Currently using a pair of A900s for diverse shooting needs, travel, portraits, but mostly weddings.
Lenses:
ZA 16-35/3.8, ZA 24-70/2.8, Sony 50/1.4, ZA 85/1.4, ZA 135/1.8, Sony 70-200/2.8 APO. (speciality Sony 500/8 Mirror, which is the only AF mirror lens made, and is basically optically the same as the Leica R500mm mirror which Minolta made for Leica).
For a 2 lens kit, I'd recommend the ZA 24-70/2.8 and ZA 135/1.8. and add the inexpensive Sony 50/1.4 for low light work from less distance.
Not sure about the comment on the busy bokeh of the ZA 24-70/2.8 .. hasn't been my experience with that lens, which I use a lot. Less distortion compared to the Canon version.
The 50/1.4 IQ compares to the Canon 50/1.4 but seems slightly better built, but in actual practice yields better results than either Canon or Nikon 50/1.4s because it is mounted on an image stabilized body. Same for the ZA 135/1.8 compared to the Canon 135/2L, which is no slouch in terms of IQ.
The ZA 85/1.4 is fine, and again is image stabilized which helps IQ, but in terms of actual optical IQ is no better than the Canon 85/1.2-II ... The ZA 85/1.4 exhibits considerable CA in back-lit or rim lit scenarios, which ACR nor LR fringe controls can fix. C1 does a bit better job controlling the purple fringing and CA from this lens, but doesn't completely eliminate it.
The advantage of the FF Sony A850 or A900 over Canon for use with adapted Leica R lenses is that all the lenses are in effect Image Stabilized. Can't remark on the relative value of adapted R or CZ lenses ... the only lenses I use adapted are Zeiss FE lenses like the 110/2FE, 250/4FE and 350/4FE which marry nicely with the ZA optics in terms of character and IQ ... and they are also in effect image stabilized on the Sony bodies ... unlike Canon or Nikon.
Perhaps the only R lens that would be truly tempting to adapt is the R100/2.8 Macro ... which IMO has no equal from anyone in 35mm optics. Less need for AF with a Macro anyway.
-Marc
Lenses:
ZA 16-35/3.8, ZA 24-70/2.8, Sony 50/1.4, ZA 85/1.4, ZA 135/1.8, Sony 70-200/2.8 APO. (speciality Sony 500/8 Mirror, which is the only AF mirror lens made, and is basically optically the same as the Leica R500mm mirror which Minolta made for Leica).
For a 2 lens kit, I'd recommend the ZA 24-70/2.8 and ZA 135/1.8. and add the inexpensive Sony 50/1.4 for low light work from less distance.
Not sure about the comment on the busy bokeh of the ZA 24-70/2.8 .. hasn't been my experience with that lens, which I use a lot. Less distortion compared to the Canon version.
The 50/1.4 IQ compares to the Canon 50/1.4 but seems slightly better built, but in actual practice yields better results than either Canon or Nikon 50/1.4s because it is mounted on an image stabilized body. Same for the ZA 135/1.8 compared to the Canon 135/2L, which is no slouch in terms of IQ.
The ZA 85/1.4 is fine, and again is image stabilized which helps IQ, but in terms of actual optical IQ is no better than the Canon 85/1.2-II ... The ZA 85/1.4 exhibits considerable CA in back-lit or rim lit scenarios, which ACR nor LR fringe controls can fix. C1 does a bit better job controlling the purple fringing and CA from this lens, but doesn't completely eliminate it.
The advantage of the FF Sony A850 or A900 over Canon for use with adapted Leica R lenses is that all the lenses are in effect Image Stabilized. Can't remark on the relative value of adapted R or CZ lenses ... the only lenses I use adapted are Zeiss FE lenses like the 110/2FE, 250/4FE and 350/4FE which marry nicely with the ZA optics in terms of character and IQ ... and they are also in effect image stabilized on the Sony bodies ... unlike Canon or Nikon.
Perhaps the only R lens that would be truly tempting to adapt is the R100/2.8 Macro ... which IMO has no equal from anyone in 35mm optics. Less need for AF with a Macro anyway.
-Marc