Another R option?

[wildlightphoto]

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I sent a query to Luis Guevara of sigmacumlaude.com asking if he has considered offering a conversion of the Sony A900 to R mount.

 

His response is that he's been considering this conversion for his own personal use. The only thing stopping him is not having an A900.

 

He says that if I were to supply an A900 body and a signed release of liability he can do a one-off conversion for US$350. If I'm understanding him correctly the body isn't modified, it's just a replacement flange. I'd confirm this before committing a body to the conversion.

[marknorton]

It's one thing to be able to physically mount the lens on the camera but is there any coupling between the two? At a minimum, I would want auto-diaphragm operation to allow open aperture focussing, but if the camera doesn't know the aperture ring setting, open aperture metering becomes impossible.

 

Even if you ignore shutter and aperture priority metering and programmed exposure, the needs to be able to sense the selected aperture for metering and stop it down on exposure. I'd be surprised if the Sony was able to do either of these things.

[wildlightphoto]

There would be no aperture coupling. In this respect it would be no different from using a leitax conversion on the lens. OTOH if the lens doesn't have to be converted it can still be used on a Leica-R film body.

[jaapv]

This is something that would interest me very much. Please keep us posted, Doug, or PM.

[wildlightphoto]

PM sent.

[dhsimmonds]

Doug, The VF on the A900 is big and bright and easily manually focused. I know that you are a wildlife photographer and you might also consider the Sony 70-400G lens. It is stellar for bird and small mammal photography and easily manually focused as I know that is your preference. Some of the Minolta legacy glass is also excellent particularly the legendary F2/200G.

 

The Zeiss ZA1.4/135 is a stunning lens on the A900. I also have a A700 body that with it's 1.5 crop gives me another bite of the cherry so the 135 then becomes a 200mm F1.4 for those times when I need to fill the frame. Equally the 70-400g becomes a 110-600mm etc.

 

I have found that I get far higher res. images by using the 12Mpx A700 than using the 25Mpx A900 cropped down to A700 resolution. The AF on the A700 is slower (the A900 is incredibly quick and extremely accurate BTW) but if you use the AF function then this probably won't bother you, I have learned to live with the A700's slower AF though!

 

As you have guessed, I prefer to use the lens designed for the camera rather than bugger around with hybrid combinations......the A900 has a big sensor and not every legacy lens of ANY make can be relied upon to perform as well using it. I sold my R110-280 for that reason although it worked beautifully with my R9/DMR. Both A700 & A900 cameras make great images in the right hands.

[Jamie Roberts]

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Doug--I've been looking at this as well...

 

The Leitax conversions mention "chipping" the R lenses with the conversion to talk to the A series Sonys.

 

I really want to do this because most of the modern prime R lenses--even the 35 1.4 and 19 2.8--apparently clear the mirror!!

 

But, like you I suspect, I'd rather modify the camera than the lens...

 

So keep us posted!

[wildlightphoto]

Doug--I've been looking at this as well...

 

The Leitax conversions mention "chipping" the R lenses with the conversion to talk to the A series Sonys.

 

I really want to do this because most of the modern prime R lenses--even the 35 1.4 and 19 2.8--apparently clear the mirror!!

 

But, like you I suspect, I'd rather modify the camera than the lens...

 

So keep us posted!

 

The mirror clearance would be a big draw for me too, if I had any lenses that required it. Starting this project will take someone who owns an A900 sending it to Luis to try the conversion, and it will have to be someone who is better able to take a financial risk than I am.

 

From what I can tell Luis seems to be on the level but in the event that he can't make the conversion then I'd have either a camera that is less useful than I'd hoped or I'd re-sell it and possibly take a financial hit.

[berndr]

Hello,

 

I tried the A900 to Leica R conversion about one year ago. The body is no as solid as it seems. The bajonet is screwed in plastic. The mirrorbox is to small for the 2,8/19. An the results I got from the sensor doesn't satisfy me. So I stop my work.

 

I'm still waiting for a better solution I hope for the upcoming NEX7 or A77 it's APS-C but the there is no need for aperture control because of the electronic viewfinder.

 

Kind regards,

Bernd.

[janki]

Doug, The VF on the A900 is big and bright and easily manually focused. I know that you are a wildlife photographer and you might also consider the Sony 70-400G lens. It is stellar for bird and small mammal photography and easily manually focused as I know that is your preference. Some of the Minolta legacy glass is also excellent particularly the legendary F2/200G.

 

The Zeiss ZA1.4/135 is a stunning lens on the A900. I also have a A700 body that with it's 1.5 crop gives me another bite of the cherry so the 135 then becomes a 200mm F1.4 for those times when I need to fill the frame. Equally the 70-400g becomes a 110-600mm etc.

