Sony LA-EA2 adpater test at Luminous Landscape (+ more reviews and new Image Data Converter v4).
Luminous Landscape (Click here) posted a full Sony DT 16–50mm f/2.8 and LA-EA2 adapter review: “As with all new Sony Translucent mirror equipped cameras there is a light loss of between one third and one half stop. Some people are concerned about this. Well, in this day of noiseless ISO 800 cameras, and decent image quality up to ISO 6400, if a third of a stop concerns you then you definitely shouldn’t buy an EA2 or any Sony camera using this technology. On the other hand, if you are a sensible photographer who is more concerned with practicing their art and craft then the loss of less than 1/2 EV shouldn’t be of concern.”
Soundimageplus (Click here) made a Sony NEX-C3 and 5n High ISO noise test: “However the NEX-5n is definitely “cleaner”. I thought at first that it had smudged more detail, but if you look at the middle word on the headstock, the 5n has actually recorded more detail.”
You can now download the new Image Data Converter v4 (Click here to download). DK from Photoclubalpha (Click here) explains you the changes.
yurilee
2 years ago |Is there any info about firmware support of LA-EA2 for FS100?
As far as I know, LA-EA2 still can NOT AF on FS100.
The LA-EA1 works just fine (with MF), yet the phase detection AF (or even contrast AF) is surly a welcoming add.
NEXfive
2 years ago |…nothing new since according to http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1042&message=39635827 the LA-EA2 Adapter is delivered with a label announcing new firmware like this:
“Requires firmware upgrade for NEX-5/3/3C/FS100/VG10.
(Firmware available from winter 2011 onwards.)
For details, refer to the Sony site.”
shamb
2 years ago |hmmm. Looking at the adapter, it looks like it will get dirt etc on the pellicle much faster than if it was on an alpha mount camera, mainly because the adapter is open at both ends, and its far easier for fingers and spots to find themselves onto the pelicle.
Also, In not 100% certain that two mechanical joints (camera to adapter, plastic adapter body, then adapter to lens) will make no difference to the A77 24MP sensor, particularly for the heavier alpha lenses – any misalignment or ‘mechanical droop’ may be picked up.
Horses for courses of course, but I think I’ll stick to my plan of buying an a77 in the new year.
JonasM
2 years ago |I’m happy if I can use the LA-EA2 with my aging NEX-5 (any Sony link stating the firmware update will make this possible?), because I want to keep it around as a backup when I buy wither the A77 or NEX-7 later this year. I’m leaning towards the NEX-7 because the NEX-5 is the best (overall) camera I have ever owned. The NEX-7 + the LA-EA2 and a set of A-mount Zeiss lenses. Now that’s a good Christmas.
Cliff
2 years ago |The best thing about the translucent mirror in the LA EA2 is that it can be taken off your camera when not needed.
Sony….please for God sake….make the new FF Alpha with a FLIP UP MIRROR! So WE can choose WHEN to use it!! (Or not)
www.MilosJanata.com
2 years ago |Agree with Cliff, flip up mirror would be great. on current systems it seems there is not enough space to flip it up.
Cliff
2 years ago |The “Flip up” idea could work of the mirror was on a 45 degree angle (or greater) track. you would push a button and the mirror would move up and in.
It cant possibly be that hard!
This poses a “political” problem for Sony. They have been pushing so hard to convince us that we NEED this piece of plastic 24/7. For them to give us a “disable” option would be almost admitting “defeat”.
Sony,….look. Only 1 or 2 out of every 10 pictures that I take are shot with auto focus. Yes, I use manual THAT much.
IF I’M NOT SHOOTING AF THAT MUCH.. THAN THERE IS LITERALLY NO NEED FOR A TRANSLUCENT MIRROR IN MY CAMERA!
Translucent mirrors are there just for phase detect AF purposes only!
That’s allot to place into a camera’s optical path for ONE feature.
Sony,..let me turn it “on” and let me turn it “off” too!
That is the only true “win/win” situation that will put Sony on top!
Translucent mirrors are just NOT good for ALL shooting conditions!
Cliff
www.MilosJanata.com
2 years ago |“if you are a sensible photographer who is more concerned with practicing their art and craft then the loss of less than 1/2 EV shouldn’t be of concern.”
Someone could also say “if you are a sensible photographer who is more concerned with practicing their art and craft then fiddling with noise reduction in post… don’t buy this”
Frank Withers
2 years ago |Nope, the statement is perfect as is.
If you want to modify it, I would do so as follows
“If you are not a pixel-peeping noise-obsessed amateur who is more concerned with practicing their art and craft then the loss of less than 1/2 EV shouldn’t be of concern.”
Frank Withers
2 years ago |“Translucent mirrors are just NOT good for ALL shooting conditions!”
Well of course not, and neither is the traditional SLR design. I am sorry that SLTs don’t work for you, but it would seem easier to look at a different manufacturer in your case given that Sony will be going SLT 100% with all models.
The benefits of the SLT system far outweigh its downfalls, especially so for 98% of shooters.
Dave Cox
2 years ago |+1,000
Cliff
2 years ago |I LIKE SLT for “some” situations, its a great idea from Sony.
But….would ANYbody here complain and be horrified if they had the option on their SLT camera to bypass it?
