We have the first three “Lens Turbo” feedbacks from SAR readers ([shoplink 18455 ebay]eBay auctions here[/shoplink]):
1) SAR reader Gary (Click here) tested the Pentax to NEX Lens Turbo and you can see plenty of images on his blog. Some of his early findings:
– The build quality on the unit is fantastic,
– The field-of-view is actually a bit narrower than I expected,
– There is also a hint of vignetting wide open, and the adapter seems to add a slight green tint to the image, as well as a hint of distortion,
– it does seem to smudge and swirl the bokeh a bit.
2) Southerns: I’m returning my Lens Turbo. There is a large bluish dot in the center. Shot with a FS700 – http://youtu.be/zYB0lesJaxo I used the Samyang 14mm and Samyang 24mm. I also tested at the same time with the MTF adapter and that was ok. No filters were used at all. The camera was in the shade and I get the blue dot facing the opposite direction away from the sun too.
3) SAR reader Donny shared his Len Turbo image samples. Click on them to enlarge. The George Takai magazine, 2 Flower Shots, and Payphone were all shot with the Nex 5n plus, Lens Turbo Nikon-NEX adapter, and Nikkor 50 1.4 AIS.The rest were shot with the Samyang 35 1.4. All with an aperture of /f1.4 on lens (which becomes f/1.0 witht he Lens Turbi).
Current Lens Turbo auctions:
1) Hong Kong store Roxens sells the Pentax K to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18380 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink], Canon FD to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18420 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and Nikon F to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18421 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and Minolta MD to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18422 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
2) Shanghai store Jinfinance has three adapters: Pentax K to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18381 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink], Canon FD to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18382 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and Nikon F to NEX adapter on [shoplink 18383 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
26 Responses
Blue dot could be a dealbreaker. In what conditions does it start to occur?
I could faintly see the blue dot at f8. I’d say it’s there even at f5.6
The DPReview Forums thread downplayed the dot. Said it was more consistent at very small apertures and longer focal lengths, but this looks pretty bad. I hope I don’t have to return mine.
I saw the DPR thread and sample. I would not downplay it however what I saw could easily be dealt with in post similar to a dust spot. Obviously, that is not preferable, but if the IQ is worth it, the extra time to touch up would not be huge. If the IQ is otherwise suspect, it could push one to hold off.
I could clearly see the blue dot using a 14mm and 24mm Samyang. I didn’t try the 85mm.
Hm, the coating on the sensor/IR might be slightly different on other NEX cameras.
Both from the samples and ftom the reviews it appears that the quaility is dissapointing.
I beilieve better redults would be obtained by using a lens of the focal lrngth desired rather than using any adapter.
Confuse- Are there 2 different versions or are they the same just that one is engraved with the word zhongyI on it? I bought the Md to nex version hopefully I dont need to return it
Well, preliminary results are disappointing. There needs to be a lot more critical testing done but, as I said in earlier posts, I dont think this cheap copy is going to be up to the optical quality of the Metabones version. I am quite pleased with my Metabones C/Y SB. I had hoped this cheaper one would work for my Minolta glass but so far no go.
Green tint to images, IQ loss, critcal sharpness decreased, blue dot issues (reminds me of the Tamron SP 90/2.5 macro blue dot issue)…all this = fail.
Once again here is my Speedbooster folder on flickr. I would love for someone to post up a link to some more Lens Turbo shots so they could be used with my shots as a direct comparison. I feel that my shots are an accurate real world example of what you can expect from the metabones version.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/sets/72157633126249795/
I fail to see how even the best adapter can compare to a good prime lens.
Even the best metabones reviews claim some vignetting
I dont use anythng but good prime lenses on my SB. And in a way, the speedbooster is really just a prime lens in and of itself. Metabones homework and the lens design experience of Brian Caldwell seems to have paid off. A little vignetting? Yes, but many OEM lenses direct from the manufacturer vignette a little. Plus a little vignetting has never bothered me an is easily removable in post.
Anyway for the most part, for me anyways, the minor issues with the Metabones version are easily overcome for all the benefits it provides. Correct angle of view and an added stop are nothing to laugh at. And the image quality is fine.
