Why I hesitate to buy E-Mount AF Lenses

The introduction of high quality lenses, like the Batis series from Zeiss, makes buying E-Mount lenses very tempting.  The thought of selling all my Canon AF lenses and buy Sony equivalent (or close to) lenses crossed my mind a few times, but I always resisted.  What's holding me back?  One experience taught me something about selling gear in the used market.  As many of you know, I was a Canon shooter for more than a decade, and more if counting the film days, and I have amassed quite a few Canon lenses.  My Canon camera bodies are gone, but the lenses remained (except the 16-35mm f2.8L II, and the 70-200mm f4L IS, which I sold to buy the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR).  All this time, I never had trouble selling any Canon equipment, because there are such a huge Canon user base and finding a buyer is relatively easy.  While "sampling" other cameras, I bought a Sony A-Mount camera and a few AF lenses, Minolta 50mm f1.7, Sigma 28-300mm and Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro to try.  At the end of the sampling period, I found that it was hugely difficult to sell Sony gear.  Eventually, they were sold rather cheaply and took a long time, compared to the Canon equivalent.  One example is the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro lens.  I sold the Sony version at about half the price of the Canon version; there were simply not many Sony Alpha-Mount users out there, especially for a relatively specialized lens like a macro.

The introduction of the A7R II makes the decision even harder for me.  The advanced phase-detect AF capabilities in the A7R II allows Canon auto focus lenses to AF much faster with a smart adapter, to a point where it's actually usable.  Previous Sony E-mount cameras AF very slowly with smart adapters, that's practically useless.

For the time being, I am going to keep the Canon lenses and wait for the A7R II to become more affordable to buy one.  If the AF is actually good enough, the Canon lenses will become my main lenses to be used on Sony whenever AF is required.

Blue Dreams - Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9 & Sony A7.

Photo Set from the Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9

I have only used the Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9 once on the Sony A7, and very briefly. Took it out again the other day and spent a couple of hours shooting around the neighbourhood. This exercise brought back some pictures that remind me how good some of these East German gems are.
The Primoplan has a very beautiful and interesting bokeh but I don't think it justifies how much people are paying for one on eBay now. It's total insanity. I wouldn't buy one at these ridiculous prices but if you already have one, take it out and take some awesome pictures!  Just remember that this lens has very soft coating; be sure not to rub it too hard.  All the pictures below were shot wide open at f1.9 with the Sony A7.

Black & Yellow - Sony A7 & Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9. Click for larger.

White on Green - Sony A7 & Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9. Click for larger.

Red, White & Green - Sony A7 & Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9. Click for larger.

Punk garden gnome - Sony A7 & Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9. 

The Primoplan. You can see the coating is starting to go in the picture.

Some Random Pictures

I have been trying out different lenses on the Sony A7. All of them take on a different perspective than when they were used on the crop sensor cameras. I found the A7's sensor is even more forgiving to old lenses than the NEX-6, as the pixel density is slightly lower on the A7 due to its larger sensor size. So far, I am very happy with the A7.

11even - Sony A7 & Leitz Hektor 135mm f4.5. Click for larger.

Megan - Sony A7 & Birns & Sawyer 150mm f3 Cine Lens. Click for larger.

Dead Leaf - Sony A7 & Meyer-Optik Primoplan 58mm f1.9. Click for larger.

Tulip - Sony A7 & Taylor-Hobson 75mm f2 TV Lens. Click for larger.

The Fascination with Old Lenses

Daffodil - NEX-5N & Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f1.9. Very interesting bokeh.

Sometimes I am amazed at my persistence with old lenses after so many years.  I thought I would be bored after a little while, but the opposite is true.  I am MORE into old lenses than I ever was.  Not really sure if this is a good thing or not, but at least something to keep me occupied.

What is it that so fascinates me with old lenses?  I tried to answer that, but not with satisfying answers, and I don't even bother with it any more.  I just know that old lenses bring me joy and that's enough for me.

Another One Hits the Mirror

My worse fear was realized when I tried out the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz 58mm f1.9 Primoplan today. The butt of the lens hits the mirror on the 5D near the infinity mark. Both copies do the same thing. It's really too bad. This is a nice, compact, well made lens that has some interesting characteristics. For one thing, it has the swirling background when shot wide open, but not as pronounced as others. As usual, first use of this lens today. Need more time to evaluate.