Today, I have received a Novoflex NEX/LEM adapter and the matching tripod collar ASTAT-NEX. Here my impressions:
I have previously used Voigtländer adapters, and have been very happy with them. The reason I decided to purchase the Novoflex is the rotating tripod collar. I have to say that the Novoflex adapter is clearly a step above the Voigtländer in both fit and finish. The fit on both mounts is perfect - very snug, but not too tight (very similar to my Rayqual Nikon-F/Canon-EF adapter).
And then I made a pleasant discovery: I have a Voigtländer Sony-E/Nikon-F adapter. Out of curiosity, I tried to place the ASTAT-NEX tripod collar on it, and it fits perfectly! It's a bit fiddly to put the collar on the adapter, and one has to be careful not to force the collar open too far (aluminum is brittle stuff), but the fit is first rate. I was originally considering getting the Novoflex NEX/NIK adapter, but now I won't have to…
With my NEXen, I have primarily used M-mount lenses, but I expect that to change with the A7R, especially when working with a tripod. I therefore did some handling tests with a variety of Leica and Zeiss SLR-lenses and the above adapter/collar combo on a tripod. I think with the slightly larger body of the A7R, the ergonomics will be excellent, and the entire setup will still be a lot lighter and less bulky than with the D800E. I can probably also get away with a lighter/smaller tripod, which is welcome. The rigidity of the Novoflex collar seems adequate, even with the larger lenses I tried (Leica 2.8/180 APO, Zeiss 2/100 M-Planar). But only testing will show if that is indeed the case. If that proves to be true, I won't need an L-plate for the A7R, thus fully preserving its size-advantage over the D800E.
Hope this is useful info for some of you…
Edit: I noticed there's a significant weight difference between the Voigtländer and the Novoflex E-mount/M-mount adapters (65 vs. 35 grams). It looks like the Novoflex is made entirely of aluminum, whereas the Voigtländer seems made largely of plated brass. Something for weight watchers to bear in mind…