p.1 #1 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
Hello all; been a while since I posted here.
I am trialling a Sony A850, and have the Minolta 24/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.5 and 100/2. A small, relatively light, kit.
But I use the Nikkor 14–24/2.8 and the 24 PC-E regularly, both for architecture interiors, and heavy machinery work.
There is nothing that I can see obviously in the Sony/Zeiss/Minolta range that can replace the 14–16 end of the zoom, or can tilt/shift like the PC-E. I have both axes aligned on mine and use shift for panos and tilt for DOF; irritatingly, there are times when I want both (like a tilted pano!) but can't easily do that. I am envious of the Canon shooters who have the great 17 TS.
The Zeiss 16–35 is reported to be soft in the corners at 16mm—but I haven't used one, so can't say.
Here's my question/dilemma: is there any combination of lens and/or adapter that anyone here can recommend that can address these two aspects of my shooting?
My considerations: UWA that has straight lines (or simple distortion, like the 14–24 @ 14mm), MF is fine, will consider Mirex + MF lens like a Mamiya 35mm—or any other suggestions!
I have edited to add this: I don't mind buying a D700 to use the two Nikkors on; the Live View would actually help here, and I could then wait until the mythical D800 (or whatever it will be called) with the D3x sensor in it comes out and simply run two systems—hardly be the first time, and use the A850 for all the other stuff (and get the two Zeiss zooms, and the Sony Apo 70–200/2.8). I would be able to to all my present work then.
I was looking at the Samyang 14, which looks great in the sharpness department, but has huge moustache distortion. And so on. All suggestions considered.
p.1 #2 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
I've only gone as wide as the Oly 21/3.5 and the Nikon 20/2.8 AIS. The Oly 18 catches my eye, but still not as wide as you're looking and not T&S either. Mamiya doesn't make anything close to wide enough to be in the range you're talking about.
Many people speak well of the Tamron 17 (again, no T&S) , but it uses some mustache distortion as well. Will be watching this one closely as I'd like to find an option to the Canon 17 TS (even around 20mm works for me) as well ... good luck.
p.1 #3 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
Hi Kit,
I have something that might fit your kit well - a Zuiko 21/2 in M42 mount, it's slightly smaller than the 50/1.4 (which is what I assume you mean by 50/1.5?) you have, so fits well into a compact kit. And of course, you get almost unbeatable quality and speed. It does however have some distortion, but that's a small minor you have to accept in such a complete package I think.
p.1 #6 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
Hi Kit, no problem, that's what I thought you meant! Assuming it's Minolta or Sony, then my size comparison is valid above. The Zuiko 21/2 is in M42 mount, so yes, you can buy a simple M42-Sony adapters and it will mount direct onto your Sony A850.
p.1 #7 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
AhamB wrote:
Leitax doesn't offer Olympus to Sony mounts.
I think it's essentially because the Zuiko mounts vary quite a bit (from what I've seen atleast), and making them all non reversible can be time consuming to design. I can only guess though. I started a small Zuiko-Sony project simply because somebody contacted me who had been turned away from Leitax about using his 35-80/2.8 on his A900.
p.1 #8 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
ricardovaste wrote:
I think it's essentially because the Zuiko mounts vary quite a bit (from what I've seen atleast), and making them all non reversible can be time consuming to design. I can only guess though. I started a small Zuiko-Sony project simply because somebody contacted me who had been turned away from Leitax about using his 35-80/2.8 on his A900.
according to david at leitax, it's because the aperture pin blocks where one would mount the autofocus confirm chip for the alpha mount, otherwise the conversion is quite easy. if you don't care that your camera knows what focal length you're using for SSS or about focus confirmation the mount conversion is simple.
p.1 #9 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
The ZA 16-35 has soft corners at the wide end, but only when shooting at infinity. My experience with this lens is that it is excellent at medium and short distances.
p.1 #10 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
sebboh wrote:
according to david at leitax, it's because the aperture pin blocks where one would mount the autofocus confirm chip for the alpha mount, otherwise the conversion is quite easy. if you don't care that your camera knows what focal length you're using for SSS or about focus confirmation the mount conversion is simple.
p.1 #11 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
Thanks for the info sebboh. That sounds like what I was told from the guy who wanted his 35-80/2.8 doing, I just can't remember as this was back in september I think! He also sent me that link. Seems the aperture pin is an issue with some of them then, but like you say if you're not bothered about it being fully reversible there are lots of ways around it, or indeed it seems to depend upon the exact lens - like the 21/2 I mention, mine is a simple mount replacement, nothing removed or altered as the mount holds the pin in place.
Feb 18, 2011 at 11:15 AM
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p.1 #12 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
With the possibility of Olys be converted as described above, the OP might look into the Oly OM 24mm f/3.5 shift (which I believe has tilt as well). It's reputation is sterling. It has a nice ED element and it would seem to be just what he is looking for.
p.1 #15 · Alt UWA on Sony Alpha mount advice needed
+1 @ shifts 4-way
Its a shame they didn't build it with a tilt mechanism as its image circle would surely accomdate some tilt. It wouldn't have needed much, since WA is more responsive to tilt than norm-tele.
