Minolta glass for wildlife photography on Sony a99ii
Apr 5, 2017 11:06:29 #
Hi I'm going to be getting a Sony a99ii body and was wondering if any of you have any experience using some of the older minolta telephoto glass on the a99 or a99ii
Figured if I could get some good primes or even zooms used that might save me a little money.
Just wondering what models seem to have good image quality and if they work ok with auto focus. Like the title says it's for wildlife photography and I am going to be shooting wild horses so can't get super close.
400mm would be the minimum or is guess I really good 300mm with a 1.4 tela converter.
Figured if I could get some good primes or even zooms used that might save me a little money.
Just wondering what models seem to have good image quality and if they work ok with auto focus. Like the title says it's for wildlife photography and I am going to be shooting wild horses so can't get super close.
400mm would be the minimum or is guess I really good 300mm with a 1.4 tela converter.
Apr 5, 2017 11:20:16 #
Contact this guy, if I remember it correct, he is using old Minolta glass on his A99. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=2749
Apr 5, 2017 11:27:18 #
I have an A99 and a few Minolta maxuum auto focus lenses that work great. I have a 50 mm a 28-135 macro and a 75-300. I've used them all on the A99 and mostly the 75 300. the auto focus works but the newer sony lenses focus a bit faster. Mostly I use the Zeiss/sony 24 70 2.8 and a tamron 70-200 2.8. I use the Minolta 75 300 for birding and at the zoo.. Last I checked you were able to pick up these Minolta lenses very inexpensively. They will do a good job for you.
JeremyVan wrote:
Hi I'm going to be getting a Sony a99ii body and w... (show quote)
Apr 5, 2017 11:35:47 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
JPL wrote:
Contact this guy, if I remember it correct, he is using old Minolta glass on his A99. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=2749
Yep. He just purchased a Minolta 600mm lens from Hong Kong not long ago. He posted a photo. it was large, and looked heavy as well. He uses many quality vintage lenses that he gets at bargain prices. An advantage for A-mount camera owners.
Apr 6, 2017 05:18:24 #
most of the lenses I use on my a-850 and a-77 are Minolta glass. they are all good and the G lenses are fantastic. if you use tc's make sure the number of contacts match.
Apr 6, 2017 10:21:01 #
Apr 6, 2017 10:53:38 #
JeremyVan wrote:
Hi I'm going to be getting a Sony a99ii body and w... (show quote)
I have been using the A77II for 18 months now. I will tell you there is no finer lens ( for Sony A mount ) than the Sigma 100-300 f4 that I use ! - And yes, I have also used the Canon 300 2.8 on Sony mirrorless E-mount - and yes it is slightly better - but you have to look hard ! I use the 100-300 with the Sony Clear Image Zoom and I am astounded ( takes me to 600mm f4) ! I will also tell you that the Minolta 500 Reflex is an excellent lens also - not quite as good as the Sigma tho.
Apr 6, 2017 10:56:57 #
First off thanks for all the replies!
I have been looking at the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6G SSM II A-Mount Lens and am trying to figure out what Minolta would give me similar results? Is the ca in these older lenses worse or can I get similar or better results to what the Sony glass will give?
Thanks again
Jeremy
I have been looking at the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6G SSM II A-Mount Lens and am trying to figure out what Minolta would give me similar results? Is the ca in these older lenses worse or can I get similar or better results to what the Sony glass will give?
Thanks again
Jeremy
Apr 6, 2017 12:21:46 #
The Minolta 100-400mm f/4 lens is not only screw drive, but it will NOT give you as good an image in any respect as the newer Sony 70-400mm G1 or G2 models will.
The Minolta High Speed 300mm is EXCELLENT though, as is the Minolta High Speed 600mm. EXTREMELY good glass, well designed, engineered, and built with exceptional image quality.
You'll need sharp lenses on your A99II because that 42 mp sensor will demand it... and ALL Minolta G lenses will be able to perform well to EXCEPTIONALLY well on that camera.
The Minolta High Speed 300mm is EXCELLENT though, as is the Minolta High Speed 600mm. EXTREMELY good glass, well designed, engineered, and built with exceptional image quality.
You'll need sharp lenses on your A99II because that 42 mp sensor will demand it... and ALL Minolta G lenses will be able to perform well to EXCEPTIONALLY well on that camera.
Apr 6, 2017 12:27:57 #
So in your opinion for a zoom I should stick with the newer Sony 70-400 and then get some minolta prims?
Apr 6, 2017 12:34:36 #
Yes.
The Sony 70-400mm f/2.8 G and G2 lenses are rated some of the BEST lenses at that focal length extremely sharp with little to no distortion... and the G2 has the new SSM which focuses much much faster than the original G version. This is going to be EXTREMELY useful on the A99II with it's new lightning fast 4D focus system.
The Sony 70-400mm f/2.8 G and G2 lenses are rated some of the BEST lenses at that focal length extremely sharp with little to no distortion... and the G2 has the new SSM which focuses much much faster than the original G version. This is going to be EXTREMELY useful on the A99II with it's new lightning fast 4D focus system.
Apr 6, 2017 12:36:35 #
^^^I should also note that any of the older Minolta High Speed lenses will give you faster focus speeds than standard Minolta Lenses on either the A99II or the A77II, the two A mount cameras that feature the 4D focus system.
Apr 6, 2017 12:46:39 #
I just traded in my a99 for the new a99II.
I have only used it a little in the past few weeks and am making progress with it.
I'm waiting now for Gary L. Friedman to get out his book on this new model.
He writes the best books on Sony cameras.
I have switched my Tamron 28 to 300 mm lens to it and have managed to take a few pictures to test.
I also have a Sigma 12-24 mm Wide angel that I used last year in Germany.
I and my family are planning to visit Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa the 1st of next month.
I am preying that his new book comes out by then.
The 28-300 was very satisfying when on the a99.
Wishing you some fine pictures with your Sony a99II.
Charles
Richmond, VA.
I have only used it a little in the past few weeks and am making progress with it.
I'm waiting now for Gary L. Friedman to get out his book on this new model.
He writes the best books on Sony cameras.
I have switched my Tamron 28 to 300 mm lens to it and have managed to take a few pictures to test.
I also have a Sigma 12-24 mm Wide angel that I used last year in Germany.
I and my family are planning to visit Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa the 1st of next month.
I am preying that his new book comes out by then.
The 28-300 was very satisfying when on the a99.
Wishing you some fine pictures with your Sony a99II.
Charles
Richmond, VA.
Apr 6, 2017 13:39:34 #
wj cody
Loc: springfield illinois
minolta was the only company to own their own glass works (the Imari Glass Works).
as a result their lenses were unique in the world of 35mm and 6x6 formats. they made spectacular glass and their longer lenses: the 200, 300 and 400 2.8 super speed lenses remain beyond compare. the 250mm mirror lens is the best mirror lens out there. the 600, 800 and 1000 mm lenses are something special.
i use minolta film bodies and a full pack of lenses and next to my leica m lenses, nothing's better.
good luck with your acquisitions!
as a result their lenses were unique in the world of 35mm and 6x6 formats. they made spectacular glass and their longer lenses: the 200, 300 and 400 2.8 super speed lenses remain beyond compare. the 250mm mirror lens is the best mirror lens out there. the 600, 800 and 1000 mm lenses are something special.
i use minolta film bodies and a full pack of lenses and next to my leica m lenses, nothing's better.
good luck with your acquisitions!
Apr 6, 2017 13:55:35 #
AGREED!!!
It' why I stuck with Sony after the bought the photo products division from Konica Minolta.
It' why I stuck with Sony after the bought the photo products division from Konica Minolta.
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