FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Minolta lenses - manual focus
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
KPaw View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 August 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KPaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Minolta lenses - manual focus
    Posted: 11 May 2021 at 21:06
With the Minolta 100mm soft focus lens and the Minolta 100-300mm zoom xi lens is it possible to use these manually?

Maybe I am missing something but when I put the Sony A-77 into manual shooting turning the ring on the 100 just changes the soft focus setting and with the 100-300 there is no ring to turn to adjust focus!!!

Insofar as the camera body is concerned I am switching the focus knob at front of camera to the M setting and setting the dial on top to M.    My camera menu AF-A setup can be with AF-A or DMF - makes no difference with these two lenses.

Lastly, I have a number of Minolta and Sony lenses and was wondering if there is an easy way to know if they are SAM or SSM lenses.

Any help is appreciated.
 



Back to Top
QuietOC View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 28 February 2015
Country: United States
Location: Michigan
Status: Offline
Posts: 3515 		Post Options Post Options   Quote QuietOC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2021 at 21:21
With the xi lenses the camera has to be in AF mode as manual focus uses the AF motor in the camera. DMF mode won't work on the camera as it also disconnects the AF drive. If I remember correctly you pull back the control on the lens to shift into MF mode on the lens. Peaking will automatically show when you do that. Manual focusing an Xi lens is not fun.

I am not sure about the soft focus lens. I thought it had two controls with the focus on the front ring.

SSM and SAM lenses will have those letters on the lens itself. They are 8-pin lenses like other D lenses and the power zooms

Edited by QuietOC - 11 May 2021 at 21:29
Sony A7RIV NEX-5T HVL-F45RM LA-EA5 Metabones-IV Sigma MC-11 Yongnuo EF-E II TLT ROKR MD-NEX KR-NEX DA-NEX
Minolta Maxxum 600si
Pentax Q7 5-15 15-45/2.8 8.5/1.9 11.5/9 AF-P/Q
Back to Top
addy landzaat View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 22 April 2006
Country: Netherlands
Location: Netherlands
Status: Online
Posts: 12962 		Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2021 at 21:22
I never used an Xi lens - would like to use the auto zoom function with my Minolta 7xi.
Anyway, the Xi offers motorized AF I understand, but no clue how. See the reviews here on Dyxum
With the 100 Soft, you'll need to turn the ring in front of the lens, not the big one.

SSM.SAM lenses have eight contacts and no screw slot.
Why not follow me on Instagram? @Addy_101
Back to Top
addy landzaat View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 22 April 2006
Country: Netherlands
Location: Netherlands
Status: Online
Posts: 12962 		Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2021 at 21:23
So, basically the same as what Matthew said
Why not follow me on Instagram? @Addy_101
Back to Top
Snegren View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 11 November 2011
Country: Netherlands
Location: Zuid Holland
Status: Offline
Posts: 5651 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Snegren Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2021 at 21:24
I had a 28-80 xi and that would focus manually if I pulled back the zoom ring.
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.” Søren Kierkegaard
My Flickr
Back to Top
KPaw View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 August 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KPaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2021 at 00:12
Yes, you are right. Just tested it out and it worked. Thanks so much.
 



Back to Top
KPaw View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 August 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KPaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2021 at 00:13
Just tried what you indicated on the 100 soft and it worked. Thank you so much as I do like this lens.
Back to Top
KPaw View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 August 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KPaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2021 at 00:14
Pull back - that's it but I never would have tried that. Thanks.
Back to Top
KPaw View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 August 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KPaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 April 2022 at 21:05
Hi there, having trouble with the 100 soft focus lens. can you tell me which ring it is I turn to manual focus? Thank you.
Back to Top
Phil Wood View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 24 March 2013
Country: United Kingdom
Location: England
Status: Offline
Posts: 2374 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Phil Wood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 April 2022 at 21:49
The manual focus ring is the smooth rubber ring at the front of the lens.
Back to Top
KPaw View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 August 2009
Country: Canada
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KPaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 April 2022 at 20:43
Many thanks.
Back to Top
neilt3 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 13 September 2010
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Manchester.U.K
Status: Offline
Posts: 2883 		Post Options Post Options   Quote neilt3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 April 2022 at 21:27
Just make sure you have the camera body set to "Manual Focus" , or you'll likely damage the camera , lens or both .
I'm guessing you know that , but just in case .
see my photostream on flickr;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilt3/
C & C welcome.
Back to Top
Dyxum main page >  Forum Home > Equipment forums > Lens Talk > A-mount lenses

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.063 seconds.

Monitor calibration strip

Dyxum.com - Home of the alpha system photographer

In memory of Cameron Hill - brettania

Feel free to contact us if needed.