 

I have found that I get far higher res. images by using the 12Mpx A700 than using the 25Mpx A900 cropped down to A700 resolution. The AF on the A700 is slower (the A900 is incredibly quick and extremely accurate BTW) but if you use the AF function then this probably won't bother you, I have learned to live with the A700's slower AF though!

 

As you have guessed, I prefer to use the lens designed for the camera rather than bugger around with hybrid combinations......the A900 has a big sensor and not every legacy lens of ANY make can be relied upon to perform as well using it. I sold my R110-280 for that reason although it worked beautifully with my R9/DMR. Both A700 & A900 cameras make great images in the right hands.

 

Hi Dave.

 

I have not been able to avoid noticing that you're a big user of Sony equipment.

I owned some Minolta equipment in the past myself. I have therefore followed the development of Sony with quite a lot of interest.

 

Do you, or anyone else; have any thoughts about the new translucent hybrid technology that all new Sony system camera bodies now will be equipped with?

 

It seems like Sony with its new amateur model A55 really sets out guidelines for how future EVIL bodies will look like.

The camera is described quite simply as very good, and extremely compact.

 

It is probably expected that Sony later this year will come with the successor to the A700, with the same technology as in the A55.

 

Everything indicates that it later will follow professional FF models to replace the A900/850.

 

It will be interesting to see if future Leica E-series will be based on this Sony technology, or whether it will be Panasonic's expected new professional series that will be the starting point.

 

Regards

[Jamie Roberts]

Hello,

 

I tried the A900 to Leica R conversion about one year ago. The body is no as solid as it seems. The bajonet is screwed in plastic. The mirrorbox is to small for the 2,8/19. An the results I got from the sensor doesn't satisfy me. So I stop my work.

 

I'm still waiting for a better solution I hope for the upcoming NEX7 or A77 it's APS-C but the there is no need for aperture control because of the electronic viewfinder.

 

Kind regards,

Bernd.

 

Hi Bernd... Odd.. the Leitax site says the mirror clears on the 19 2.8 and the 35 Lux (at the very bottom of the page)--both of which are no-goes on current Canons w /adapters...

 

Do you have a one-cam version of the Leica 19 (did Leica even make one)?

 

Sorry, I'm not trying to contradict you, just trying to assess what I should do with all these great R lenses...

 

Somedays I just want to go buy a 5d2 and be done with it... at least the adapters work and I suppose I could get the mirror shaved or something...

[berndr]

Hi Bernd... Odd.. the Leitax site says the mirror clears on the 19 2.8 and the 35 Lux (at the very bottom of the page)--both of which are no-goes on current Canons w /adapters...

 

Do you have a one-cam version of the Leica 19 (did Leica even make one)?

 

Sorry, I'm not trying to contradict you, just trying to assess what I should do with all these great R lenses...

 

Somedays I just want to go buy a 5d2 and be done with it... at least the adapters work and I suppose I could get the mirror shaved or something...

 

Hello Jamie,

 

I own the last 2.8/19 version (without ROM). The problem was not the mirror, the lens moves against the mirrorbox of the A900. When I remember correctly the infinity position worked but the lens couldn't move anymore.

 

The problem with the 5d2 is that the lightmetering doesn't work correct. So you don't have any aperture control and an incorrect metering, all in all in my opinion no solution too.

 

I'm still waiting...

Bernd.

[berndr]

Hi Dave.

 

I have not been able to avoid noticing that you're a big user of Sony equipment.

I owned some Minolta equipment in the past myself. I have therefore followed the development of Sony with quite a lot of interest.

 

Do you, or anyone else; have any thoughts about the new translucent hybrid technology that all new Sony system camera bodies now will be equipped with?

 

It seems like Sony with its new amateur model A55 really sets out guidelines for how future EVIL bodies will look like.

The camera is described quite simply as very good, and extremely compact.

 

It is probably expected that Sony later this year will come with the successor to the A700, with the same technology as in the A55.

 

Everything indicates that it later will follow professional FF models to replace the A900/850.

 

It will be interesting to see if future Leica E-series will be based on this Sony technology, or whether it will be Panasonic's expected new professional series that will be the starting point.

 

Regards

 

That's my hope and the best is that you can remove the mirror. You won't need it for manual focus with R lenses!

 

Regards,

Bernd.

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}

The problem with the 5d2 is that the lightmetering doesn't work correct. So you don't have any aperture control and an incorrect metering, all in all in my opinion no solution too.

 

I'm still waiting...

Bernd.

 

Ahh thanks for the clarification about the 19... I think I'll just put it on my M9, hyperfocus, and be done with it

 

Has Canon changed something in their EOS cameras? I could always do stop-down metering with the 5d and 1ds2!

 

Are you saying that with an adapter, and stopping down, you cannot use the built in meter for manual or Av shooting?

 

I must admit, for the times I shoot video (not often) I've been intrigued by using the Leica 80 R or 180 Elmarit

 

Thanks again!

