Re: Tamron 70-180 vs LA-EA5 + Minolta 80-200 f2.8 highspeed
The LAEA4 module was criticized when it came out because it was already behind the times. Sony crippled it and didn’t use the easily superior a77 focus module.
On that link you posted, he was using auto focus with the LAEA4 and then using crops from that. He should be using manual focus if he wants to do crops, and the LAEA4 is notoriously finicky, inaccurate and inconsistent additionally. I’m not sure he’s wrong on the sharpness at f9 (though I think he is) but I’m not saying he’s right. Hard to glean good data from that with poor testing methodology. I do like the photos he posted in the review though.
The Minolta 80-202.8 HS is super fast. Even by modern standards, it rips through the range very quickly. Having said that, it is loud, torque-y, the flare resistance is not as good as the Tamron, the MFD is probably longer, the fringing is worse and the front element rotates when focusing which can be a pain for some users. And it’s probably not as sharp as the Tamron, at least wide open, especially at 200mm. I found my copies to be optimized for between 80 to 135mm. I do not know if the new adapter has crippled to drive speed on lenses, which Sony did on some of their bodies in the a-mount bodies like the a700, but I would guess at the Minolta 80-200 is blazing on the new cameras if not crippled. It will be way way ahead of the LAEA4 experience.
Despite the optical imperfections, the Mino images are gorgeous. I did the same exercise you were doing right now, and if Sony spreads support for the LAEA5 to other bodies, I will pick up a Minolta 80-200 over the Tamron.
Here is a video which indicates the Minolta is faster than the current Sony 70 - 200 2.8 SSM II even though the Mino can’t use the full AF module. This follows user reports where the Minolta is actually the fastest focusing telephoto lens when used natively.
My experience of the FE Tamron lenses have renderings that are kind of crunchy, and I don’t like the photos a whole lot even though they are technically good, and I have a 17 - 28 I use somewhat regularly.
Nov 30, 2020 at 11:55 AM
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