I recently wrote a post welcoming the return of the Techart TA-GA3 followed by four addendums.
The tone through these posts were of a one off nature. As in this is an aesthtically pleasing and odd nostalgia based arrangement not really meant for regular use. But at some point I needed to admit to myself that this setup was actually a legitimate daily carry solution that just happened to be pretty cool looking and based on legacy Zeiss optics. As I stated in a recent post, this adapter/lens pairing has accomplished something I had not expected. It has gone from novelty status to an actual daily carry contender. This was not the case last time. I believe this is because:
- AF performance.
- Last time around I used this adapter with the A7RII. A great camera, but the AF lagged behind newer bodies like the A7III that eventually replaced it. The surprise for me was that such an adapter worked at all. But after that initial buzz wore off it was not what one would consider swift or consistent. Not so here. I thought the A7C might work, even though it was not listed as a compatible body, as well as the A7III since that AF system was closely related to the A7III. Fortunately, it seems I was right. Works much better than the A7RII in fact. So much so that I was able to catch some quick pics like this one where Venu realized that Contax G AF on a Sony was a thing. Not as fast as a native Sony lens but far more usable than the A7RII.
- It is purdy/ergonomics.
- I have stated in this space how well pleased I am with the A7C especially when you add a thumbs up grip and half case. Both combine to make for a solid, compact setup that is a pleasure to hold in hand. Well this is my current favorite lens to pair with it. A great look and feel to it. The A7RII always looked like a mismatch for this lens with its standard A7 faux DSLR hump design. This feels all of one with no wobbles or gaps.
- Zeiss.
- As with other storied lens names there is just something about the IQ of a Zeiss lens. Pair that with serviceable AF, small size, and film era aesthetics all for hundreds rather than thousands and I really like it.
Ok. Enough of that. On to my most recent local captures. This will include a recent chorus rehearsal as we prepare for an upcoming concert and a brief road trip to pay respects to a co-worker and friend’s mother.
These photos led me to post the following meditation on stereotypes and bigotry to Instagram.
Conclusion
There are only a few changes from regular camera use with this setup.
- Startup delay.
- While quick to start considering what is at play here the TA-GA3 does take a moment to do a bit of an in and out hula in power up. But other than this you are ready to capture soon after turning the camera on.
- Focus technique.
- While AF-C mode and all Focus Areas are available, including Wide, I tend to use this like an old school center focus point set up using the middle zone, which preserves Eye AF, with AF-S mode for a focus and recompose workflow… pretty much like I do when using my Contax G1 now that I think about it.
- Noise.
- While I would not consider it to be extremely loud, there are audible chirps on startup, while focusing, and a brief chirp on power off as the lens returns to infinity.
But other than that this setup gets out of the way and asks very little of the photographer. Well worth the trouble for the ability to use these fine lenses. Your mileage may vary.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 