Monster LA-EA4r

Starscream67 said:

Any idea if it will work with the Tamron 150-600mm, Minolta 100-400mm, Tamron 90mm?

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Sorry, I can't say for the LA-EA4r. But the LA-EA5 on my A7Riv drives all of my half dozen A-Mount Tamron and Sigma lenses perfectly (most of them screw drive focus). The ONLY A-mount lens I own that did not work properly on with the LE-EA5 adapter was an old Minolta film era power zoom lens. When I looked it up Sony has a note the the LE-EA5 does not work with the old power zoom Minolta lenses.

I know this isn't what you asked but maybe someone else will find it useful.

Have you used the updated adapter enough to form a good opinion in the "r" compared to the standard unit ?

How does it compare in focus speed , hunting etc ?

Starscream67 said:

Any idea if it will work with the Tamron 150-600mm, Minolta 100-400mm, Tamron 90mm?

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I don't have any of those lenses.

Monster says SSM/SAM lenses are not supported, so that probably rules the 150-600 out.

A search of the Monster Adapter LA-EA4r FB page has user reports of the Minolta 100-400, and a Tamron 90 working (though there is also a comment from Monster Adapter saying that the Tamron 90 72E works it will not work in macro focus range)

neilt3 said:

Have you used the updated adapter enough to form a good opinion in the "r" compared to the standard unit ?

How does it compare in focus speed , hunting etc ?

Click to expand...

It's a bit tricky, as my impressions are also mixed up with switching to an A7iii at the same time, which I have no prior experience with (but am currently irritated with due to the lack of comfortable hand grip trying to get used to).

Impressions of using my A-mount lenses and EA4r -

- I tried a whole bunch of lenses just to make sure they would lock focus, but have so far only extensively used my Minolta 100 f2 and 85 f1.4

- the AF is not nearly as snappy and sure as my A99 / the LA-EA4. Instead of snapping into lock, it step-step-step-beeps into lock with two to five incremental screw motor adjustments.

- eye AF over the whole frame is amazing

- eye AF continuous tracking will be more useful with faster AF

- the quality of the eye AF lock is amazing with shallow dog - the results are SO much better than any A99 focus-and-recompose

I am looking forward to seeing what v4 firmware (expected any day now?) will do, as it's focus is all about speed. Not sure if you'll be able to see this video, but it shows two A7RIV cameras one with an LA-EA4r with v4 firmware and the other with an LA-EA5 and the EA4r is achieving faster focus lock .

Nice. I don't have Alpha lenses, but it's an alternative to adapted Canon teles. Minolta Alpha lenses are really bargain bin and relativeto the quality of some of them,a complete steal. It'sa great way to get zoom and teles on a shoestring, but it takes some gut$ to invest in the adapter.

I am not following on what you want with the TechArt pro, and the LM/Alpha. At least my version has no contacts towards the adapted lens, so setting focal length is a manual endeavor and consumes one custom button, and can't use all axes since there is no way to know the focusing distance.

But you can use Eye AF, Animal AF, face detect, registrations and everything that works in AF-S and AF-C. I regrettably doesn't have DMF because one doesn't have a way to tell one is moving the focus point. I wish there was a hack to pretend moving it with a custom button (dummy to activate DMF) so magnify would engage automatically on press with this, instead of a manual Magnify. Magnify only works in AF-S and not AF-C. So for AF-C I have to AF/MF toogle, then press Magnify, which consumes C1 and C2 in my case. But this is worth it, I can use AF, then rapidly press C2 and C1 and adjust focus immediately. This only makes sense if you "Park" the TechArt in the last position (the just Auto Focused position). This requires using F45 and releasing the triger to activate this mode (F36 retores it to Infinity parking). If this is not done, the in AF you can focus, but the AF/MF toogle will cause the TechArt to revert Infinity,preventing using AF+manual adjustment completely.

Now all these things are based on one day of learning, as I just upgrded from A7II to A7RIII. A7II did not have EyeAF on third party lenses, and TechArt is like some generic lens.

Based on what I practied a few hours, once configured, and all the small hassles get mentially automated, I think one can use the TechArt for very effective and broad cases, without getting in the way too much.

TechArt only works very well IMHO from ultrawides to 58mm. It works ok for 85 but MFD requires some prefocusing. And 100-135 can still work but only if one prefocuses or has subjects like 5-6 meters away. Otherwise, it's just a nuissance as teles usually have 1 to 2 inches travel, and the TechArt provides about 4.5mm travel or so. But I have used 135mm for portrait, and so long as keep an eye on the subject distance, it allows rapid perfect focus.

