Out to get some lenses for Nex-6

[Jvg]

Can older Minolta Maxxum lens be used with Nex-6, while retaining AF & aperture control?
I know sony offers the a mount to e mount adapter, but with restriction on some lenses...

[calvin83]

You can use Sony LA-EA2(support aps-c) or LA-EA4(support aps-c and FF). Both have build in Mirror & Phase detection AF which provides AF of all AF Minolta/Sony A mount lens.

[Jvg]

[philslizzy]

The adapters are expensive, B&H sell them for $348 I don't know if there are cheap Chinese ones.

[calvin83]

[Tedat]

[miran]

There's very little point in buying a Sony adapter when you can get a whole SLT camera for less money (like A37). Also these adapters are big, heavy and blocky in design. The whole setup of camera+adapter+lens looks and feels just wrong.

There are of course cheap adapters too, but you give up autofocus and aperture control in completely manual.

[Tedat]

I disagree.. carry two cameras or just one may make a big difference for someone. Yes LEA-E2 and 4 are bulky, but so are most Minolta AF lenses which are worth to be adapted. The adapter alone looks strange, but together with the Minolta AF 2.8/200 APO G (for example) it's even more compact than most MF highspeed tele lenses.

A additional A37 may be a option, but not for anyone.

[Jvg]

Thanks all for reply's. The nex-6 is already bought, and i don't plan on getting another camera yet. Next year i plan on getting a medium format, and end my camera body shopping with it. For now, i don't even own minolta/sony lenses, but i see them floating around for cheaps - so i thought maybe getting one for nex is better option than buying native e-mount one.

[wolfhansen]

I like the handling with the LA-EA2 on my Nex-6 and find it
not too bulky. Here the adaptor with my Sigma 1.4/30mm and 1.4/85mm.
I use it also with the Sigma 70-300mm with OSS, works fine.

[Jvg]

Indeed it doesn't look too bulky.

I see LA-EA1 and LA-RA3 in acceptable (for me) price range. Will these 2 work the same as LA-EA2/4? I know they don't have translucent mirror, and they AF might be affected. Anyone has any experience with them?

[calvin83]

[Jvg]

[Tedat]

only Minolta/Sony SSM and SAM lenses have a build in motor.. but those are only a few lenses.

[calvin83]

As far as I know, there are only two Minolta lens comes with build in SSM: the 300 F2.8 SSM and AF 70-200 F2.8 SSM. Both lenses are very expensive.

[kenetik]

The LA-EA1 does indeed provide AF for SAM , SSM and some 3rd party drives like HSM on higher end Sigmas but even for those lenses the AF is the slowest thing you have ever seen. If you must have AF for screw drive lenses, buy the LA-EA2. If this is really for old Minolta lenses, they all have decent focus rings. The LA-EA1 gives aperture control and you can use focus peaking and magnification with no light loss(LA-EA2 you lose maybe half a stop). I have an LA-EA1 on Craigslist used at the moment for a low price (I updated to LA-EA4 with A7, don't need it anymore). If you are interested PM me, not sure what country you are in etc. Otherwise, I hope you find something to suit your needs. The suggestion of a used SLT like the A37 isn't a bad one either.

[Jvg]

Thank you guys for your replies. Lots of useful info here. Didn't even know about lack of AF motor in majority of minolta lenses.
So at this point, my option remains LA-EA2 or maybe EOS - E adapter with AF (i know AF is quite slow on these, but as long as aperture control is fully supported with focus peaking & magnification - manual focus shouldn't be problem).