Sony LA EA5 Adapter
Last week, I ordered a LA EA4 adapter after doing a considerable amount of research about the five different E to A Mount adapters that Sony has offered over the years. These adapters are used to adapt older Sony and Minolta A-Mount lenses to modern Sony E mount mirrorless cameras. The first few iterations were clunky and the autofocus was slow. After doing a bit of research, I ordered the LA EA4 adapter. It arrived on Tuesday. When I got off of work, I peddled home in a hurry to discover to my horror that after waiting a week for the treasure, it turned out to not be supported for my camera, the Sony A7cii.
I put it on the camera, along with an A-mount lens that was supported by the adapter and nothing. I could adjust the aperture, but I could not get auto focus to work. I did more digging and discovered on Sony’s Japanese website that the LA EA4 is no longer supported and would not work on my camera. So, I disappointingly packed it back up and processed the return with Amazon. Once that was done, I ordered the LA EA5 adapter, which is cheaper and is supported on my camera and older ones.
It arrived yesterday, and to my incredible excitement, it actually worked like a charm! The great thing about the 5 over the 4 is that it doesn’t have a translucent mirror used for focusing, which means that all the beautiful light streaming through the lens hits the sensor directly without any interruption. I eagerly put a few of my favorite lenses on it, and to my delight, it worked seamlessly with each of them. Even better, the EXIF data transferred over perfectly as well, making the whole experience even more satisfying.
Early this morning, I headed down to Green Valley Park with the camera, the adapter, and a Minolta 35-70mm f/4 macro lens. The lens isn’t fast, but it is very versatile and a macro to boot. The lens is sharp and the autofocus, although not as fast as a native lens, is fast enough for what I do. I had a great time shooting with this lens and using autofocus. The subject recognition in the Sony A7cii does work through the older lenses. I had it on Animal/Bird, and it recognized a Great Blue Herons eyes and the subject. The autofocus is a little noisy compared to modern lenses, but for photography work, it is great. I will be taking the 70-200mm f/4 beer can lens out tomorrow to test it.
Thus far, I am incredibly happy with the performance of this adapter and the lenses used that I already have. This little adapter will save me thousands of dollars, and that, ladies and gentleman, is of the utmost importance. You can buy these old A mount lenses for pennies on the dollar compared to their native new counterparts. There are a few photographs below for your enjoyment. I could not get too close to the heron with a maximum range of 70mm. What are your thoughts on these adapters?
Peach Orchard Loop
Hiking the Peach Orchard Loop in the Tonto National Forest is an exhilarating adventure that awakens the senses. The trail weaves through the mountains and up them to a ridge and fire road.
When I got up this morning, I realized that I had the day off. I have been thinking about going hiking since we moved to Payson, Arizona, but I never seemed to have the time when I felt like going. Today, I decided I was going. Deana went off to work, so there was no reason I should not go. It was a beautiful day with some rare warm winds up here at 5,000 feet.
At present, I don’t have any autofocus lenses for the Sony A7C ii. So, looked over my m42 and k-mount lenses. What I’d love to have is a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, but I don’t have that kind of money to throw around. I settled on a 1980’s Soligor 35-70mm f/2.5-3.5 variable aperture zoom lens. It’ is a lens that I have tested. It is not as sharp as a new lens, but for its age and uniqueness as having a macro extension tube built in, it’s a great little versatile lens.
I grabbed that trusty camera and lens combo, along with an extra Pentax 28mm f/3.5 lens as a backup just in case, and headed eagerly out the door. I hopped on my XP 3.0 Lectric bike and sped down the paved road to the trail head, which was conveniently located across the street from the beautiful Payson Golf Course. I had not yet explored this particular trail, so I had to rely on the All Trails app for information about the loop and its various features along the way.
As I started my adventurous journey down the fire road/trail, I couldn’t help but laugh at how easy this loop seemed to be thus far, which led me to believe that I’d be home in time for a delicious lunch. The views surrounding me were breathtaking, and they were absolutely well worth the hike, making every step feel rewarding. However, in a moment of distraction, I missed my turn and accidentally ventured an extra quarter mile down the fire road before the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. After a brief moment, I backtracked and managed to get back on the intended trail. Yet, within just a few hundred feet of finally arriving on the trail, I quickly realized it wouldn’t be so easy after all. The fire roads are comprised of gravel and are generally easily traversed, but I had a feeling my adventure was just beginning!
The trail that cuts between the fire roads is extreme. All trails stated that it was moderate. Sure, the rest of the trail is moderate, but the very steep incline halfway through the loop is extreme. I used to hike three times a week with people younger than me and army rangers, but this trail would be a struggle for them. I’m older now and a bit out of shape. The “Trail” was literally a wall of rock and dirt that I had to gradually crawl up.
The ascent of the steep incline took an hour, but the panoramic views ultimately justified the effort. I was astounded by the extent of my visual acuity, even in my state of blindness, and the distance I had traveled from the town. Despite the exhaustion, I found myself in a state of laughter and exhilaration. I had conquered a mountain, experiencing solitude, divine presence, and the profound beauty of nature. The ceaseless hum of Main Street, the dazzling lights, and the relentless roar of passing cars were mere echoes in the valley below. I stood there, momentarily overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of sight and the splendor of our world. While some may perceive this place as mere sand, brush, withered trees, and barren mountains, I see it as a living, breathing entity brimming with life, beauty, and the awe-inspiring Majesty of God.
After catching my breath, I headed down another fire road that traverses the ridge and leads back down to the trail head. It was getting late and I was getting sore, so it took me a little bit. I did make it home in time to meet Deana for lunch and enjoy each others company. The loop was supposed to take an hour and a half. It took me 2:40. Mind you, I stopped a lot to take photographs. I ended up hiking 3.4 miles around the loop, given I had missed a turn and had to turn back.
I will pay for my adventures tomorrow, but it was worth it. Spending time in nature is important, and it is good exercise. And, I got some amazing photographs out of it. There will be a gallery below. Please give them a look and let me know what you think about my adventure and the photography.
