I have two Nikon to E-mount adapters:
Novoflex NEX/NIK adapter. This is purely passive, manual focus only. Useful with manual focus lenses with an aperture ring.
Commlite ENF-E1 adapter (firmware rev 3.0, then upgraded to Ver 4.0 (7/12/16)). Active adapter, including AF modes. Usefule with G-type lenses (no aperture ring) and where AF is important.
At the outset, I’d say I’m a bit wary of these lens adapters. While they generally work as advertised (more or less), I’m concerned about their fit on to the Nikon/SONY mounts and whether there is risk of lens or camera damage. Further, I’m concerned that the adpaters can affect the electrical performance of the camera, especially the possibility of issues which permanently impact the electrical performance. While I don’t have direct evidence of issues, early versions of the Commlite adapter have had electrical problems. So, I don’t intend to make using these adpaters the “norm”. Instead I only intend to use them when strictly necessary. Time will tell if my concerns are justified.
I have a limited number of Nikon lenses that I’m interested in using on the A7R II that I am unlikely to buy or are not available for the E-mount:
PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Tilt/shift lens. Good for panoramas and other effects
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. Good for Macro work
AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 ED VR II. Long reach telephto
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. Extra long reach telephoto prime. Very light & Compact
Zeiss Macro Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2. High quality manual focus lens for portrait work.
1. PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D.
Tested with the Commlite adapter which is spec’d to support PC-E lenses. I used it to make panoramas using the shift mechanism. With three images stitched together (Left, Center, Right), you get a panorama image of a whopping 12,788 X 5332 pixels (42.6” X 17.8” @300dpi).Occasionally it exposed at the wrong exposure, even though the correct exposure was shown in the viewfinder. The problem was intemittent which made me think it may be a contact issue and that the lens was defaulting to “wide open”. Made me nervious but there was no visible mecanical damage. Also, the lens was a challenge to fit to the adapter and scaped along the tripod mount. No big deal. Bottom line, I’d prefer to use the D810 if possible. Feels safer although the images are marginally smaller. Note: since this comment, I have upgraded to Ver 4.0 of the Commlite firmware. I re-tested at various apertures and got pretty consistent results. Maybe exposure problem is solved.
2. AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 VR.
Tested with the Commlite adapter. AF-c and AF-s, Flexible spot (m,s). Very tight fit to the Lens. Scary. Focus was fast at the center point. When the focus point was moved outwards from center, AF ceased to work. So +/- 2 “notches” from center is OK but that’s all. Did not test for exposure (see 300mm f/4 below) but assume it has the same issues as the 300mm. Note: see Ver4.0 firmware comments for the 300mm. Tested also on this lens, exposure consistency is good. Maybe slight under-exposure wide open. No improvement in off-center focus points.
3. AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4 VR
Tested with the Commlite adapter. Same conditions as the 70-200mm f/4. Much the same AF issues. Also noticed exposure issues, especially over-exposure at smaller apertures. Appears intermittent. Note: July 12, 2016. Just upgraded to Ver 4.0 of the Commlite firmware and the exposure problems seem to have been at least partially resolved- perhaps a bit under-exposed wide open to compensate for over-exposure stopped down. AF, off-center issues not resolved
4. AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G
Tested with the Commlite adapter. Manual focus only! Exposure controlled by the camera OK.
Note: Upgraded to V4.0. Now AF works but is quite slow and the lens makes strange noises. Workable at a pinch. Exposure consistency with Aperture seems OK
5. Ziess 100mm f/2
Tested with the Novoflex adpater. Since this lens has an aperture ring, I set the adjustment on the adapter to “minimum aperture” and used th aperture ring on the lens. Exposure was generally accurate in Aperture-priority mode. Focus peaking was handy for manual focus.
Also tested with the Commlite adapter. Could now change aperture in-camera. Still MF, of course. This is a slightly better solution than the Novoflex.
Conclusion. These tests increased my confidence in the Commlite adapter as a workable solution to using selected Nikon lenses on the A7R II. The Version 4.0 Firmware appears to have made some significant improvements, especially in exposure consistency. The most useful application will be in using my Nikon telephoto lenses on the SONY camera. I don’t think the Macro 105mm is ready for prime time yet.
It appears that Commlite is issuing fairly regular updates but it’s not easy finding out when. The link I have used is:
www.commlite.com/en/down.php
Update. Mar 4, 2017. I tested the Novoflex adapter with my new, Nikon mount,
Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* ZF.2 Lens
I was able to focus easily but the lens is heavy so it's all a bit of a handful. I also felt it wise to add the tripod support collar to the adapter for use on a tripod. I was having some difficulty getting accurate focus, handheld, and saw quite a bit of motion blur (@1/100sec). I checked the "Steadyshot" settings and, while "ON" the lens was set to "Auto". I set it to "135mm" and steadyshot began to be effective. I read that in this mode (third party lens through a passive adapter) that only three of the five axes of stabalization work. I need to confirm this. Also of note, I have the camera set up for back-button focus with the shutter half-pressed disabled. It looks like the shutter still enables steady shot when half pressed.
Here is a link to a review of the A7 II. Sounds like if you set the focal length manually, you get the full IBIS. Not sure. Not sure I care.
https://luminous-landscape.com/sony-a7-mkii-hands-one/
Stay tuned.