Minolta lens compatibility - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/16/2007 05:44:17 AM · #1

Hey folks, sorry to be annoying, I will soon be in the market for a DSLR - finally - and my father has some old lenses from his minolta SLR - a film one! - that he is willing to part with in exchange for some use of the dslr. My question is, what DSLR should I get to be able to make use of these lenses? One of the lenses is a tamron telephoto with an adaptor so if it comes to it I can get another adaptor. The other lens, however, came with the camera and is just a normal 18-55 i think but it has a great aperture range. Sorry that I dont have precise specs on the lenses but I need to know if there are any new DSLRs out there that will be able to use them.

Please advise.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

01/16/2007 07:10:11 AM · #2

Sony Alpha A100?

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 07:11:01.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/16/2007 07:56:44 AM · #3

Based on the article posted, if the lenses are newer than 1985, they should work on the Sony camera.

lkn4truth

Sony Alpha a77

Sony SAL-18250 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens

01/16/2007 08:24:35 AM · #4

If you buy a Sony Alpha which is at a GREAT price right now you most likely will want to buy it in the kit which comes with an 18-70mm lens from Sony as well. In that case, you really only have one additional lens as the kit will come with a lens identical to or better than one you already have. Of course this also means you don't need to stay with Sony (who bought out Minolta in case you didn't make the connection). A lot of cameras come in kits with an 18-70mm included. I do own the Sony A100 and LOVE IT. I used to own the Minolta 5D and loved that too. You can't go wrong sticking with Sony in my opinion...then again, I've never ribboned (LOL).

On the positive side, Sony just entered the DSLR market and is currently ranked number 3 in the world so I've heard (behind Canon and Nikon). However, Sony predicts they will be number 2 in the world (knocking off Nikon) by next year. Hmmm, is that possible?

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 11:27:59.

PurpleFire

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/16/2007 08:47:19 AM · #5

Originally posted by lkn4truth:

On the positive side, Sony just entered the DSLR market and is currently ranked number 3 in the world so I've heard (behind Canon and Nikkon). However, Sony predicts they will be number 2 in the world (knocking off Nikkon) by next year. Hmmm, is that possible?

Think you'll find that Nikon have the edge over Canon, so Sony will be knocking them off ;-)

The Alpha 100 is the best bargin as far as any DSLR goes. If your lens is Alpha mount, it'll work. good luck, and take the plunge, you won't go back!

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 08:47:51.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/16/2007 02:59:18 PM · #6

Ok folks, thanks a lot, I did know that Sony had taken over the digital photography from konica minolta, I don't know how old the lenses are, they may be as old as me for all I know and I was born in 1976. Dad's camera is seriously old.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

01/16/2007 03:15:28 PM · #7

Originally posted by lkn4truth:

Sony just entered the DSLR market and is currently ranked number 3 in the world so I've heard (behind Canon and Nikon).

Where is the reference data to support this claim? Is it total sales? If so, let's see the information.

ladyhawk22

Sony DSLR-A700

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

01/16/2007 03:52:05 PM · #8

You might also consider picking up a Konica Minolta 5D or 7D.....they're really cheap right now because they're no longer being made. They're a little less in Megapixels than the Alpha, but if you're concerned about budget I would give them some serious thought. I've got the 5D and I LOVE IT! I will never regret that decision...and since Sony has the Alpha, there will always still be lenses for the KM owners.

The thing you need to check is what KIND of lenses your dad has. In order to work with the digital cameras, you will need Minolta AF lenses (autofocus). The MD and Rokkor lenses won't work on the digital Maxxums or the Sony Alpha.

But if they're AF lenses, then you should be good to go with either choice!!

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/16/2007 04:02:38 PM · #9

It depends on the mount type. From what I've seen, the Minolta MD-mount lenses are almost completely incompatible with almost all bodies due to the extremely short rear element.

All of my Minolta lenses are MDs... big loss for me, as I have an f4 200mm prime that would be really nice to use, and an f1.7 50mm (not a huge loss because I have my f1.8 50mm for Canon).

briantammy

Olympus PEN E-P3

Konica Minolta MF 85mm f/1.7

01/16/2007 04:43:41 PM · #10

there IS hope for the manual focus minolta lenses.

This basically all i use. I've been researching this for a while and found that the Olympus E-volt series have enough depth to use the lenses coupled with a glassless adaptor and still get infinity focus.

drawbacks:
- adaptor is $175. but still cheaper than replacing lenses.
- you actually have to grind .3mm from the bayonette to get clearance.
- all manual. and with the small viewfinder of the olympus focusing is a bear.

