Chinese manufacturer Cloud Workshop has released what I can only describe as neck warmers for Nikon lenses. The story was broken by Nikon Rumors, and I’ve since been able to locate a version for the Nikon 58mm f/1.4 G on Chinese e-store Taobao, while a Nikon AF‑S 105mm f/1.4E ED cover is also said to be available.
If you’ve ever used an FTZ II adapter, you’ll know that the peripheral necessarily elongates the mount end of the lens in question, which can look rather awkward, especially if the lens is rather bulbous.
From the pictures, the cover appears to fit over half of the FTZ Adapter and the back portion of the AF-S lens in question. The cover thickens the thin taper created by the adapter and blends into the lens with textured grips akin to control or aperture rings.
While it looks like this is largely an aesthetic choice, it may also improve the handling slightly. I’ve used an FTZ Adapter multiple times, and the tapering it creates can be slightly uncomfortable when cradling the lens with your left hand.
I was curious how these attachments work with both versions of the FTZ Adapter, given that the original incarnation features a rather bulbous tripod foot protruding from the base of the adapter, which was streamlined in the updated FTZ Adapter II.
Imagery on Taobao reveals that there is a gap in the covers, enabling the tripod foot to poke through, providing beyond doubt that the attachments are compatible with both versions of the adapter.
It doesn’t surprise me that in the imagery a Nikon Zf has been used to illustrate the covers in use. Both the Nikon Zf and Nikon Zfc are ideal cameras for using vintage Nikon glass, and since they’re such good-looking cameras, it’s always been a bit of a shame when using them with an unsightly adapter.
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