K&F Concept Lens Adapters KF06.498 KF06.501 KF06.503

Introduction

K&F Concept was founded in 2011 and strives to offer a good balance between quality and price. The company specializes in the design, research, manufacturing, and marketing of photographic accessories. At the present time, the company is selling products in multiple countries, as an official retailer and through Amazon.

Prices and availability

KF06.498

https://www.kentfaith.com/KF06.498?tracking=66ec343854431

KF06.501

https://www.kentfaith.com/KF06.501?tracking=66ec343854431

KF06.503

https://www.kentfaith.com/KF06.503?tracking=66ec343854431

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Packaging and accessories

The lens adapters are packaged in plastic boxes, with a solid feel and little to no design. In fact, the only design element present on these boxes is the top lid, serial number and the QR code for the adapters, nothing else.

Specifications

Series: Lens adapter
Model: KF06.498, KF06.501, KF06.503
Color: Black & Silver
Materials: Aluminum & Brass
Mounting system: Varies based on camera mount & lens mount

Features:

– Made of brass and aluminum.
– Precise and durable construction.
– Manually operated.
– Infinity focus allowed.
– 12 months quality guarantee

Visual inspection

The KF06.498, KF06.501 & KF06.503 are part of the next generation of K&F Concept lens adapters. These are not only better looking, sporting a new design, but are better made, with higher quality materials and a better fit and finish across all surfaces.

The adapters featured in this review are dedicated for the Sony NEX mount on the camera side, and have the Minolta MD, Nikon G and M42 thread mounts on the lens side.

The KF06.498 is an adapter that allows the usage of any M42 thread lens on any SONY NEX mount camera. The biggest change for this adapter is not only the design but the fit and finish of the M42 thread which has been upgraded for added compatibility.

The KF06.501 adapter allows the usage of any Nikon lens to a Sony full frame camera. The difference with this adapter is the added functionality of a rotative ring with a pin attached. This pin is used for the Nikon lenses that require a lever to pe pressed at all times in order for the aperture system to work.

In addition, this adapter has a convenient metal lever that has to be pressed in order for the lens to be removed. This lever is spring loaded and will hold the lens in place once fully seated.

The KF06.503 allows the usage of all Minolta lenses that use the Minolta MD/SR/MC mount system. What set this adapter apart from the other Minolta adapters is the usage of a convenient locking pin to secure the lens in place. While many adapters have a locking pin, not many have a locking pin of this size and with this level of build quality.

Testing

The adapters are part of a new series and thus, share only the mounts with the previous models. What I mean with this is simple, while the new and old adapters will do the same thing, as they share the same camera and lens mounts, they are not the same adapter.

Apart from the updated design, these new adapters also have an upgrade in terms of build quality and fit and finish. By no means the old adapters were badly made, however, the new series is improved. The tolerances between the different parts of the adapters are smaller, and the screws used are better.

While the older adapters were good, they had on occasion, a bit of play with some lenses, the new adapters have zero play with any lens.

The installation of the lenses with the new series adapters is identical as with any adapter, be it generic or the older series K&F Concept adapters. What changed is the fact that there is little to no wiggle room in terms of brute forcing the lens into the adapter, mainly thanks to the tight tolerances.

Final thoughts

The new K&F Concept Lens Adapters, KF06.498, KF06.501 & KF06.503, are part of the next generation of K&F lens adapters. These feature not only an updated design to match the newer Sony and mirrorless cameras, but the build quality is better in every single way.

The K&F Concept adapters used to be a good and affordable alternative for the high-end lens adapters. However, with this new series, the K&F Concept adapters are no longer that, as these adapters are easily on the same level as the high-end adapters that cost double the money.

The biggest upgrade in term of the build quality is down to the mechanisms integrated within these adapters. For example, the Nikon KF06.501 adapter uses a rotative ring and lever to activate the aperture mechanism of the lens. The movement of all parts is done with ease, and each click of the ring and thus, the internal mechanism is solid. This is important, as a mechanism that is badly made will not hold the lens aperture active.

Even the simple adapters, such as the KF06.498, which is essentially only an M42 thread, requires a good build quality to function. For example, some cheap M42 adapters will fit on your lens but you will not be able to reach infinity focus due to the misaligning of the threads on the adapters. Another issue caused by the a badly made adapter is the M42 thread damaging the thread on the lens, due to improper manufacturing.

On average, these adapters will cost you between 33 USD and 39 USD depending on the model you choose. That is not a high price for what you get, especially since the vintage lens craze is just beginning thanks to the affordability of mirrorless cameras.

In conclusion, the K&F Concept KF06.498, KF06.501 & KF06.503 are a great set of adapters that are affordable for what they offer. And what they offer is simple: a great build quality and good workmanship that will allow you to fully utilize all types of lenses on your Sony camera.

The initial price might be high when compared with your generic adapters, but it is worth it, as these adapters will work for years if taken care of and will look good doing so.