Still i love my set-up and it costs a fraction of their digital counterparts.

here are some good links to look into:

this is the only place i could find the adaptors

good info for olympus users

article about this

MrEd

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

01/16/2007 04:59:28 PM · #11

If your fathers lenses looks like this lenses mount, then it'll fit the 7D, 5D and Sony Alpha. Just remember, this is a AF lens. Your dad's is most likely a MF, so the contacts might be different. but, the mount would be the same. They call it the 'bayonet mount'.

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 17:00:35.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/16/2007 05:03:57 PM · #12

Originally posted by briantammy:

there IS hope for the manual focus minolta lenses.

There's also this, if you want to use your lenses on an EOS (and never want to use them on a manual Minolta again)... this method actually involves grinding down the rear bayonette significantly, and permanently attaching an adapter with screws.

//mysite.verizon.net/vze7qf7h/minolta/id2.html

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/16/2007 07:08:55 PM · #13

Thanks folks, just to throw a spanner in the works, if I decide not to worry about Dad's lenses and get a completely new set, what should I get if I have $5000 AUD or so to use?

Message edited by author 2007-01-16 19:09:15.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

01/16/2007 07:18:27 PM · #14

I'd go with a Canon 30D and as many of the highest-quality lenses you can get.

50mm f1.4 USM
28-135mm IS USM
One of the 70-300 lenses. (I don't know of them personally, so I can't recommend.)

briantammy

Olympus PEN E-P3

Konica Minolta MF 85mm f/1.7

01/16/2007 07:24:32 PM · #15

Originally posted by davyaldy:

Thanks folks, just to throw a spanner in the works, if I decide not to worry about Dad's lenses and get a completely new set, what should I get if I have $5000 AUD or so to use?

if you don't use the minolta lenses let me know, i may be interested in them.

MrEd

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

01/16/2007 07:36:02 PM · #16

Originally posted by davyaldy:

Thanks folks, just to throw a spanner in the works, if I decide not to worry about Dad's lenses and get a completely new set, what should I get if I have $5000 AUD or so to use?

If I remember correctly..AUD-->USD = Approx 2 for 1. That being the case:
Sigma 15-30 3.5-4.5 or Sigma 12-24 4.5-5.6 or Sigma 10-20 4-5.6
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Sigma 70-200 2.8 or Sigma 50-500 4-6.3
See the complete list here (at he top are links for Tokina, Tamron, etc)

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

01/16/2007 08:15:04 PM · #17

I just checked the Sony A100 camera page on DPC to see the shots, and boy, what a crappy photo they've put on as the camera snapshot... looked like a thumbnail enlarged by 300% or something :(

MrEd

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

01/16/2007 10:06:04 PM · #18

This might be better....

01/17/2007 07:12:20 AM · #19

Sorry folks, I wasn't quite clear in my last post. When I have $5000 AUD to use, if I do not care about using my Dad's lenses, what camera should I get and what lenses should I get with it. Any other equipment ideas are also welcome.

hoffy

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

01/17/2007 07:22:22 AM · #20

$5000 AUD... quite a bit, especially if you are starting out!!!!

Your average Sony/Canon/Nikon set up (body & single 'Kit' lense) from the likes of Teds (Teds are in Melbourne & Adelaide at least) will set you back for no more then $1500 AU (But it can be a lot more if you want to pay for higher end gear)(& if you shop around, you might get a twin lense kit) & thats for a 10meg camera. Add to this a flash of around $400 AU & you still have $3g's AU for some Serious glass.

Jeez, I wish I had $5g to spend

If you want a better idea of Australian online prices, check out:

Camera Store

They are based in Adelaide & only do online (but they have a Store front, Called Diamonds) & are quite competitive

Message edited by author 2007-01-17 07:28:04.

01/17/2007 07:27:00 AM · #21

Awesome, thanks heaps!

hoffy

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

01/17/2007 07:38:28 AM · #22

Also, dont forget (might help you budget..thats all) you will need memory (bear minimum of 1gb...preferrably lots more) & a decent bag. That will still leave you with heaps to spend.

Finally, please note, these prices are for upper entry level in the Sony/Canon/Nikon range. You can get cheaper (sorry guys, but Pentax is generally cheaper) & you can also get a lot more expensive

Message edited by author 2007-01-17 07:43:06.

01/17/2007 02:55:09 PM · #23

Yeah, I am aiming at Canon/Nikon - Sony only if the lenses will fit - because from what I see here on the forums they are the top 2 brands with people continuously debating which one is better. A pro photographer working at Australia Zoo told me to go Nikon.