Metabones Speedbooster for Minolta to Fuji-X Question: Old Glass

[Christoph C. Feldhaim]

I inherited a bunch of glass and 2 Minolta film bodies.
I am pondering of putting this glass on a Fuji-X (Pro or E2).
But I don't know if these old lenses would fit the mount and if they would do the Fuji sensor any justice.
So - does anyone here have experience or good advice concerning this combo?
The glass I got is:

- MC W. Rokkor - HG 1:2.8 35 mm
- MC Tele Rokkor 1:2.8 135 mm
- MD Zoom 28-70 mm 1:3.5-4.8
- MC Rokkor - PF 1:1.4 58 mm

Thank you very much
~Chris

[LarsHansen]

Chris,

I have a Fujifilm X-E1 and a Novoflex adapter for my old Minolta MD/MC lenses and I'm positively surprised how well they perform on the X-E1. I even bought two older Minolta lenses - a MD 50mm 1.7 and a MC 55mm 1.7, the latter is imo. great: a sharp and neutral lens, but the FOV might not suit everyone.

In your list you have (at least) two great lenses, the MC Rokkor - PF 1:1.4 58 mm (I'm actually looking for that lens  ) and the 135/2.8 is usually also a very good lens - I have one and it's surprisingly good.  

If your german is OK then have a look here:
http://artaphot.ch/minolta-sr

Don't expect corner sharpness with these lenses - especially the wider ones (I have a MD 28/2.8, ). Manual focus works quite well with focus peaking on the Fujifilm X cameras.

Let me know if you are interested in a few sample shots.

/Lars

  

 
 

[Christoph C. Feldhaim]

Awesome !
Thats great to hear and encouraging.

My German shoughd be half way decent - I'm a native living in Hamburg ..

And yes- I'd definitely be interested in images and 100% crops.

Cheers and thanks
~Chris

[LarsHansen]

Forgive me, I'm not an experienced pixel level cropper..

MD 50mm/2.0
#1 @ 33%
#2 @ 100%

MC 135mm/2.8
#3 @ 33%
#4 @ 100%

There is an upload limit - I'll add additional ones in a separate post.

[Christoph C. Feldhaim]

Lovely !
/ me wants ...


And you only used an adapter ...
The Metabones Speedbooster should do wonders here and I also read theres a cheaper and still good Chinese thing called Lens Turbo

Thanks a lot !

[LarsHansen]

A few more taken with the 55mm/1.7 - to my eye sharper than the newer MD's from late 70's/early 80's but not as much contrast. Also, the later MD versions seems to have a different coating and due to that a different colour "signature".  

The JPG's are all OOC and as far as I remember Velvia.

Yes - I've only used a very simple adapter - I don't know the Speedbooster. I bought a good well made german Novoflex .. but more expensive.

#1 @33%
#2 @100%

[Christoph C. Feldhaim]

Stunning !

The speedbooster has a lens and changes F Stop and Focal length.
What thrills me is the possibility to try good old lenses you can get for cheap with this lightweight camera.
And you get even more light for available light photography and better MTF .

Now the question is X Pro 1 or X E2.
I'll check my trusted dealer after X-mas.

Thanks for taking the effort and posting these nice examples!

Cheers
~Chris (craving)

[LarsHansen]

You're welcome! - I'll take a look at the Speedbooster myself.

I can't imagine you will regret - these old lenses might not be performing as well as newer constructions in all conditions, fx in backlight, flare etc. but when you know their limitations they are really fine. As a comparison my Fujinon 18-55 zoom has some visible CA - not something I've seen with these oldies.

X-Pro1 vs X-E2 ... if you are OK with only EVF I would take a closer look at the X-E2 and if you are also OK with zooms, the 18-55 kit lens is very nice and the OIS works quite well.

A final one with the MD 50/2.0..

  

[Christoph C. Feldhaim]

Now I will have strange dreams tonight ....