What would make you consider switching to E/FE mount?

No reason at all to "switch".

--
Ron.
Volunteer, what could possibly go wrong ?

I have 3 A-mount cameras, a200, a55 & a77ii and a few sony and old minolta lenses. The smaller size of E-mount is attractive but not enough for me to give up the option to play with the old lenses. I may still get an a7iii for its low light capabilty some day. However I will still keep using my A-mount stuff till they stop working.

Release of a more capable adapter for A-mount glasses might entice me to try some E-mount bodies but no quick complete switch.

Completely off topic but can you also share the experience of adapted lenses AF performance for video as well? I heard that SSM2 lenses are performing much better with video in A mount and E mount adapted. A confirmation would be great.

tqlla said:

I think a mirrorless LA-EA5 with screw drive would probably move the needle the furthest.

But I just bought an A7Rii with 5000 shutter actuation's for $950. The adapted AF is slower, but still good. The A7Rii doesnt have eye-AF with adapted glass. I just couldnt resist the price.

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Wow that's half price of a99 ii. How did you get it?

toughluck said:

Jeadm said:

We know why we're here. We've probably been with A-mount for years, accumulated a significant amount of quality glass over the years that makes starting over seem like needless pain and expense for those of us who have hung on this long.

So I was curious, for those who haven't switched or who aren't dipping their toes in the water with both mounts already, what if anything would make you consider switching to the "dark side" of Sony's lineup? Even hardened A-mount users have to admit that the product development on that side is at least somewhat compelling.

Anyway, please read them all and give it some thought before you answer. And of course, tell us more about your thoughts on this.

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In my case, Sony can only sell me an E/FE mount body if they provide a sensible migration path. I can accept adapters, and I don't mind third party glass, but I can't accept inferior focusing with screw drive lenses. If they provide a new mirrorless adapter with screw drive AF or if they replace my screw drive 35, 85 and 135 with FE mount equivalents, I would be convinced to switch.
Otherwise, I am going to be looking at Nikon and Canon alternatives (Panasonic only if it comes down in price) as soon as a third party adapter comes for screw drive lenses for L, Z or RF mount.

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I think they have equivalent glasses in e mount. 135 GM just came.

My guess is that E mount is going to win the competition as Sony has the best sensor and best processing with capabilities like taking 42mp at 12 fps or 24mp at 20fps. If I understand correctly Sony has the best AF on mirrorless as well. E mount is also open mount and I see Rokinon and Sigma are making amazing glass for e mount at low cost with no impaired functionality. I am just waiting for the second hand lens market to saturate for the lenses being affordable. Probably in 5 years I will switch to E mount if new technology makes it worthwhile or if I need to take more videos. By that time, market should saturate at least I should be able to get a7r4 for a good price and adapt my a mount SSM lenses.

Simurg79 said:

I think they have equivalent glasses in e mount. 135 GM just came.

My guess is that E mount is going to win the competition as Sony has the best sensor and best processing with capabilities like taking 42mp at 12 fps or 24mp at 20fps. If I understand correctly Sony has the best AF on mirrorless as well. E mount is also open mount and I see Rokinon and Sigma are making amazing glass for e mount at low cost with no impaired functionality. I am just waiting for the second hand lens market to saturate for the lenses being affordable. Probably in 5 years I will switch to E mount if new technology makes it worthwhile or if I need to take more videos. By that time, market should saturate at least I should be able to get a7r4 for a good price and adapt my a mount SSM lenses.

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The A99ii has 12FPS capability. The AF is a Hybrid AF combining SLT and the 399 PDAF points. It just hasnt been tweaked by Sony, whereas they have updated the A7Riii/A9 AF many times, in many firmware updates.

Its really not right that they are not supporting the A99ii($3200) with firmware updates.

Simurg79 said:

tqlla said:

I think a mirrorless LA-EA5 with screw drive would probably move the needle the furthest.

But I just bought an A7Rii with 5000 shutter actuation's for $950. The adapted AF is slower, but still good. The A7Rii doesnt have eye-AF with adapted glass. I just couldnt resist the price.

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Wow that's half price of a99 ii. How did you get it?

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Facebook marketplace. The A7Rii has dropped like a rock in price. During the Christmas season, I think it was $1400 brand new.

Now I have to sell my A99(50K clicks), but I think its value is probably really really low.

QuietOC said:

I want AF-C at 5+ FPS with the LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 much more than another adapter.

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I would hope that a newer version of the adapter could address and upgrade that and other things. The EA4 is the only real option for screw drive lenses but is hobbled by its older focusing technology, so improving on this model seems to carry the most benefit. Since it preserves A-mount's focusing guts it should be better with lens compatibility across the larger A-mount lens lineup, which has been less than perfect with the EA3.

Improved focusing and extra focusing points would also be valuable. Combined it would appeal not only to those on the fence but also to those existing adopters looking to maximize functionality who are already using their A-mount lenses on E-mount.

Jeadm said:

They just announced a Sony 135 f1.8 for FE.

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Soooo not interested...

I'll reiterate to emphasize some parts:

Jeadm said:

Jeadm said:

If they provide a new mirrorless adapter with screw drive AF or if they replace my screw drive 35, 85 and 135 with FE mount equivalents, I would be convinced to switch.

