LA-EA4 "Monster Adapter" test with Minolta 500mm f8

[@DamianMathew]

Great straight forward video, really helped! Also showing focus speeds is very helpful.

[@konstantin_lv]

This is the exact combo I've been looking for, would be great for A7c with birds, thanks for uploading !😉

[@RobMoses]

Thanks for making this video. I was wondering about this lens.

[@smoejith9283]

Can't wait for this to become available!!

[@78cobra]

This is a discontinued lens.

[@flitetym]

I have the Minolta AF 500 mounted to the a6600 via the LA-EA4. It’s a “fun” combination, provided you know and accept the limitations of a catadioptric lens and a fixed aperture. And fer gawd’s sake, use a tripod. Cheers!

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Very interesting video. I really hope that the modified adapter is compatible with the Sony SAL-500F80 500mm f/8 Reflex too. It may have different electronics than the older but nearly the same Minolta AF Reflex 500mm f/8.

[@YoshiLecaros]

In my case I decided for the Sony instead Minolta version, due the reasons you tell, no matter it were more expensive. Very interesting video, Thanks Gary. I'm impressed because I feel more silent the Gary's Minolta version than my Sony reflex version of the same lens. Mine is noisier but, may be, a little bit faster, not really sure. Regards.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Yes, that lens is just the rebranded Minolta design so it will work too.

[@YoshiLecaros]

Thanks so much Gary, so mission one will be to find out a second LA-EA4 I guess. LOL Nice to watch you again.@@FriedmanArchives

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Gary Friedman - The Friedman Archives Thank you for the information. The 500mm f/8 is a really a good lens and it will be better with the updated LA-EA4.

[@actionphotopassion5082]

I saw in your test that this is tracking AF. I'm really confident that it can do the same with LAEA5. That would bring this lens to another new level.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Once I get the LA-EA5 (I have one on order) I'll post a side-by-side comparison. There have been rumors that the LA-EA5 only allows a virtual center focus point with this particular lens.

[@yinwingwong290]

Hello, thanks for your great work. May I know how it works under AF-C mode of A99 II. Is that A99II is limited in the middle single point AF-S shown in video ?

[@FriedmanArchives]

Yes, just the single focus point. Depending on how steady you are the performance is either the same or it hunts more. :-(

[@Soundwave857]

wait a second, does the a7rIV use PDAF for focus and not the slt system? My a7III only uses the SLT system not pdaf and is really limited. edit: ooh i get it, its modded. Really awesome! To bad i put my LA-EA4 on ebay yesterday because i used it just a few times over the last two years

[@chinitopinoy1726]

Are you selling the monster adapter?

[@FriedmanArchives]

I thought about it, but after careful consideration I decided against it. This blog post provides more detail and also tells you where you can purchase one: friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2021/05/my-last-post-about-monster-adapter-la.html

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

I am hoping that Sony has an a99iii in the near future... native camera for native A- mount glass.

[@elr2141979]

As an a mount user myself I'm hoping that comes true but unlikely at this point

[@tonytan8721]

You can do that with EA5 adapter now

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

@@elr2141979 sadly, I think you are right. Sony had released full frame A mount camera models on a 5 year basis so we still have some time... but honestly I think the A mount is done. The A99II was just a re-release of older and already established tech rather than a developmentally new camera. I would like to see that line continue but fear all of Sony's efforts are aimed at the E mount. Sad times for Minolta fans....

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

@@tonytan8721 that was ok when Sony was still developing their E mount lens catalog... but performance was never as good on non-native mounts.

[@jamiemills4460]

I believe the a99ii has been replaced only with an E mount and called it the A1.

[@markfewtrell7454]

stupid question does this lens manually focus!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Yes.

[@boss133749]

Do you shoot with the new mirrorless. I want to try and sneak an a99ii into my collection. I'm weary at this point, though. Oh yeah... First

[@BB-ft6nd]

Its an excellent camera. Although, I'm mainly a Fuji shooter my A99II brings me joy anytime I use it...I've had mine for close to four years.

