Maxxum Lens & Sony A Mount DSLR

[Austintatious]

I really don't need another camera, however I do have a few Minolta Maxxum af lenses that I do not use much because I am not shooting much film these days.
My question : Is there an inexpensive (cheap)used Sony Alpha mount body that someone would recommend? The first few that came out used CF cards for memory and I would prefer SD for that. Should I consider the SLT cameras or stick with DSLR ?
Really don't have the budget for full frame as I already have a pretty good Nikon DSLR kit .Would just like to use the glass.


Thank you for your thoughts on this.

Charles

 

[Paul Howell]

The newer A77 and A99 and translucent mirror bodies use SD cards, all the older bodies that will be in your price range use CF cards. If you want a traditional SLR then you can get a Sony 100 or 200 at around a $100, moving up an A700 for around 200 to 300. I have a A900 and 700 along with a A7II, I still prefer a traditional SLR, as good as the EVF are they are not as good a seeing through a lens, mirror and prism. For under a $100 you can find a Konica Minolta 7 or 5, these are getting quite old so do not know how long they will hold up. The Konica Minolta and early Sony use CCD sensors, the colors are quite nice.

Other option is to get an adapter and use your A mount lens on a Sony E body. I have a couple of adapters for a entry level Sony A3000, Pentax M 42, Miranda, and Minolta MD, not AF and the EVF is really crap, but workable. Forgot to add that the Sony brand adapter that maintains all functions is pricey, you want a bear bones version.

I think the best bet is the A700, good enough pixel count for decent enlargement, shoots 5FPS, viewfinder is quite nice, easy to use.

 

[Austintatious]

Thank you Paul. That is good advice. Since I'm retired, I am on a fairly tight budget. The A700 has most of the features I would want. While those old Maxxum D's really look cool, they are getting on in years and both the 5D & 7D are only 6.1 megapixels. I do have a Sony NEX6 and several adapters for classic manual focus lenses. Really like the system. Just not sure which adapter to get for the old AF Minolta glass. Looks like you have to engage a pin in the back of the lens to control the aperture and of course the focus is manual. That is one reason I was interested in an older Alpha mount DSLR, the auto focus. At 65 my keeper rate with a manual focus lens is getting lower than I would like

 

[David Brown]

I bought a Sony a850 years ago precisely because I had a group of Minolta A mount glass. Since then, I have bought 1 or 2 more Minolta lenses, but no Sony branded ones. Most of my digital shooting these days if with micro 4/3, but as long as the a850 stays working, it will get used. The a700 will likely fit your needs, but if you can justify the a850 or a900 (full frame) you can really get the most our of the Minolta lenses. Cheers!

 

[Austintatious]

Thanks David! I would like to have an A850, but I am short about $600 ! Thinking about selling some film cameras in order to fund the purchase. Many of the affordable Alpha's are getting a bit long in the tooth. May be best to get something newer than twelve years old Although the A850 is pushing ten years now !

 

[Paul Howell]

Other option is a Sony brand A to E adapter, it has a built in motor for older gear driven lens. I believe it will work with a Nex6 body. Used under $200. If you decide on a A850 or 900 both are still being serviced by Sony, for that matter I had my A700 serviced, although a used replacement body would have been cheaper.

 

[Austintatious]

Thanks Greg. I am going to try and sell a few cameras from my cabinet to fund something like the A850. Full frame would be nice ! The two that I have in the classifieds for sale right now do not seem to be of interest to anyone even though I have them at "make offer". I will keep saving

 

[4season]

Do any of those lenses use a screw drive? If yes then I'm thinking that you'll either need to choose an older body or manually focus those lenses. I liked the SLT-A35 when I had it (small, light, cheap) but I don't recall this or the A55 supporting the older autofocus lenses. The Sony LEA4 lens adapter does, but at the price, I hope those lenses are really something special.

Update: never mind, SLTA35 does seem to support screw drive lenses,

 

[Paul Howell]

All Sony A bodies support screw drives, the E bodies require an adapter with a motor for full function.

 

[dxqcanada]

There is an A850 up for sale in the Dyxum forum.