Whould a switch like that make anybody hate their SLT?
Answer…NO! It would only make the camera more valuable. And THAT is something that Canikons would fear!
Sony…please add that switch. The SLT lovers and haters would finaly come together.
Cliff
Dave Cox
2 years ago |Cliff, I think the biggest point is that the low light noise levels on the A77 just aren’t that bad. In fact the same as 7D and 5D mkII. Given the existence of the pellicle mirror shouldn’t Sony be congratulated for this feat? The D7000 already caters for those people who want to go around taking shots at night to drool over on 50inch HD monitors whereas the A77 can satisfy the normal folk amongst us
c.d.embrey
2 years ago |Less = more. The modern camera already has way too many hidden menu controls, and you want to add another??? Yeah right!!!
Clyde
2 years ago |Yes Cliff, I’d like to have the option too. I’d even prefer if it was a simple manual mechanism which didn’t require any menu to engage.
See this lever on the Olympus OM-1:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Olympus_OM-1_MD_Chrome.jpg
Just flip it up or down and the mirror obeys.
Same thing with the Nikon F2/3… But they had a locking pin.
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf2/images/dofpush.jpg
It should be very very easy to construct a manual mirror flip up lever for SLT cameras. A clever design would incorporate some form of cleaning into the mechanism. I’m also surprised that no one has considered this mirror box as a filter tray… specifically, an apodisation filter could be an accessory to convert any lens into an SFT. Or a high quality vignetting filter for Ultra Wides would be much better than controlling vignette in PS.
Zstan
2 years ago |Shouldn’t be that hard I guess.. All Sony needs to do is just increase the length of the….errr…flange? As of today you can flip the mirror up but it clashes with the lens.
Almazar80
2 years ago |I am just a plain old photo hobbyist and find the A55 quite a productive tool for still photography and for video capture. I expect the A77 to be just as good if not better, image quality wise and I look forward to getting one. I guess I one of those people that Luminous Landscape is talking to.
shachar
2 years ago |can you please explain the statement >
3. Aperture setting for video capture is fixed at the maximum aperture of the lens or f/3.5, whichever is lower (AF-C).
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/819768-REG/Sony_LA_EA2_A_Mount_Lens_to_NEX.html
Cliff
2 years ago |The mirror could flip “up” and retract “in” so that it wont extend outside the mount. The hinge for the mirror would be on an angled track.
Clyde
2 years ago |If you look at the a900 mirror box mechanism, it actually slides backward a bit before lifting up. They’ve already worked out the mechanics.
EcoR1
2 years ago |For heavens sake. Sony won’t ever put any kind of stupid flipping mechanism to it’s translucent mirror, because there is absolutely no point in that. It would only make camera little larger, more difficult and expensive to manufacture, make it more fragile, helps the sensor to get dirty more easily, increase possibilities for stupid user errors and for what? 1/3 stop of light gain??? Do you even know what that means?
I’m sorry but people who continue to moan because of the translucent mirror have entirely lost their sense of practicality.
Dave Cox
2 years ago |+1
Not only is the idea of flipping up the mirror impractical it is almost pointless. Plus it is becoming boring and monotonous. If that 1/3 stop is REALLY that important just go and buy a D7000. Then come back and tell us how the low ISO performance is crap and the resolution isn’t good enough. Yawn….
PhotoEye
2 years ago |The Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 lens is not a ‘G’ lens for one simple reason, the lens is engineered and made by Tamron. You can tell that it’s a Tamron lens by the fact that it has a ‘zoom lock’. This is a feature that all Tamron zooms have. I have to say that this Tamron made lens is unlike the other lenses Tamron has made for Sony, due to almost complete different look to it. However, the specs are the same, except for the minimum aperture.
Sony probably didn’t want to call it a ‘G’ lens, as their engineers didn’t design it. Sony wants to save the ‘G’ designation for high quality lenses they design.
Cliff
2 years ago |You can make the same argument in reverse. Is phase detect AF worth losing 1/3 stop (or more) of light. We have heard numbers from 15% (low estimate) total light to 30% (high estimate)of total light detracted from away from sensor. We aren’t even talking about the “softening” affect that the mirror does to the image.
Mirrors like this are NOT new technology. There is a reason why Canon/Nikon are choosing to stay away from this design right now. Maybe to rabid phase detect AF (SLT) lovers,… Canikon engineers are just idiots.
Guys, the mirror is there for one reason. It doesn’t sit in the optical path to improve image quality, it’s only needed for AF purposes. Every time you switch away from AF you make the entire device becomes WORTHLESS. (literally giving you nothing!)
I’m a Sony freak like most here. There are exactly 7 Sony cameras in my house right now. (including a $6k+ Sony EX1r) I like SLT, Sony did a GREAT thing in implementing it. However, they need to give me the ability to disable it when I’m not using AF.
The A77 is a great camera but it’s already known in the industry as a “so so” or “ok” high ISO performer. This must change in the pro FF category.
I’m certainly NOT the greatest photographer in the world but I’m looking for the new Sony FF to pass Canon/Nikon in high ISO performance.
I think they can if they make a “hybrid-SLT” design.
If you think it’s “too complicated” or “too confusing” than don’t buy a high-end pro camera. Just stick with “point and shoot” models.
Cliff