Drop In Quality w/ SR Mount + Adapter?

[TehYoyo]

I'm looking to get some really nice Minolta SR-mount (MC/MD/Rokkor) lenses for my new Sony A57... mostly on eBay.

I've read articles that mention that, when using an adapter, the image quality degrades heavily with the old SR-mount lenses. Can anyone confirm or deny that degradation in image quality? Can anyone recommend a good adapter? Also, can anyone recommend great, high-quality Minolta SR-mount lenses that they have used? With the adapter (1.4x TC) and my APS-C sensor (1.5x crop), I'm facing a 2.1x magnification rate, so I'm especially looking for something to fit the 50mm (in the end, meaning that it'd have to be around 24mm focal length) focal length... obviously I won't be doing any landscape with SR-mount lenses... maybe not even w/ normal a-mount lenses. I'm also looking for a good macro lens.

Finally, can I get opinions on the kit lens? I tried it out in store and didn't like the length extending upon manual focus... also, it doesn't really have a focus ring. The only reason I would get it is b/c it's a cheap 18mm focal length for any wide(r) angle photography I do (like pseudo-landscape). I'm on a super-tight budget here.

Thanks,
TehYoyo

 

[Kolia]

I have an adapter and the glass element does affect the picture quite a bit.

I had made a post about it some time ago.

 

[Kolia]

Also, I got rid of the 18-55 kit lens. The longer reach (18-135 ?) sounds like a better deal.

 

[TehYoyo]

Yeah I don't think I'm a fan of semi-throwaway lens.

Also, @Kolia, can you post a link to your thread? If not, can you summarize what you found?

 

[Kolia]

I'm away from home these days. Here's the post I had started. http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308763

In the test shoot (third in the post) you can see that the contrast isn't all that great.

 

[TehYoyo]

Yes I see that...

Could you do me a favor and post some more pictures when you have the time?

 

[Kolia]

It,ll be two weeks before I can take more pictures with that lens.

 

[TehYoyo]

It,ll be two weeks before I can take more pictures with that lens.

Thanks Kolia. I'd appreciate that.