When I first considered getting into Sony E mount I was dead set on getting the correct LA adapter for whichever camera I ended up with. The reason for this was pretty straight forward, to limit initial cost on a new system. A few years ago I had started picking up old Minolta Maxxum glass, which was one of the factors that made me start looking at Sony. Since the lenses were just hanging out in my closet I figured why not? Besides being played around with on a couple old A mount bodies, a Maxxum 7000, and my G9, they've never gotten much use.
I had looked specifically for the highest rated lenses that were reasonably priced. Some of the old Maxxum glass still commands ridiculously high prices. Unless there's some reason to want a particular lens, it makes no sense to me to spend as much as a new E mount lens. One thing learned through the process is that the original issue mid-late 80's lenses are (typically) the most highly regarded. Flare is the usual weak point, not uncommon for the period. Most of the lenses were obtained by picking up kits that had something I wanted, then selling off what I didn't. Eventually, the list ended up:
I never really gave up on the adapter and keep thinking about it from time to time, but now I'm questioning whether it makes any sense to spend the $250. Yes, it will give me full functional access (including, evidently tracking?) to a nice set of vintage glass, but are any of them going to hold up, or will the 33MP sensor magnify their weaknesses?
I've scoured the internet trying to find samples of Maxxum lenses on newer Sony bodies. Most are limited to several years ago with the A7 and A7II. It seems interest waned once the newer cameras came along, probably as much to do with a wider selection of new lenses from Sony and others.
Is anyone using old Maxxum glass on their higher-resolution Sony cameras (or I guess for that matter any higher res cameras), or do you know of sample images or reviews? It's a little too soon to expect any reviews of the A7IV and LA-EA5, and with interest appearing so low no one may bother anyway. I suppose I could order one, try it, and send it back, but that isn't very fair to the store.
Any help is appreciated.
I had looked specifically for the highest rated lenses that were reasonably priced. Some of the old Maxxum glass still commands ridiculously high prices. Unless there's some reason to want a particular lens, it makes no sense to me to spend as much as a new E mount lens. One thing learned through the process is that the original issue mid-late 80's lenses are (typically) the most highly regarded. Flare is the usual weak point, not uncommon for the period. Most of the lenses were obtained by picking up kits that had something I wanted, then selling off what I didn't. Eventually, the list ended up:
- 50/1.7
- 28-135/4-4.5
- 35-105/3.5-4.5
- 100-200/4.5
- 70-210/4 (Beercan)
- 75-300/4.5-5.6
I never really gave up on the adapter and keep thinking about it from time to time, but now I'm questioning whether it makes any sense to spend the $250. Yes, it will give me full functional access (including, evidently tracking?) to a nice set of vintage glass, but are any of them going to hold up, or will the 33MP sensor magnify their weaknesses?
I've scoured the internet trying to find samples of Maxxum lenses on newer Sony bodies. Most are limited to several years ago with the A7 and A7II. It seems interest waned once the newer cameras came along, probably as much to do with a wider selection of new lenses from Sony and others.
Is anyone using old Maxxum glass on their higher-resolution Sony cameras (or I guess for that matter any higher res cameras), or do you know of sample images or reviews? It's a little too soon to expect any reviews of the A7IV and LA-EA5, and with interest appearing so low no one may bother anyway. I suppose I could order one, try it, and send it back, but that isn't very fair to the store.
Any help is appreciated.