Samples: Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA

I got this lens ~2 years ago and tried to figure out how to get use of it with NEX-7 (APS-C sensor) and A900 (FF, but with adapter problems).
I also used it in Oktoberfest 2013, again with NEX-7 and A900.

I must say I didn't managed to get the VCF function to work for getting focus, but I liked it to get things out of focus (selective focus)... (like people like to use the tilt effect in other lenses).

When I got the a7R, one of the first lens to try on it was this one - FF sensor, with glassless adapter than can focus to infinity!
Now, I must admit, I still don't have the control I like...

To summarize my finding:
- It is a great (sharp, good colors and bokeh) lens when using it as a regular 35/2.8 lens, although it has some problems with strong light (not typical flares, but more areas of red tint).
- Minimal focus distance is very short - you can get really close...
- It is a nice shift lens. Only at the extreme corners with maximum shift you lose sharpness.
- The VCF effect is much stronger with FF than with APS-C, although combining with shift you can get part of the arc on APS-C.
- When curving the field, the curved areas are not that sharp and in many cases are just smeared.
- As I said, the VCF is nice to have the cool effect of selective focus (and combined with shift, you can move it off center), but very hard to get useful for keeping round scenes in focus (I don't want to say impossible, since I still think I will get it right one day...).

Now for some photos. The old photos are linked above, so below I will post my photos with a7R.

Edited by rovhazman - 18 June 2014 at 12:06

And few from lately, when I took it out again, still trying to figure the lens...

Again, nice 35/2.8 lens:
Climbing to The Monument to the Negev Brigade

a7R + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/8 | 1/800 sec | ISO 200

The Monument to the Negev Brigade I

a7R + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/8 | 1/800 sec | ISO 200

The Monument to the Negev Brigade II

a7R + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 200

And the shift works fine (the following 2 are fully shifted up):
The Monument to the Negev Brigade III

a7R + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 200

Camels

a7R + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/8 | 1/500 sec | ISO 200

Hi rovhazman, thanks for sharing these images and information. I'm impressed with the results.
I have recently purchased both the A7r and Rokkor 35mm shift. Which adaptor do you use?
From what I've read, those red smears are caused by light leaks. There are various ways of eliminating them that can be found on the net.
I have a cheap adaptor and the leaks are pretty bad so I'm thinking of getting a Metabones or Novoflex.

I am now testing the lens on a7R Mark II.
Generally, the lens is still sharp as a regular 35mm lens, shift works well, and the focus curving feature is tricky and hard to master...
With the a7R, there were some issues in some cases, which are all gone with the a7RII.

Just like in my post of June 2014, I still don't have my "studio" setup... (although now we moved to our own house, and I am planning to setup something). So below is a quick and dirty test - few beer bottles from the fridge, no flash (just the weak and cold room light), camera is stabilized by a book and socks...

Anyways, I think i learned something here - I always tried the maximum curvature, to get the effect visible, but then, the curved area was also smeared. Now I did very minor curvature, trying to get the side bottle sharper, and I think it is better.

Not curved

a7RII + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/2.8 | 1/60 sec | ISO 4000

Curved

a7RII + Minolta Rokkor 35mm F2.8 Shift CA | f/2.8 | 1/60 sec | ISO 4000