Autofocusing vintage lenses transformed my photography

I LOVE the look and feel of vintage lenses... but SOMETIMES I don't want to manually focus. Manual focusing takes longer, which means I sometimes miss the best moment. Manual focus also requires two hands, so I can't do it while (for example) walking my dog.

The Techart adapters do something truly amazing - they take almost any vintage lens, including lenses for Leica M, Nikon F, and Canon EF, and add autofocus capabilites to them when connected to your Sony E or Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. It works, and it's life-changing.

Get the generation II Techart Pro adapter for Leica M to Sony E-mount or Leica M to Nikon Z-mount. If you're not adapting Leica M lenses, get a dumb adapter for that mount to Leica M. For example, you might get a dumb (non-electronic) Nikon F to Leica M adapter (as I show in this video) or a Canon EF or FE to Leica M adapter.

[mikehessphotography]

This is very cool. I predict vintage lenses being used on digital bodies will grow in popularity with the recent film price hikes. Vintage lenses are a huge part of the 'film-look'. This is a very cool option for those that don't want to manually focus, or maybe they don't have the eye sight to manually focus. Look forward to trying one out.

[tonymortyr]

My first Nikon camera, kept for 11 years. Loved it.

[grisknoe]

Using old lenses rekindled my passion for photography. They encourage you to focus on the creative process and artistic expression, rather than achieving technical perfection. It's a return to the essence of photography, where capturing the soul of a scene matters more than flawless details.

[thomasgodfrey]

I have 3 Nikons. From the 70’s. I got these when I was a child, still work. Still use them, Face it. This is what makes good photographers

[thegrumpycanadian]

Oh, I usually never say I need something. But I need this.

[Photojouralist]

I bought one for my Z9, Z6 and I’m very impressed 😮

[OAlBraun]

Its the first step to REAL photography for every rookie grapher, i think. When you start to see the Character of non perfection lenses (from boring modern ones) and charm of film pictures, it teach us to see the light and bright colors of life.
Autofocus and IS systems helps not to loose every moment, instead of old fashion cams. Yes, they are so beautiful, but, the pictures taken of united worlds from past (old lenses) and future (af-adapters and your own favourite digital cameras) will be the best!

[aaronlabarre]

This looks huge for someone like me with a sizable film camera collection and just getting into digital. For now I'm sticking with a manual adapter but $400 for that adapter it's not a bad idea.

[ToddPangburn]

I really appreciate your thoughts on this. I love collecting and (occasionally) using vintage lenses, and I'm convinced one of these AF adapters is in my future. For me it currently hinges on prioritizing my photography dollar. *There's too much to buy, and I want it all!

[stefanbecker]

Of course the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN exists as autofocus lens. And by the way: it's amazing! 😍

[RobBulmahn]

I'm still more a fan of modern lenses, but if this gives you joy, then more power to you! Glad they're still coming out with new tech that can bring the old gear back to life.

[kevinnrparratt]

Yes, approximate focus by hand, then fine focus with the adapter. Contax AX cameras have internal focusing, ie. inside the body. Technique: approximate focus manually, then when pressing the shutter release, the film chassis inside the body brings the film plane into perfect focus. Of course, one simply used the original Contax Zeiss lenses.

[mountainhobo]

Since you like legacy lenses, Tony, it would be helpful if you could make an episode one day explaining which old manual lenses fit which modern cameras, do those cameras have manual focusing aids with those lenses, what adapters are needed, etc.

[Fotogs]

Yashica / Contax had a film camera called the AX (I used to own) that did this internally via a ceramic rail system to adapt older Yashica/Contax Zeiss manual focus lenses and make them "autofocus" It was slow, but still amazing.

[BBUB]

I have the same camera (all black) with the 55mm Micro-Nikkor. Beautiful.

[catmonkey]

Focus peaking is the way to go. FTZ and whichever Nikkor F mount lens you can think of, it's so easy, of course it requires 2 hands but it is brilliant. If you use zone focusing to begin with it's even easier.

[AmrKan]

I have that exact Nikon F Photomic and 50mm F:1.4 lens combo and really do adore it. I use the lens on my fuji as well and it's definitely become my favorite. I've been considering looking into an autofocusing adapter, but they're pretty expensive and I just generally like the feel of manually focusing.

[pygmalionsrobot]

I have boxes of old lenses and tons of adapters, they're a treasure. Mostly I use them for shooting IR with an IR converted Canon 5D body.

[panatela]

This is the coolest gear I've heard about in a long time

[brianmatthews]

Great video, to infinity ...and beyond