Well, looks like I have to go NEX for awhile... cheapest M adapter that works right?

[jsrockit]

Well, my M8.2 has to go in for a small repair for a few weeks, but I've been having so much fun with my new lenses that I'm not ready to stop using them. :( So it looks like I'm going to buy a used NEX off of ebay to hold me over during repair time.

Which E mount to M mount adapter works great, but is cheapest? Which ones should be avoided?

[coolfotog]

novoflex-metabones-kipon --- in descending order of price. i use novoflex.

[pvdhaar]

There have been no problems so far with the brandless adapter I'm using. It even has got the proper size to allow scale focusing and focusing to infinity. Price was less than 50 Euro.

[jsrockit]

Thanks all. Any to avoid?

[River Dog]

I am awaiting a NEX-3 body myself to take the Zeiss 50mm ZM from my Leica CL. I got an adaptor off eBay called Pixco for £25 ( $40) which claims Av and infinity focus. It looks sturdy enough but I haven't got the NEX-3 yet to try it yet. Should be here over the weekend and I will post again if that is the case.

[kshapero]

I have used the expensive adapters and the cheap ones. Presently using Rainbowimaging (cheap $29) and it works exactly as well as the expensive ones.

[dexdog]

I have 3 different adapters. LTM to NEX adapter from rainbowimaging, the LTM threaded part would not stay screwed together with the NEX end. It works fine now that I have epoxied the two pieces together. It was about $30. The Cameraquest M to NEX adapter is a lot nicer, but also $179, worked great outta the box. Also have a $40 Kiwi-brand Contax to NEX adapter from a Chinese eBay seller that is really nice, and works perfectly. Build quality is excellent, every bit as nice as the Cameraquest adapter.

Try a cheap one first, and upgrade if you have to.

[jsrockit]

I wonder how these are?

http://fotodiox-inc.amazonwebstore.com/Fotodiox-Lens-Mount-Adapter-Leica-M/M/B003Y2WS7Y.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=froogle

[jsrockit]

Are you sure those used ones are really a bargain... seems too early for true used cameras. Be careful you can buy new ones very cheap.

I don't understand your logic. Something is used once someone sells it. As RFF member, you know some people buy and sell all of the time... even after just days of ownership.

[ampguy]

I'm using an RJ M to NEX adapter, seems built well. The lens flange portion looks a lot more robust than a typical Leica body mount. Also the adapters from Rainbow Imaging for the AR, and Nikon (G/AFS) seem to work well.

I did get a dud C-mount adapter bundled with a 25/1.4 cctv camera, it just needs a slight shim, so watch out for the really cheap or bundled free adapters.

[jsrockit]

I agree photomoof. It needs to be under 75% of new for me to buy it. I don't buy new off ebay. I'm not interested in kit lenses, so I'm looking at used bodies. You'd be suprised at what they can go for at times (used NEX are cheap at times). I would buy the NEX3 with 16mm for $400 new if I could...but I cannot find that deal.

I've bought and sold on ebay for 12 years now with only one or two issues (out of over 600 transactions). I'm comfortable with it.

[River Dog]

Are you sure those used ones are really a bargain

Mine is a refurbished black body with a 12 month warranty from a dealer for $280 - seems a fair price in the UK anyway and I know the dealer.

[kshapero]

I wonder how these are?

http://fotodiox-inc.amazonwebstore.com/Fotodiox-Lens-Mount-Adapter-Leica-M/M/B003Y2WS7Y.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=froogleBad experiences with fitting with this company.

[back alley]

don't know about the nex but i have fun with the panasonic g1 and m mount lenses. that camera is a hoot!

[River Dog]

don't know about the nex but i have fun with the panasonic g1 and m mount lenses. that camera is a hoot!

I like Panny's a lot but from what I can see the NEX-3 has a 50% larger sensor, 1.6x crop factor versus 2x, higher resolution, flip-out screen, much lighter and smaller, twice the LCD resolution and lower noise for about the same price as a G1 body.

