Review on 📷 Sony LA-EA4 Full Frame A-Mount to E-Mount FF Lens Adapter with TMT by Mario Newton

This year I added an a7R and a box full of (literally) Minoltas (d7, 5000, 7000, 9000 etc.) to my A77 and could only jump for a Zeiss 55 1.8. This lens is nothing short of spectacular, but I wanted to use some of my old favorite AF lenses from the Maxxum era on the new sensor. I have a dozen classic prime lenses that work great with adapters (Canon, Konica, Kiron, Voightlander, Minolta, and Nikon), but sometimes it can be useful to have autofocus. I wasn't impressed with the new FE zooms (per the dollar) and there are still no third-party SHARP zooms, so it was definitely a temporary filler. So, you know, I'm not a Sony fan (strictly speaking), I'll start with the cons: it works, but it's LOUD (and that's coming from a guy who doesn't mind the a7R's shutter), and despite it being so is adds phase detection, in any poor lighting is slow. (Sorry Sony, but I've spent 30 years with this unit and it just isn't fast or accurate.) ANYWHERE comes close to the autofocus speed (or accuracy) of the same lens on an A77 or 99 (and with the FEZ551.8 it's very powerful, *surprisingly actually with EyeFocus*, so it's not a body). Screw-on lenses (28-85/3.5, 70-210/4, 16-50/2.8, 17-70/2.8, 50/1.4, 50/1.7, 90/2.8, 105/2.8, 135/2.8, 10-20/4.5) all have different mechanical noises - I mean a very distinct clicking and a muffled rattle/pop of the gears. as if there is play between the drive gear and the corresponding mount in the lens. It actually scared me a little - sounds like something might break - seriously. It's worst in low light, when the system has to yaw a bit - it'll click and clank like anti-lock brakes during a panic stop on a snowy road, and also vibrate. In daylight it's fast and fairly accurate if you pick a good point to focus on. However, if you accidentally focus on a shadow, macro capable lenses (especially 105/2.8) will often be sent into a blurry search loop, costing you shots - I personally guarantee that. I'm used to just pressing the MF button, typing near where it should be, then pressing again. Otherwise it stalls and the A7R's battery just doesn't get the job done too often when you're working. And yes, it drains the battery faster, but that should be obvious to anyone mounting a mechanical focus lens. on the body with electronic focusing. I always keep 3 spare batteries in my pockets or straps so I don't mind but you might. The last negative point is the EXTREMELY sensitive STL membrane on the back. It can't be cleaned outside of a tech room and I first got one from stock shops that someone tried to clean themselves (apparently with a chainsaw and hammer) which did NOT produce a clear image. Film is as good as frog hair, so even canned air can be destructive. The front hole is less sensitive, but still - be careful. I would never, ever, ever expose the rear connector (camera side) to any wind outside, or even indoors if dust could cling to that surface. Now the pros: it fits. Right, tight and solid. It has a threaded socket for mounting on a tripod (but not on the larger quick release plate). It's lightweight, doesn't take up much room in your bag, works with hundreds of lenses, and is a source of great options and creative freedom for the right person. Nobody makes lenses in the color of Minolta glass from the 70s and 90s anymore. When all the old Minolta lenses are gone it's going to be a sad, sad day for me personally because I absolutely LOVE the feel of so many of these old lenses. The new glass is technically sharper in many cases and Zeiss has incredible three-dimensionality, but in terms of rich, mesmerizing saturation and color reproduction, nothing produced today can match the old Minoltas. Being able to place the "beer cans” that I have lovingly guarded for decades on a 36-megapixel sensor without anti-aliasing borders on sinful pleasure. have seen the colors possible from the new full-frame e-mounts until you tie them together on a sunny afternoon while some fluffy shadowmakers float around. Add CPL and images literally have otherworldly potential if you know what you're doing. When the camera is set to Flat Response, the depth and brightness of the reds and greens cannot be reproduced other than through the intricately crafted PS layers. If you want your images to LOOK believable, you may need to reduce brightness and saturation in post-processing. In many situations, OOC files appear cluttered and "too” saturated in color. Get the white balance wrong and if there are people in the frame it will be a crazy city. You really are so rich and alive; If not, then don't post it. But back to the adapter (sorry). IF you already have a bag or two full of vintage lenses this is a must have and heaps of fun/nostalgic wand. If you don't have them or only have a few, keep your old body and money (and wait). The A7/a7R is a platform big enough to end up with AWESOME glass and once third parties start building it it's going to REALLY skyrocket, not to mention the lower prices of Sony's giraffe pens. pen or two. I recommend some shooters cautiously, but due to mechanical fear, I strongly recommend using an extended service for him as well; it just doesn't seem reliable enough to do its job indefinitely.