Novoflex Canon EF Lens to Leica SL Adapter: list of compatible/tested lenses

[Sandokan]

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How bad is vignetting with the Sigma DC lenses (18-35, 50-100)?

 

 

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[AlexP]

SL has the crop mode. Change it to crop mode when using APS-C lens.

[Leicaiste]

Sorry but I have the 24-105 Mark II and it is just ok. Not fast. The Art 85/1,4 is fast. But nothing to compare with the same lens on the 5D Mark IV.

[Ivar B]

Sorry but I have the 24-105 Mark II and it is just ok. Not fast. The Art 85/1,4 is fast. But nothing to compare with the same lens on the 5D Mark IV.

 

The autofocus speed of the Art 1.4/85 perhaps becomes of secondary importance when the camera freezes all the time (reported by many users). I could more easily live with a somewhat slower autofocus than a camera freeze.

[Vogelweide]

The autofocus speed of the Art 1.4/85 perhaps becomes of secondary importance when the camera freezes all the time (reported by many users). I could more easily live with a somewhat slower autofocus than a camera freeze.

 

I understand that you are disappointed but could you please prove your statement that many users are being affected?

My SL didn't freeze for one time while using the Sigma 85/1.4 ART. 

 

How much is "many"?

[Ivar B]

I understand that you are disappointed but could you please prove your statement that many users are being affected?

My SL didn't freeze for one time while using the Sigma 85/1.4 ART. 

 

How much is "many"?

 

There all 3 SL users (including myself) in my neighbourhood who use the 1.4/85 and the EOS adapter, and all of us have the problem with freezing. This is also discussed in separate threads here in the forum and others also confirm the problem. One of the users find that the SL freezes all the time and he has just given up on the adapter. It is very interesting that your adapter seems to work. Perhaps there is an error in the production of some adapters? I have let Novoflex know of the problem but there is no reply from them yet. 

[Ivar B]

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Good news - Novoflex is working on solutions:
 

Ivar,

 

Many thanks for your e-mail.

We are currently working on solving some of the issues that arose in the past few months.

However, please keep in mind, that we've developed this adapter to specifically work with original Canon EOS EF-mount lenses.

Even though this adapter does work with some 3rd party lenses, it does not mean it'll ever work with all or that we encourage users to purchase the adapter for these lenses. 

 

Kind regards

 

Martin Grahl

(Sales Manager)

NOVOFLEX Präzisionstechnik GmbH

Brahmsstr. 7,  D- 87700 Memmingen

Tel. +49 8331 88888 Fax. +49 8331 47174

e-mail  mail@novoflex.de

www.novoflex.com

General Manager: Reinhard Hiesinger, Michael Hiesinger 

German Commercial Register: Memmingen HR B 9072

European Union VAT-ID-No: DE 811960374

German Tax No: 138 133 70063

[AlexP]

Ivar,

 

I was able to duplicate the feeezing issue you have. I have to try few different tracking modes . If the subject not in focus, I try to press on the shutter button, it will locks the system. I have to turn off and on the SL. I don't have to take out battery like your case. All the test I did was in low light conditions. I haven't try it in good lighting condition yet ( this could be the reason why I haven't run into the issue yet since I shot 85/135 outdoor environment)

[Ivar B]

Let us hope they come up with a solution. The adapter identifies the Sigma 1.4/85mm as Canon EF 1.4/24mm. A friend of mine has suggested that this misdetection could be part of the cause of the problems.

[thighslapper]

Ivar,

 

I was able to duplicate the feeezing issue you have. I have to try few different tracking modes . If the subject not in focus, I try to press on the shutter button, it will locks the system. I have to turn off and on the SL. I don't have to take out battery like your case. All the test I did was in low light conditions. I haven't try it in good lighting condition yet ( this could be the reason why I haven't run into the issue yet since I shot 85/135 outdoor environment)

 If that's the case then the firmware is presumably at fault allowing the camera to take an image when AF does not register an in-focus image  ????

 

Most AF camera/lenses lock you out of taking an image till the camera registers that AF is achieved ......

 

Theoretically it should affect all lenses ...... unless the firmware somehow allows for 'latency' that is lens specific dependent on how quickly the focussing elements move..... or some other factor ....

 

AF and its implementation is obviously more complicated than I imagined ..... 

Edited May 16, 2017 by thighslapper

[trond]

Hi,

 

This is what happens in my case:

 

1. Press shutter to activate AF.

2. If AF ok, press shutter fully to take photo. Photo will ok as expected.

3. If AF not perfect on first try, press shutter a second time to improve focus.

4. Fully press shutter to take photo.

 

The result is that the shutter opens to take the photo, but the shutter will remain open until the battery is removed.

The photo is actually recorded on the SD-card, and is 100% white, but with normal values for shutter/aperture f.ex 1/200s @ f8.

 

In my case this is 100% repeatable if AF is not perfect on first try with the Sigma 85mm f1.4 in Canon mount.

 

AF fails in approximately one out of three shots with the Sigma 85mm f1.4 (Canon).

 

Lock up does not happen with the Nikon version of the same lens, but AF is very erratic and unstable.

 

Both the Sigma 85mm f.4 ART in Nikon and Canon version are brand new, and using Novoflex respective mount electronic adapter for the SL.

 

Same Leica SL with latest firmware.