That's enough for me.

[uhoh7]

NEX-3 will be replaced by nex-c3 in spring, hence prices dropping at least 50 now.

I see bodys at FM forum going for 350 all the time.

If you email rainbowimaging direct, the M and LTM adapters are 18USD (shipped) and work fine. They ship super fast.
rainbowjiam@gmail.com.

[douglasf13]

I own both the Metabones and Voigtlander adapter, and they both are well made. So, why did I spend $100 more on the Voigtlander adapter? It has a MUCH better designed lens release tab that is very low profile and integrated into the adapter. The Metabones (and others) lens release tab gets in the way of my fingers on the camera grip. Drove me nuts.

[nigelb]

Mine is a refurbished black body with a 12 month warranty from a dealer for $280 - seems a fair price in the UK anyway and I know the dealer.

Looks like I got the same as you. Cardiff Camera Centre? Works a treat and well worth it.

I'm using a Kiwi adapter, cost £17. I get focus at infinity, but close focus is a little out and the lens scales don't quite line up to vertical. Not a problem to me though.

[jsrockit]

I like Panny's a lot but from what I can see the NEX-3 has a 50% larger sensor, 1.6x crop factor versus 2x, higher resolution, flip-out screen, much lighter and smaller, twice the LCD resolution and lower noise for about the same price as a G1 body.

That's enough for me.'

Exactly... though the Sony sensor is actually 1.5 (so even better). My girlfriend uses the G2, so I could use that, but 2x crop makes everything I own a telephoto lens. At least some of my M mount lenses are still normal lenses on the NEX.

[River Dog]

Looks like I got the same as you. Cardiff Camera Centre? Works a treat and well worth it.

I'm using a Kiwi adapter, cost £17.

Indeed I it was them via eBay.

[Frank Version Two]

I'm thinking of trying a NEX and waiting to see what happens with the X100 and other mirrorless systems. I like my Pany G1 but it is awfully noisey. I'll miss the EVF though, and having a good 40mm AF equivalent prime.

Why these companies don't release a set of nice little primes is beyond me? Give me a 24-35-50 equivalent set along the lines of the Sony 16mm or Pany 20mm and I'd buy the whole system and a back-up body.

[ampguy]

16 kit, and MF CV 21/4, some 28, Hexanon AR 40mm/1.8, and Hexanon AR 57/1.4.

Will give you better images than any Leica or X100, I think.

I'm thinking of trying a NEX and waiting to see what happens with the X100 and other mirrorless systems. I like my Pany G1 but it is awfully noisey. I'll miss the EVF though, and having a good 40mm AF equivalent prime.

Why these companies don't release a set of nice little primes is beyond me? Give me a 24-35-50 equivalent set along the lines of the Sony 16mm or Pany 20mm and I'd buy the whole system and a back-up body.

[Paddy C]

Why these companies don't release a set of nice little primes is beyond me? Give me a 24-35-50 equivalent set along the lines of the Sony 16mm or Pany 20mm and I'd buy the whole system and a back-up body.

It's a sort of 64 million dollar question isn't it?

What I love is that Sony gives you one of the three (although not that great) but it's the least (IMO) useful of the three! :bang:

I can only assume it's a combination of manufacturing capacity with concern over the viability of a new product. That could be Sony's excuse, but I don't know what excuse Panasonic or Olympus have.

Camera makers have become as nervous as hollywood producers.

[jsrockit]

Camera makers have become as nervous as hollywood producers.

Actually, the fact that they make a 24mm equiv lens as their only prime makes me think they took a chance and weren't nervous.

I've decided against the NEX. Hopefully someone else finds this thread useful.

[douglasf13]

A fast 24mm and 50mm, and a 30mm macro are due sometime soon for NEX. That should fill in the gaps pretty well.

