EA1 adapter on SAL70300 SSM with A7ii (compared to EA3)?

[MtlAlfa2024]

Bought a second-hand SAL70300 SSM recently, and it came with an LA-EA1 adapter. Autofocus works fine, face detection works. There's no vignetting. So, I thought what's the point upgrading to EA3 adapter. Would there be any other advantages that I'm missing? I'm not using any other A-mount lenses. Just it happened that I got this combination on Marketplace very very cheap...

[Cameratose]

Sony created a word of confusion with their adapters. Some are APS-C, some are FF, some are AF, some are not. 

 

The LA-EA1 is an APS-C adapter and automatically sets the camera to APS-C. You need the LA-EA3 for Full Frame use.

Fortunately, Sony has a comprehensive website that lets you poke around based on camera model, adapter, lens, etc. This link should take you to the LA-EA1 site, click on the camera selector and find your camera to see compatibility. Also note that lens functions vary, some will track, some won't, etc. You can also click to the other adapters and compare them. Note that the LA-EA5 is only fully functional with the A7 RIV (maybe A7 IV?) and newer cameras. 

LA-EA1 : Interchangeable Lens Camera α [E-mount] Compatibility Information

Edited December 19, 2024 by Cameratose

[MtlAlfa2024]

@Cameratose thank you. I Googled and watched some YouTubes to see if they are compatible . I found out they were for APS-C, I called the seller he said he had no problem pairing with his 7Aiv. I was ready to switch to AE3, but then it works with the lens. I’m wondering if AE1 + A7ii in APS-C mode reduce the photo quality? 

[Pieter]

Like @Cameratose said: your camera will automatically switch to APS-C mode so you might not immediately notice something is 'wrong'. You should note however that in APS-C mode your A7ii is only using like 45% of its total sensor area. So:

13 minutes ago, MtlAlfa2024 said:

I’m wondering if AE1 + A7ii in APS-C mode reduce the photo quality? 

Yes, you're shooting at 11 megapixels instead of 24 and have some reduced dynamic range compared to using the full sensor area.

14 minutes ago, MtlAlfa2024 said:

I called the seller he said he had no problem pairing with his 7Aiv.

If you went to a physical store and bought this adapter based on the sellers advise, I'd definitely request a refund as the seller provided you with poor, incomplete advise. No there are no 'problems' pairing it with the A7iv, but at the same time you're crippling the potential of your setup.

[Cameratose]

Of course he had 'no problem', it will work but it's going to be APS-C (or Super 35), so you're not using the entire sensor, just the center of it. The formula is full MP / 1.5 /1.5, so 24/1.5/1.5 = 10.67MP.

Not only will you experience what @Pieter said, but your focal length equivalent is 105-450mm when using the lens. You won't get 70mm out of it. If that's ok then keep it. If not, then send it back if possible. 

[MtlAlfa2024]

@Pieter and @Cameratose Thank you for the explanation - good to know that I am losing the MP and losing the 70mm focal length. The kit that I got came with the camera, I got them the very cheap (175$US). So, I will just sell the EA1 and get myself the EA3. Thank you again.