Tough-E Mounts... Are They a Good Thing?

[Sony Guy]

I see more and more online about the somewhat less than wonderful lens mounts on Sony E mount cameras, and beefed-up replacement mounts offered to supposedly remedy this issue. Personally, I wouldn't dare replace this part for a number of reasons. It would be so easy to slip and trash your sensor by dropping a screw or screw driver attempting this or messing up the camera's infinity focus by a micro error of the lens to sensor distance, looks like.

 

Is this really that much of an issue, or does it just become one when mounting huge, heavy lenses to the E mount bodies? First off, I suppose, is why does Sony skimp a few cents here by making the inner part of the mount out of plastic instead of metal anyway? Is there a good reason other than cost cutting?

[Vivek]

First off, I suppose, is why does Sony skimp a few cents here by making the inner part of the mount out of plastic instead of metal anyway? Is there a good reason other than cost cutting?

 

None.

[Austerror]

I always thought it was so that the mount on the camera would break first, not the mount on the lens.  Some lenses are worth a lot more than the camera body. Thus it makes sense to me to have a planed failure point to preserve other parts of the equipment.

[Lefty]

E mount cameras are being used with a far broader range of lenses than anticipated when they were designed. My Nex5N E mount works just fine with the little 16-50mm and lightweight 55-200mm zooms that it was designed for. Who'd have guessed that E mounts, especially affordable FF, would become popular digital backs for almost every lens ever made?

 

The A7ii has both a much more robust lens mount (no plastic) and bigger magnesium frame it is attached to than earlier E mount cameras. Sony's got warts like everyone else, but their development cycle on the A7 series has been pretty amazing. It has been a very quick ride, and it ain't even close to over.

 

Haven't heard any reports of registration problems with replacement mounts. They seem to be made to pretty tight specs, so you're probably safe there. Exercising care with 4 screws and perhaps orienting the camera so stuff falls away from the sensor, rather than into it, when you fumble finger it lessens that risk too.

 

[TonyM53]

I very recently put a Fotodiox Tough e-mount adapter on my NEX-7 (as it is well out of warranty). It was a really straight forward process but I was very careful not to drop a screw. I bought and used a top quality Phillips #00 screwdriver for the purpose. I did it because I own two heavy lenses and one fell off my camera recently. Yes it was correctly mounted. And yes I only ever hold the lens not the camera when using either my Sony SEL70200G or Nikon 70-300 and Metabones NikNex adapter. But the Sony connection is so sloppy that it let go. The Fotodiox makes the connection feel more sturdy but there is still some slight rotational movement in the lens. I hear that Sony are putting solid mounts on their new cameras, finally! When my a6000 is out of warranty I will put a Fotodiox Tough e-mount adapter on it as well. So far I've experienced no adverse effect on focusing or anything else. But please note that I only did this 2 days ago.

[Vivek]

I always thought it was so that the mount on the camera would break first, not the mount on the lens.  Some lenses are worth a lot more than the camera body. Thus it makes sense to me to have a planed failure point to preserve other parts of the equipment.

 

How do explain the metal mount in the A7s then?  That (plastic) isn't a "feature".

[Steve C]

How do explain the metal mount in the A7s then?  That (plastic) isn't a "feature".

Its either an admission from Sony that the plastic was an error or they think that more buyers will be attracted after getting worried by the presence of plastic, IE, marketing.

[turtle]

My Sony A7 mount (I have a A7R too) has suddenly become a bit rough. IMO it is way under-engineered and I will be replacing mine with a tough mount because it feels like it may well fail at some point...

[Lefty]

How do explain the metal mount in the A7s then?  That (plastic) isn't a "feature".

 

Its either an admission from Sony that the plastic was an error or they think that more buyers will be attracted after getting worried by the presence of plastic, IE, marketing.

 

Guys, the original E mount, plastic included worked just fine, for the most part, with the lenses Sony designed for them. It was not until people started using about every lens produced in the last 50 years on them that mount strength became a real issue. Sony responded by toughening the mount in the A7s and further toughening both the mount and frame in the A7ii. 

