View Full Version : Official Fuji M adapter
noimmunity
06-27-2012, 12:03
I received the M adapter late in the day, just before I leave. I probably shouldn't be posting willy-nilly, but here are some first images and impressions.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7456386478_256e4a827a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456386478/)
Sonnar 40 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456386478/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7456381090_2ecbe2c390_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456381090/)
Sonnar 40 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456381090/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7456375146_d09cee4d21_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456375146/)
ZM 18 Distagon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456375146/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7456368572_fb6baf8df1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456368572/)
Elmar 24 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456368572/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7456458280_dfc212460e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456458280/)
Elmar @ infinity (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/7456458280/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
The mechanics of the M adapter are superb. No play when mounted. The function button on the adapter allows easy access to menu options for adapted lenses, including focal length, distorition correction, and illumination correction.
Framelines are difficult to see in bright sunlight. I haven't yet checked to see if there is a way to brighten them.
Corner smearing is evident on the wides, especially, but is much less severe on the Elmar 24 than on the ZM 18. Given the DOF on this lens, I think it will make a pretty sweet set-up for zone focusing
These images were taken hand-held at ISO 6400 (!), except for the one at infinity.
It is a pity that the XP1 sensor was not developed with microlenses. The user-definable settings of the official M adapter make the use of M lenses a tantalizing proposition. It is fairly easy to toggle between OVF and magnified EVF view for focus.
It will be fun to use wide M lenses through the OVF in zone focus mode for non-critical work, as well as normal lenses for portraiture.
Hi
I've had the adapter for a few days, while happy around the house with visible frame lines but outdoors I had to switch to evf. Then Fuji goes announces the 85 f1.4 equiv :bang: and either 23 or 28 :bang::bang:.
I'm leaning towards using the fuji's 95% and occasional M use.
More thoughts and pics later
Sven
So, what kind of frame lines does the adapter allow you to have with m-mount lenses? How accurate are those frame lines?
So, what kind of frame lines does the adapter allow you to have with m-mount lenses? How accurate are those frame lines?
4 preset frame lines and two custom settings.
I just got mine today. My two customs currently are for cv 15 and 40.
The 15 ends up with yellow arrows pointing to the corners indicating that the lens is wider than the finder can handle. The 40 looks about right.
The function button on the adapter is great. It gets u direct to the custom menu to change lens info.
Really like the barrel and light fall off adjustments.
I now know why my Leica 35 sumicron will not work on this adapter. The housing for the electronic on the m adapter decreases the acceptable rear element diameter.. U will not notice the Issue unless u try to focus at infinity, are which point the rear element will hit the housing. :bang: it stops a hair before the inf mark.
Gary
Noimmunity
The frame line brightness issue was answered in this thread.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121228
I just tried it, works like a charm. Now I have my ovf set at 5 and LCD at 3 :)
Gary
So does this adapter for the M lenses allow full use of the lens – full aperture, ISO and focusing control, or is it down to having to magnify to focus and play around to get the light ok?
So does this adapter for the M lenses allow full use of the lens – full aperture, ISO and focusing control, or is it down to having to magnify to focus and play around to get the light ok?
I am not sure I understand your question. So let me c if I can walk thru it.
- essentially a normal adapter with electrical contacts
- outside of activating the fw features and allowing use of adapter function button to go direct to custom lens menu , right now I am not sure what else
- if shoot w/o lens is off, attaching this adapter will automatically activate
- aperture info is no sent back to the camera from the lens
- focusing distance is not sent back to the camera as well
- I cannot guess the iso question
Just like other adapters like the Rainbow or the Kiron, u are stuck in aperture priority mode or full manual. I mainly using jsrocks advice and using camera in full manual and letting auto-iso handle the rest.
Spent yesterday setting up the barrel distortion and light fall off settings for all the lenses I plan to use with this setup. I have not figured out best way to setup the color correction change test, so if anyone has suggestion please let me know.
Barrel was the normal grid wall and light fall off was a white wall.
When u change lenses, all u need to do is plress function key on adapter and your right in the custom lens selection menu.. Change the lens and all the previously saved info about corrections is pulled up for that lens. Not sure if it is saved in the adapter or the camera body right now.
Hope that answers part of your question.
