uhoh7
Veteran
I finally got one of these just the other day
nothing fancy, but here is my summicron 50 v4
quality is good.
Design is good for what it is trying to do. Weight is the same as the 20USD rainbow.
What I would like on all my adapters is infinity tuning with a small lock, as find some of my stuff will fall just short of infinity---very close, but not quite there.
Also, in general, almost all the adapters are too heavy. This one is perhaps the only exception, since of course it does have the helicoid.
I think we may start to see more serious adapters with the release of the nex-7
nothing fancy, but here is my summicron 50 v4
quality is good.
Design is good for what it is trying to do. Weight is the same as the 20USD rainbow.
What I would like on all my adapters is infinity tuning with a small lock, as find some of my stuff will fall just short of infinity---very close, but not quite there.
Also, in general, almost all the adapters are too heavy. This one is perhaps the only exception, since of course it does have the helicoid.
I think we may start to see more serious adapters with the release of the nex-7
ampguy
Veteran
you're right
you're right
I'm thinking 12" and my 1mm isn't exact, it's a cut out credit card shim.
you're right
I'm thinking 12" and my 1mm isn't exact, it's a cut out credit card shim.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Dang, went to the Ebay site this morning but decided to think about it, went again just now and the adapter is sold out. Dang
uhoh7
Veteran
Best to just message him on Ebay and request he bill you via paypal with ETA on shipping.
I did that after about a month of trying to catch his auctions.
douglasf13
Well-known
I'm still surprised that someone hasn't come out with a better built, smallish, smoother Contax G to NEX adapter. I'd probably pay over $200 for one.
michel v
Member
I bought this adapter for the capability to focus closer, and now I end up actually using the adapter to focus most of my M lenses!
When you set your lenses to infinity (or better yet, hyperfocal) and use the helicoid for focusing, it provides a unified way to focus from infinity to a little closer than usual with every lens. (I could never get used to the focus tabs.)
When you set your lenses to infinity (or better yet, hyperfocal) and use the helicoid for focusing, it provides a unified way to focus from infinity to a little closer than usual with every lens. (I could never get used to the focus tabs.)
Nebster
Newbie
Me, too, although the hawk helicoid is not as smooth and is slightly overdamped compared to the plush Leica ones.
segedi
RFicianado
Just made my purchase. Hawk emailed and said they were back in stock. Ebay search: 320776907958 Now to order that Nex-7...
Adanac
Well-known
Glad I stumbled across this thread, I picked up one tonight too. Thanks for the heads up on new availability...!
segedi
RFicianado
Adanac - I was impressed that I received an email from them. And I have a NEX-7 kit on order with The Camera Store in Calgary. Decided to get the kit lenses for video.
Adanac
Well-known
It seems that the NEX-7 may be further delayed. Thailand sure is taking a beating.
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-11666-12017
Mike
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-11666-12017
Mike
uhoh7
Veteran
nikkor 5cm/1.4 w/ hawk
jpfisher
Well-known
I just got mine in the mail--have a loaner 5N from work right now, and am going back and forth between the purchase of that camera + EVF or the NEX-7.
That said, some quick shots with/without the adapter for those who are curious of some side-by-sides with different lenses. All shots wide open at closest focusing distance with the adapter set at each of its extremes. All photos shot RAW and exported from Lightroom at default settings.
Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 (thread mount version)
Leica Summilux ASPH f/1.4 (non-FLE version)
Leica Summicron Dual Range 50mm f/2
And finally, the 48mm filter thread/with tripod mount version of the 90mm Summicron (Canadian)
Gallery is online here -- http://www.downeffect.com/gallery3/index.php/2011-10-31 -- with larger versions (1400px on long edge) available for the pixel peepers among us.
That said, some quick shots with/without the adapter for those who are curious of some side-by-sides with different lenses. All shots wide open at closest focusing distance with the adapter set at each of its extremes. All photos shot RAW and exported from Lightroom at default settings.
Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 (thread mount version)
Leica Summilux ASPH f/1.4 (non-FLE version)
Leica Summicron Dual Range 50mm f/2
And finally, the 48mm filter thread/with tripod mount version of the 90mm Summicron (Canadian)
Gallery is online here -- http://www.downeffect.com/gallery3/index.php/2011-10-31 -- with larger versions (1400px on long edge) available for the pixel peepers among us.
dct
perpetual amateur
Amazing difference, thank you for sharing. And, btw, nice closeup with the CV15/4.5.
jpfisher
Well-known
One more thing about the adapter--it allows you to mount the Leica Super-Angulon f/3.4, but only at close focusing distances--so you won't be able to use it at infinity. Normal adapters don't let you mount that lens at all on an NEX.
damnlamb
Newbie
Adanac
Well-known
damblamb, in that first shot I really like how the 35/2 renders on your NEX. My Hawk adapter arrived this morning - can't wait to check it out with my 35/2.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Mine just arrived. Can't wait to try it out. - Ben
artur5
Member
...................................................................................
Disclaimer :
Sorry people, this is a 'longuer than usual' post.
Feel free to ignore it unless you have plenty of spare time .
...........................................................................................
My Hawks arrived yesterday. As I had already a Metabones Nex-M adapter, I'll try to describe the ( IMHO ) pluses and minuses of each of them.
The Hawks is lighweight compared to the Metabones; both feel solid.
