Which Sony A7 would be best to pair with OM Zuikos?

[shawn]

I would also add that focus peaking works better with a camera with OIS built in as the camera can see the contrast edges more consistently if shake isn't blurring them. The latest Sony A7RV and A7SIII have a 0.9x viewfinder with 9.44M EVFs. Those must be very nice.

Some cameras also have display modes where it is a split screen so you get the full image on one side and a zoomed in focus point on the other. That can be handy too.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

Lower resolution sensors being better for low light work is a myth. It's folk wisdom that gained traction from people doing pixel-level comparisons online. When comparing at equivalent print sizes, the noise advantage between two sensors of different resolution but otherwise equivalent technology isn't really there. The only low light advantage is for video.

DPReviewTV video explaining this

Thank you - didn’t know this.

 

[Keith]

I've bought an adapter ... I'm ready! lol

 

[sevres_babylone]

The OM lenses should be a good size fit for the A7 cameras.

Yes and no. Because the OM to E-mount adapters are much longer than the M-mount to E-mount ones, the pancake 40mm isn't much of a pancake on the Sony. The m-mount Voigtlander 40mm on the Sony beats it for size. On the other hand, I did have some fun with the Zuiko 200mm which I rarely used on my OM-1. I have the Sony A7SII and the Sony A7C. While the latter is more compact, I find focusing converted manual lenses to be better on the larger body because of the EVF size.

 

[Ong]

One other suggestion (Maybe for a future purchase) is that if you do want AF, looking into the Techart LM-EA4 Sony-E to Leica M adaptor might be an option.
It gives you AF (to an extent) for Leica M lenses, and anything really that can adapt to the Leica M mount.
Been playing with it on my Nikon Z and it's worked well with both M lenses, and R lenses adapted to M mount.

 

[joe bosak]

Lower resolution sensors being better for low light work is a myth. It's folk wisdom that gained traction from people doing pixel-level comparisons online. When comparing at equivalent print sizes, the noise advantage between two sensors of different resolution but otherwise equivalent technology isn't really there. The only low light advantage is for video.

DPReviewTV video explaining this

Weeding the truth from the hype is always difficult, things take a while to work through. Could be said that the same guy contributed to the myth in the first place, when reviewing the A7S at TheCameraStoreTV around 2015. And the same refutation of the myth is there if you look that far back such as "The A7S is only cleaner at pixel level. Once you scale down the A7RII to the A7S size, noise is very similar." from fredmiranda.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

Yes and no. Because the OM to E-mount adapters are much longer than the M-mount to E-mount ones, the pancake 40mm isn't much of a pancake on the Sony. The m-mount Voigtlander 40mm on the Sony beats it for size. On the other hand, I did have some fun with the Zuiko 200mm which I rarely used on my OM-1. I have the Sony A7SII and the Sony A7C. While the latter is more compact, I find focusing converted manual lenses to be better on the larger body because of the EVF size.

I’m thinking in the context of other makers’ SLR lenses which are generally bigger than OM.

 

[Keith]

I’m thinking in the context of other makers’ SLR lenses which are generally bigger than OM.

I'm looking forward to trying my 50mm f1.2 ... I seem to remember it had some pretty wild bokeh on the few occasions I've used it. I also have a late serial number 35mm f2 and I read that they are supposed to be a very good lens. I was half thinking that the Zeiss 50mm C Sonnar that I've had in the classifieds for a while would be nice adapted to the Sony ... and of course the moment I thought that someone bought it! 🙂

 

[Freakscene]

I'm looking forward to trying my 50mm f1.2 ... I seem to remember it had some pretty wild bokeh on the few occasions I've used it. I also have a late serial number 35mm f2 and I read that they are supposed to be a very good lens. I was half thinking that the Zeiss 50mm C Sonnar that I've had in the classifieds for a while would be nice adapted to the Sony ... and of course the moment I thought that someone bought it! 🙂

It is really great to see things come into focus. I’m not very quick with manual focus lenses on mirrorless cameras, but focusing stopped down is awesome. Being able to shed focus shift anxiety is great.

The Zuiko 50/1.2 and 35/2 are both . . . interesting. Looking forward to seeing what you get.

Marty

 

[Keith]

It is really great to see things come into focus. I’m not very quick with manual focus lenses on mirrorless cameras, but focusing stopped down is awesome. Being able to shed focus shift anxiety is great.

The Zuiko 50/1.2 and 35/2 are both . . . interesting. Looking forward to seeing what you get.

Marty

The other lens I have that will be interesting to adapt is a Cannon 50mm F1.2 ... unbelievably long focus throw! lol

 

[shawn]

The other lens I have that will be interesting to adapt is a Cannon 50mm F1.2 ... unbelievably long focus throw! lol

That is a nice lens on a Sony both from an image point of view and the size just feels right. Esp. if you get the Voigtlander adapter that can also be a helicoid extension for closer focus. The Techart autofocus adapter can also do the same thing (macro extension) and it will save you from the long focus throw.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I have a TechArt adapter that is almost new. It's only been on one of my cameras for one night. I left it on overnight when I got it and found the camera battery dead as a door nail the next morning. I didn't know the TAP would kill it if left on. Took the TAP off and it's never been back on a camera since.
Maybe it's time I let both it and my A7ii go.

 

[shawn]

Yup, the original version would do that. I think they released firmware to fix that. The other option was just removing and reinserting the battery and it wouldn't drain then. I haven't heard if the newer/smaller version of the adapter has the drain or not.

