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technical question Sony 90mm macro

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Miranda F View Drop Down
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Posts: 4019 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Miranda F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 January 2022 at 18:10
Originally posted by XKAES XKAES wrote:

I'll add that there are some older MAXXUM/DYNAX lenses, like the Sigma 35-135mm that use auto-focus to a certain point -- and if you want to focus closer, you have to use manual-focus.

I won't speculate as to the reason for this -- or if auto-focus is less effective in macro.

In the case of some lenses, including a few of the Minolta ones, the macro 'switch' moves a different set of lens elements. It was more tricky to move them all with AF, and the Minolta 50mm f2.8 macro moves three sets of elements independently, but needs very low gearing to do it. Minolta mostly responded to customers requests for quicker AF so they lightened and simplified the moving parts (front element focussing ...) and reduced the gear ratio, as in the old and new 50mm f1.7 lenses.
Miranda F & Sensorex, Sony A7Rii, A58, Nex-6, Dynax 4, 5, 60, 500si/600si/700si/800si, various Sony & Minolta lenses, several Tamrons, lots of MF primes and *far* too many old film cameras ...
 



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Miranda F View Drop Down
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Posts: 4019 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Miranda F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 January 2022 at 18:15
The old Miranda cameras from the late 1960s had a microprism OVF which made focussing very quick and easy - if you had a fast enough aperture - and a central split-image rangefinder which helped as well. None possible on an EVF and hardly anyone else bothered with those refinements ... which was typical of Miranda (who started out like Zeiss, building laboratory optics) and why they went out of business.
Miranda F & Sensorex, Sony A7Rii, A58, Nex-6, Dynax 4, 5, 60, 500si/600si/700si/800si, various Sony & Minolta lenses, several Tamrons, lots of MF primes and *far* too many old film cameras ...
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dbrusco View Drop Down
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Posts: 44 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dbrusco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 January 2022 at 05:10
Originally posted by XKAES XKAES wrote:

I don't have a camera with a built-in magnifier, so I can't speak to that, but I am familiar with the Minolta Anglefinder Vn. The original was the plain Anglefinder. They both fit on Sony cameras. The Vn has 1X and 2X settings -- the 2X setting just shows the center of the viewfinder. I use it all the time because when I'm shooting macro, the camera is usually lower down than I am. The Anglefinder also rotates so you can turn the camera in any direction.
The Anglefinder also has an eyecup for stray light control, and strong diopter adjustment for use without glasses -- and marks on the screen so you know when the adjustment is perfect.
It's easy to flip back and forth from full screen for composition to 2X for fine focusing.


Looks like the only options for the in-camera magnifier are 1x and 4x. That's why I stopped using it, 4x is too much.

When you're referring to "Anglefinder" after noting the 2x setting, are you referring to both or just the "plain" one?
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XKAES View Drop Down
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Posts: 162 		Post Options Post Options   Quote XKAES Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 January 2022 at 13:59
The original Anglefinder is just that -- viewing at an angle. The Vn adds a switch for 1X and 2X.
Minolta also made straight viewfinder magnifiers. These are much smaller. I don't know the specifics, but I think the Magnifier Vn is 2.5X. Not sure, but it has diopter adjustment.
http://www.subclub.org
http://www.subclub.org/minman
http://www.subclub.org/minchin
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Tricky01 View Drop Down
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Posts: 3187 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Tricky01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 January 2022 at 17:16
Now had a chance to check with my 90mm macro, same MFD with AF and MF for me. That said, it was harder to get the camera to AF on a point I knew was at MFD
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A9, A7Riii, A7R (full spectrum) 12f2.8, 15f2, 16-35f4, tam28-200, 35f1.8, 50 1.8, 85f1.8, 90f2.8, 135GM, 100-400GM, 200-600G, 1.4xTC // A: Sig 90f2.8 & 180f3.5
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dbrusco View Drop Down
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Posts: 44 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dbrusco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 January 2022 at 22:05
Originally posted by XKAES XKAES wrote:

I don't have a camera with a built-in magnifier, so I can't speak to that, but I am familiar with the Minolta Anglefinder Vn. The original was the plain Anglefinder. They both fit on Sony cameras. The Vn has 1X and 2X settings -- the 2X setting just shows the center of the viewfinder. I use it all the time because when I'm shooting macro, the camera is usually lower down than I am. The Anglefinder also rotates so you can turn the camera in any direction.
The Anglefinder also has an eyecup for stray light control, and strong diopter adjustment for use without glasses -- and marks on the screen so you know when the adjustment is perfect.
It's easy to flip back and forth from full screen for composition to 2X for fine focusing.


I'm having trouble picturing how these go on and work with the camera. So, many times I'm on the ground and would have to lie down to get horizontal to the subject and get the entire thing, e.g. a mushroom. Or, a sub-1mm to 5mm arthropod, which depending on where it is, I either sit and bend over and prop myself, or if it's in an old piece of wood I can move, I may put that on top of something else so it's a bit higher.

The ones on eBay don't all look the same--some have a dial and are partly silver-colored metal (e.g. listing 165258325084), and some are all black (e.g. listing 324956710210). The picture of the actual Sony FDA A1AM on B&H is all black. So it's fixed in that position, and I'd turn the camera if I need a vertical view?
 



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Tricky01 View Drop Down
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Posts: 3187 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Tricky01 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 January 2022 at 22:41
Originally posted by dbrusco dbrusco wrote:

So it's fixed in that position, and I'd turn the camera if I need a vertical view?

I used to have the Minolta one you shared the eBay ID of, and yes, you attach it to the eyepiece (the current rubber part around the eye piece of your camera slides off if you push it upwards with a thumb on either side), and then the right angle viewfinder slides on. You can generally turn the viewfinder through 90 degrees in either direction (so can look around corners with camera in landscape orientation).

It’s a great tool, I found it particularly great with a fisheye lens, came up with some creative angles I wouldn’t have thought of myself. In many ways it’s better than a pivoting screen, because as with a viewfinder, it blocks everything else out.

Edit: if you’re still struggling to visualise, watch this YouTube
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A9, A7Riii, A7R (full spectrum) 12f2.8, 15f2, 16-35f4, tam28-200, 35f1.8, 50 1.8, 85f1.8, 90f2.8, 135GM, 100-400GM, 200-600G, 1.4xTC // A: Sig 90f2.8 & 180f3.5
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XKAES View Drop Down
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Posts: 162 		Post Options Post Options   Quote XKAES Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2022 at 00:14
At least the Minolta Anglefinders rotate 180 degrees, so you can even use the camera upside-down.
I can't speak to Sony or other anglefinders.
http://www.subclub.org
http://www.subclub.org/minman
http://www.subclub.org/minchin
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SnowFella View Drop Down
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Posts: 2601 		Post Options Post Options   Quote SnowFella Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2022 at 07:26
From memory the Minolta/Sony 1x/2x angle finders have a focus shift when you go from 1 to 2x magnification. Least my old Minolta Vn anglefinder shows it every time I change it from 1x to 2x magnification.
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XKAES View Drop Down
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Posts: 162 		Post Options Post Options   Quote XKAES Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 January 2022 at 13:41
I can't say I've noticed that with my two Minolta Anglefinder Vn. But it has a built-in grid to help aid in getting the diopter adjustment correct.
http://www.subclub.org
http://www.subclub.org/minman
http://www.subclub.org/minchin
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