For those that are concerned about the lack of EVF, I highly recommend checking out the Clearviewer. It folds flat, and it also folds out of the way of the LCD, and it is only $50. Works great with the NEX's high res LCD.

[Nokton48]

I bought the rainbowimaging M-adapter for $22.95 and it works just great. No problems at all. Save you money for extra batteries, cards, etc.

$349 for a body-only Nex-3 still seems just great to me. Easy to find.

[raid]

A fast 24mm and 50mm, and a 30mm macro are due sometime soon for NEX. That should fill in the gaps pretty well.

For those that are concerned about the lack of EVF, I highly recommend checking out the Clearviewer. It folds flat, and it also folds out of the way of the LCD, and it is only $50. Works great with the NEX's high res LCD.

Can this viewer help with the focusing of manual lenses?

[uhoh7]

16 kit, and MF CV 21/4, some 28, Hexanon AR 40mm/1.8, and Hexanon AR 57/1.4.

Will give you better images than any Leica or X100, I think.

Oh, now, now

The M9 out resolves the nex by quite a bit.

I just can't afford one.:bang:

You could argue the nex is easier, faster, more stealthy....

Better image potential?

For that we must wait a bit

[douglasf13]

Can this viewer help with the focusing of manual lenses?

Yes, in a major way. I actually don't even need to use focus assist zoom with the Clearviewer. Maker sure you get the premium lens, if you try one out.

[dng88]

I sold my M8 about a year ago and just got a Nex3 to use my remaining 7 lens left (old Leica and CV). It works very well. In fact, it seems if you take it as a view camera it work exceedingly well (especially for the price). However, if you like shoot very rapidly I am not sure it is for you. (I only got the 16mm which I put it in the drying cabinet after testing). Surprisingly those lens from Zeiss, Pentax67 and even Nikon 28-300 is very good.

Anyway it is cheap to try in the large scale of thing.

[River Dog]

I received my NEX-3 body this morning. Adaptor seems to work ok with the Zeiss 50 ZM and so far I really like the form factor, little weight and it sits well for shooting if I curl a few fingers on the left hand to support the bottom of the body and lens.

What I really like and didn't think about is the tilting LCD which means I can shoot a bit like a TLR, looking down so people will think I am chimping or just fiddling with the settings. Now that is cool. I'll take it out later and see how it does on the street and post first impressions with an image or two on this thread for reference.

First test shot on A at f2 shows I can get a sharp image with decent enough bokeh using the magnification assist.

At $280 for a factory refurbished body and 12 months warranty, it still makes a lot sense for me. If it goes well today I can start saving for the 35mm ZM for both film and digital - that will by my argument to the wife anyway, when I drop another $1000 on Zeiss glass :-)

[River Dog]

I have posted some NEX-3 shots with the Pixco adaptor and Zeiss lens from my first test today. Set up with aperture priority and shot pretty wide. I am happy with it, makes a lot of sense.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1558790#post1558790

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5478601215_96485e126b_z.jpg

[Nokton48]

I'm very happy with my new Nex-3 body too, it also makes alot of sense for my uses.

[nikola]

How about speed, ergonomics and experience of using NEX with manual lenses?

[Nokton48]

How about speed, ergonomics and experience of using NEX with manual lenses?

All good as far as I am concerned. The Nex will shoot at 7FPS, very little shutter delay. Ergonomics also good. Experience of shooting manual lenses is what this thing is all about, as far as I m concerned. I have no interest in the Sony lenses. It is great with everything I have tried with it so far, although the 19mm F3.5 FL Canon will not fit.

[dng88]

Completely agreed with Norkton48 that it is good for manual lens. Just got a hoodman and hope it helps further.

Just add that 3d work but not great. Still interesting direction.

[bigeye]

A small plank with a sensor that can take all my glass is definitely the right direction. I'm tempted to experiment with a NEX, too.

