". It is all defined by type of lens and size of sensor you are mounting the lens on. It's been discussed to infinity, so I won't get in to it. But, bottom line both adapters do the same thing, difference is in details...

p470101682-4.jpg
 
Thanks, so the ProLock locks on the same as the MTF adapter, I saw a web video showing it being bolted onto a RED camera, I was trying to figure out how it mounted to the F3. The above photo explains it, thanks!
 
scocklin said:
Thanks, so the ProLock locks on the same as the MTF adapter, I saw a web video showing it being bolted onto a RED camera, I was trying to figure out how it mounted to the F3. The above photo explains it, thanks!
Click to expand...

The fact that ProLock for RED exists for some time gave me confidence to buy the F3 version (not yet displayed on their web page). The lens "locking" system looks the same as on RED adapter, the difference is the camera mounting side, of course...
 
Yeah, Jacek needs to update the Optitek website. The Prolock installs in seconds with no tools the same as the PL, MTF or Adaptimax adapters.

All of them have a crop factor of 1.5 compared to a full frame DSLR, but are 1:1 compared to S35 movie film. So in this case just forget any crop factor and use the lenses as they are labeled, just like a movie film camera. A 50mm lens is a 50mm lens.
 
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I'm using MTF and agree it is "good" for getting by and budget, but no doubt the prolock is more professional. I have issues with the thumb screw lock on mine, and the first one I bought and returned was too tight for and Nikons to fit on properly.
 
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