Can an A7 be a permanent home for my Contax lenses?

[--]

It would be wonderful to give my Contax G lenses (45mm and 90mm) a revival with their true focal length and I have thus been thinking about the A7 (I do not want the larger file sizes of the A7R).

With a Nex-body I had problem using the focus peaking to get accurate focus. Oh, and I wear glasses so hope the A7 will work well with that.

1) What is the long term view of using an A7 (or A7R) with the Contax G lenses?
2) Do you focus via focus peaking (I understand from another thread here that using B+W setting and raw+jpeg may be a good way to go about it)?
3) And how does the enlarged view work in every day situations?

All input appreciated
Thanks in advance
Xpanded

 

[zleica]

I found focus peak only give you some references and it's not 100% reliable. I use magnified view in my workflow and found it to very easy and straight forward. I recently purchased an AF adapter (G to Nex) from the auction site. The AF speed is slow and loud, but it's pretty accurate AF. So far, I am pretty happy that I can use Contax G lenses (21/28/35/45/90) on A7r with AF functions.

 

[--]

I found focus peak only give you some references and it's not 100% reliable. I use magnified view in my workflow and found it to very easy and straight forward. I recently purchased an AF adapter (G to Nex) from the auction site. The AF speed is slow and loud, but it's pretty accurate AF. So far, I am pretty happy that I can use Contax G lenses (21/28/35/45/90) on A7r with AF functions.

Thanks Zleica. I saw the videos of the AF adapter on youtube and it seemed to work well - happy that it also does it in reality.

Encouraging that the magnified view works well. So I am not the only one having troubles with their peaking 😱

Xpanded

 

[funkydog]

I only use magnified view. It's very easy to compose in the EVF, enter magnified view to focus, press the shutter to get the shot, after which the view is restored to full frame ready for the next shot. Same goes for the Ricoh GXR and Panasonic m43 cameras.

The people on dpreview who complain about having to double tap the A7's magnified view have never used an Olympus camera where the same magnify button has to be pressed to enter and exit the mode. Pressing the shutter button doesn't return the EVF/LCD to normal viewing.

IMO focus peaking on on LCD or EVF for any mirrorless camera is useless for accuracy.

 

[YYV_146]

I only use magnified view. It's very easy to compose in the EVF, enter magnified view to focus, press the shutter to get the shot, after which the view is restored to full frame ready for the next shot. Same goes for the Ricoh GXR and Panasonic m43 cameras.

The people on dpreview who complain about having to double tap the A7's magnified view have never used an Olympus camera where the same magnify button has to be pressed to enter and exit the mode. Pressing the shutter button doesn't return the EVF/LCD to normal viewing.

IMO focus peaking on on LCD or EVF for any mirrorless camera is useless for accuracy.

My experience is that it works well with some lenses, and not with others, and much better with certain scenes/objects in the frame.

I keep peaking on with mine, and it's much better to have peaking than not have it - setting a shortcut to adjust the level/color without going into the menus also helps, I tend to change the sensitivity around a lot in complex light...

 

[uhoh7]

A7 will be excellent with the 45 and 90, there is no better manual focus system on earth in my opinion at the moment than the peaking and mag combined with great evf in the A7s.

But the contax 28 and 21 will not be very good on the A7, as I'm sure you know.

And of course there is now the incredible option to AF these lenses too 🙂

 

[--]

...have never used an Olympus camera where the same magnify button has to be pressed to enter and exit the mode.

That is so true! Thanks for your input Funkydog.

/Xpanded

 

[--]

I tend to change the sensitivity around a lot in complex light...

Yeah, it must be great having the broad range of useable ISO values.
Thanks YYV_146

/Xpanded

 

[--]

And of course there is now the incredible option to AF these lenses too 🙂

It looks like a more than decent peace of garage workshop output 😉

Thanks uhoh7

/Xpanded

 

[YYV_146]

Yeah, it must be great having the broad range of useable ISO values.
Thanks YYV_146

/Xpanded

Actually, I mean the peaking indicator strength, a.k.a its sensitivity towards high contrast in the scene. When it gets darker I use a higher peaking setting to figure out where I'm focusing on.

As for ISO, I leave it on auto unless there's a tripod 😀

 

[--]

Actually, I mean the peaking indicator strength, a.k.a its sensitivity towards high contrast in the scene. When it gets darker I use a higher peaking setting to figure out where I'm focusing on.

As for ISO, I leave it on auto unless there's a tripod 😀

Well, I got that perfectly wrong 😀

 

[GaryLH]

I am also interested.. If I can get my contax g lenses from 21 to 90 to look good on the a7, it would make me serious consider the Sony.

The 28 has been the largest I have been able to adapt to any mirrorless camera due to the fins protecting the rear element of the 21.

Gary

 

[--]

I am also interested.. If I can get my contax g lenses from 21 to 90 to look good on the a7, it would make me serious consider the Sony.

The 28 has been the largest I have been able to adapt to any mirrorless camera due to the fins protecting the rear element of the 21.

Gary

Sorry for late reply - have been traveling without access to RFF.

If I get "there" first, I will post about it. But amazon still has not refunded my Sigma SD1 return, so must wait 🙁

Got a chance to handle an A7R and an A7 over the last few days. Seem like very nice machines. But the X-T1 seems not too shabby either!

What I really want is an A7mk2 with built in IS.

/Xpanded

 

[GaryLH]

Thanks.. Would love to hear how it goes.

Gary

 

[noimmunity]

But amazon still has not refunded my Sigma SD1 return

I'd wager that the open box SD1M that I got from amazon germany last week was yours. I'm going to send it back, too. (I'll post a few comments later on in the appropriate section about the reasons for the return).

 

[--]

I'd wager that the open box SD1M that I got from amazon germany last week was yours. I'm going to send it back, too. (I'll post a few comments later on in the appropriate section about the reasons for the return).

It probably was not since Amazon.de claims it has not been received, despite tracking shows it was at their Belgium location Thursday morning. Quite worrisome actually. It is the first time I receive what seems to be a canned response from an Amazon employee 🙁. Usually (at least in UK and DE) they provide very detailed and relevant responses. Well, I hope they find it soon!

Or maybe they just re-directed it to you in transit 😱

Looking forward to reading your reasons for returning as well.

PHEW: Now suddenly the camera has been received. Processing is only taking a while. That is a relief!

 

[whited3]

I just placed in order for an a7 with intent of building a canon FD system (+ whatever else sparks my imagination). Let's see how the a7 takes to full time manual focusing. I've read mixed opinions on focus peaking. Regardless, I'm betting the a7 is a viable home for manual focus lenses, just as well as RF patch focusing is. I.e. I've got high expectations after the learning curve.
I hope amazon sorts out your return.

 

[--]

I just placed in order for an a7 with intent of building a canon FD system (+ whatever else sparks my imagination). Let's see how the a7 takes to full time manual focusing. I've read mixed opinions on focus peaking. Regardless, I'm betting the a7 is a viable home for manual focus lenses, just as well as RF patch focusing is. I.e. I've got high expectations after the learning curve.
I hope amazon sorts out your return.

They already did (see above). Most likely 🙄 the first Amazonee was a Foveionista who could not understand why anyone could return an SD1 😉

Am very interested in hearing about your experience while learning once received.

Xpanded