Gary
Ps I was not able to c the effects of these correction live, so this info most be applied during post processing to jpg not sure right about raw file yet.
4 preset frame lines and two custom settings.[...]
Does anybody comprehend why Fuji spent four lens configuration memories for predefined focal lenghts (21/24/28/35mm)? Only two remains for user configuration.
E.g. adapting two 50mm with different correction requirements and one or two longer lenses will give you no advantage over a 3rd party adapter, because I suppose you wouldn't change the correction parameters for memory #5 or #6 on the fly.
Or do I overlook something?
Does anybody comprehend why Fuji spent four lens configuration memories for predefined focal lenghts (21/24/28/35mm)? Only two remains for user configuration.
E.g. adapting two 50mm with different correction requirements and one or two longer lenses will give you no advantage over a 3rd party adapter, because I suppose you wouldn't change the correction parameters for memory #5 or #6 on the fly.
Or do I overlook something?
My guess is that their marketing survey found most rf users were 50 and under for their legacy lenses.
I would think that this can be changed by SW. Fuji seems to listen, so if enough people complain, u may c a fw update to address this.
For myself.. It works for me, I currently only have three lenses I plan to use anyway...
Konica 21/35
Cv15 and 28
The cv 15 is going to end up being the most used.... It will end up being pair with the Fuji 35f1.4... Or the 28. --> 23/50 or 23/42 works for me.
Gary
Gary
I am not sure I understand your question. So let me c if I can walk thru it.
- essentially a normal adapter with electrical contacts
- outside of activating the fw features and allowing use of adapter function button to go direct to custom lens menu , right now I am not sure what else
- if shoot w/o lens is off, attaching this adapter will automatically activate
- aperture info is no sent back to the camera from the lens
- focusing distance is not sent back to the camera as well
- I cannot guess the iso question
Just like other adapters like the Rainbow or the Kiron, u are stuck in aperture priority mode or full manual. I mainly using jsrocks advice and using camera in full manual and letting auto-iso handle the rest.
Spent yesterday setting up the barrel distortion and light fall off settings for all the lenses I plan to use with this setup. I have not figured out best way to setup the color correction change test, so if anyone has suggestion please let me know.
Barrel was the normal grid wall and light fall off was a white wall.
When u change lenses, all u need to do is plress function key on adapter and your right in the custom lens selection menu.. Change the lens and all the previously saved info about corrections is pulled up for that lens. Not sure if it is saved in the adapter or the camera body right now.
Hope that answers part of your question.
Gary
Ps I was not able to c the effects of these correction live, so this info most be applied during post processing to jpg not sure right about raw file yet.
Hello Gary, yes, that answered my question.
Just like other adapters like the Rainbow or the Kiron, u are stuck in aperture priority mode or full manual.
...which is identical to the several Nikon FE2s I've owned, and much better than my M6. :D
The cv 15 is going to end up being the most used....
You are going to be very happy with that setup. I have a pal who's doing fantastic work with it. So much so that I'm thinking of getting the 15 myself.
Just got my Fujifilm adaptor today. Beautiful fit & finish, comparable to a Novoflex adaptor. VASTLY better made than the piece of fecal matter that I got from Kipon. The extra in-camera processing options, and the function button on the adaptor, are nice bonuses.
noimmunity
07-08-2012, 12:31
Noimmunity
The frame line brightness issue was answered in this thread.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121228
I just tried it, works like a charm. Now I have my ovf set at 5 and LCD at 3 :)
Gary
Hey all, I'm back.
I don't get how the OVF and LCD brightness can be set to different parameters...:confused:
Hey all, I'm back.
I don't get how the OVF and LCD brightness can be set to different parameters...:confused:
When looking at the rear LCD and changing the brightness level it will only change the LCD not the ovf. The brightness of the ovf and evf seem to be tied together.
When u look thru the viewfinder and set the brightness te brightness setting should now be for the ovf/evf only.
Hope that helps.
Gary
noimmunity
07-08-2012, 19:57
Hope that helps.
Gary
Thanks, Gary. That clarifies it. Excellent feature!
Here's a nice wee video showing the adapter in use. There's a plastic tool supplied to allow you to check that the lenses will fit OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eps0FfmeRw&feature=plcp
So, what does the OVF focus box look like when using an M-mount lens via adapter? Do you just point the focus spot to your subject, turn the focus gear on the lens, and then the focus box lights up when focus is achieved? Any feedback on which direction to turn the focus wheel (e.g. with optical RF you turn focus in the direction that would bring the overlaid image to the center of the frame)?
