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manual focus lenses

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:11 pm
by gedbrogan
I am looking at buying a couple of old manual focus photo lenses. I want to use them on my Alpha 700, my question is will they attach to the camera?

I will be using them in controlled portrait work.

Re: manual focus lenses

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:25 pm
by harveyzone
gedbrogan wrote:I am looking at buying a couple of old manual focus photo lenses. I want to use them on my Alpha 700, my question is will they attach to the camera?

I will be using them in controlled portrait work.
Well that depends upon the lens mount, and what adapters are available for it...

M42 mount - yes with an adapter
T mount - Yes with an adapter
Minolta MD (etc) mount - Yes with an adapter that has a lens element (or without a lens, but with no infinity focus)
and of course there are the STF manual focus lenses that are on a-mount.

There may be others that will work, but if in doubt, probably not...

Re: manual focus lenses

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:35 pm
by Cogito
All Minolta MC and MD lenses will attach provided you get an adaptor.
Using the adaptor you are stuck with manual focus and you need to adjust aperture on the lens, then set the same aperture in aperture mode on the camera. Alternatively, you can use full manual on the camera...
With my KM7D, you also need to set some menu items - "fire without a lens attached, fire if not in focus". I don't know if the same settings are available or needed with the Sony. But the lenses do work on my KM7D.... Both shot with a Minolta 50mm macro without the 1:1 extension.

Image

Image

Here's a link to an adaptor seller. You can also find them on Ebay and in several large stores in the USA.
http://haodascreen.com/default.aspx

Re: manual focus lenses

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:29 pm
by gedbrogan
Harvey and Cogito,

Thanks for your comprehensive answers to my question.

Gerard