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 p.24 #1 · Introducing LA-EA5 | Mount Adaptor | Sony | Accessory | |
Fred Miranda wrote:
The 85/1.4 GM wide open has quite noticeable axial CA. I'd say they are similar but have not compared side by side.
For something interesting (at least to me) regarding the LAEA5 and the ZA 135.
My first FF camera was a Sony a850. At that time, Sony was not a respected camera company by serious shooters--and with pretty good reason. From about 2006 to 2014 or so, they struggled to do the basics right, sold their sensors to Nikon who got better (or at least different) IQ out of them, had that stigma of an electronic company and were trying to embrace SLT technology, which always had hurdles and never took off competitively for many shooters. They were not only overshadowed by Nikon and Canon, but by Minolta as well. Their pro-support was very poor comparatively, and it was hard to find high end a-mount gear even at many substantial pro camera stores. Lens releases were erratic--Sony just seemed to lack direction or cohesion.
There were some premium lenses, like the ZA 16-35/2.8, 24/2, 24-70/2.8 and 135/1.8 and 85/1.4, but overall, the line-up lacked some serious decent standard pro lenses--there was no high performing 35/1.4, 24/1.4, 200/2, 50 1.4/1.2, (the ZA came a bit too late) and big teles weren't updated, no tilt-shift and such. The 70-200G 2.8 never got a ton or respect and many preferred the build, IQ, price and draw of the Minolta 80-200/2.8 (myself included). The prosumer prime f1.8 range was sparse/nonexistent, as well as capable f4 zooms. Sony (and many shooters) were leaning on out of production lenses from Minolta or 3rd party makers.
I say all this to contextualize how unrivaled the system was as a portrait shooter in it's time.
The catalog is still impressive, extremely so by 2006-2014 standards: Minolta 85 1.4, Minolta 85 1.4G limited, ZA 85 1.4, Minolta 100/2, ZA 135 1.8, Sony 135 2.8 STF and the 200/2.8.
Add this catalog to a most compelling body at the in the a850/a900 at the time for portraits (the D3x came later). It offered a superb, clear, massive OVF, highest resolution, fantastic and responsive ergonomics and build, the highest resolution sensor when it came out (D700 and 5dMk2 were the rivals), some of the best color I've seen out of a camera (still) and IBIS for all those primes--which no one else offered.
Now that you've shot the ZA 135, Mino 200/2.8 and 100/2, you probably have a better appreciation for how comically under appreciated these lenses were/are. Crazy to think these AF lenses at 15-25 years old--they were so far ahead of their time with balancing technical IQ and rendering. One might argue, its one of the most complete portrait systems ever. And given the LAEA5 seems to support all these lenses quite well, in addition to the Sony's new GM 85/FE 85/Batis 85, GM 135/Batis 135, 100 STF, I think it's more than reasonable to say the Sony system is the best portrait system ever in terms of glass. And you can adopt essentially any of that older and SLR glass-crazy!!! And that's not including wider ZA 50/1.4, 1.8, GM 24 types...
You used to see tons of people calling the 135L and ZA 135 a wash (ha!), the 85L the best portrait lens ever (I don't agree at all) Many had never shot, or heard of the 85 ltd. The Mino 100 was largely just respected in the Sony community. Canon had the 85 1.2L and 135L, and Nikon had their 85 1.4D and 135DC, but Sony was quite ahead of the pack and it's time.
It's nice to see these lenses get recognition. The ZA 85 still flies under the radar, though if you like a modern abstracted smooth draw, it's quite lovely, and one of Zeiss' better 85 attempts IMO. The 85ltd is still out of reach for many, and the Mino 85 1.4 is quite great for a lens of it's era and generally, but that too was largely overlooked.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I thought you and others might find it interesting (or enjoy the memory).
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