So, what does the OVF focus box look like when using an M-mount lens via adapter? Do you just point the focus spot to your subject, turn the focus gear on the lens, and then the focus box lights up when focus is achieved? Any feedback on which direction to turn the focus wheel (e.g. with optical RF you turn focus in the direction that would bring the overlaid image to the center of the frame)?
No focus confirmation that I am aware of when using ovf. I mainly use the ovf when I am using zone focusing. I use evf mode when I want accurate focusing. Semilog mentioned a technique for using both evf and ovf...
Gary
This weekend I had a chance to use my gxr w/ m mount module after more than 6 weeks of nothing but using the xp1 and the last week or so with the Fuji m mount adapter.
Things I wish Fuji would do
- focus peaking
- Ricoh two stage magnification mode..
- - mag on and active
- - half press to c full screen to recompose for shot
- - after shot go back to mag mode until mag disabled
- Sony Nex choice of two levels of mag
Gary
noimmunity
07-16-2012, 19:40
I've been shooting events with the adapter for the past week using the ZM C Sonnar and the Leica 24/3.8 Elmar. In most cases, the C Sonnar is easy to focus wide open in the EVF without even using magnification. The Elmar of course gives huge DOF and I mostly use the OVF. Results from the C Sonnar are stunning.
The additional correction functions are useful to all adapted lenses. It's unfair that these functions can only be trigered by the official adapter.
Will this official adapter work the same with 6-bit coded or non-coded leica lenses?
Will this official adapter work the same with 6-bit coded or non-coded leica lenses?
I do not think it cares... I do not c a way for it to make use of the 6bit code...
Gary
I do not think it cares... I do not c a way for it to make use of the 6bit code...
Gary
You are right. Just noticed there are no optical or electronic contacts on the lens side of this adapter.
Are you guys seeing a big difference over something like a Rainbow adapter - other than frame lines? I am close to pulling the trigger on the Fuji adapter.
rbelyell
07-21-2012, 09:24
yes, this is THE question, no? besides metadata info, i think we are all interested in the IQ difference this adapter provides, if any, over the others.
tony
yes, this is THE question, no? besides metadata info, i think we are all interested in the IQ difference this adapter provides, if any, over the others.
tony
Maybe some comparison shots exist somewhere. :)
Not a big difference.
Depends on whether you want in-camera compensation for geometry, shading, vignetting. The Fuji adaptor supports that.
The Fuji is of much better build quality than the cheap third party adaptors. It's made to the standards of a (German) Novoflex adaptor and priced accordingly. It is a good bet that the lens is more likely to be precisely centered and parallel to the sensor plane with the Fuji than with the cheaper adaptors. Whether that leads to a visible difference in IQ... well, in most cases probably not.
It's also got a hardware button on the adaptor that instantly brings up the lens menu, so that if you are using multiple M-mount lenses you get directly to the menu for setting FL. That's a very nice touch.
For basic use I'd get the Rainbow. For more intensive use, the Fuji.
Stay away from the Kipon. The one I got had absolutely awful machining tolerances, so bad that M-mount lenses rattled when mounted.
rbelyell
07-21-2012, 10:35
well heres what i dont get: there was so much complaining about RF lens 'smearing', lack of depth and character on the xpro, and yet folks seem to be focused on non IQ features of this adapter. if RF lenses dont produce properly on this camera, why does anyone care about adapter 'build quality' or metadata ability?
tony
But it seems that third party dumb adapters will not. limit which lenses can and cannot be used due to the lack of electronics getting in the way, no? You'll have to make your own lens corrections in pp then.
But it seems that third party dumb adapters will not. limit which lenses can and cannot be used due to the lack of electronics getting in the way, no? You'll have to make your own lens corrections in pp then.
Only a few lenses don't work with the Fuji adaptor. If you don't need to use those lenses it's not an issue. If you do need to use them, it is.
