barbie.lewis Loc: Livingston, Texas

Hi!
I used to have a heavy camera addiction, Canons mostly. I've been "camera clean and sober" since digital came along, surviving on merely an occasional nip of a point-and-shoot or a bridge camera.
But my lifestyle has changed and I need the hard stuff again. So I can start fresh with only a whimper of brand loyalty.
Mostly outdoor, landscape, and bird photography with some indoor architecture. Very little portrait if any.
I'm a bit of a focus freak, a pixel peeper, and I love lots of megapixels.
So I'm kinda sorta looking at the Sony a7's but think I would prefer Canon lenses. I understand that isn't too hard to do (except that it works with some lenses and not others) but does it really work? Is the result with, say, a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens as good as when it is mated with a real Canon camera? Or should I rethink this?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Barbie - I've seen a lot of excellent photos with Canon's old FD manual focus lenses mounted to Sony cameras. So much so, there's been an uptick in the market (and value) for old FD lenses that were pretty much limited to pre 1987 Canon manual focus (pre EOS) bodies. That said, you might want to read this analysis as input to your decision. No one says Sony cameras are not excellent products. But, adapting other manufacture lenses is a different question .... http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/2013-12-leica-sony-canon/

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Do you still own those Canon lenses and which ones? What is your budget for getting back into hard core photography?
If you have a lot of Canon lenses then a new Canon body would make sense. For a Pixel Peeping Resolution Lover then the 5Ds or 5Dsr should fill the bill. To keep the price and body size down then the 80D.
Otherwise, if you no longer have the Canon lenses and need to start over than the Sony would be a good choice. Be aware their lenses are at least as pricey as Canon and Nikon.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

If you're wedded to Canon lenses then consider:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-5ds-r-body-refurbished

Kuzano

Notwithstanding the cost and proper choosing of lens adaptors for cross platform, or legacy lenses, nothing works as easily and quality wise as "native" lenses. The lenses built for the camera you are shooting.

Lots of people doing it, however. It's a huge PITA to get it all together and get a better system than a camera shooting it's own lenses.

I do it a bit, but I realize that it's going to compromise image quality. Like the person who said "I've seen some great pics shot with old FD Canon lenses!". So have I but in most cases they were shot on old Canon camera's using the film in vogue for the times.

Most of those old lenses were never quite as good as the digital lenses that come with the camera's today. Give me a system with properly built matching components, PLEASE!

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

My experience as well.

JPL

In general, Canon lenses will work better on Canon cameras if you are using autofocus. If the idea is to focus manually I would say all lenses, be it Canon or Nikon or something else will work better on Sony A7 line of cameras than on the cameras they are made for. No full frame cameras are as easy to use with manual focus and new or old glass on them as the A7 lineup. That is my experience.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Barbie, welcome to the Hog!
Every time I read something like this I actually have to laugh and shake my head.

IF YOU WANT TO USE CANON LENSES, GET A CANON CAMERA!!! LoL

Just get the 5Ds.
Canon lenses are NOT designed for Sonys!!!!!!
SS

repleo Loc: Boston

Just to broaden your horizon a bit, Sigma makes an adaptor for some - not all - of its better lenses to a Sony FF e-mount (Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter/Lens Adapter (Sigma SA-Mount Lenses to Sony E). Many Hogs have great things to say about Sigma lenses and the Sigma adaptor appears to be more reliable than the Metabones. Personally, I have no experience of Sigma lenses, but I am about to buy my first 'Art' lens this week.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I realize that Sony's E-mount lenses don't have a numerous array of lenses as compared to Canon or Nikon. But if I bought a full frame Sony a7, I would stick with that brand of lenses, Sony E-mount. Or Canon body with Canon lenses. Fewer problems doing that. IMO.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

If you prefer Canon lenses, then you should go for a Canon camera.

If you really want the Sony, then the Sony 70-400 on the LA-EA4 adapter is a better bet.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

"Most", "never quite as good" ... nonsense. I'm happy for you to say that a lot of "old" lenses are poor but then I'd have to point out that there are a lot of "modern" lenses which are also pretty bad.

The laws of optics have been nailed down for a long time and an old quality lens remains a quality lens. I have several old Rokkors dating from the 60's which have been well looked after and which perform well on the A7r, A7rM2. I did a comparison between the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 58/1.2 PG against the Zeiss 55/1.8 and concluded that the Minolta did a better job than the Zeiss. It's worth stressing that the ROKKOR lenses were leading edge and many were re-badged to the Leica brand. Of course they don't have any AF ability and flare control is generally not as good (modern coatings) so the use of a lens hood is mandatory (good practice anyway).

Understand that I'm not knocking the modern, quality lens per se but you do need deep pockets. I recently purchased an FE 85mm F1.4 GM (RRP £1889) which is undoubtedly a top class lens. It will be interesting to see how it compares with my 100/2, 100/2.5.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

Get an a7r2 Sony, dump the Canon lenses and get Sony lenses. You won't be sorry. While they make adapters for the canon lenses, you will loose even more quality.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

I find that when I use my version 2 Canon lenses they work very well. But with my Canon version one lenses the lenses seem to see a lot and I have to go to manual. Try to find someone that is using the same adapter and lenses you have and ask their experiences.