TechArt can also track. And I guess techArt pro will have some heat from Megadap, which I think is just starting to sell for Nikon Z and offers 6mm movement. I hope they make an E version soon, but since many already have the TechArt, many would to upgrade for 6mm and a helicoid drive (vs linear)

MikeInOr said:

I love the LE-EA5 adapter on my new A7Riv. The screw drive lenses focus faster than they did on my A77 and tons faster then my Maxxum 7000!

I don't think I like this LE-EA4r idea though! I have been looking to add to my old Minolta A-mount collection and the extra competition is NOT appreciated!

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The LA5 did not exist when the Monster adapter was launched. Sony released the LA5 very shortly after Monster released LA4r. Had it not been for the Monster adapter, you'd not have the LA5 option. I feel a bit sorry for the Monster guys.

MikeInOr said:

;-)

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?

MikeInOr said:

P.S. it didn't take me long to order a grip extension / L bracket for my A7Riv. I can hold it comfortable but with my big hands the extra grip length will be appreciated. One thing I have to say for Sony, it is easy enough to add length to a short camera body than it is to remove it from a camera body that is too big!

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fferreres said:

MikeInOr said:

I love the LE-EA5 adapter on my new A7Riv. The screw drive lenses focus faster than they did on my A77 and tons faster then my Maxxum 7000!

I don't think I like this LE-EA4r idea though! I have been looking to add to my old Minolta A-mount collection and the extra competition is NOT appreciated!

Click to expand...

The LA5 did not exist when the Monster adapter was launched. Sony released the LA5 very shortly after Monster released LA4r. Had it not been for the Monster adapter, you'd not have the LA5 option. I feel a bit sorry for the Monster guys.

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I think the LA-EA5 initially put the Monster Adapter LA-EA4r project on hold, until it became clear that Sony was only supporting the classic screw drive focus Minolta lenses on the A7IV and the A6600. After realizing this, I think there was a groundswell of support for the project and the pace of firmware development seems to have gone into high gear.

fferreres said:

Nice. I don't have Alpha lenses, but it's an alternative to adapted Canon teles. Minolta Alpha lenses are really bargain bin and relativeto the quality of some of them,a complete steal. It'sa great way to get zoom and teles on a shoestring, but it takes some gut$ to invest in the adapter.

I am not following on what you want with the TechArt pro, and the LM/Alpha. At least my version has no contacts towards the adapted lens, so setting focal length is a manual endeavor and consumes one custom button, and can't use all axes since there is no way to know the focusing distance.

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I have some manual focus lenses, which I use with a Sony A3000 and a focal reducer.

The TAP is just for giggles.

markintosh13 said:

fferreres said:

Nice. I don't have Alpha lenses, but it's an alternative to adapted Canon teles. Minolta Alpha lenses are really bargain bin and relativeto the quality of some of them,a complete steal. It'sa great way to get zoom and teles on a shoestring, but it takes some gut$ to invest in the adapter.

I am not following on what you want with the TechArt pro, and the LM/Alpha. At least my version has no contacts towards the adapted lens, so setting focal length is a manual endeavor and consumes one custom button, and can't use all axes since there is no way to know the focusing distance.

Click to expand...

I have some manual focus lenses, which I use with a Sony A3000 and a focal reducer.

Click to expand...

I’ve seen impressive photos with Apsc focal reducers. It’s the true “compact” FF to me. You just need compact FF lenses.

markintosh13 said:

The TAP is just for giggles.

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I find it works amazingly well with the A7Riii and rangefinder glass.

Starscream67 said:

Any idea if it will work with the Tamron 150-600mm, Minolta 100-400mm, Tamron 90mm?

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My Tamron SP 90mm F2.5 works well. The Minolta 100-400 APO focuses very slowly, but it works.

My initial tests with the LA-EA4r (Ver. 03)

No AF:

Tokina 20-35/3.5-4.5
24-50/4
28-85/3.5-4.5
28-105/3.5-4.5 Xi
35-70/4
35-80/4-5.6 II
35-105/3.5-4.5 (both)
Tokina 35-200/4-5.6
100-200/4.5
100-300 APO D (non-D is listed as supported)
Kenko chipped teleconverters
Lenses with motors

Working AF:

24-85/3.5-4.5
28-80 D
28-105/3.5-4.5 RS
75-300 D
100-400 APO
Tamron SP 90/2.5 (52EM)
Cosina 100/3.5
--all above report as E 0mm F0
24-105/3.5-4.5 D -- E 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Sigma 28/1.8 EX DG -- E 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
SAL135F28 (no AF) -- E 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Sigma 28-105/2.8-4 -- E 28-135mm F4.1-4.5
28-135/4-4.5 -- E 28-135mm F4.1-4.5
Tokina 35-300 -- E 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
70-210/4 -- E 70-210mm F4.1
SAL28F28 -- E 28mm F2.8
50/1.7 RS -- E 50mm F1.7
50/3.5 -- E 50mm F3.5
100/2.8 D -- E 100mm F2.8
135/2.8 -- E 135mm F2.8

No Lens Compensation Support
No Focus Distance Support, 3-axis stabilization only.
AF System: Contrast AF gets stuck at either end of the focus range
Focal lengths and relative apertures are slightly off for some lenses.

