Guide to Using Sony A-Mount Lenses on Sony a7RII

Sony a7RII’s back-illuminated sensor is the world’s first fullframe sensor with an on-sensor Phase Detection AF system capable of fast autofocus using SSM and SAM DSLR lenses. Sony A-mount lenses include motorized SSM and SAM lenses as well as non-motorized Screw Drive lenses.

Fastest AF is achieved using a7 II, a7R II, a7 III, a7R III, a9, a6300, a6400, a6500 which allow PDAF AF-C and AF-S with third-party lenses in still photography mode.

I tested out every lens I could get many hands on and here’s a breakdown of which adapters worked best on each. All testing was done under indoor lighting either at B& H Photo, the Sony Store in NYC or at Photoshop World. In all cases testing was performed in less-than-bright testing conditions.

SONY A-MOUNT SSM & SAM LENSES

Sony LA-EA3 Lens Adapter allow Sony SSM and SAM lenses to achieve fast autofocus using a7RII’s entire 399-point PDAF and 25-point Contrast AF system in both AF-C and AF-S modes.

SONY A-MOUNT SCREW-DRIVE LENSES

Sony and Minolta Screw-drive Lenses have no focus motor in the lens so for AF, they need an lens adapter with its own focus motor like the Sony LA-EA4 Lens Adapter to provide AF with screw drive lenses. But because the LA-EA4 adapter uses it’s focus system – not the cameras – A-mount lenses won’t benefit from the a7RII’s large focus area or increased focus speed. Screw-drive lenses can also be used with a Sony LA-EA3 Lens Adapter but it will only work in manual focus mode.



Sony LA-EA3 and Sony LA-EA4 Lens Adapters

Sony LA-EA3 Lens Adapter Focus Points: 399 Phase Detection / 25 Contrast AF Points Focus Modes: AF-C, AF-S, Manual Focus Focus Areas: Wide, Center, Flexible Spot Misc: Face Detection: Yes

Eye-AF: No

Center Lock-On AF: No

Light loss: None

Sony LA-EA4 Lens Adapter Focus Points: 15 Phase Detection AF Points Focus Modes: AF-C, AF-A, AF-S, DMF, Manual Focus Focus Areas: Wide, Center, Flexible Spot, Lock-On AF Misc: Face Detection: Yes

Eye-AF: No

Center Lock-On AF: Yes

Light loss: Approx 1/2 Stop

AF System Selection using LA-EA3

This is actually the most important new setting on Sony a7RII cameras. It allows users to select between 399-point Phase Detection AF or 25-point Contrast AF when an A-Mount lens is used with a LA-EA3 adapter (but not a LA-EA4) or when using third-party AF-capable Smart Lens Adapters.

The Phase Detection AF setting allows you to finally shoot in continuous AF-C mode with choices of Wide, Center or Flexible Spot Focus Areas. I’ve tested both AF-C and AF-S with a wide range of Sony A-mount lenses using a Sony LA-EA3 Adapter and in all my tests I found best performance was achieved using the default setting of Phase Detection AF.

Please note that Face Detection works when Sony A-Mount lenses are used with a Sony LA-EA3 adapter, but Eye-AF and Center Lock-On AF are not compatible. While the performance of many third-party lenses like Sony A-Mount and Canon EF lenses on a7RII is greatly improved, you still get the best performance and most AF features using native FE lenses.

Here’s a look at how Sony A-Mount lenses perform on Sony a7RII using the camera’s on-sensor Phase Detection AF system with Sony smart adapters.

SONY A-MOUNT ZOOMS



Sony a7RII + Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II lens

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

SONY A-MOUNT PRIMES



Sony a7RII + Sony 500mm/F4 G lens

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 This is a screw-drive focus lens so only LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 As the name implies, this is a manual focus lens and no adapter will change that, so you might was well use the less expensive adapter.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

MINOLTA MAXXUM A-MOUNT LENSES

With the exception of the Minolta 70-200mm f/2 8 D APO G SSM and Minolta 300mm f/2 8 D APO G SSM, all other Minolta Maxxum A-mount lenses are screw drive and only Sony LA-EA4 provides AF-C and AF-S with screw drives lenses using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

SIGMA A-MOUNT LENSES

I’ll add results from tests of third party A-mount lenses whenever I can get my hands on them. Here are a few that I’ve tried so far.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA4 provides fast AF-C and AF-S using it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

Sony LA-EA3 can be used for manual focus.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points.

TAMRON A-MOUNT LENSES

RECOMMENDED ADAPTER:

Sony LA-EA3 offers fast and accurate AF-C and AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Sony LA-EA4 can also be used but it uses it’s own focus system that does not take advantage of a7RII’s 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF points. Note: This A-mount version performs much better than Tamron or Sigma’s Canon EF 150-600 which are virtually worthless for AF.

For more tips and tricks about getting the most out of your Sony a7 series camera, check out my new book ’Sony a7-Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’.

It’s your guide to all of the Sony a7 Series I & II cameras. While the camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn’t show how to use the camera to create great images! Starting with the Top Ten things users need to know about the cameras, author Brian Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery, carefully guides you through the operating features of Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and a7RII and how to use them. Get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and assignments at end of chapter to practice what you’ve just learned.

‘Sony A7 Series: From Snapshots to Great Shot’ is available NOW from Amazon and Amazon UK

ORDER NOW



