FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Rokkor rangefinder lenses from Minolta Hi-Matic
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
ifreedman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 24 January 2012
Country: United States
Location: Hudson ValleyNY
Status: Offline
Posts: 373 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ifreedman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Rokkor rangefinder lenses from Minolta Hi-Matic
    Posted: 30 January 2012 at 02:52
Hi,

I'm trying to figure out whether it's possible to adapt a lens from an old Minolta Hi-Matic camera to my alpha mount. (I don't own the lens, but I'm thinking of buying). I would do this, presumably, by stripping the old mount and attaching a cheap adapter. But...

1. Is this possible?

2. Is the flange distance too small for infinity focus? I've tried looking this up, but it's not clear. Are these like M39 mount cameras w/ a 27.8mm flange distance, are they compatible with the MC lenses, or something else?

3. Do some or all of these lenses allow you to set the aperture? Some say fully automatic. Others have manual controls.

Thanks,
Ian Freedman
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
Bob J View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Dyxum Administrator

Joined: 23 December 2005
Country: United Kingdom
Location: London
Status: Offline
Posts: 15487 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Bob J Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 January 2012 at 07:07
The lens-to-flange distance on a fixed-lens range finder will not abide by a particular standard - You will have to find the distance by trial and error (although you can get approximate values by measuring the carcass once the lens is out.

I don't think you are likely to get infinity focus on alpha-mount, but might be able to do something with a mirrorless camera.

Separate diaphragms are more likely on high-end cameras, but some auto-only models will have used a combined shutter and diaphragm; in any case you need to find a way of keeping the shutter open permanently.
RBJ ~ Moderation on Dyxum
Back to Top
Steve-S View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 20 July 2006
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Sonoma Co. CA
Status: Offline
Posts: 1864 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Steve-S Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 January 2012 at 15:18

Also... I've never heard of a fixed-lens lens being stripped off of a body, and an interchangable-lens lensmount being added. Maybe that's my own ignorance, but...
alpha: a350, 5D, 7000;
SAL1870, MinO50/1.7, MinO75-300m Tam90/2.8, Samyang85/1.4, others unused.

MC/MD:
XD-11, XK+AEhead
Min50/1.7, Min50/1.4, Tam70-150/3.5, Viv35/2.8, Viv2xTC
Back to Top
BobS View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 18 April 2011
Location: Missouri USA
Status: Offline
Posts: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Quote BobS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 January 2012 at 15:39
I have 2 Minolta HiMatic 9s and have used several HiMatics. Like most cameras of the type, the lens does not have a "mount" as we would think of it. It is a part of the camera body. I know of no way to get the lens off as an intact unit. Even if you did, their is no mount on it to remove and replace.

You would also have another problem, the shutter. These were leaf shutter cameras, with the shutter in the lens between the elements. It was normally closed. The lens would need to be taken apart and the shutter removed.

The HiMatic 9 had an excellent lens, but their are other, more accessible options for a 45mm 1.7
Back to Top
ifreedman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 24 January 2012
Country: United States
Location: Hudson ValleyNY
Status: Offline
Posts: 373 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ifreedman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 January 2012 at 17:04
Thanks everyone. So maybe I'll hold off on this challenge. Or maybe I'll pick up a broken Hi-Matic at some distant point in time, disassemble it, and tinker with the lens it to see if I can get it working (although, I'm guessing, w/out much focusing range).
Back to Top
travfar View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 22 August 2009
Status: Offline
Posts: 327 		Post Options Post Options   Quote travfar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 March 2012 at 07:49
Originally posted by Steve-S Steve-S wrote:


Also... I've never heard of a fixed-lens lens being stripped off of a body, and an interchangable-lens lensmount being added. Maybe that's my own ignorance, but...


People actually do it all the time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xy9z/sets/72157623833920480/with/4512530134/
Back to Top
ifreedman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 24 January 2012
Country: United States
Location: Hudson ValleyNY
Status: Offline
Posts: 373 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ifreedman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 March 2012 at 21:27
Thanks for the link. I've already built myself a DIY tilt shift lens, and I'm trying to convert a couple Minolta MC mount lenses to Alpha, so I'll probably get around to stripping a lens from a broken rangefinder (no need to destroy a perfectly good old rangefinder) and trying to adapt it. Problem is that it would probably work much better on a Nex camera than an alpha mount. We'll see. If I get it to work, I'll probably post pics to Dyxum.
Back to Top
Dyxum main page >  Forum Home > Equipment forums > Lens Talk > M42 and adapted lenses
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.344 seconds.

Monitor calibration strip

Dyxum.com - Home of the Minolta / Alpha-mount dSLR photographer.

Feel free to contact us if needed. You can support future development by making a donation.

Links monetized by VigLink