MonsterAdapter posted some additional information on the upcoming LA-FZ1 lens adapter that allows the use of Nikon F-mount lenses on Nikon Z-mount cameras with built-in focus and aperture motors (MonsterAdapters are sold at B&H and Amazon):
1. Feb.27-Mar.2, our team shows the LA-FZ1 prototype. It’s almost a Last-Minute prototype. (such as factory lunar new year holiday off things). Our partner in Japan has limited the display models (a ZF with a housing, and a no mark AF50/1.8, P2 from DC Watch) using a safety harness. However, visitors can ask the staff to try out the camera they brought.
2. The Magic is on the adapter itself, not the modified body. Unfortunately, the prototype firmware behaves less consistently and uniformly, sometimes it performs great, sometimes it went crazy. There’s still a long way to go. Thankfully it’s not on sale that soon (well that doesn’t sound good). A number of fans have written to ask if there are plans for collaborative testing/reviewing, well, there are currently no schedule in Europe or North America at this time.
3. The Issues our engineer team can answer (for CP+ prototype):
3.1 Lens cannot be tested with full aperture, or you hear the continuous noise. The detection sensor on the prototype adapter for the aperture portion is broken, and the aperture motor is constantly confirming that full opening is achieved. It’s the only prototype we have on hand, and not in a position to replace the sensor.
3.2 The autofocus sometimes doesn’t move, and sometimes it pulls like crazy. This is a bug in prototype firmware.
The Process currently requires the lens to be screwed back to infinity at power up moment, to ensure it works. We already know what the problem is and it will take a week or two to fix.
3.3 Some Nikkor screwdriver AF lenses are not supported. Currently we have found 4 lenses with recognition issues, the exact cause of which is to be confirmed. We will start working on this, after we have resolved issue 3.2. 3.4. AF-C doesn’t seem to act as consistently as AF-S. The focus data still needs to be adjusted and we need more time to test and optimize it.
4. Some further QA about LA-FZ1:
4.1 Why we say “at the initial stage……NOT include support for VR, electromagnetic aperture, and the lens’ built-in focus motor (including AF-I, AF-S, and AF-P) functions.” Adding these driver codes would have drastically extended the development time, and our decision was to prioritize the needs of the most vocal users to get the product to market early.
As for AF-S, AF-I and other lenses, there are already adapter (You knew it) that can handle these functions very well.
So we will add them to the LA-FZ1 firmware update as appropriate. However, we do not guarantee that such an update will be provided.
4.2 About third party screwdriver lens support: in those days, especially in the early era of the AF F-mount, many third-party lenses copied data directly from Nikkor lenses; this can mislead the camera and the adapter. In this case, using a third-party lens may cause problems that we can’t fix. And if this is not the case (impersonation of ID), it should probably be supported.
5. The FZ1 has a “chin” that protrudes for the location of the motor. It can be seen from the side. But it’s smaller than THAT adapter; we tested the Z9 and it can be mounted on the Z9 without physical interference.
6. DC Watch mentioned the price, 59,000yen. It should be an estimated price made by our partner in Japan, Shoten Kobo. This may not be the final price. The launch and sales in Europe and the US have not been finalized yet, but I guess it might be more like to LA-FE2 (similar materials and components).
