when I first got the LA-EA2, there was no
SEL50, SEL35, nor SEL24 yet - they have all come since (and yes, I am getting tthem all too).
I found the
LA-EA2 + A35/1.8, A50/1.8 and A85/2.8 to be a very nice setup for relatively little money.
Now that the SEL lenses are there, these focal lengths do not add anything - the A and E lenses are very comparable in IQ.
The LA-EA2 still does deliver the fast auto-focus, proper focus on foreground, rather than on background, and sure-fire shutter press (no half-press, reframe or DMF methods needed).
On a recent outing, I took the SEL lenses, but wished I had taken the LA-EA2 adapter instead, given the results that I got (a lot of night time shots missed subject focus completely).
As to tele - I prefer the SEL18200 over the A75300, mostly because it is both wide and tele. 300mm is closer than 200mm, but on the Nex-7 you can crop under most circumstances.
I do have 100/f2.8 and 135/f.28 SLR legacy lenses which render with high contrast and a lot less motion blur, especially when light gets low. I would be interested in a fast f/2.8 mid range tele, and perhaps an f/4 longer range tele.
Wide angle - the LA-EA2 brings nothing. All lens options are bulky and pricey, and I am using the E16 with UC1 and VC1 adapters. Will look at the E1018, but am not eager to get one yet (I looked at the A1118 earlier and decided against it).
If you have used a dSLR, the LA-EA2 brings the experience back (A55 level).
If you haven't, you'd be impressed how well the LA-EA2 adapter works.
If you have no A lenses, no LA-EA2, I would consider the Nex-6 with the new 1650 kit lens and E35 first, before picking up the LA-EA2 with lenses.
I do expect however that the LA-EA2 will outperform the Nex-6 in a number of scenario, where PDAF will remain a prefered solution.
you are right; I only have E-mount/legacy lenses thus far, and it's been a nice experience really, especially on the normal-wide end (Zeiss 24 for good optics, SEL16 pancake for convenience, SEL50 for portraits/bokeh).
what I feel lacking is mainly the long end, where not only the advantage of size is gone, but you lose fast & accurate focus as well. So I was just thinking of adding a LA-EA2 & a telephoto lens, which would probably cost more than the SEL55210, but still much less than the SEL18200
What I want from getting the LA-EA2 are more (& cheaper) options of lenses, better AF for action, AND being able to focus on what I intend on focusing (w/ CDAF NEX always manage to find a higher contrasting object in the background than the subject itself!); Hopefully these are good enough reasons for getting the LA-EA2?
Main issue for me though is that I am not familiar with DSLR/SLT lenses. I plan on getting a telephoto zoom & a fast prime. the Sony alpha lenses are rather pricey and doesn't seem to offer OSS, and I heard Sigma lenses don't offer stabilization anymore for Sony either.
The Tamron 18-270 seems like a viable option should the optics be at least okay on the tele end. Otherwise a 70-300 or even the 70-200 2.8 if I manage to save up. As for primes I'm thinking of the Sigma 30mm 1.4, and was wondering how it'll compare in use to the E-mount Zeiss? I would like to know if there are any good options from Konica-Minolta as well, or if there are any other suggestions
I may wait until the 5R/6 comes out as well to see if the on sensor PDAF can cure the current focusing issues, but if not I will be getting the LA-EA2 for the NEX-7 (or maybe it'll work even better w/ the 5R/6?)
My thought on this matter is that the LAEA2 is for someone who has a NEX for compact size, but maybe already has some existing A mount lenses to use and they want an easy transition to NEX.
Another thought is if you are unhappy with the NEX in terms of AF, etc, maybe you don't have the right camera and maybe an A77, A65, A67, A57, or similar SLT would be a better choice? This will give you in body shake reduction.
I.e. in my opinion the LAEA2 is an adapter for when you sometimes use A mount lenses but want good focus, etc, but if you are going to use it all the time it doesn't seem like the best route.
If I were to buy lenses for the LAEA2 I would probably go with something you can't get on E mount easily, or a lens that would take advantage of the faster AF speed, etc.
Eric
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Cheers,
Henry