This isn't rocket science, folks.
well heres what i dont get: there was so much complaining about RF lens 'smearing',
Some lenses show some smearing, some don't. Same as on, say, an NEX-7. For shooting landscape or architecture this might matter. For general pictorial photography, it hardly ever does.
lack of depth and character on the xpro,
I'm not going to pull punches on this one. This is asinine.
and yet folks seem to be focused on non IQ features of this adapter. if RF lenses dont produce properly on this camera, why does anyone care about adapter 'build quality' or metadata ability?
tony
Depends on one's requirements. You seem to want a simple general answer. There is NOT a simple, general answer. You need to think for yourself.
Not a big difference.
Depends on whether you want in-camera compensation for geometry, shading, vignetting. The Fuji adaptor supports that.
The Fuji is of much better build quality than the cheap third party adaptors. It's made to the standards of a (German) Novoflex adaptor and priced accordingly. It is a good bet that the lens is more likely to be precisely centered and parallel to the sensor plane with the Fuji than with the cheaper adaptors. Whether that leads to a visible difference in IQ... well, in most cases probably not.
It's also got a hardware button on the adaptor that instantly brings up the lens menu, so that if you are using multiple M-mount lenses you get directly to the menu for setting FL. That's a very nice touch.
For basic use I'd get the Rainbow. For more intensive use, the Fuji.
Stay away from the Kipon. The one I got had absolutely awful machining tolerances, so bad that M-mount lenses rattled when mounted.
That helps - I was just thinking about one for very wide use. I have seen some shots that look pretty good from the CV 12mm. I think I'll get the Rainbow and go from there....
digitalintrigue
07-21-2012, 13:23
Here is a photo of the Hawk M adapter with the close focusing helical.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7617715510_abaa76bdbc_c.jpg
rbelyell
07-21-2012, 14:30
'lack of character on the xpro'
I'm not going to pull punches on this one. This is asinine.
'if RF lenses do not produce properly on the xpro why does anyone care about the adapters build quality and metadata ability'
Depends on one's requirements. You seem to want a simple general answer. There is NOT a simple, general answer. You need to think for yourself.
what a gratuitously nasty response. characterizing the fairly widespread comments on the poor performance of RF lenses on the xpro as 'asinine' does nothing to shed any light on the widespread criticism of RF lens IQ on the xpro, which foreshadows the basic misunderstanding inherent in your second point, that i shoud 'think for myself'. one of the main purposes of a forum like this is the flow of INFORMATION. we can all 'think' for ourselves without need of a camera forum. the point of my post was in essence seeking information on the effect of this adapter on the IQ of RF lenses on the xpro, which implicates a discussion on the validity of the aforesaid widespread criiticism. information flow is helpful, boorish replies not so much.
noimmunity
07-21-2012, 15:55
Sonnar lenses, of which I have a ZM C Sonnar, a Rollei Sonnar LTM, and a Nikkor 85/2, all do very very well on the X-Pro1. The small amount of smearing at the edges just plays naturally into the characteristic sonnar fade from bitingly high resolution on center to sluggish resolution in the corners.
On the wide end, I've especially enjoyed using the Leica Elmar 24 with the X-Pro1 EVF. Results from the ZM 18 are almost as good, but the ergonomics on the smaller lenses like the Elmar is better.
It is easy to focus using the EVF, and relatively easy to focus and recompose toggling between the OVF and magnified EVF view. The Fuji M adapter has been a worthwhile addition to my X-Pro1 kit, and I'm glad I waited for it. Just too bad that I can't use the Nokton 35/1.2 on it.
Semilog gets it right when he says that for most pictures, the corner smearing isn't a big deal. I'm taking the X-Pro1 backpacking next week just to see how I feel about using it for landscape.
Sonnar lenses, of which I have a ZM C Sonnar, a Rollei Sonnar LTM, and a Nikkor 85/2, all do very very well on the X-Pro1. The small amount of smearing at the edges just plays naturally into the characteristic sonnar fade from bitingly high resolution on center to sluggish resolution in the corners.
On the wide end, I've especially enjoyed using the Leica Elmar 24 with the X-Pro1 EVF. Results from the ZM 18 are almost as good, but the ergonomics on the smaller lenses like the Elmar is better.
It is easy to focus using the EVF, and relatively easy to focus and recompose toggling between the OVF and magnified EVF view. The Fuji M adapter has been a worthwhile addition to my X-Pro1 kit, and I'm glad I waited for it. Just too bad that I can't use the Nokton 35/1.2 on it.