These cold shoes (http://sonyalphanex.blogspot.com/2010/12/sony-nex-cold-shoe-mount-from-jtec.html) would help the VF issue a good bit, at least with big DOF lenses (wides) and manual exp control.

I generally get frustrated with Sony operating logic, though.

Close.

- Charles

[Nokton48]

The JTec Cold Shoe fits the Nex-5, but not the Nex-3. The fitting/mating surfaces are different on both cameras.

I handled the new Sony Viewfinder for the Nex-3 (at Midwest Photo) last weekend, and frankly, I don't like it. Too much like a Voigtlander viewfinder IMO, maybe Cosina makes them? For $169-$179 I think I will pass on that one. Somebody needs to make a good cold shoe for the Nex-3 that actually fits. I'd pay $50-$60 for one, myself.

[nigelb]

The JTec Cold Shoe fits the Nex-5, but not the Nex-3. The fitting/mating surfaces are different on both cameras.



Do we actually know this is true? Their website FAQ clearly states that it fits the Nex 3, I would have thought they would have known. Can anyone confirm this one way or another?

[FPjohn]

Do we actually know this is true? Their website FAQ clearly states that it fits the Nex 3, I would have thought they would have known. Can anyone confirm this one way or another?

The Nex 5 and Nex 3 do not have the same sized bay for the accessory port and the jtec shoe mount will not fit the Nex 3. The flash does of course
and I assume the Sony optical finder shoe mount fits both cameras.

jtec did not respond to an email inquiry on this issue or to a request for return/refund.

The shoe is well made and does fit the Nex 5.

yours
FPJ

[FPjohn]

The JTec Cold Shoe fits the Nex-5, but not the Nex-3. The fitting/mating surfaces are different on both cameras.

I handled the new Sony Viewfinder for the Nex-3 (at Midwest Photo) last weekend, and frankly, I don't like it. Too much like a Voigtlander viewfinder IMO, maybe Cosina makes them? For $169-$179 I think I will pass on that one. Somebody needs to make a good cold shoe for the Nex-3 that actually fits. I'd pay $50-$60 for one, myself.

Some have hacked the shoe from the Sony finder to fit others. A bit expensive. I hope Sony makes the shoe available standard in box or as an affordable accessory.

yours
FPJ

[douglasf13]

Hmm... I saw a representative from Jtec respond to this issue recently on another forum, and he did confirm that the cold shoe worked on the NEX-3. Very confusing.

[ampguy]

I wish someone else would come out with a cold shoe, priced more reasonably - would love to use a 28 VF with 21 lens.

[nigelb]

Hmm... I saw a representative from Jtec respond to this issue recently on another forum, and he did confirm that the cold shoe worked on the NEX-3. Very confusing.

Yes, still confused. I'd buy one in a flash if I wasn't. I'm certainly not going to dismember an expensive Sony viewfinder - I've got viewfinders coming out of my ears, hence my interest in this device.

FPJ, it sounds as though you may have tried it so i'll take your word for it until somebody somewhere posts a picture of one fitted to a Nex 3, but I will try to e-mail JTec and see if they respond.

[Nokton48]

Dan Hausman (from Midwest Photo) and I were looking at the Sony Nex-3 finder, it dosen't seem easy to attach, the flip-out hatch on the body gets in the way. You'd need forceps to turn the knurled attachment knob, we had a laugh about that. Also he looked through it, and commented "it dosen't seem sharp". Then we had another laugh about the $179 price.

Dan also commented that, if you removed four screws, you could probably remove the shoe from the finder. But alas, it is made of plastic. I would not attach a heavy metal finder to that thing, no way. I would want one made of metal, like the JTec.

[FPjohn]

Yes, still confused. I'd buy one in a flash if I wasn't. I'm certainly not going to dismember an expensive Sony viewfinder - I've got viewfinders coming out of my ears, hence my interest in this device.

FPJ, it sounds as though you may have tried it so i'll take your word for it until somebody somewhere posts a picture of one fitted to a Nex 3, but I will try to e-mail JTec and see if they respond.

