While I'm rarely a contributor, this forum has been extremely helpful for me in the past and so I thought I'd post this message here. I've certainly considered that I missed something obvious that would solve the problem, and I hope someone on this forum will suggest it if that's the case.
I purchased the FS100 in January, out of enthusiasm over its low light capabilities. I'm an event videographer, not a filmmaker, and the idea of a camcorder that can do 21db with an acceptably clean image excited me, even if the camera itself had disadvantages over my EX1s. The camera's kit lens is okay enough but a little slow, starting at f/3.5, but the LA-EA2 adapter was going to make the camera compatible with faster Alpha lenses. So, over the last few months I'd been waiting patiently for firmware 2.0 to arrive for compatibility with the LA-EA2 adapter. It's worked perfectly with my NEX-5n still camera and various lenses, so I thought there'd be nothing to worry about...
As it turns out, the LA-EA2 adapter with the FS100 is little more than a tease, where you're always approaching what you want but never quite getting it. I finally downloaded the awaited firmware 2.0 a couple of days ago. The first lens I attached was a Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. The FS100 immediately began focusing and exposing without issue, but then I noticed the iris was set at f/3.5. Wanting to open it all the way up, I tried pressing the FS100's iris button, only to get the message: "Cannot execute functions because of the condition of the lens." One of the less helpful error messages I've encountered. So I fiddled with various settings until finding the solution: deactivate AF. Once AF was switched off, I could adjust the iris as expected, albeit with its own compromises (the camera first goes wide open and then sets to the stop you wanted for the sake of accuracy, ruining the intermittent video). I tested a Sigma 20mm f/1.8 with the same results.
After a day or so of playing with this, and finding no forum topics that touch on the subject, I'm posting with the following conclusions about the FS100 joined with the LA-EA2 adapter:
It should be noted that these problems are unique to the FS100, a camera just updated largely to use this adapter, while my NEX-5n still camera works with no such limitations. Both the NEX-5n and FS100 natively use contrast-detection autofocus, so I can't see why one can work as expected while the other is practically worthless. I would have found this usable if the adapter set alpha lenses wide open, but it doesn't. f/3.5 is chosen regardless of lens.
I realize that not everyone wants AF, but a RNG event videographer needs it at times. And since my interest in the camera came primarily from its low light capabilities, I find it pathetic that I need to choose between light sensitivity and AF on Sony's own $300 adapter. Here's hoping that I'm wrong, and one of you cracked this problem, and are willing to share the solution. Thanks.
UPDATE:
One thing I missed, which makes me feel a whole lot better, is that "push to focus" works (okay, at least). So it's not going to do all I wanted but it's better than I thought.
I purchased the FS100 in January, out of enthusiasm over its low light capabilities. I'm an event videographer, not a filmmaker, and the idea of a camcorder that can do 21db with an acceptably clean image excited me, even if the camera itself had disadvantages over my EX1s. The camera's kit lens is okay enough but a little slow, starting at f/3.5, but the LA-EA2 adapter was going to make the camera compatible with faster Alpha lenses. So, over the last few months I'd been waiting patiently for firmware 2.0 to arrive for compatibility with the LA-EA2 adapter. It's worked perfectly with my NEX-5n still camera and various lenses, so I thought there'd be nothing to worry about...
As it turns out, the LA-EA2 adapter with the FS100 is little more than a tease, where you're always approaching what you want but never quite getting it. I finally downloaded the awaited firmware 2.0 a couple of days ago. The first lens I attached was a Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. The FS100 immediately began focusing and exposing without issue, but then I noticed the iris was set at f/3.5. Wanting to open it all the way up, I tried pressing the FS100's iris button, only to get the message: "Cannot execute functions because of the condition of the lens." One of the less helpful error messages I've encountered. So I fiddled with various settings until finding the solution: deactivate AF. Once AF was switched off, I could adjust the iris as expected, albeit with its own compromises (the camera first goes wide open and then sets to the stop you wanted for the sake of accuracy, ruining the intermittent video). I tested a Sigma 20mm f/1.8 with the same results.
After a day or so of playing with this, and finding no forum topics that touch on the subject, I'm posting with the following conclusions about the FS100 joined with the LA-EA2 adapter:
- You can have AF, but not while controlling the iris (it's stuck at f/3.5).
- You can control the iris, but not while using AF.
- If you try to set the iris and then engage AF, it will reset the iris to f/3.5.
- When in AF, the iris will stay at f/3.5 regardless of environmental conditions.
- The iris cannot adjust automatically even in MF.
- As of now, only e-mount lenses allow you to use AF while controlling aperture, of which there are perhaps 5 at f/2.8 or wider.
It should be noted that these problems are unique to the FS100, a camera just updated largely to use this adapter, while my NEX-5n still camera works with no such limitations. Both the NEX-5n and FS100 natively use contrast-detection autofocus, so I can't see why one can work as expected while the other is practically worthless. I would have found this usable if the adapter set alpha lenses wide open, but it doesn't. f/3.5 is chosen regardless of lens.
I realize that not everyone wants AF, but a RNG event videographer needs it at times. And since my interest in the camera came primarily from its low light capabilities, I find it pathetic that I need to choose between light sensitivity and AF on Sony's own $300 adapter. Here's hoping that I'm wrong, and one of you cracked this problem, and are willing to share the solution. Thanks.
UPDATE:
One thing I missed, which makes me feel a whole lot better, is that "push to focus" works (okay, at least). So it's not going to do all I wanted but it's better than I thought.
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