Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

As a Sony A900 owner with drawers full Alpha-Mount lenses I was anxiously looking forward to today's announcement of the A7 and A7R. I thought I would be able to simply buy a simple adapter for it and be able to use all my Alpha-mount lenses on it. Plus I would be able to use a drawer full of old Konica manual focus lenses I have, again with the use of a simple adapter.

The first disappointment was the lack of IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization). Sony Alpha mount lenses do not have any anti-shake built into them. We are dependent on the camera to provide that. I suppose I could live without IBIS but then came a second disappointment. The $200 adapter for the A7x cameras does not include screw drive, needed for the majority of my Alpha lenses! If I spend $350 I can buy a different adapter that has a mirror built into it. I thought the idea of buying an A7x was that we were going to get away from lenses! This looks like a kluge.

I'm torn. I have read rumors that a model made for Alpha-mount fans will be coming out early next year. I doubt that I will be able to use my legacy (Konica) lenses on that camera. :roll: :cry:

I think I'm going to hold off until I understand this better.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Sorry for the bad news Dan. A real bummer. I can certainly understand why you would want to use your legacy lenses, very disappointing. I long ago was in the same position with several Minolta lenses when I decided to switch to digital. Please understand I don't mean anything negative! but the fact Nikon lenses have kept the F-mount forever was a factor in my decision to go digital with Nikon. Good luck, I hope you will find a solution to your liking. ;)

rebride

You might want to check out the new Sony mirrorless forum. Maybe post your concerns?
http://sonyff-forum.com/

Musket Loc: ArtBallin'

When I need fullframe, I use my D600 or Fuji GSW 690 III. I was paying attention to the rumors until I saw that its not really anything to write home about. Looks good on paper, but there are other more supported options on the market right now. Sure its small but I really am not a size queen at the moment. From a GAS standpoint, it looks fun.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Thank you for that link rebride. Your right that is where this topic belongs.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

What's 'AMW'?
America's Most Wanted?

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Sorry I should have said UHH. AMW is a defunct Forum where I use to hang out. It was closed for lack of interest.

rebride

A whole lot of people are using legacy glass on the Sony Nex and Fuji X systems. It has become quite a 'thing'. Not just what they own, but also buying used lenses.
Probably will be so for the new Sony

CurreyPhoto Loc: Reddick, Florida

It was looking quite promising until I saw on the spec sheet that it shot at only 5fps and had a louder than normal shutter. I am looking for a smaller quieter D3s, and I thought the a7 might be it.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

I don't think the shutter is all that loud but an 8000th sec FF shutter is always going to clack a fair bit.

This is mirrorless so AF speed is not going to be all that great until Sony cracks full on-sensor PDAF. If you need 10fps, it's PDAF on a DSLR.

And so you can. A simple adapter means MF but the LEA-2 and LEA-4 give you full PDAF with any Sony or Minolta AF lens.

IBIS is for the A-mount Sony's but the E-Mount is strictly in lens stabilisation.

Not sure it's a kludge Dave. If you want screw drive support buy the A-mount, there's a great new camera coming out next year; come to that just buy an a99, an extraordinarily good camera and comes with screw drive.

Course you will, it's an A-mount camera and will support the screw drive.

To answer your first question, I'll probably go for the a7R body. Primarily use for Landscapes, Macro and Portraits so no need for AutoFocus. All my MF Zeiss and MD lenses will be fully utilised with this new FF beastie.

rebride

Doesn't the A7 have full on-sensor PDAF?

StephenVL Loc: Los Angeles, USA

I pre-ordered an A7 body on Amazon this morning. I bought the body only because I plan to add the Zeiss full frame e-mount 24-70 zoom which will not ship until February. Until then I will use my existing e-mount lenses and A mount lenses with an adapter. I will also be upgrading my LA-EA2 adapter to the new LA-EA4 adapter. I have legacy Minolta glass that I am looking forward to trying out on this camera. It will be interesting to see how much coverage my Zeiss 24mm emount lens will have on this sensor. I read an article yesterday that speculated that this lens may work full frame.
I bought on Amazon because they are offering a 2% rebate on some cameras and lenses. Nobody is discounting these cameras that I know of.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Good to hear from you Pete.

I'm not sure what "Course you will" is directed at? Did you mean that "I will be able to use legacy glass on the yet to announced, A-mount camera"

I'm leaning the same way you are, towards the A7R and the LEA-4. First I want to find out just how fast the A7R will cause my 300mm f/2.8 SSM lens to focus. I use it to photograph hummingbirds in flight. I know you don't have hummingbirds in England. My A900 does not focus as fast as I need it to. I'm hoping the LEA-4 will be much faster.

When Sony starts making dedicated lenses for the FF A7/R cameras, I suspect they will be nearly as big as an Alpha-mount + converter combination. I could be wrong, but it seems like they would have to be similar if they are going to screw into the same hole and fully illuminate the same sensor. That said, I see little need to buy new glass unless I really need image stabilization. I don't have need for faster FPS. The specs on the A7R are very much like my current A900 except it has a much better sensor.

Unless the upcoming (2014) Alpha-mount camera somehow also lets me use my legacy glass, the A7R w/ converter is more appealing to me.

I'll be leaving in two weeks for vacation in Scotland and Ireland. I'll be there for 10 days days. By the time I get back we might know more about the 2014 Alpha-mount camera.

I had to buy converters for my battery chargers. My, you British have strange electrical outlets! It looks like 220 vac is the norm there?

I decided I want to travel light so I'm not bringing my A900 with me. I'm taking my little Ricoh GX200. It takes photos that are good enough for vacation memories. I took the attached photo yesterday of a farm field just a few miles from my house with the little Ricoh. If you look close you can spot some pumpkins.

A local hill side

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Good for you Steve! Let us know your thoughts when you get it.

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

I'm in sort of the same boat Davethehiker.
only difference is My camera is the Sony A77.
I've used Minolta since the mid 80's, so have some nice Minolta glass and sony glass.
If sony is going this route and not giving us any updates to our camera's, I'm seriously thinking about selling my gear and switching to Nikon.