 

Best regards

 

Trond

Edited May 16, 2017 by trond

[thighslapper]

AlexP ...... I think you are rather over-optimistic with your assessments.

 

Sigma 135/1.8 Art arrived today with Novoflex EOS-SL adapter. 

 

AF is hopelessly inaccurate except for discrete subjects relatively close ..... AF is fast but constantly overshoots. No difference with any of the available AF modes (spot, field, zone). Lens is recognised by the SL as 135mm although the exif data codes it as Canon 200 EF 2.0 IS

 

Either I am stupid and doing something wrong or this combo just does not work. 

 

Both are going back from whence they came by return of post. The lens is not worth keeping without AF that works consistently, nice as it is. 

 

I see little point in waiting for Novoflex to iron out any issues as my reading of their literature indicates it is LEICA that incorporate any changes in their firmware ...... and we all know how quickly that is likely to happen. 

Edited May 16, 2017 by thighslapper

[AlexP]

AlexP ...... I think you are rather over-optimistic with your assessments.

 

What assessments that i made????

[thighslapper]

pardon ?

 

you did actually start a thread about this lens indicating it worked with the SL with fast AF. 

 

...... anyway, when it does work the image quality is excellent ...... and f1.8 at 135mm adds a new dimension to a mid-telephoto.

 

I'm now sitting on the fence ....... do I put up with flakey AF as a price to pay for the optical quality or not ....... mmmm.

Edited May 17, 2017 by thighslapper

[AlexP]

and i'm still stand by on what i reported. It works, fast AF and accurate on both 85/135.  We're dealing with 3rd party adapter here. For example, my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 mkii works fine for 2 months. All of the sudden now it stop AF while other member that have the same lens still work with no problem. Have no idea why. It is what it is. As i said previously, "high expectation is the deposit of disappointment" I'm not employ by Novoflex or get any commission out of it. I'm just an end user just like you.

Edited May 17, 2017 by AlexP

[AlexP]

btw, my 12-24 ART comes in today. HUGE..i didn't expect it that big... bigger than 85 ART

 

 

btw, it is fun to look at the box sometime..lolz

 

Edited May 18, 2017 by AlexP

[thighslapper]

and i'm still stand by on what i reported. It works, fast AF and accurate on both 85/135.  We're dealing with 3rd party adapter here. For example, my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 mkii works fine for 2 months. All of the sudden now it stop AF while other member that have the same lens still work with no problem. Have no idea why. It is what it is. As i said previously, "high expectation is the deposit of disappointment" I'm not employ by Novoflex or get any commission out of it. I'm just an end user just like you.

 

the variability between how AF works between different lens models I can understand ..... but how AF can work some of the time, lock the camera sometimes ...... and with various forms of 'locking' as well with a single lens/camera combination ..... and be different from user to user with the same combo is completely baffling. 

 

anyway after another afternoon of frustration both lens and adapter have gone back to my dealer. 

 

I would have kept it if it could have been used as a Manual lens with magnification available on the joystick ...... but as the SL recognises it as AF even with it switched off this is unavailable. Shame. 

[Ivar B]

the variability between how AF works between different lens models I can understand ..... but how AF can work some of the time, lock the camera sometimes ...... and with various forms of 'locking' as well with a single lens/camera combination ..... and be different from user to user with the same combo is completely baffling. 

 

anyway after another afternoon of frustration both lens and adapter have gone back to my dealer. 

 

I would have kept it if it could have been used as a Manual lens with magnification available on the joystick ...... but as the SL recognises it as AF even with it switched off this is unavailable. Shame. 

 

So no systematic errors but a degree of randomness in operation must be present? A firmware update is called for.

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[thighslapper]

So no systematic errors but a degree of randomness in operation must be present? A firmware update is called for.

 yes ...... but it is unclear what is updated ..... SL, the lens or the adapter. I'm not clear what is 'electronically active' in the adapter that is updateable ..... and if there is it relies on Leica to update it from the SL. 

 

Presumably a lens look up table with varying sets of parameters ..... and then it depends what the Sigma lens is identified as. Presumably contrast/sensitivity and the AF motor speed have to be allowed for.... otherwise you could stick anything on and it should work fine. The 135 is identified by the SL as 135mm ...... but the exif codes it as a Canon 200/2. The Novoflex is clearly confused. 

 

I'm aware that the Sigma lenses can be updated, but they are clearly not going to modify their firmware for non Canon/Nikon users using adapters to other camera makes. 

Edited May 18, 2017 by thighslapper

[thighslapper]

Can anyone tell me what the behaviour of the EOS/SL adapter is when a purely manual lens like the Zeiss 135/2 is attached ??

 

Does it default to focus magnification on a joystick press ? Does it ask you to manually pick a lens etc ??

 

also:

 

Anyone tried the SL/NIK version of the adapter with Zeiss Nikon Mount AF lenses ? ...... is performance as flakey and unpredictable as with Canon mount lenses ?

 

Still after some way of using a fast 135mm on the SL ...... but it looks like AF is going to have to be ditched. 

 

The Sigma 135/1.8 was an obvious choice as it has 82mm filter thread ... so I can use all my current filters/holders with yet more adapters ..... but you can't force into being recognised as MF on the SL even if it is set as that on both camera and lens. 

 

Maybe the 'dumb' Novoflex SL versions may be less hassle.