Non retrofocus Wide angle lens on the Sony A7

[weihsuan]

Hi all,

I'd like to ask if there're any success in using some classic non-retrofocus WA lenses on the Sony A7/R/S/ii bodies?

Examples of such lenses will be Leica 21mm Super Angulon f4, classic 21mm Carl Zeiss Biogon f4.5, etc.

It seems those deep rear elements might pose a threat to the camera body.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kate-the-Great]

I have no knowledge of physical clearances with that combination- but color shift and excessive vingetting will be a potential deal-ruiner with non-retrofocus lenses on that camera even if the lenses mount safely. A friend used the Voigtlander 15mm 4.5 (original, non-retrofocus version) on his A7 and found the results very disappointing. Others have noted the same with the non-retrofocus 21mm Angulon on Leica M9.

If you plan on exclusively doing B&W conversions the results may be acceptable, but generally speaking a Zeiss ZM 21mm 2.8 or 25mm 2.8 will be much better choices for ultrawides on an A7. The same friend mentioned earlier uses a ZM 25mm 2.8 on his A7 with excellent results, I imagine the 21mm would perform similarly well.

 

[YYV_146]

Some versions of the SA21 may damage the shutter of the Sony E-mount bodies. I would not mount one myself but I have seen people do it. The 21mm F4.5 has some corner issues with the FF bodies. The 21mm F2.8 is better in this regard, but not as good as the 25mm F2.8 or the Leica 21mm SEM

 

[weihsuan]

Thank you both for the comments..

Its a pity as I was really looking forward to putting the vintage 21mm Biogon on it.

Any idea on which SA21 will cause the shutter damage? or any further details on that?

 

[thompsonks]

WATE is your best bet.

Kirk

 

[artur5]

The 'Kolari mod' is the best solution for RF wides and the Sony A7x series

http://kolarivision.com/product/sony-a7-series-thin-filter-legacy-lens-upgrade/