 

[Bouldou]

it will save you from the long focus throw

The long focus throw is my path to Heaven...I refuse to be saved!

 

[plummerl]

I'm looking forward to trying my 50mm f1.2 ... I seem to remember it had some pretty wild bokeh on the few occasions I've used it. I also have a late serial number 35mm f2 and I read that they are supposed to be a very good lens. I was half thinking that the Zeiss 50mm C Sonnar that I've had in the classifieds for a while would be nice adapted to the Sony ... and of course the moment I thought that someone bought it! 🙂

Keith, here is are two with the OM 50/1.2, the heads are 2", 3" apart, at f1.2. GO MARINERS!

 

[Darinwc]

After a long stretch with no new digital camera, I opted for the Sony A7r III. I have almost all the f2 OM lenses except the 21, 40, and 250(?).
Most of the om zuikos do very well on it.
The battery life on the III is really fantastic. The 42 mp is a bit overkill. I cannot tell the difference between the full 42mp and a downsized 10mp image. I think 24mp would be just fine. The camera seems to over expose everything so I almost always have it set to -.7 exposure. I have the joystick nub set to zoom in when pressed. Then you can use the same button to move the zoomed in square around.
There are a bazillion settings in the menus. Spend some time online learning what they do.

 

[peterm1]

It's hard to say which sensor specifically would most suit OM lenses IMHO as pretty well any A7 version will produce excellent results with vintage glass (any vintage glass!) But I can say that I now shoot with an A7s (the original one) which in camera years is pretty old and love how it functions. Especially its ultra high ISO performance (not that I need to go ultra high often) and its associated excellent dynamic range. It is really the dynamic range I want. As I do a lot of street shooting the threat of blown highlights was my nemesis. But now with the A7s shooting RAW files and especially if I deliberately under expose files by up to one stop in high contrast situations it is now never an issue. And with this camera sensor, shadow detail can be recovered easily, as well as highlight detail - it really is very, very good. Also the A7s series only has a 12 megapixel sensor. This helps quite a lot in terms of processing "grunt" needed and the amount of storage required on disk.
BTW as to adapters. I now tend to buy only K & F concept adapters which are extremely well made and quite inexpensive (compared to the top of the range ones). One trick I have recently learned too, is because I like to shoot multiple lens types / lens marques on different body types - M4/3, Sony A, and Fujifilm bodies I now stack adapters by buying a Leica M adapter for each body type I use, then mate this with a lens type adapter to Leica M adapter. This means that if I wish to use 5 different lens types on 3 different body types I only need one Leica M lens adapter for each body type and one adapter for each lens type to convert each lens type to Leica M. This means buying fewer adapters. Not an issue if you only plan to shoot OM glass on Sony bodies but it does give a flexible arrangement which is future proof. As each body now has a standard Leica M mount instead of its own proprietary mount it is much easier to use with different lens makes.

 

[Keith]

It's hard to say which sensor specifically would most suit OM lenses IMHO as pretty well any A7 version will produce excellent results with vintage glass (any vintage glass!) But I can say that I now shoot with an A7s (the original one) which in camera years is pretty old and love how it functions. Especially its ultra high ISO performance (not that I need to go ultra high often) and its associated excellent dynamic range. It is really the dynamic range I want. As I do a lot of street shooting the threat of blown highlights was my nemesis. But now with the A7s shooting RAW files and especially if I deliberately under expose files by up to one stop in high contrast situations it is now never an issue. And with this camera sensor, shadow detail can be recovered easily, as well as highlight detail - it really is very, very good. Also the A7s series only has a 12 megapixel sensor. This helps quite a lot in terms of processing "grunt" needed and the amount of storage required on disk.
BTW as to adapters. I now tend to buy only K & F concept adapters which are extremely well made and quite inexpensive (compared to the top of the range ones). One trick I have recently learned too, is because I like to shoot multiple lens types / lens marques on different body types - M4/3, Sony A, and Fujifilm bodies I now stack adapters by buying a Leica M adapter for each body type I use, then mate this with a lens type adapter to Leica M adapter. This means that if I wish to use 5 different lens types on 3 different body types I only need one Leica M lens adapter for each body type and one adapter for each lens type to convert each lens type to Leica M. This means buying fewer adapters. Not an issue if you only plan to shoot OM glass on Sony bodies but it does give a flexible arrangement which is future proof. As each body now has a standard Leica M mount instead of its own proprietary mount it is much easier to use with different lens makes.

Thanks Peter ... I just ordered a K&F as a matter of interest. Very reasonable! 🙂

 

[shawn]

It's hard to say which sensor specifically would most suit OM lenses IMHO as pretty well any A7 version will produce excellent results with vintage glass (any vintage glass!)

SLR lenses will likely be fine but it is well known that RF lens performance is more hit or miss with the Sonys. The thick sensor cover glass causing smearing on some wide angles and/or field curvature with some lenses.

 

[Keith]

Updating the situation: I have bought a low shutter count as new Aii that I spotted on Oz eBay for a very good price ... best I had seen by a fair margin. I also discovered that I can get a battery grip new from an Australian supplier for what seems crazy cheap to me and that will address the battery life issue and improve the handling of the camera I would imagine. I thought about getting an Aiii but I think the Aii is going to do what I need and if I don't like it, it wasn't a huge investment.

This is the first photographic item I have bought in about seven or eight years ... I'm looking forward to getting familiar with the little Sony and finding its strengths and weaknesses. 🙂