Semilog gets it right when he says that for most pictures, the corner smearing isn't a big deal. I'm taking the X-Pro1 backpacking next week just to see how I feel about using it for landscape.
I thought using the CV 12 would show more smearing than the shots I have seen do. Looks acceptable to me for sure, it simply won't be very noticeable at such a wide FOV. Maybe sometime I'll try my 90mm, but I don't think there will be any problems with that...
characterizing the fairly widespread comments on the poor performance of RF lenses on the xpro as 'asinine'
Let us be precise.
I said that claims of the X-Pro's purported "lack of depth and character" were asinine, and structured my reply so that it was quite clear exactly which text I was referring to. I did not attempt to indicate whether those claims were yours or you were simply referring to claims by others. In either case, those are meaningless descriptors, ambiguous, without precision or utility. "Asinine" is indeed harsh but that's what I think.
Other claims, such as corner smearing with certain lenses, are accurate and were noted with the NEX-5 and NEX-7 long before the X-Pro1 was released. It's usually not a problem in real photos, depending on the subject, the composition, and the intended use of the files.
Your comment, "'if RF lenses do not produce properly on the xpro why does anyone care about the adapters build quality and metadata ability'" depends on a variety of assumptions about what it means to "produce properly" -- this will mean different things for different people. As I indicated you'll have to define your own specific needs and requirements and think for yourself about what equipment serves those needs. I use native lenses and adapted lenses on my X-Pro for versatility, and because many photographs (even many quite good ones) don't depend on perfect corner sharpness.
Again, as I said, the answers are not simple. I know a number of highly experienced M & digital shooters who are doing superb work with X-Pro's and adapted M lenses (e.g. CV 15/4.5; Leica 24/2.8 ASPH), and others who have bought and sold X-Pro outfits because they were not a good fit to the photographers' styles of work.
Nothing gratuitous about it. No one's going to decide for you.
rbelyell
07-22-2012, 05:42
thank you the clarification, much appreciated.
Here is a photo of the Hawk M adapter with the close focusing helical.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7617715510_abaa76bdbc_c.jpg
That really looks interesting, thanks.
So I've been playing with the 35/2.8 C-Biogon on the Fuji adaptor. Fuji claims that it's not a compatible lens and the gauge that comes with the lens indicates that the back elements are too large in diameter to fit. But it does in fact fit without any mechanical interference. Or, at least, my particular C-Biogon fits my particular Fuji adaptor without interference.
Your mileage may vary, please proceed with caution!
The results: absolutely stellar! Sharp to the edges even at 100% crop. I also have the XF 35/1.4; the baby Biogon is at least as good, and it's easy to manually focus, too. I am VERY happy with this setup. So much so that it means the XF is now a specialist lens for shallow DoF, lower light, or closer focus. I may sell the XF.
I still need to do a little work to see if the baby Biogon has any color shift in the corners that requires compensation. If there is, it's subtle. A truly winning combinationl
As an aside, looking closely at this adaptor it has some *very* striking similarities to the Novoflex adaptors, so much so that I'm starting to wonder if Novoflex manufactured all or part of the assembly. If they did (and if you look at the prices of other Novoflex adapters (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=novoflex+adapter+leica&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma), $200 for the Fuji adaptor starts to look like a bargain.
kuujinbo
07-30-2012, 07:19
Not a big difference.
For basic use I'd get the Rainbow. For more intensive use, the Fuji.
Stay away from the Kipon. The one I got had absolutely awful machining tolerances, so bad that M-mount lenses rattled when mounted.
+1. Had their M42 adapter - so much play it got returned. The M mount adapter has a small amount of play, but was the only adapter available when I got the body, so returning it wasn't an option. My $21 rainbowimaging LTM adapter fits better, seems to be made just as well, and is adjustable (the Kipon LTM isn't).
kuujinbo
07-30-2012, 07:24
Here is a photo of the Hawk M adapter with the close focusing helical.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7617715510_abaa76bdbc_c.jpg
Very nice! The helicoid looks to decrease the inner diameter of the adapter like Fuji's with electronic contacts. Have problems with any lenses? For example, read somewhere that the CV 28mm/f2 will physically not work with the Fuji adapter.
Thanks!
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