Here're some FAQs regarding lens compatibility with Sony Alpha DSLR bodies. Some of the info I figured out for myself, so if there are any inaccuracies or additions, please do not hesitate to share what you know.
Q1) What lenses can I fit onto my Sony Alpha DSLR?
A1)
i) Sony Alpha mount lenses (Obviously)
ii) Minolta/Konica Minolta A-mount.
iii) Older Minolta MD/MC mount via an adaptor (with restrictions)
iv) M42 mount via an adaptor, with the same restrictions as MD/MC.
Q2) Alpha mount? A-Mount? MD/MC mount? M42? Eh?
A2)
i) Alpha Mount is the name of the mount on Sony Alpha Bodies.
ii) A-Mount is found on older Minolta/Konica Minolta autofocus film SLRs (like the Dynax Maxxum 500 series, 5, 7 and 9), and the KM Dynax5D and 7D.
iii) MD/MC mount is found on Minolta X/XG/XD etc series of manually-cranked, manual focus SLRs. For more info, do check out this website - The Rokkor Files.
iv) M42 Mount lens: Wikipedia entry - M42 lens mount.
Q3) What are the restrictions of mounting an MD/MC/M42 mount lens onto an Alpha DSLR?
A3)
i) You will need an MD-to-AF/M42-to-AF adaptor.
ii) AF will not be possible
iii) Only Aperture priority exposure mode can be used.
iv) There will be a very slight magnification factor due to the lens in the adaptor (for MD-to-AF). Typically about 1.1x
v) EDITED: MD and M42 mount lenses can be used in Aperture Priority and Manual modes in the D5D/D7D, A100/700.
These lenses can also be used on the A200/300/350, but only in Manual mode.
vi) Why can't MD/M42 lenses be used on Aperture Priority modes on the A200/300/350?
This is because the D5D/D7D allowed you to manually over-ride the camera default of not allowing the shutter to be tripped when there's no lens attached. The Alpha 100, which is essentially a D5D in disguise, inherited most of the Minolta menu system, so it has this over-ride feature, as does the A700.
The MD-to-AF converter (and I assume the M42 adaptors) do not have any electronic contact with the camera body, so when it is mounted, the body detects no lens present.
Q4) Where can I get these adaptors?
A4)
i) MD-to-AF adaptors are quite hard to find in S'pore. You'd have to keep an eye out for it here in ClubSnap Buy and Sell. Typically about S$150 for a second hand one?
ii) New MD-to-AF adaptors (US$120) can be bought from http://haodascreen.com/minoltaMDAF.aspx
iii) M42-to-AF adaptor slightly easier to find. Tago Tech I-store. S$26.00
Other info on MD-to-AF mount lens conversions:
MINOLTA MC/MD and TAMRON ADAPTALL-2 MF lenses on SONY alpha
Modified Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.2 mounted on Sony A100
And if you're really hardcore, check out: Tinkering, by Peter Ganzel.
Q5) Why would I want to use old manual focus lenses on my new digital Alpha?
A5) Well, such lenses are cheap, and reasonably easy to find in second hand shops and here in CS. For e.g. 50mm f/1.4 MD is about $200+ in the shops, and maybe even less than $100 here in CS. A new Sony 50mm f/1.4 is about $600 in Sg. If you shoot static subjects, manual focus lenses do the job plenty well.
Q6) Can I fit Canon/Nikon lenses onto my Alpha?
A6) Nothing is impossible. I suppose yes, but I do not have any info about this at the moment. I should think these adaptors would be even more difficult to find?
More questions/contributions welcome!
Q1) What lenses can I fit onto my Sony Alpha DSLR?
A1)
i) Sony Alpha mount lenses (Obviously)
ii) Minolta/Konica Minolta A-mount.
iii) Older Minolta MD/MC mount via an adaptor (with restrictions)
iv) M42 mount via an adaptor, with the same restrictions as MD/MC.
Q2) Alpha mount? A-Mount? MD/MC mount? M42? Eh?
A2)
i) Alpha Mount is the name of the mount on Sony Alpha Bodies.
ii) A-Mount is found on older Minolta/Konica Minolta autofocus film SLRs (like the Dynax Maxxum 500 series, 5, 7 and 9), and the KM Dynax5D and 7D.
iii) MD/MC mount is found on Minolta X/XG/XD etc series of manually-cranked, manual focus SLRs. For more info, do check out this website - The Rokkor Files.
iv) M42 Mount lens: Wikipedia entry - M42 lens mount.
Q3) What are the restrictions of mounting an MD/MC/M42 mount lens onto an Alpha DSLR?
A3)
i) You will need an MD-to-AF/M42-to-AF adaptor.
ii) AF will not be possible
iii) Only Aperture priority exposure mode can be used.
iv) There will be a very slight magnification factor due to the lens in the adaptor (for MD-to-AF). Typically about 1.1x
v) EDITED: MD and M42 mount lenses can be used in Aperture Priority and Manual modes in the D5D/D7D, A100/700.
These lenses can also be used on the A200/300/350, but only in Manual mode.
vi) Why can't MD/M42 lenses be used on Aperture Priority modes on the A200/300/350?
This is because the D5D/D7D allowed you to manually over-ride the camera default of not allowing the shutter to be tripped when there's no lens attached. The Alpha 100, which is essentially a D5D in disguise, inherited most of the Minolta menu system, so it has this over-ride feature, as does the A700.
The MD-to-AF converter (and I assume the M42 adaptors) do not have any electronic contact with the camera body, so when it is mounted, the body detects no lens present.
Q4) Where can I get these adaptors?
A4)
i) MD-to-AF adaptors are quite hard to find in S'pore. You'd have to keep an eye out for it here in ClubSnap Buy and Sell. Typically about S$150 for a second hand one?
ii) New MD-to-AF adaptors (US$120) can be bought from http://haodascreen.com/minoltaMDAF.aspx
iii) M42-to-AF adaptor slightly easier to find. Tago Tech I-store. S$26.00
Other info on MD-to-AF mount lens conversions:
MINOLTA MC/MD and TAMRON ADAPTALL-2 MF lenses on SONY alpha
Modified Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.2 mounted on Sony A100
And if you're really hardcore, check out: Tinkering, by Peter Ganzel.
Q5) Why would I want to use old manual focus lenses on my new digital Alpha?
A5) Well, such lenses are cheap, and reasonably easy to find in second hand shops and here in CS. For e.g. 50mm f/1.4 MD is about $200+ in the shops, and maybe even less than $100 here in CS. A new Sony 50mm f/1.4 is about $600 in Sg. If you shoot static subjects, manual focus lenses do the job plenty well.
Q6) Can I fit Canon/Nikon lenses onto my Alpha?
A6) Nothing is impossible. I suppose yes, but I do not have any info about this at the moment. I should think these adaptors would be even more difficult to find?
More questions/contributions welcome!
