p.15 #1 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
MikeEvangelist wrote:
Aargh. I gave up on the manual adapter after finding a used EA4 at B&H for a good price. Thought I'd use it while waiting for the EA5, then sell it on.
Well, it arrived today, and sadly has to go back. Previous owner apparently cleaned the mirror with steel-wool, or similar. But at least I could use it for a few minutes to see how the autofocus works on my 80-200, 135mm and 500mm Minoltas.
p.15 #3 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
Did B&H disclose this?
No. But realistically, they probably didn't inspect it that closely. If you just took off the caps and glanced, it looked OK. But with good light, you see the mess.
p.15 #5 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
MikeEvangelist wrote:
No. But realistically, they probably didn't inspect it that closely. If you just took off the caps and glanced, it looked OK. But with good light, you see the mess.
I purchased a GFX a little over a year ago from another FM member with positive feedback described as like new condition. When I opened it up and received it and looked at the sensor from different angles there was a clear ring directly on the sensor. It appeared as if the lens had contacted it abrasively, or he tried to adapt a lens without an appropriate adapter.
With a bit of haggling (which I should not have had to do with the seller) I had It professionally serviced and we figured it out, but it reminded me of this and it’s pretty disappointing. The camera looked perfect otherwise. I assume the positive that he just missed it. Hopefully the same for B&H
p.15 #6 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Do you have any direct experience with the 100 macro? I have almost purchased it several times over the last decade, including recently. I know it’s positively thought of, but most macros are pretty well corrected. Is it a stand out or special in your eyes?
I used the 100/2.8 macro A LOT and owned it at the same time as the 100/2. Honestly, while the 100/2 was likely a better lens, I preferred the macro because, well, because it was a macro and I like to get close. It doubled as a lovely portrait lens and, for the time, it was very, very sharp. I'm not sure that that has translated to digital...my favourite slide films at the time were high resolving but I shot it a lot with Kodak Tri-X so, yeah, maybe not the highest bar for resolution I shot the occasional roll of Tech Pan too, though, and never found myself wanting more.
I owned the 'RS' version and also the original version. I honestly preferred the build of the original, as I do on most Minolta AF lenses. AF was annoyingly loud and you'll hear it because it does a lot of work to rack the lens in and out. Given the fantastic prices on mint copies of this lens used, I'd likely pick one up if I didn't own the 100STF, which is so good it takes care of almost all my needs in that short tele range. If I bought something I'd do so purely for speed, not optical quality, so the 100/2 would be more attractive to me now.
But overall, I think the Minolta 100/2.8 Macro is a bit of a steal. Great lens, great price. If you can deal with the AF or plan to go MF only, I'd call it a 'no brainer'.
p.15 #7 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Dave Sanders wrote:
I used the 100/2.8 macro A LOT and owned it at the same time as the 100/2. Honestly, while the 100/2 was likely a better lens, I preferred the macro because, well, because it was a macro and I like to get close. It doubled as a lovely portrait lens and, for the time, it was very, very sharp. I'm not sure that that has translated to digital...my favourite slide films at the time were high resolving but I shot it a lot with Kodak Tri-X so, yeah, maybe not the highest bar for resolution I shot the occasional roll of Tech Pan too, though, and never found myself wanting more.
I owned the 'RS' version and also the original version. I honestly preferred the build of the original, as I do on most Minolta AF lenses. AF was annoyingly loud and you'll hear it because it does a lot of work to rack the lens in and out. Given the fantastic prices on mint copies of this lens used, I'd likely pick one up if I didn't own the 100STF, which is so good it takes care of almost all my needs in that short tele range. If I bought something I'd do so purely for speed, not optical quality, so the 100/2 would be more attractive to me now.
But overall, I think the Minolta 100/2.8 Macro is a bit of a steal. Great lens, great price. If you can deal with the AF or plan to go MF only, I'd call it a 'no brainer'. ...Show more →
Make sure you get the latest 100 f2.8 w/ 8 pins for distance encoding.
p.15 #8 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
MikeEvangelist wrote:
No. But realistically, they probably didn't inspect it that closely. If you just took off the caps and glanced, it looked OK. But with good light, you see the mess.
p.15 #13 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Dave Sanders wrote:
Interesting. Does it provide an advantage on digital Sony bodies? I'm guessing maybe lens corrections such as vignette and CA?
Yes, the Lens ID for the 8-pin version has Lens Compensation support. Sony could have extended that support to the 5-pin versions of the 100/2.8, 50/2.8, and 50/1.4--they have the same optics--but they did not.
Sony's lens compatibility website also falsely claims these Minolta lenses do not have Lens Compensation support when they actually do: 20/2.8, 28/2.8, 50/2.8D, 100/2.8D, 70-200G, 300G, and DT 18-200.
p.15 #15 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
MikeEvangelist wrote:
Aargh. I gave up on the manual adapter after finding a used EA4 at B&H for a good price. Thought I'd use it while waiting for the EA5, then sell it on.
Well, it arrived today, and sadly has to go back. Previous owner apparently cleaned the mirror with steel-wool, or similar. But at least I could use it for a few minutes to see how the autofocus works on my 80-200, 135mm and 500mm Minoltas.
p.15 #16 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
baltmin wrote:
How was the AF like?
It's been a while since I used screw-drive lenses, so takes some getting used to. And with the older LA-EA4, the focus area is quite limited. But it's pretty fast and accurate. Makes me even more anxious to try the new adapter.
p.15 #17 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
MikeEvangelist wrote:
It's been a while since I used screw-drive lenses, so takes some getting used to. And with the older LA-EA4, the focus area is quite limited. But it's pretty fast and accurate. Makes me even more anxious to try the new adapter.
That's my impression as well. Fast AF with accuracy. It's a bit loud though.
p.15 #18 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
mogul wrote:
The replacement is only $50
I've replaced one before. But the adapter wasn't cheap enough to justify spending anything more to fix it. (especially since it's a temporary thing while I wait for the EA5 to be released.)
I shot the occasional roll of Tech Pan too, though, and never found myself wanting more. 