 

 

Try giving them a pat on the back for paying attention to how people were actually using their products and being responsive, and not just kicks in the shin for their original product vision that was good enough that it got legs. It ain't all just marketing, ya gotta think about the manufacturing process too,

[Steve C]

Fair point, it wasn't my intention to criticise but even so Sony did push the A7 series as being able to utilise all these MF lenses. Or so I thought.

[Lefty]

Fair point, it wasn't my intention to criticise but even so Sony did push the A7 series as being able to utilise all these MF lenses. Or so I thought.

And yours well taken too. It's a lot easier on the mount shooting petite old rangefinder glass than some of the big honking fast SLR teles. It seems the success of the A7 series caught Sony by surprise right along with everyone else. It looks like they figured out and addressed the mount issue between the A7 and the A7s, then doubled down with the reinforced magnesium frame on the A7ii. First you make a product, then a better one.

 

They're giving CaNikon a run for their money, and figuring out how to expand what is now a shrinking market. I'm not a fan-boy, and sure don't like all Sony does, but they have earned my respect in the camera business. They are going after it hard, fast and, for the most part, smart.

[Steve C]

Yep, and hence why I'm sticking with the basic A7 for a couple of years at least. With the body upgrades for mount and frame, IBIS, more user friendly handling things look good. In time I'm sure Sony will address the RF wides issues and other user gripes. But for me, for now all my SLR lenses are viable and that is a good thing.

Size isn't an issue for me, I bought the grip at the same time, I'd say my hands were average size and too small a body with an (to me) overabundance of buttons is an occasional nuisance.

Rangefinder styling and wide angle compatibility at a lower price to Leica tick my boxes, I look forwards to the next couple of years.

[Austrokiwi]

I had no problems with my A7rs mount until I started using Mamiya 645 lenses on it. Prior to that the mount was coping well with even a Minolta MD 135,mm F2( over 700 grams). I ignored the guarantee issue nervously and  installed the tough e-mount. I didn't have problems.  The factory mount fell out  when I removed the screws...for me that confirmed I was doing the right thing.   I have been using the tough e-mount for  close to 6 months now and have had no issues with it. If you have concerns with doing the swap yourself... send your camera in for servicing and complain about the mount... from what I have heard  Sony will send it back with a new solid mount. It will likely cost as much as the fotodiox offering and you won't have guarantee issues  

[firemist]

I picked up the Fotodiox LT Signature (brass) version for my A7R , but I could not use it with the two Metabones M to E adapters, just way too tight. So I re-installed the factory mount. I'm only using legacy lenses (primes) so I don't expect any issues. I'm keeping the LT however.

[felixkh]

After I changed to the Signature mount, my Zhong Yi Mitakon lens was very tight.  The FE 28/2 and the 55/1.8 were fine.  Should I just switch back?

[Guest Peter Kelly]

I don't think the main problem was the mounting ring at all, but more the engineering of the front panel behind the ring.

 

Also, the 'twist' play should not be an issue at all in use and you will find most lenses of all makes will do that to an extent. Indeed, if there was no play it would make attaching and removing a nightmare ensuring that the pin locked properly. The big failing was any rocking, which could lead to focus plane issues and smearing in unexpected areas.

 

I had two A7 and one was very poor in that regard, so I installed the Fotodiox. It seemed to improve matters, but I was never totally convinced as to exactly what was happening. The other A7 was the equal of the 'corrected' body, so I left that untouched. I suspect if we googled an A7 'teardown' it might be more clear as to where any weakness really lies.

[Batis]

I put a Tough E-Mount LT (light tight) on my a7. Feels better and no worry of a light leak. I recommend it if you feel the factory a7 mount has too much give. I know mine did. I would do it again.

[Steve C]

Do Sony supply separate 'tough' mounts or is it necessary to send the camera in for replacements, anyone?

[Guest Peter Kelly]

Do Sony supply separate 'tough' mounts or is it necessary to send the camera in for replacements, anyone?

 

Not that I'm aware of. I'd imagine they will say the mount is perfectly fit for purpose anyway, so will probably never supply anything different.

That said, it would be interesting to see how the specifications of the latest version compare.

 

If you feel it's needed and you're careful, though,it's a simple task to swap for the Fotodiox.

 

As to my experience, I mentioned before that I think any weakness in the A7 is not the plate itself, but rather how the front of the chassis behaves.