The examples shown all use an adapter without glass. It is no coincidence that the images are all at close focus. It is not possible to focus MD lenses to infinity on an alpha mount cameras without an adapter which includes an additional lens. This piece of glass will inevitably be of lower quality than any of the lens elements and will easily be the limiting factor on image quality. So MD lenses cannot be used successfully on alpha mount cameras except at short focusing distances. This phenomenon is a result ofthe differences in flange to focal plane distance of MD and Alpha mounts. The latter is greater. However, MD lenses can be used very successfully on E-mount (NEX) cameras because the flange to focal plane distance of the latter is 18mm compared with 43.5 mm on the MD mount.

Theissue is described (for Canon FD on EOS but the principle is the same) in this article.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eo ... s_EOS.html

You are absolutely right about glass less adapter. FWIW, the third example I posted was with glass adapter.
I can post more examples from my archives.

With best regards,
Sury

Following discussion and advice on this thread I picked up a Minolta MD 135mm f/2.8 in very good condition. I have had a good play with it on the Nex 5 and I'm delighted. Here is a test shot from yesterday.


2012 Family - Blowing bubbles 2 by Birm, on Flickr

I really like the built-in hood, lovely MF action, and build quality (even has nice 'velvet' covering on the inside of the rear of the lens), and of course shaprness. The contrast/detail seems very similar to my MD 50mm f/1.4 and this picture is perhaps a bit over processes/sharpened as I just applied my normal settings as used with my SAL and SEL lenses. It requires a PP re-think.

I also picked up some Paragon MD extension tubes - see the Macro and Flowers threads for these examples.

Excellent, Birma. Great pic and a great lens. I suspect the Minolta AF 135/2.8, also with integral sliding hood, is closely related. It is another excellent lens and worth picking up if you are using a Sony / Minolta DSLR / SLT - i had great use of it with my (now sold) A700 in low light theatre conditions but I guess you wd not be popular doing that with a NEX-5 with it's illuminated LCD.

Thanks Artington That is a good point regarding the rear LCD in theatre type conditions.

My search in the 85 mm range for primes has highlighted that this is not a 'bargain basement' focal length . The Sony SAM f/2.8 new is about the cheapest thing with this focal length. The Samyang MF new in alpha mount is just a bit more and of course is faster at f/1.4.

The KM 85/1.4 G(D) is a wonderful lens and can be found for a lot less than the Sony Zeiss version but is quite close in quality. Of course, it's still not a cheap lens! Personally I love it but it really is best on full frame. For 1.5 crop the Minolta 50/1.4 is a good bet or, for the NEX, get the MD equivalent.

http://www.lenstip.com/123.1-article-A_ ... f_1.4.html

http://www.photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps- ... olta_85_14

Is it the quality of the lens or the princess' beauty that we are admiring? Tilly is lovely and very very beautiful (be sure to tell her that for me). Well done Birma.

Thanks Artington - I'll keep my eyes open.

Thanks Doc - I will be sure to tell her!

I just bought a Minolta Rokkor 50mm 1:1.7 to put on my Nex3 and if you're in for a fast fifty for cheap, this is what you are looking for!

Congratulations Mark - I bet it is a real pleasure to manually focus with

Hi Birma,
People who knows said the Minolta 105mm f2.5 is "the good one"
It is actually shorter and lighter than the 135mm f2.8

For the 200mm, I have and old MC f3.5 that performs quite well (but I have not tried it on the NEX7 yet) and the MD f4, that is shorter and lighter. The MC f3.5 will be cheaper...

Regards

I was avoiding this forum for a while (I'm still wandering what the OP meant by "really old", since the lenses he mentioned are "younger than me", and I don't fell very old. Or old at all...

So my recommendation on the Minolta 105 f2.5 is useless since Birma already got the 135 f2.8 (Nice portrait BTW)
In your quest for the 85mm, I think it is more interesting to have the new Sony 85mm F2.8 for 250$, than looking for one (overpriced) on eBay.

There is an interesting Minolta MC 58mm f1.4 (30$ on eBay) that becomes a 85mm on APS. Wide open is soft, but at f2.8 is great -if you have a nice copy: keep in mind that this is a very old lens...

Yes it is. The focus ring is a bit stiff though.

Mark

Thanks for the feedback Pako. I agree that the SAM 85 f/2.8 is probably the way to go. Kevin B has posted many nice shots (here and on Flickr) with this lens.



Hi Mark - that's a shame; if you like the lens I would keep looking for an example with a smoother action. For me it makes the whole MF experience much better.

Good one of Tilly Birma, the MF lens and NEX is doing a good job...can the camera and lens combo be moved back and forth to get focus? without using the focus collar?
Greg