[@bobdriscoll3310]

Not only is the A99ii an excellent camera, I've only recently realised how amazing the focus is with the newer Sony lenses. I've got a lot of Minolta lenses, and I've always loved everything about them, but now that I have a Sony Zeiss 85 1.4 and my new baby the Sony 500 F4, the hybrid focus is incredible. Shooting sports with the 500 is a whole new world for me, with massive coverage across the sensor of focus points and the fastest focussing I've ever had. An A99iii would be my dream camera at this point, but like most of my dreams , very unlikely to happen (until I found these two lenses for a great deal though I guess!) Longevity is a definite concern when going into a camera system, but I couldn't recommend the A99ii as a camera itself any higher. It's incredible, especially with the modern Sony A-mount lenses.

[@RealTechGeek]

So where is the updated video? Monster is working on a stand alone adapter for screw drive lenses.

[@markusbaumgartner3423]

Awesome!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks!

[@anne4524]

Can you test your monster adapter on Sony a6500 Eye AF on mine is not working .

[@scannorse]

Show us a test with center focus only using the adapter ?

[@FriedmanArchives]

I assume you're asking because you want to see an A/B test changing as few variables as possible. If you were on my "Monster Adapter" email list I'll share with you such A/B tests taken with other lenses. In this particular case, though, while I understand the question, who would ever invest in this adapter just to use the center focus point? :-)

[@scannorse]

Gary Friedman - The Friedman Archives i am on your “normal” email list, yes

[@scannorse]

And...for the 500 mirror, i only need center focus

[@arnavkhorana4846]

Is this the LA-EA5 that sony recently came out with .. Pardon my ignorance here.. But is LA-EA4 and LA-EA4 "monster " different adaptors ?

[@garyfriedman4001]

This is neither the LA-EA5 nor the LA-EA4. It is an adapted LA-EA4 called the "monster adapter". Hope this helps.

[@Tirielphoto]

So I just to need buy La-ea3, remove the chipset and put it into La-ea4?

[@garyfriedman2005]

No. Send me an email (address in the description) and I'll explain everything, including the list of compatible lenses.

[@rzero21]

Quite impresive considering it is focusing not just in the center but off-center as well. So maybe with a faster lens it should focus faster! Oh man, I'm tempted to get the modded circuit board.... I bought the LA-EA4 a few years ago because of the SAL135F18Z and SAL35F14G but it's been a hit or miss with such narrow DOF and no way to Eye AF... then LA-EA5 came out but only supports A6600 and A7RM4 and because of the current world wide situation I'm no position to get any of those cameras... might go for the LA-EA4 modded circuit board instead of the LA-EA5 if Sony doesn't plan to bring support to the a7RM2 and a7M2...

[@FriedmanArchives]

Turns out it doesn't focus any faster with faster lenses.

[@smoejith9283]

What the heck?? Sony just announced the LA-EA5 adapter this week..crazy coincidence??

[@FriedmanArchives]

Impossible to say...

[@rodrigodepierola]

Poor guy was squinting hard for an eye-AF test. The monster adapter showes real promise

[@FriedmanArchives]

Yeah, he was a trooper. And yeah, it definitely shows promise! I still haven't decided if I'll become a distributor or not yet. Waiting to try Firmware v0.2.

[@Tirielphoto]

Does Minolta af 70-210/4 working or 50/1.7?

[@FriedmanArchives]

Yes on the 50mm f/1.7. The beercan should work too but I haven't tried it yet.

[@Tirielphoto]

@@FriedmanArchives did you tried it with a7/ a7ii?

[@FriedmanArchives]

@@Tirielphoto I tried it with the A7R II. It works. It doesn't work with the original A7 or A6000, though.

[@Tirielphoto]

@@FriedmanArchives I have a6000, a7 and a7II - I wish if it works even only on a7II... If not I don't see reason to get it...;/

[@johnbaker6461]

@G.P.K., I use the 70-210/4 with the LA-EA4 on an A7Rii, and it works okay. It hunts a little if I move the focal point off center, but in good light with center focus it snaps to focus pretty fast.

[@lonnieant]

The plastic reflector is very fragile.

[@schirion]

Here's the reliable proof that sony didn't unleash the full potential on the laea adapter5...

[@Jan-eh7nf]

They could do it 5 years ago. The could just update la-ea4 firmware to do it. This is just a business.