p.21 #1 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
The LA-EA5 showed up today and I did some quick tests around the backyard. Focus relatively fast with 100/2 and 200/2.8 HS. Surprising accuracy.
I was so happy with the results, I've ordered the 135/1.8 ZA.
This week I will test the 200/2.8 HS + 1.4x adapter against the Contax 100-300. However, I think the 100/2 is sharper than the 200/2.8 from the images tests I took today.
p.21 #2 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
The LA-EA5 showed up today and I did some quick tests around the backyard. Focus relatively fast with 100/2 and 200/2.8 HS. Surprising accuracy.
I was so happy with the results, I've ordered the 135/1.8 ZA.
This week I will test the 200/2.8 HS + 1.4x adapter against the Contax 100-300. However, I think the 100/2 is sharper than the 200/2.8 from the images tests I took today.
Do you have a GM 135 to compare the ZA 135 too? The ZA 135 is the best rendering 135mm I have seen IMO.
p.21 #4 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Do you have a GM 135 to compare the ZA 135 too? The ZA 135 is the best rendering 135mm I have seen IMO.
I've sold my 135/1.8 GM. Extraordinary lens in terms of resolution and contrast but I wasn't loving the rendering. Hopefully the 135/1.8 ZA will do the trick.
p.21 #5 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've sold my 135/1.8 GM. Extraordinary lens in terms of resolution and contrast but I wasn't loving the rendering. Hopefully the 135/1.8 ZA will do the trick.
You are going to be very happy!
I love this lens so much, that I purchased the A7R IV right after the LA-EA5 was announced.
I just received mine LA-EA5 today. Attached my 135 1.8 ZA. Oh joy!
Watch out for the whine, but the colors and rendering are amazing.
Don’t expect it to focus as fast or as quietly as the GM.
I have to confess that I haven’t used this lens for the last 2 years.
This was largely due to sentimental reasons.
Some of my favorite photographs were of my Bullmastiff, who passed away 2 years ago from cancer (hemangio sarcoma).
I used the A7R II and the LA-EA4. I now have 2 A7R IIIs and the recently acquired A7R IV.
I now have 2 Bullmastiffs, so I guess it’s time.
The LA-EA5 does away with the mirror, so I am now figuring out the difference in colors and rendering.
It isn’t any faster, but eye AF works, making it easy to work with faster moving young dogs and kids.
I too learned that optical perfection doesn’t always produce a satisfying photograph. My favorite other adapted lenses so far are the Milvus ZE 85mm, ZM 35mm 1.4 and the ZM 50 mm 1.5.
p.21 #6 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Just received the 135/1.8 ZA today and it's everything you wrote.
Tested for centering and there is no tilt/swing. Quite amazing considering the adapter was a variable as well.
It's sharp from wide open to the very edges. Stopping down improves only slighly. Perhaps not as sharp as the GM at center but rendering is definitely smoother at mid and long distance in comparison. This lens is razor sharp even at close distance while rendering/contrast is gorgeous. I could not make it look bad.
The absence of asphericals means very clean specular highlights. So far, I didn't notice any axial CA error but lighting was not high contrast.
The AF is noisy as expected and similar to what I get with my other Minolta lenses (100/2 and 200/2.8), so yes, that's a negative. AF-C is pretty fast though but not as consistent as the GM. I just quickly tested outside at sunset and had great accuracy -- although not perfect.
Tested Eye-AF with it but lighting was not optimal. I will test it again tomorrow but I really like the results so far. I can definitely see some veiling flare -- Way more than with the GM and my Batis 135/2.8.
I can definitely see why this lens is highly recommended and I think the new adapter + A7R IV's AF algorithm gave new life to it. So far I am really impressed by the 100/2 and the 135/1.8 ZA lenses. The 200/2.8 APO is amazing one stop down.
p.21 #7 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
I also wanted to test the Minolta 200/2.8 HS + 1.4x telecoverter (280mm) vs the Contax 100-300 VS but unfortunately the 1.4x tele is not compatible with the LA-EA5. It does not report working aperture and it does not allow me to change the aperture value. --- So only works wide open.
p.21 #8 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
Just received the 135/1.8 ZA today and it's everything you wrote.
Tested for centering and there is no tilt/swing. Quite amazing considering the adapter was a variable as well.
It's sharp from wide open to the very edges. Stopping down improves only slighly. Perhaps not as sharp as the GM at center but rendering is definitely smoother at mid and long distance in comparison. This lens is razor sharp even at close distance while rendering/contrast is gorgeous. I could not make it look bad.
