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Sony macro just got a lot more interesting with the new Novoflex reverse lens mount adapter

Oct 27, 2017 by John Aldred 4 Comments

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Well, this is pretty cool. A reverse lens mount adapter for Sony that you can actually autofocus with. Designed for the Sony E-Mount cmaeras, including the A7 series, A9 series and APS-C format A6000 series, the new NEX-Retro from Novoflex lets you turn any Sony lens into a macro.

Being able to reverse a lens on a body isn’t a new idea, but what’s special about this one is that passes along all of the electronic functions. This means you get full control over aperture and autofocus from the reversed lens as if it were mounted normally. It’ll even pass along the EXIF data.

Novoflex say that with a Sony 18-105mm lens mounted in the reverse position, you get an image ratio of a pretty crazy 1:7 at the long end, down to 2.8:1 at 28mm. A 7:1 ratio is pretty amazing by anybody’s standards, but to be able to keep autofocus while doing it? Pretty incredible. The filter thread on the adapter is 58mm, but step up (and down) rings easily allow it to fit any lens.

This isn’t the first of Novoflex’s Retro adapters. They also make one for Canon, which passes along similar capabilities. But it’s great to see this come to Sony, especially with high resolution cameras like the A9 and new A7R III. The lens is also compatible with Novoflex’s bellows system, offering even greater flexibility, regardless of which way around you mount the lens.

I’ve been seriously tempted to jump into a mirrorless system. I’ll still hold onto my DSLRs, but there are definitely times where specific mirrorless bodies would be more advantageous. So far, my debate has been between the GH5 and the A6500. Kit like this definitely starts to swing things in favour of the Sony for me.

The NEX-Retro is available now through the Novoflex website for $440. This is a tad cheaper than the Canon version, which is currently $461.95.

Now that Nikon seems to have fully embraced electronic aperture lenses, hopefully we’ll see one for those soon, too.

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Related posts:

Novoflex is bringing legacy lens mount adapters to Nikon Z mirrorless cameras How to use a reverse macro lens with the Blackmagic 6K pocket cinema camera This is the World’s First Nikon F-Mount to Sony E-Mount Autofocus Adapter This is the world’s first Leica M-mount to Sony E-mount autofocus adapter

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: macro photography, NEX-Retro, Novoflex, PPE 2017, Reversing Ring

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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