sneeks Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:07

Sony A mount lenses on A6400

I'm looking at a adapter to allow me to use my old A mount lenses with the A6400. Not sure if the LA-EA3 or 4 would be my best option and cannot decipher why to choose one over the other.

The lenses I would like to use are:

Sony 16-50mm 2.8 SAL1650
Sony 85mm 2.8 SAL85F28
Sony 50mm 1.8 SAL50F18
Sigma 100-300mm APO DG EX

Any help greatly appreciated. I plan to eventually replace these with E mount options but it would be nice to utilise these while I save money.

Do the adapted lenses work well or would I be better not to bother?

I have the choice of either the 16-50mm or the 18-135mm kit when I purchase my A6400, is there any benefit in choosing the more expensive 18-135mm kit or should I keep the money and put it towards something like the 18-105mm F4 G at a later date?

springtide Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:08

From my understanding, you go for the LA-EA3 adaptor for SAM/SSM lenses, and the camera then uses it's internal AF.

LA-EA4 provides AF on all lenses as well as AF during video, using PDAF within the adaptor.

What is the difference between the LA-EA1, LA-EA2, LA-EA3, and LA-EA4 lens mount adapters? | Sony TH

I've owned a LA-EA2 and LA-EA4 but not a LA-EA3.

Biggest thing with the LA-EA4 adaptor was the size together with the bigger A Mount lenses.Not a huge issue but a bit clumsy.

Do you still have an A Mount camera btw?

Regarding the 16-50mm pancake, it's an OK lens but not great. The advantage is the size which makes it very appealing.

Faldrax Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:09

The LA-EA3 is for lenses with in-lens motors - which would cover all but the Sigma 100-300
The LA-EA4 has a built in AF motor, and so can drive lenses designed for in-body AF motors, including your Sigma 100-300.

So you could get an LA-EA4 and it would allow you to use all of your lenses on the A6400.

BUT

The LA-EA4also includes it's own AF system, using a (fixed) SLT mirror.
Which means you 'loose' ~ 1/3 stop of light (it's diverted to the AF module), and you are limited to the LA-EA4 AF system.
So you are noticeably better off using an LA-EA3 for lenses which it supports (as it has no impact optically, and uses the A6400 AF system).

Given that you have the 16-50 f/2.8, I'd be tempted to either get the A6400 body only, or just with the 16-50 kit - either that or get the 18-105 and sell the 16-50 f/2.8 - I'm not sure you'd want both.
The only reason for getting the 16-50 kit is that it's so small when powered down - on my A6000 I can fit camera & lens in a coat pocket - and while it does have compromises to achieve the small size, in-camera jpegs correct for most, and LR profiles do the same for RAW - and you can create great shots in an extremely compact set up.

sneeks Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:10

Many thanks for both replies. From what you've both said I think I'd gain more from buying the LA-EA3 as this will work best with the majority of my lenses. I do still own my A77 and can continue to use my Sigma 100-300mm with that.

Do the adapted lenses work well?

I think I'll stick with the 16-50 kit bundle rather than the 18-105. I'm sure the 16-50 kit lens will be a handy option for times I do not need my 16-50 2.8 A mount version.

Faldrax Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:11

Just to add, you will still be able to use the Sigma 100-300 on the A6400 via the LA-EA3, BUT it will be manual focus - which may still be fine for certain applications.

sneeks Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:12

Yes that could be useful for some scenarios where fast focus is not necessary. Will focus peaking work when using the lens in this way?

Faldrax Publish time 2-12-2019 06:32:12

I'm not sure - I've looked into adaptors for A-Mount in terms of looking for an upgrade path from my A900, but don't have one as my 27-70 f/2.8 on it's own weighs more than my 16-50, 55-210 and 50 f/1.8 combined, which would rather defeat the 'small and light' aspect data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
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