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Let me elaborate: I have a number of full frame A mount lenses that I like and that I'm fine with.

First off:
Zeiss 24-70, Tamron 70-200, 70-300G
These are SSM (or equivalent) lenses. They'll work fine with LA-EA3, and I could switch to E mount and keep using them with minimal penalties.

Second:
Minolta 24-105, Konica Minolta 17-35/2.8-4, Sony 50/2.8 macro
These are screw drive and they're take it or leave it. I don't care enough for them to consider them to be must-haves and I could switch to a different lens without caring much. In fact, I think these are the least used lenses I own. I haven't even used the macro yet (but I'm waiting for the summer).

Third:
Sony 35 G, Zeiss 85 and Zeiss 135
These are the screw drive lenses that I want to keep using. If I ever switch to FE mount, they either have to work as well as they do on A99ii. I don't care whether Sony offers me a new adapter or whether they replace my lenses with equivalent instruments for FE mount (i.e., Zeiss 35/1.4, 85/1.4 GM and 135/1.8 GM). The latter is not happening, so that leaves the former. And I think I'm not the only one in this camp. Mind you, considering that I typically stop down both the 35 G and 85 G and that the SLT mirror means a half stop light loss, these lenses could be replaced with full frame equivalent 35/1.8 and 85/1.8 (both of which exist), but 135/1.8 is the definitive lens for me.

Jeadm said:

That would have been a good addition. I actually think that answer is not without merit.

I never say never when it comes to the future. I was in the Canon camp for a long time, and before digital, Minolta. I grew impatient waiting for Minolta to get going with digital, I didn't really want to switch other than for that, although that was a big reason why.

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Ha. Imagine if Minolta jumped into digital but only offered full frame bodies (I'm imagining 11 megapixel Dynax 4D without AS, 11 mpix Dynax 5D, 16 mpix Dynax 7D and 9D and 12 megapixel APS-c Dynax 8D dedicated to sports enthusiasts). Sensors sourced from Canon, later from Sony. Sure, it would require a huge investment from some stupidly rich Minolta enthusiast, but it would be glorious.

Jeadm said:

In my mind in the years that followed Canon got lazy on innovation. I took a chance when Sony went SLT and found that it was a much better tool for me personally. It actually helped me to enjoy photography again, which in turn made me produce better results.

So changing gear can be of benefit, if it's right for you.

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I'd really like an an A-mount APS-C camera that's at least as good as the A6500 in terms of performance and features, ie an a77iii. I want to keep using the same lenses without needing an adapter. But if my a55 dies or another year goes by before such a camera is released, then I will admit defeat and buy an a6500 with an adapter.

A fully articulating screen and a better A-mount adapter might make me consider.

I would consider E-mount as an option only if I can get:

• similar ergonomics and handling as with the A99ii

• similar AF performance with all my A-mount lenses, including some from Sigma, Tamron, Minolta…

Other than that, E-mount means nothing more to me than any of the recent mirrorless mounts from Nikon, Canon, Panasonic… meaning I really don't care about it.

The something else being my a99 and a99ii breaking beyond reasonable repair or getting stolen. Maybe then I might move to a9 but only then.

I think using an adapter is a lost cause - maybe a temporary option, but certainly not long term. An adapter might be okay for still photos, but wildlife is an entirely different endeavor. My A-68, 70-400mm G2 and 16-50mm f2.8 are more than adequate.. I don't think the APSC E-mount is any better at this point. A move would cost me about $4000 at this point and I wouldn't be gaining anything aside from the slightly sharper 100-400mm.

I could not consider switching unless the camera offered an optical view finder where I could compose by considering what's outside the frame lines.

Why?

• I enjoy making photographs this way. Of course, this a completely subjective preference. And when precise framing is important, frame-line estimates are impractical.
• If I wanted to compose by holding the camera in front of me as if I were holding a baby with a dirty diaper, I'd use my phone. In other words, if convenience was that important, I might as well go all the way.

--"The belief that ‘randomness’ is some kind of real property existing in Nature is a form of the mind projection fallacy which says, in effect, ‘I don’t know the detailed causes – therefore – Nature does not know them."
E.T Jaynes, Probability Theory: The Logic of Science

I supplemented my A-mount gear with an EF based A7iii but only used the A3 adapter for the A-mount glass. I still walk around with the 77ii w/ 70-400 lens and the A7iii usually with a 16-35 ZA.

Not having the fully articulating rear screen remains a huge bugbear of the mirrorless range

I have switched to A7III but I voted:

Sony needs to release a modern updated adapter for A-mount glass that includes screw drive and at least offers a focusing system similar to the A99ii, so I can continue to enjoy my existing lenses without starting over.

because I would like to see such an adapter in the real world. So I could use my old Minolta lenses on my new A7III with best possible AF.

I would also ask an opposite question those who have left the A-mount for the E-mount.

What would you bring back from the E-mount to the A-mount?

My answer is: a small inexpensive FF A-mount camera.

The 135mm GM is making me switch completely. I love the 135mm Sonnar on A-mount and I wish the new lens was Zeiss branded/partnered, but this new lens seems to have incredible AF that will work wonders with my a9.

I'll still keep the 135mm Amount for a bit to compare them side by side, but I think it's time for me to move onto the system that gets support.

Don't need to switch, I own an A77ii and an A6500.