I have for a long time been interested in using older lenses on both older and newer cameras. My relationship with this photography sub-hobby has not always been ideal (a subject I might come back to), but given the right approach, I find there to be a lot of fun in exploring elderly lenses and their various formula. For those not in the know, using older lenses on newer cameras involves using adapters – in this case a Nikon F to Sony E(/NEX) mount adapter made by K&F Concept.
I was actually given this particular adapter by a chap called Simon Forster who I met in person for the first time at the Photography Show earlier this year. This wasn’t my first interaction with Simon though, I’d become aware of him through his mega-geeky (but actually very interesting) podcast: Classic Lenses Podcast, and the very good (though sometimes a little littered with bokeh shots of flowers) Photography With Classic Lenses Facebook group.
Funnily enough, I was made aware of this particular podcast by Rachel from the Sunny 16 Podcast. She clearly knows me well enough to know the level of geek I am. She sent me a link to episode 6 which featured a bunch of Jupiter lenses… I commented on a link-post to the podcast that Simon put out on his Instagram, and we soon got chatting. It wasn’t long after that we’d made arrangements to meet at the Photography Show.
As it turns out, Simon is one of the key importers of K&F Concept lens adapters in the UK – he was helping man their stand at the show. I’ve heard of K&F Concept adapters, but in all honesty, I hadn’t ever tried them. I’ve had a number of various other branded adapters off eBay from China and have always found that unless you go for a brand like Metabones, the quality is always just a bit shit. To my surprise, this wasn’t the case at all with the K&F Concept adapters – quite the opposite in fact. What surprised me even more was the price. Although Simon gave me this adapter, I would have quite happily paid the sub-£20 they retail for.
The only sign that this isn’t an expensive adapter is that the lens-to-camera mount itself isn’t chromed brass, like many of the expensive ones are. As it turns out the more premium adapters K&F Concept make do have a brass mounts on both ends. For sub-£20, I’m really not bothered!
Mounting it on the camera there’s very little – if anything at all – in terms of rotational give; once locked onto the camera it feels very solid. The same can be said for the lens mount too. All of the lenses I tried on it felt very safely mounted. The lens lock feels nice too, and isn’t itself loose like many cheap mounts.
It goes without saying that the lenses focuses perfectly to infinity too. Very impressive for the cash – and once again – testament to Chinese manufacturing.
Following the quick meeting at the photography show, Simon went on to invite me onto the podcast. As such, it would be remiss of me not to mention my forthcoming appearance. We are recording tomorrow afternoon, and I must say I am looking forward to conversing with Simon and his cohosts Karl and Johnny. Keep an eye out early-week for the podcast going live…
You can find K&F Concept lens mounts from Simon on his UK based ebay store here
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Terry B on Adapting lenses, K&F Concept, Simon Forster & Another Podcast Appearance
Comment posted: 20/05/2018
In 2015 I latched onto Fuji X, X-Pro 1 and X-E1, and discovered K&F Concept who covered the X-mount with a range of adapters, so I thought I'd try out their OM and Minolta MD adapters for no other reason than at f1.2 and f1.4 respectively they are my fastest film era primes. At that time they were only £10.99 a pop, exceptional value considering the build quality/finish, compared to the basic adapters I had been using to that point.
Adapter to body and lens to adapter fit are very good, as is lens alignment allowing even sharpness across the frame. Also noticeable was infinity focus accuracy i.e. infinity focus is correct when the lens is at its infinity stop position, something I've only ever encountered before with a little known brand "Ulata" for my Leica M and R lenses to E-mount, though at the time they were twice the price of the K&F concept.
Although there has been an inevitable price increase over the years, K&F are, in my opinion, the best of what I'd term "entry level" based on their price and well worth the outlay.
Comment posted: 20/05/2018
Greg May on Adapting lenses, K&F Concept, Simon Forster & Another Podcast Appearance
Comment posted: 20/05/2018
Tom Aspin on Adapting lenses, K&F Concept, Simon Forster & Another Podcast Appearance
Comment posted: 22/05/2018
AJ on Adapting lenses, K&F Concept, Simon Forster & Another Podcast Appearance
Comment posted: 28/05/2018
I've tried the knock-offs, and Novoflex, but beyond infinity focusing was the norm. c7adapters do have shimmable adapters also.
YZ on Adapting lenses, K&F Concept, Simon Forster & Another Podcast Appearance
Comment posted: 29/11/2018
I have a K&F Nikon F to Fuji FX adapter. It has been working perfectly fine until I mounted my Zeiss 28mm/f2 with it... Sunlight leaked through the adapter! Fortunately, I had a Kipon TS with me on that day and solved the problem. I have never noticed anything like that with my other lenses.
Conclusion: Always check light leakage if you are using an adapter, it varies from lens to lens.