MF Lens - Worth the buy?


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godzilla60

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Nov 25, 2005
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Hi guys (n gals)....

I was trawling the Net when i came across special offers for new tokina MF lens at less than 100 bucks for most of the lens.

Some qns as such:
1. When coupled with the Sony Alpha body, does it mean that it will still be Manual Focus only even though the body can select AutoFocus/Manual Focus? (should be compatible since it is for minolta mount too, rite?)

2. I am thinking of such lens for protrait (posed) shots, travel shots and any shots that allow my slower backup "Auto Focus System" (a.k.a my brains) to compose the shots. Is it recommended for such uses?

ANy other queries i might missed out?
 

I am not too sure if the lens you referring to is a MD/MC mount lens or not? That was the mount used on Minolta's manual film cameras before AF bodies being introduced. Well, if you were talking about lens of this mount, you will need an adaptor to get it mounted to your A100. In short, MC or MD mount is different from A mount. With the adaptor, you'll lose a little in terms of stops because there is a lens element in the adaptor.

If your question is solely about manual lenses on A100 (assuming you already knew about the different mount and having the adaptor to go between the lens and the body), the answer is Yes, you have to select Manual Focus in order to work.

Sorry, I don't really understand you 2nd question.

Nevertheless, it is worth buying and enjoy shooting using manual lenses. They are cheap and good. Just remember, ensure you get hold of the adaptor before buying the lens. You may have to search high and low for such adaptor as there are not many of sale. Of and on, you'll see 1 in the WTS thread.

I hope I have enlighten you a little and answered your question #1.
 

I am not too sure if the lens you referring to is a MD/MC mount lens or not? That was the mount used on Minolta's manual film cameras before AF bodies being introduced. Well, if you were talking about lens of this mount, you will need an adaptor to get it mounted to your A100. In short, MC or MD mount is different from A mount. With the adaptor, you'll lose a little in terms of stops because there is a lens element in the adaptor.

If your question is solely about manual lenses on A100 (assuming you already knew about the different mount and having the adaptor to go between the lens and the body), the answer is Yes, you have to select Manual Focus in order to work.

Sorry, I don't really understand you 2nd question.

Nevertheless, it is worth buying and enjoy shooting using manual lenses. They are cheap and good. Just remember, ensure you get hold of the adaptor before buying the lens. You may have to search high and low for such adaptor as there are not many of sale. Of and on, you'll see 1 in the WTS thread.

I hope I have enlighten you a little and answered your question #1.


damn....i knew it was too good to be true...hehe

yeah, will drop by and check it out if it fits my camera mount without the adaptor...
 

I doubt it will fit without the adapter. I got one for sale now. :devil:
 

Oh. Forgot to state the brand of the lens! :sweatsm:

The adapter is Teleplus. The lens is original Minolta MD 50 f1.7.
 

IMO manual lenses are not really that worthwhile unless you're able to get focus lock confirmation or you have MF assist aids such as a finder with a split screen prism. Otherwise, all you'll be depending upon to get critical focus is simply your eyes and most of the time, your eyes are not exactly right about the focus, although they may be 90-95% of the way there.

This is of course acceptable, as many would say, but then there's no point getting a great lens that gives X performance when you're only getting 90-95%X performance. It might wind up being the same as Y performance on an auto focus lens with much less hassle, assuming Y=90-95%X
 

confirmed....the manual lens dun fit my alpha mount. need a converter...:(
 

IMO manual lenses are not really that worthwhile unless you're able to get focus lock confirmation or you have MF assist aids such as a finder with a split screen prism. Otherwise, all you'll be depending upon to get critical focus is simply your eyes and most of the time, your eyes are not exactly right about the focus, although they may be 90-95% of the way there.

This is of course acceptable, as many would say, but then there's no point getting a great lens that gives X performance when you're only getting 90-95%X performance. It might wind up being the same as Y performance on an auto focus lens with much less hassle, assuming Y=90-95%X

I'd have to disagree with you on this. Focus confirmation is merely an assist, but not trusting on your eyes to get critical focus? :bigeyes: As a Pentax user, MF lenses are a boon because Pentax DSLRs allows backward compatibility to older manual focus lenses including M42 screw mount lenses and even medium format lenses (with adapters). Newer doesn't necessarily equate to better performance and many older MF lenses have better build quality and optical performance that's better or comparable to the current crop of AF lenses. That's why Pentax owners have access to cheap older lenses and they work just fine and we get to save a lot of money/or buy more lenses in the process .
 

I'd have to disagree with you on this. Focus confirmation is merely an assist, but not trusting on your eyes to get critical focus? :bigeyes: As a Pentax user, MF lenses are a boon because Pentax DSLRs allows backward compatibility to older manual focus lenses including M42 screw mount lenses and even medium format lenses (with adapters). Newer doesn't necessarily equate to better performance and many older MF lenses have better build quality and optical performance that's better or comparable to the current crop of AF lenses. That's why Pentax owners have access to cheap older lenses and they work just fine and we get to save a lot of money/or buy more lenses in the process .

I agree with you, bro. I may not be a Pentax user but I use manual lenses more than those AF ones of lately. I am not too sure about the rest of the gang who shoot on manual lenses but I just find that the picture quality it produces has very nice contrast and at times has nice bokeh.
 

I'd have to disagree with you on this. Focus confirmation is merely an assist, but not trusting on your eyes to get critical focus?

Agreed with you as well. Trusting your eyes is still most effective, especially for macro :)
 

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