The absence of asphericals means very clean specular highlights. So far, I didn't notice any axial CA error but lighting was not high contrast.
The AF is noisy as expected and similar to what I get with my other Minolta lenses (100/2 and 200/2.8), so yes, that's a negative. AF-C is pretty fast though but not as consistent as the GM. I just quickly tested outside at sunset and had great accuracy -- although not perfect.
Tested Eye-AF with it but lighting was not optimal. I will test it again tomorrow but I really like the results so far. I can definitely see some veiling flare -- Way more than with the GM and my Batis 135/2.8.
I can definitely see why this lens is highly recommended and the new adapter + A7R IV's AF algorithm gave new life to it. So far I am really impressed by the 100/2 and the 135/1.8 ZA lenses. The 200/2.8 is amazing one of two stops down....Show more →
Yup, I haven’t been able to get a bad looking picture.
That doesn’t mean, composition, creativity and planning is not needed.
Please note that earlier examples had issues with the filter thread part getting out of alignment.
I purchased my lens new about 4 years ago. I use it primarily as a portrait lens.
But the even performance across the lens begs its use as landscape lens too.
Based on this, I have been thinking of getting the SAL 85 mm lens for the last 2 years.
But I am oversubscribed on 85 mm lenses, and I hear that the 85 mm GM has superb rendering.
Would be interested in someone comparing those two lenses.
p.21 #9 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Lifeinpictures wrote:
Yup, I haven’t been able to get a bad looking picture.
That doesn’t mean, composition, creativity and planning is not needed.
Based on this, I have been thinking of getting the SAL 85 mm lens for the last 2 years.
But I am oversubscribed on 85 mm lenses, and I hear that the 85 mm GM has superb rendering.
Would be interested in someone comparing those two lenses.
Yes, if you like the 135/1.8 ZA's rendering, just get the 85/1.4 GM. I don't think you can do better, especially for portraits.
p.21 #13 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
I also wanted to test the Minolta 200/2.8 HS + 1.4x telecoverter (280mm) vs the Contax 100-300 VS but unfortunately the 1.4x tele is not compatible with the LA-EA5. It does not report working aperture and it does not allow me to change the aperture value. --- So only works wide open.
Swapping the electronics from the Kenko DGX teleconverters into the Minolta and Sony teleconverters should get those working with the LA-EA adapters. The older pre-DGX chipped Kenko teleconverter chips work with most non-motorized lenses.
The DGX teleconverters by themselves work fine with the LA-EA adapters, but the MC4 optics aren't great.
p.21 #16 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
I also wanted to test the Minolta 200/2.8 HS + 1.4x telecoverter (280mm) vs the Contax 100-300 VS but unfortunately the 1.4x tele is not compatible with the LA-EA5. It does not report working aperture and it does not allow me to change the aperture value. --- So only works wide open.
You could try renting Sony's a-mount 1.4x and see if that improves the situation. Officially, they only list their SSM teles as compatible, but they designed it with a screw-drive, so maybe it's use is an unadvertised feature to keep Mino shooters happy. I can't imagine why they would leave it on there otherwise. I don't know if it'll make a difference, but at least it's not something you have to buy to try.
p.21 #18 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
I've tested the Zeiss 135/1.8 ZA + LA-EA5 today with using AF-C including Eye-AF.
I took 32 pictures during a walk around using AF-C and the lens + adapter gave me 97% accuracy!
32 images in total and only 1 was not in focus.
Taking pictures of a person using Eye-AF, gave me 85% accuracy. (That's usually what I get with the Batis)
31 images in total and only 5 missed focus.
What's impressive about this lens is how well it handles high contrast and complex backgrounds. I will post same samples soon. This is a KEEPER for sure and I highly recommend this combo.
p.21 #19 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've tested the Zeiss 135/1.8 ZA + LA-EA5 today with using AF-C including Eye-AF.
I took 32 pictures during a walk around using AF-C and the lens + adapter gave me 97% accuracy!
32 images in total and only 1 was not in focus.
Taking pictures of a person using Eye-AF, gave me 85% accuracy. (That's usually what I get with the Batis)
31 images in total and only 5 missed focus.
What impressive about this lens is how well it handles high contrast and complex backgrounds. I will post same samples soon. This is a KEEPER for sure and I highly recommend this combo....Show more →
That’s wayyyyyyyy better then I was thinking. And there are no complex backgrounds for the ZA135
