Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I'm heavily invested in A-mount Minolta, Sony, Ziess, Sigma, etc lenses. I own a vast array of lenses ranging from 500mm to 12mm! I can't imagine ever trading these lenses in and switching to another DLSR format/mount.

I understand how mirrorless cameras, because they do not need room for a mirror flipping out of the optical path, can be made shorter. I have no problem with EVF, I love the one on my A77ii.

My concern is that I'm worried that the A-mount is doomed to obsolescence. Sony seems to be pushing harder on E-Mount and FE-Mount cameras that they are putting on newer "Alpha" cameras.

Please spare me the "Buy a Nikon/Cannon" responses!
I fear that eventually ALL camera manufactures are going to go mirrorless and we all will have the same problem.

Here is my question:
Is there some optical advantage to not having that extra space that was needed for the mirror between the lens and the sensor?

Sony's APS-C "Alpha" E-Mount and and FE-Mount lenses seem to have a wider zoom range and are physically smaller than than the old A-Mount lenses. Is this because they are closer to the imaging array? I'm confused on this subject. It seems strange that Sony has opted to introduce so many new lens mounting systems.

At 75 years old, my current camera's and lenses will serve me for the rest of my life. I'm just trying to understand the physics behind Sony's direction.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I wish I could say this with 100% certainty, but it is likely that Sony or an independent will make an adapter for the lenses. Olympus has done so for their customers and I can not imagine that Sony would not do the same for there customers. Expect that some of the lens functions will not work, but that is usually a minor problem. You might try contacting Sony directly to see if they have or will have something that will meet your needs. Good luck.

Clemens Loc: Maryland

Hey Dave,
I have moved from DSLR to "almost" completely mirrorless
I still have the a700 and a900 and have numerous A mount lenses as well. You will need the LA-EA4 sony adapter on your new e-mount body in order to take full advantage of all their functions.
All lenses work beautiful on my sony a7r.
The new e-mount lenses are much closer to the sensor and can be build much smaller and lighter (and cheaper in some cases) without sacrificing quality.
Hope this helps

Clemens Loc: Maryland

I don't think A-mount will be doomed anytime soon. Sony is trying to get a head start in the mirrorless market and they are doing a good job so far. They delivered the bodies and need to come up with more native lenses and that's what they are focusing on right now. Not much news came from Photokina about the a-mount but I believe beginning next year you will have more a-mount news. In short: not much too worry

MtnMan Loc: ID

Nikon has the same issue. Although they are not as far along as Sony on mirrorless offerings you need an adapter to use a standard Nikon lens on the mirrorless cameras they do offer. That won't change because of the physics noted above.

amehta Loc: Boston

Sony makes two adapters for you:
1. Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter with Translucent Mirror Technology, $350, which includes a built-in AF motor
2. Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter, $200

The shorter distance allows for designs with the rear lens element closer to the sensor, which has advantages for wide angle lenses. Basically the entire optical design can be compressed a little toward the sensor.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Thank you everyone who took the time to put my mind at ease. I was aware of the adapter solution. I believe the new phase detection auto focus systems as built into my A77ii, actually focuses faster than the current adapters do. Still, it's comforting to know I have options should I opt to go mirrorless.

My widest lens is my Sigma 12~24mm. I have the older version and while adequate, it's not a lens I would recommend. When used with DxO Optics pro it can produce a passable photo. The only justification I have found for it is as a real estate agent's lens. It makes rooms look huge and the property the house is sitting look vast! I have a rental property that I rent to tenants. I'm sure the reason I was able to rent it so quickly was because of some photos I had taken with that lens and used to advertise the house.

I remember some time ago there was talk about Sony making a "hybrid" camera that would accept both A and E mount lenses and have in body stabilization. It never came to fruition. If I did not already have so many lenses I would be attracted to the A7 and A7R.

It's an exciting time for those of us who are interested in photography.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I don't know Sony's reason for changing mounts on the mirrorless cameras. You can buy an adaptor that will let you use A-mount lenses on the E-mount cameras, but you lose autofocus capability, and, of course, your effective focal length increases by the depth of the adaptor. You can still buy cameras which accept the A mount lenses; if I were you, I wouldn't worry about mirrorless.

amehta Loc: Boston

Your effective focal length does not increase, because the adapter is using the distance which the lens was designed for. Compare the flange distance between the sensor and the lens mount on the SLT (A99) and FE (A7) cameras to see the difference.

Clemens Loc: Maryland

You don't lose autofocus attaching a-mount lenses to e-mount bodies assuming you use the LA-AE4. Your focal length will also stay the same by attaching a full frame lens to a full frame mirrorless. I love my a900 but is not great for action. Also noise get's pretty bad over 1600 so not great for low light either or any other situation where you need high ISO. Rent the a7r for a few days and use your a-mount lenses. I'm sure you will get lots of GAS

spphoto Loc: Long Island,N.Y.

I also have a large collection of Sony a-mount lenses.I purchased a Sony a6000 mirror less camera and when I need a longer lens ,70-400 or 100-400 ,I mount them on the a6000 and have no trouble with the autofocus.
I like the light weight camera and take a lot of pictures with it .but I have not given up on my A77 's

Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

There's no physics, only cash flow...

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

:roll: I think you're right, but in general options are good.

amehta Loc: Boston

:lol:

There is more physics than cash flow. There is definitely physics. I think Sony would have had much higher sales of the A7-series cameras if all the full frame A-mount lenses would have been compatible without an adapter.

cntry Loc: Colorado

The only time I've heard or read about Sony discontinuing the A-Mount lenses is by those who are accusing Sony of not knowing what direction they want to go because they are diversifying into the mirrorless realm. Maybe they learned a lesson from Minolta who was late to the digital party and paid the price for it. It's never good for a business to stagnate and ignore new technology.
Personally, I put more stock in the rumors about the A99ii than I do Sony discontinuing the A-mount line up. http://thenewcamera.com/tag/sony-a99-ii/