Stellar pics!
Just ordered the Minolta version. Let’s see how it goes.
Dear SONY. Please put a fullframe sensor in a NEX, so we can do this without the image degredation caused by having additional optics in the light path.
It’s coming no doubt. But until then, this will save me the trouble and cost of upgrading to NEX-7 successor. I can skip a generation and go straight to FF.
Because 35mm FOV is my thing, I am skipping the FF NEX and going RX1. I am already selling a few things for that to happen.
Praying…
Great camera indeed. If I ever have $3000 lying around, I will probably get one too ;P
No blue dots on my PK version. Image is not degraded as far as I can see. No infinity focus either though–looking into that… Can’t really comment on corners until I get that sorted.
I did a quick comparison between a straight adapter and the turbo and I don’t see it affecting bokeh. Of course, you’re seeing more of the lenses’ rendering, so it gets swirlier out to the corners! If you crop the image to what you’d see in the APS-c area, you won’t notice a difference.
got the pk zhongyi, love it… call it “zombie”, coz it brings all the old lenses back to life 😉
So. Now the small camera has a very big lens, AND a big adapter.
Remind me, again, why you people don’t just buy a DSLR, if you’re going to attach a bunch of big items on your NEX?
Versatility and options. Plus what’s you’re point doug? doesn’t seem like you have one. Oh wait you’re trolling…
“Remind me, again, why you people don’t just buy a DSLR, if you’re going to attach a bunch of big items on your NEX?”
-I can use almost any lens ever made on my nex, cant do that with a DSLR
-Focus Peaking
-Smaller form factor, even with adapter and lenses
-No slapping mirror
-EVF
-And most importantly, the camera feels great in my hand and takes incredible photographs
The whole argument of ‘well its bigger with adapters’ is just foolish. There is absolutely no comparison between a NEX body with adapter and lens and a regular sized DSLR. I am not sure if you are aware of this Doug but the Speedbooster is smaller then a regular adapter for the NEX, by quite a bit. A friend of mine brought his 7D to work and he compared it with my NEX 7 with adapter and Minolta prime mounted up and there was NO comparison. His camera was huge and bulky next to my NEX. I used a Canon 40D for over a year for portraits and macro and when I switched to the NEX it was a revelation in usability. Macro photography became much easier. Street photography became much easier. All my photography became much more enjoyable. Carrying my NEX around all day with a few primes is nothing like lugging around a DSLR with lenses. Again, there is NO comparison.
Here is a good site that accurately displays the size between any two cameras you choose. This shows the Canon 7D and NEX 7. Again, no comparison when it comes to bulk.
http://camerasize.com/compare/#154,33
The whole concept of the NEX isnt just about size. It is the ultimate system camera. The NEX 7 is basically a 24mp digital back for almost every lens ever made. That is a powerful tool that no DSLR can duplicate. The smaller form factor is a bargain. So what if you mount up larger lenses and adapters to it? Professionals do that with DSLR’s all the time. My ex brother-in-law is the official Moto GP photographer for Honda and he mounts up HUGE telephoto lenses to his Nikons which look ridiculous. But its what he needs to get the shots of motorcycles moving at over 200mph way out on a racetrack. It is silly to judge a photography set up on what it LOOKS LIKE. You should rather judge on what the photos look like.
What do you shoot with Doug? And may we see your photos?
Very big lenses? Have you seen a pancake lens before? Pancake 50mm are dirt cheap and perform marvelously. The Nikon 50mm/1.8 AI-S + this adapter will be about the same size as the SEL50f18. Advantage? How about true 50mm FoV and extra stop of light?
It seems there is a problem with the coating. Mxcamera has commented on my video here – http://youtu.be/zYB0lesJaxo
“This is because of internal reflection of coat. The rear lens of lens turbo is too close to the senor. It will occur when using small aperture (around f/8), will fix it soon! Thank you so much.”
They have been very quick to respond considering it is a weekend.
Will fix soon? Does this mean we’ll get an exchange for defective copies?
It probably depends who you buy it through. I bought it from MXCamera and they gave me their address to send it back.
I would hope that any defective copy could be exchanged.