[berndr]

Has Canon changed something in their EOS cameras? I could always do stop-down metering with the 5d and 1ds2!

 

Are you saying that with an adapter, and stopping down, you cannot use the built in meter for manual or Av shooting?

 

I didn't test it on my own.

 

But I read here and in others forums that the metering with AF confirm adapters doesn't work correct with the 5d2. This means in general it works but in detail you must add a none linear manual compensation when stopping down. This seems to happend just with the 5d2 not with the 1d camera series. I have no idea about the reasons for this behavior.

 

Regards,

Bernd.

[ns_ng]

Hello Jamie,

 

I own the last 2.8/19 version (without ROM). The problem was not the mirror, the lens moves against the mirrorbox of the A900. When I remember correctly the infinity position worked but the lens couldn't move anymore.

 

The problem with the 5d2 is that the lightmetering doesn't work correct. So you don't have any aperture control and an incorrect metering, all in all in my opinion no solution too.

 

I'm still waiting...

Bernd.

 

 

I am using the 19mm w/ROM with the A850. No issue at all in any position. May be there is a difference in the mirror box.

 

N.S. Ng

[dhsimmonds]

Hi Dave.

 

I have not been able to avoid noticing that you're a big user of Sony equipment.

I owned some Minolta equipment in the past myself. I have therefore followed the development of Sony with quite a lot of interest.

 

Do you, or anyone else; have any thoughts about the new translucent hybrid technology that all new Sony system camera bodies now will be equipped with?

 

It seems like Sony with its new amateur model A55 really sets out guidelines for how future EVIL bodies will look like.

The camera is described quite simply as very good, and extremely compact.

 

It is probably expected that Sony later this year will come with the successor to the A700, with the same technology as in the A55.

 

Everything indicates that it later will follow professional FF models to replace the A900/850.

 

It will be interesting to see if future Leica E-series will be based on this Sony technology, or whether it will be Panasonic's expected new professional series that will be the starting point.

 

Regards

 

Hello Janki

 

You are quite right, when Leica ceased the R line, I sold my R9/DMR and lenses after trying out the A900. This camera more than satisfies my needs and I added the A700 as a back up and as a tool to extend the reach of my Zeiss, Sony and Minolta lenses. As the batteries, CF cards etc are all compatible between the two bodies it works really very well indeed. The A700 replacement is a long time coming and I fear that the tragedies in Japan may have slowed things up some more.

 

There are mixed messages coming from Sony on the replacements, looking at the new patents filed by Sony recently, just about anything could be expected. I personally like the A900 viewfinder and would be reluctant to change to anything that smells of an EVF, but having said that I am thoroughly enjoying using the X100 with it's hybrid optical/EVF viewfinder but I can't see that working for wildlife photography which is the OP's main subjects just to get us back on topic!

 

Incidentally, I understand that Sony's cameras and lenses are still made in the original Minolta factory. Certainly many lenses still carry the same nomenclature including the coveted pro "G" range.

[berndr]

I am using the 19mm w/ROM with the A850. No issue at all in any position. May be there is a difference in the mirror box.

 

N.S. Ng

 

Hello,

 

I think the mirrorboxes of the A900/850 are the same. I must have made a mistake when I checked the distances with my 2.8/19.

 

Regards,

Bernd.

[farnz]

I didn't test it on my own.

 

But I read here and in others forums that the metering with AF confirm adapters doesn't work correct with the 5d2. ...

I use a 5D2 with a 3-cam v2 19/2.8 Elmarit-R amongst other R lenses and I haven't had problems with metering. I don't use an AF confirming adaptor, I use a CameraQuest one, although I'm dubious that an AF confirming adaptor would affect metering.

 

If the 5D2 is mounted on a tripod (for, say macro or landscape work) LiveView becomes extremely useful because you can:

a) magnify the point of focus up to 10x to confirm focus

accurately spot meter off any part of a scene by moving the cursor

c) see exactly how the metering renders because you're looking at what the sensor is seeing

d) work stopped down since the screen brightness automatically compensates.

 

Incidentally, shaving the 5D2's mirror is surprisingly easy and straightforward to do with a Dremel or similar inexpensive tool from a hardware store and instructions from the web.

 

(I recognise that the output from Canon's sensors isn't to everyone's taste.)

 

Pete.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}

Incidentally, shaving the 5D2's mirror is surprisingly easy and straightforward to do with a Dremel or similar inexpensive tool from a hardware store and instructions from the web.

 

(I recognise that the output from Canon's sensors isn't to everyone's taste.)

 

Pete.

 

It's not the output so much--it's ok, just like the Nikon's but with different colour; not a DMR that way... but much better resolution.

 

I just don't want to have to shave the mirror to use my 19mm. And I believe the 35 Lux is right out too...

 

Crap. I'm not handy with stuff like that. I will get metal shavings in the camera that will somehow scratch the back element of my R 80 Lux.