Tested on A7RII and A7III. Focusing was much slower than the unmodified LA-EA4. Only AF-S and AF-C focusing modes are available. DMF is not available.

I really like the 500/8 that is not limited to center AF anymore.

Which BTW shows that Sony once again did hard code the behaviour of 500/8 with LAEA-5 ...

ActionPhotoPassion said:

I really like the 500/8 that is not limited to center AF anymore.

Which BTW shows that Sony once again did hard code the behaviour of 500/8 with LAEA-5 ...

Click to expand...

.... i know, right?

The whole "will it work in the future on what cameras" aspect of the LA-EA5 makes me wonder how much of a viable future that is, feels like another dead end.

markintosh13 said:

ActionPhotoPassion said:

I really like the 500/8 that is not limited to center AF anymore.

Which BTW shows that Sony once again did hard code the behaviour of 500/8 with LAEA-5 ...

Click to expand...

.... i know, right?

The whole "will it work in the future on what cameras" aspect of the LA-EA5 makes me wonder how much of a viable future that is, feels like another dead end.

Click to expand...

I don't know if it is surprising or frightening at this point... The non-understandable crippling continues for the former Sony users... And it makes even less sense when we take into acount the fact that LAEA adapters are working since APSC E-mount.

ActionPhotoPassion said:

markintosh13 said:

ActionPhotoPassion said:

I really like the 500/8 that is not limited to center AF anymore.

Which BTW shows that Sony once again did hard code the behaviour of 500/8 with LAEA-5 ...

Click to expand...

.... i know, right?

The whole "will it work in the future on what cameras" aspect of the LA-EA5 makes me wonder how much of a viable future that is, feels like another dead end.

Click to expand...

I don't know if it is surprising or frightening at this point... The non-understandable crippling continues for the former Sony users... And it makes even less sense when we take into acount the fact that LAEA adapters are working since APSC E-mount.

Click to expand...

I wish the LA-EA1 and LA-EA3 would work with the on-sensor phase-detect of the A6000, A5100, NEX 5R, 5T, 6, original A7, etc. The LA-EA1 needed a firmware update to support any AF. That firmware update can only be done on certain old NEX models.

I wonder what additional lenses the v04 FW release will support? Can't find it anywhere mentioned.

JimH123 said:

I wonder what additional lenses the v04 FW release will support? Can't find it anywhere mentioned.

Click to expand...

no idea. i think it's mostly about improving AF speed.

ActionPhotoPassion said:

markintosh13 said:

ActionPhotoPassion said:

I really like the 500/8 that is not limited to center AF anymore.

Which BTW shows that Sony once again did hard code the behaviour of 500/8 with LAEA-5 ...

Click to expand...

.... i know, right?

The whole "will it work in the future on what cameras" aspect of the LA-EA5 makes me wonder how much of a viable future that is, feels like another dead end.

Click to expand...

I don't know if it is surprising or frightening at this point... The non-understandable crippling continues for the former Sony users... And it makes even less sense when we take into acount the fact that LAEA adapters are working since APSC E-mount.

Click to expand...

I don't think it frightening other than to those that have a lot of FE glass, and Sony himself, that is about to lose a lot of market if the list of annoyances builds up.

markintosh13 said:

JimH123 said:

I wonder what additional lenses the v04 FW release will support? Can't find it anywhere mentioned.

Click to expand...

no idea. i think it's mostly about improving AF speed.

Click to expand...

I decided to buy the Monster Adapter and it arrived today. Came with v03. I have converted my LA-EA4 to the LA-EA4r and it is working. I am finding focus to be slow with v03, but it is accurate. In its current state, it is much slower than the LA-EA5 on my A6600. But with the LA-EA4r, it is working on my A7iii.

Need to see when v04 is going to be released.

Lenses that do not work. They do not work at all or only to a limited extent.

Tokina 28-70 af pro sv, Sony 100mm macro

(sorry no native english)

If anyone is interested in this MonsterAdapter, I am selling mine. I recently sold my old E-mount cameras (to finance the A1!!!) and I also have an LA-EA5. It does not make sense to keep 2 adapters.

You can find my eBay bid here: https://www.ebay.it/itm/303867476126

I hope this post does not violates any rule of this group... If so, please let me know and I will immediately remove it.