Nex with Yashica MLs (c/y) and Konica ARs?

[viggi]

Is anyone using yashica ML or Konica AR lenses with their Nex? I've collected a few Konica and Yashica bodies (as well as Contax and Nikons) and I enjoy picking out a camera and lens combo before heading out and hoping the old buckets still work. I never really took to digital - still haven't upgraded from Nikon D50 and my Samsung EX-1 was stolen. Don't like the small sensors anyway so good riddance.

But nuffs nuff. I need to restrict my film shooting to b&w and otherwise stick to digital. But I don't want to build up a nikon dslr system (not into nikon lenses, as irrational as that may be) and I want to use the lenses I have. I really like the contrasty look from the ARs. Enter the NEX. Small, versatile, and you can plug any lens on it.

I've read quite a few posts about focusing difficulties but I expect I can use a Sony lens for on-the-go shooting and legacy glass otherwise. I got my eye on Nex 6 for the viewfinder. Otherwise I could save £300 if I picked up a new 5n (still in stock). Also, can you switch off all beeps and fake shutter sounds? Can't stand that.

 

[rbelyell]

there shouldnt be any issue with IQ, as opposed to using RF lenses on apsc. ive seen many many ml and ar lens samples from the nex series, all indicate no issues. focus peaking and magnification should be plenthy fine for accuracy with the sonys.
tony

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I have been using the Konicas and Pentax thread-mount lenses on a NEX 5 and like them very much. The image quality from the Konicas is just great. They need make no apology to Nikon, or Leica for that matter. My favorites are the 57/1.2, 50/1.7, and 40mm lenses; the 100/2.8 and 24/3.5 are great too. I found that NEX 5 focus peaking is not a panacea for focusing issues. I strapped a rubber hoodman loupe onto the screen with some rubber bands and it works really well, at the cost of some bulk. The current cost of the Konica lenses is so low it is stupid.

Ben

 

[viggi]

Thanks - this makes me feel even more excited about picking up a Nex. I want to continue using the old glass regularly. The Nex concept is fantastic.

 

[rbelyell]

imo, the most important issue in digi choice for manual focus use is a viewfinder, the rest--focus aids, mp count, lack of AA filter etc--are subjective. the added stability obtained by using a vf is physics.
tony

 

[zuikologist]

Anyone using the manual focus Konica 21/2.8 on NEX? Very tempted by one at a good price in the UK.

 

[rcbooth]

I've been using the Konica 40mm with my NEX7 and love it.

 

[Fuchs]

Both the AR 40/1.8 and 50/1.7 Hexanons are excellent lenses and render great images on the NEX-6. I agree that a VF is a necessity in the case of manual focus lenses. I use to have the EVF all the time on the 5n.
No experience yet about the Yashinons, but I remember the 50/1.9 ML was every millimeter on par with the CZ Planar 50/1.7.

 

[Larnus]

I have a fair few AR lenses and love my 50/1.4 AE and 35/2.0 EE the most on my Nex c3. They have very characteristic Bokeh (painterly on 50/1.4 and smooth on 35/2) and are super sharp stopped down from f2.8.

The main issues I have are pretty extreme purple CA wide open around point lights and dreamy halation. The latter is fine for some subjects. However I do get a nasty blue dot sensor reflection from the 50/1.4 when stopped down in bright sun in rare situations. oh and the 70-200 UC hexanon f4 is quite lovely tonally and sharp stopped down from f5 but noticeably softer than modern zooms like my cheap sony 55-300 4.5-5.6 (rated almost as sharp as Sony's 300mm G zoom by Kurt Munger) which I use on my free La-ea2 (cheers Sony!).

On the cy/ml front my 50/1.4 and 28-85/3.5-4.5 are nicely sharp. Both have poor purple Ca performance but otherwise render beautifully and sharply.

The ml 50 has a lovely smooth bokeh similar to Minolta glass. In fact someone did a detailed Nex comparison with Zeiss 50/1.4 and performance was almost indistinguishable except for better Ca control and a smidgen sharper wide open performance. On digital that T* coating really pays off!

Regarding shooting experience I disagree about vf being essential I use a cheap LCD shade in the sun and neck strap tension for stabilisation which works well especially when taking advantage of flippy screen hip and low down macro shooting where vfs are useless. Having said that gray imports of Nex 6 kits are cheaper here in hk than the price I got my c3 dual kit 18mths ago!

My 2c!

 

[ampguy]

I use the AR 40/1.8 and 57/1.4, the latter requires a lot of care when focusing as it has very narrof dof. the 40/1.8 can be stopped down and almost be used for snapshots.

 

[Larnus]

I use the AR 40/1.8 and 57/1.4, the latter requires a lot of care when focusing as it has very narrof dof. the 40/1.8 can be stopped down and almost be used for snapshots.

I'd agree with that portraits! I generally stay at F2.8 for both my AR 50/14 + 35/2 otherwise it's hard to get the whole face in focus. The NEX peaking if second to none and I far prefer focusing with it than using an optical viewfinder - where I often mis-focus or miss-the-shot!