The Metabones has better "looks" it's beautifully finished. The Hawks looks more industrial grade. This is of no concern if what it matters is performance.
Measuring the thickness of both adapters with a caliper, I obtained : 9.77 mm. for the Hawks; 9.62 mm. for the Metabones.
I knew that the Metabones focused a bit past infinity with the only M lens I own ( in fact a LTM lens plus M-LTM adapter )
Testing the Hawks ( making sure that the helicoid was at 0 ) infinity wasn't completely achieved ( camera on tripod, distant object, 14X magnif.)
Fortunately, as my lens is a LTM with adapter to M bayonet. what I did last night was to grind gradually the flat side of the LTM to M adapter ( previously 0,95 mm. thick ). I found that when the adapter was at 0.90mm. infinity seemed spot on with the Hawks. Of course, the Metabones focuses a bit more past infinity than before, but this isn't important
The helicoid on the Hawks works great, smooth but it won't move when you turn the focus ring of the lens. Certainly feels good.
Fitting the lens into the Hawks was a bit harder than expected but when it was in, not the slightest play or rotation when focusing. A perfect fit. The Metabones on his part allows an easier mounting but, at the same time. has a bit of play sideways when the lens is mounted.
My conclusion is that, while those two are high quality adapters, they seem to be built with different approaches. Metabones plays the safe bet. Making a thin adapter, they won't risk infinity problems with lenses or bodies a bit out of specifications. Not all lenses are Leicas in pristine shape. Many older units from several brands were built with less strict tolerance and years had made things worse, So, in that matter, Metabones option seems wise. Hawks on the contrary makes adapters exactly to specifications. This is a sign of good quality but, at the same time, risky. We might end up, as in my case, not reaching inf. focus if the lens is only minimally thicker than what it should.
The tight fit of the lens into the adapter is a good thing also but, again, if the bayonet of the lens, or the LTM-M adapter is not perfectly shaped, mounting it into the Hawks might be problematic.
Metabones played safe here also and isn't likely that we'll have any problem mounting the lens but the risk of play or wobbliness increases, because some lenses may have worn bayonets and some LTM-M adapters, specially the Ebay cheapies, are far from perfect.
All summed up I'm keeping the Hawks and selling the Metabones, mainly for the helicoid of course, but even if it hadn't that feature, I'd keep it too.
Be aware though, that the Hawks adapter isn't forgiving with sloppy or worn lenses and/or cheap LTM adapters.
Disclaimer :
Sorry people, this is a 'longuer than usual' post.
Feel free to ignore it unless you have plenty of spare time .
...........................................................................................
My Hawks arrived yesterday. As I had already a Metabones Nex-M adapter, I'll try to describe the ( IMHO ) pluses and minuses of each of them.
The Hawks is lighweight compared to the Metabones; both feel solid.
The Metabones has better "looks" it's beautifully finished. The Hawks looks more industrial grade. This is of no concern if what it matters is performance.
Measuring the thickness of both adapters with a caliper, I obtained : 9.77 mm. for the Hawks; 9.62 mm. for the Metabones.
I knew that the Metabones focused a bit past infinity with the only M lens I own ( in fact a LTM lens plus M-LTM adapter )
Testing the Hawks ( making sure that the helicoid was at 0 ) infinity wasn't completely achieved ( camera on tripod, distant object, 14X magnif.)
Fortunately, as my lens is a LTM with adapter to M bayonet. what I did last night was to grind gradually the flat side of the LTM to M adapter ( previously 0,95 mm. thick ). I found that when the adapter was at 0.90mm. infinity seemed spot on with the Hawks. Of course, the Metabones focuses a bit more past infinity than before, but this isn't important
The helicoid on the Hawks works great, smooth but it won't move when you turn the focus ring of the lens. Certainly feels good.
Fitting the lens into the Hawks was a bit harder than expected but when it was in, not the slightest play or rotation when focusing. A perfect fit. The Metabones on his part allows an easier mounting but, at the same time. has a bit of play sideways when the lens is mounted.
My conclusion is that, while those two are high quality adapters, they seem to be built with different approaches. Metabones plays the safe bet. Making a thin adapter, they won't risk infinity problems with lenses or bodies a bit out of specifications. Not all lenses are Leicas in pristine shape. Many older units from several brands were built with less strict tolerance and years had made things worse, So, in that matter, Metabones option seems wise. Hawks on the contrary makes adapters exactly to specifications. This is a sign of good quality but, at the same time, risky. We might end up, as in my case, not reaching inf. focus if the lens is only minimally thicker than what it should.
The tight fit of the lens into the adapter is a good thing also but, again, if the bayonet of the lens, or the LTM-M adapter is not perfectly shaped, mounting it into the Hawks might be problematic.
Metabones played safe here also and isn't likely that we'll have any problem mounting the lens but the risk of play or wobbliness increases, because some lenses may have worn bayonets and some LTM-M adapters, specially the Ebay cheapies, are far from perfect.
All summed up I'm keeping the Hawks and selling the Metabones, mainly for the helicoid of course, but even if it hadn't that feature, I'd keep it too.
Be aware though, that the Hawks adapter isn't forgiving with sloppy or worn lenses and/or cheap LTM adapters.
kxl
Social Documentary
I finally decided to order one of these. Hawks has "more than 10 available" on ebay right now, although as others have noted, you can obviously just email him and asked to be invoiced.