The door to the accessory bay would block the shoe if it could be attached to the accessory port. It cannot . Jtec must have never checked the accessory bay in the Nex 3. It is deeper than that on the Nex 5.

A U shaped version of the Jtec's Nex 5 cradle for the Nex 3, with a top mounted and centered cold shoe, would be ideal. I would buy one.

yours
FPJ

[River Dog]

The NEX-3 with Zeiss 50mm has got me dabbling with colour again. First time out with it on a very bright day and it wasn't so bad. Just looked for an edge in the magnifier, as I do on my old RFs. There was no need for speed in this location :rolleyes:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5497642944_1cea6913fc_b.jpg

[kshapero]

The Sony Zoom kit lens stopped focusing (almost never use it anyway). Sony will repair for free but only if I send it in with the body. Bummer. Now I will have to prove to myself that my M3 can really do it all. Yeehay!!

[douglasf13]

Dan Hausman (from Midwest Photo) and I were looking at the Sony Nex-3 finder, it dosen't seem easy to attach, the flip-out hatch on the body gets in the way. You'd need forceps to turn the knurled attachment knob, we had a laugh about that. Also he looked through it, and commented "it dosen't seem sharp". Then we had another laugh about the $179 price.

Dan also commented that, if you removed four screws, you could probably remove the shoe from the finder. But alas, it is made of plastic. I would not attach a heavy metal finder to that thing, no way. I would want one made of metal, like the JTec.

I have my Leica SBOOI 50mm Viewfinder attached in the hotshoe of the Sony 16mm OVF, and it actually feels quite solid.

[Nokton48]

I have my Leica SBOOI 50mm Viewfinder attached in the hotshoe of the Sony 16mm OVF, and it actually feels quite solid.

That's good to know.

[Pablito]

The Rainbowimaging M to NEX converter I got works, but is defective - it does not lock in the M lens. The locking pin simply does not go into the slot on the M lens so you can remove the lens just with a twist - the locking pin/tab do not work. They offered a refund but I wanted to order another one from them (since they are so much cheaper than other adapters) before returning the defective one. HA- they blocked me on eBay - they won't take my money or respond to my request to unblock me.

EDIT:
Got another one from Rainbow via Amazon and it works ok.

[ampguy]

I'm not sure who makes mine, but it says "R/J" on it. It works fine, and locks solidly on all M, and LTM lens with CV or Leica adapters.

My Konica AR adapter and Nikon G/AFS adapters are from Rainbow, they lock solidly too.

They are all the right lengths as well allowing infinity focus.

The one disappointing adapter form them is a C-mount to E adapter that came bundled with a 25/1.4 CCTV lens. It either needs shimming or spacing, but this particular budget lens is pretty low quality (and was low cost), so it could be the lens itself that is slightly off.

[GaryLH]

The Nex 5 and Nex 3 do not have the same sized bay for the accessory port and the jtec shoe mount will not fit the Nex 3. The flash does of course
and I assume the Sony optical finder shoe mount fits both cameras.

jtec did not respond to an email inquiry on this issue or to a request for return/refund.

The shoe is well made and does fit the Nex 5.

yours
FPJ

Resurrected this thread to help answer this question. I bought a jtec for my Nex-3. It does not fit properly. I took a good look at the issue today. There is a screw hole at bottom of the camera well area used to attach the hot shoe. The ledge on the Nex 3 is slightly higher than what the jtec was designed for. The screw they used just missed engaging. I suspect that depending on tolerance differences your luck without hack will very.

I hacked it by drilling out the inside hole of the jtec where screw head is by about the thickness of a credit card or so. This allowed the screw to engage correctly.

Gary

[FPjohn]

JTEC how provides a free adapter spacer for the NEX 3. Just email them.

yours
FPJ

[GaryLH]

Oh well too late for me :(. Hacked already.

Gary