Anyone using a Minolta Rokkor 50mm 1.4?

[KateR]

This is probably another daft question (i seem to be specialising in them lately) but i'm stuck.

 

I have a Minolta Rokkor 50mm 1.4 that I "inherited" when my partner's uncles house was being cleared. I don't know how old it is or what version, i think there were many, and not sure how to find out.

 

I'm mounting it on my X-Pro 1 with a K&F Concept adapter - this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Concept-Minolta-Rokkor-Fujifilm-Adapter/dp/B00L7EHNCQ/

 

the fit is fine, but i can't seem to get focus on anything beyond about 20 feet, let alone infinity. The amazon listing says i should be getting infinity focus and i don't see anyone else complaining in the reviews, so i'm wondering if i'm doing something wrong. tbh none of the focus is great, i have "shoot without lens" and focus peaking set up but really struggle to get anything much sharp below about f5.6...i get the focus peak lines show up but as soon as I half press the shutter it's obvious that the focus is really soft. But that could just be because i'm bad at manually focusing, despite trying constantly!

 

Is anyone else using this lens on the X-Pro and getting infinity focus?

[KwyjiboVanDeKamp]

I don't know how old it is or what version, i think there were many, and not sure how to find out.

 

This might help: http://artaphot.ch/minolta-sr/objektive

It's in german but maybe google will translate it for ya

 

Sorry but I can't help you with your focus problem. But I'm sure many people shoot the good Minolta lenses on their Fuji-Cams.

[milandro]

Something isn’t working the way it should, because lots of people seem to be using this lens with a number of adapters.

 

If it doesn’t focus at infinity then it should be too long an adapter but from the pictures it looks like an ordinary adapter of an ordinary length.

 

So something is the matter what that is isn’t something that I can imagine from here.

[milandro]

are you sure the lens is complete?

[KateR]

are you sure the lens is complete?

well...it *looks* fine, as in no obvious signs of damage, but I don't really know what to look for.

 

Maybe I could try taking it to the camera shop in central London where I bought my Fuji, seemed to be run by proper enthusiasts, and see if they can spot anything.

[milandro]

That would probably be a good idea Kate.

 

I am sure they will be able to explain what’s askew.

 

If you mount that lens on an adapter of the proper size and the lens is turning properly ( the excursion of the helicoid might be blocked by something) you should be able to have your lens focussing to infinity.

 

I suppose yours isn’t very different from this one

 

http://www.verybiglobo.com/minolta-rokkor-md-50mm-f1-4-legacy-50mm-which-one-is-the-best-part-5/

[KateR]

Milandro, mine is an MC rokkor-PG, I can see from a bit more research, which is the earliest, heaviest 1973-77 model. Not that it explains anything, there is a Ken Rockwell review of that exact model which says it should be excellent!

[milandro]

Yes, quite, and assuming that the lens is complete and working properly, I don’t understand what will make it impossible for you to focus at infinity, provided the adapter has the right flange distance that is... but I don’t see how an adapter which is made for Fuji FX camera and connects Minolta lenses could be messing that up.

 

look at this

 

@https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D6oh6ZaEWg

[methodphoto]

I have the Rokkor 50mm f1/4 - works fine, don't have a problem with the focus reach.

I use a fairly basic adaptor. Could the one you have be the wrong size and so isn't giving full reach?

 

Maybe the lens needs a service?

[milandro]

So, @KateR, what happened? Did you go to the shop and did they say what the problems was with the K&F adapter and your Minolta lens? Was it the adapter or, as I rather more suspect, the lens or neither one of them?

[milandro]

I can only hope, given the lack of response, that Kate is on holiday enjoying her new adapter with her, hopefully fixed, Minolta lens. 

[milandro]

I have bought the same adapter K&F concept in the version M42/Fx and it works just as expected.

 

No problem is focussing close up of at infinity, KateR’s lens or adapter must have had some fluke of some sort but.

 

KateR has not found her way back to the forum since she started this thread.

 

I can’t say whether  the bayonet is made of aluminum or steel but it feels very solid  and smooth, quite different from a no name adapter bought on line before.

 

I have paid €10 shipping included and really if you have several lenses which need adapting I would certainly consider buy one of these each lens.

[Jonsel]

I have K&F adapters for M42 and Nikon to XF both work fine but the K&F M39 to XF adapter  I bought would not focus to infinity on checking I found it was either to deep or shallow I cant remember which, exchanged it for a no name adapter which works fine.

 

Maybe the details in this wiki page will help https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

 

The Fuji XF fange distance is 17.7mm and Minolta F and AR mounts are  40.5mm so adapter should be 22.8mm if its not then lens will not focus to infinity.

 

Rgds

John

Edited March 14, 2016 by Jonsel

[NSFW]

I have K&F adapters for M42 and Nikon to XF both work fine but the K&F M39 to XF adapter  I bought would not focus to infinity on checking I found it was either to deep or shallow I cant remember which, exchanged it for a no name adapter which works fine.

 

Maybe the details in this wiki page will help https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

 

The Fuji XF fange distance is 17.7mm and Minolta F and AR mounts are  40.5mm so adapter should be 22.8mm if its not then lens will not focus to infinity.

 

Rgds

John

 

Actually the adapter should have a thickness of 26.8mm (Minolta flange distance is 44.5mm)

 

Any shorter, it will focus past infinity. Any longer, it will never focus at infinity.

 

[milandro]

Mine, version M42/FX measures 27,8mm ( from back to front plate, of course there is the depth of the screw mount to subtract which is about 6mm) and all my M42 lenses focus at infinity on a Fuji

Edited March 15, 2016 by milandro

[Jonsel]

Actually the adapter should have a thickness of 26.8mm (Minolta flange distance is 44.5mm)

 

Any shorter, it will focus past infinity. Any longer, it will never focus at infinity.

 

My bad I looked at the earlier Konica mounts

[milandro]

so KateR, now that you’re back will you tell us about this adapter?