Tilta has launched its Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter, bringing Sony phase-detection autofocus to manual PL cinema lenses.
Having caught the attention when it was first announced at IBC2025, Tilta has officially launched its Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter, which looks to bridge the gap between classic manual cinema lenses and modern autofocus workflows — as long as they're built on Sony’s Alpha and FX line up.
Designed to integrate seamlessly with the Nucleus-M II and Nano II Wireless Lens Control Systems, the E-Mount to PL Mount Adapter works with the native phase-detection autofocus data directly from the sensor of the Sony FX3, FX30, FX6, or other supported cameras. This data is then translated into motor-driven focus movements via the company's Nucleus ecosystem, which supports one or two motors. It's compatible with Sony’s Alpha and FX line up to the Sony FX6.
Tilta states it fully leverages the camera’s existing AF capabilities, including face detection and eye tracking.
A built-in lens profile library shortcuts the necessity for calibration, at least for supported lenses. There's no published list, but expect most of the usual suspects to feature, with more promised via future firmware updates. For unsupported or specialty lenses, manual calibration allows users to map and save new lenses to the library. These lenses can be mapped directly through the UI on the adapter itself rather than having to perform the process via an app, which should make it convenient and hopefully fairly swift to add new lenses on the fly.
Instant AF/MF override allows users to seamlessly take manual control for precise focus pulls or creative racks, then release to return control to autofocus. When using the system with two wireless motors, users can also adjust the iris via the camera’s electronic control. Power is via USB-C connection, and the kit comes with both a USB-C to OB 7-pin connection cable and a USB-C dual motor connection cable.
Size is 190.5 x 139.7 x 88.9 mm (7.5 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches) and weight 550 g (1.21 lb), so it will definitely add heft to your setup.
Tilta's fielding plenty of questions about the adaptor, most of which can be summed up with the response: yes, there are hopes for additional mounts in the future. Canon RF-mount support is probably the first out of the traps.
It's worth mentioning that Viltrox has a similar system, the NexusFocus F1, currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. It is more expensive though, even at early bird prices. Single, dual, and triple motor configurations are available for $499, $699, and $1049 respectively, with shipping currently scheduled for March.