which adapter / lens mount for autofocus with Sony?

[ThomHaig]

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in getting hold of a macro lens: The Tamron 60mm f2.0 - with the intent of using on a Sony a6500. The lens is available in Canon EF and Sony A mount, and since I don't own an adapter for either type, which mount version of the lens I should look the get and which adaptor will be better for autofocus?

I guess I would potentially be looking at something like the Commlite EF adaptor if I got it in Canon mount, or the Sony LA-EA3 if I got it on Sony A Mount. I don't expect much regarding video autofocus for either, but if it does a decent job in stills that would be a bonus.

Thanks, would appreciate any thoughts / insight.

[noone]

For EF to E mount smart adapters there is about a zillion different adapters (I have four different ones).      

Prices range from under $100 (I have a cheap Fotga I like though it is mostly plastic) to a lot more in things like the Metabones IV (or whatever they are up to now).

With your camera AF should be good for stills I would think but nit so much for video.       I have only used my adapters on an original A7 and A7s and AF is slow on those and AFS only for me with all combinations of camera/adapter/lens (some combinations did not work for AF at all).

 

For A mount, you have the LA-EA3 or LA-EA4 (there is also the LA-EA1 and LA-EA2 for APSC if you intend sticking with APSC only).

The LA-EA adapters differ in some are AF for lenses with focus motors only (LA-EA3) and others are also for AF for screwdrive lenses too (LA-EA4).

AF with my cameras and LA-EA4 was quick but does have some limits.      Much smaller AF area for a start.    

I sold my LA-EA4 and A7 some time ago though I might get another LA-EA4 as I still have a nice old Sigma macro in A mount I can not use currently.

I would prefer EF mount to A mount though as I also use M43 and smart adapters work great for EF lenses there.       There is also less limitation on use with Canon lenses (other than slower AF speed for me- maybe not for you).

 

I would suggest trying either if at all possible before deciding.

 

[tellure]

I too was really interested in using some adapted lenses with my Sony A7R2 but everything I've read says that autofocus doesn't work with video in AF-C (e.g. with Metabone).  The only one that I think works is the Sigma MC-11, because it fools the lens into thinking it's on a native mount.  Unfortunately you can only adapt the few lenses that are compatible with that adapter though and its tracking is still not great: