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Post by heath on Jul 11, 2006 3:55:20 GMT -5
Hey there fellow members. I recieved my Braun SR2000 today, and what a nice camera it is. Now all I need is some more lenses for it.
It uses the Minolta MD mount to attach the lenses to the body. It came with a Braun Ultralit Zoom 28-70mm MC 1:3.4-4.8 and a Braun Ultralit Zoom 70-210mm MC 1:4.0-5.6.
I would like to get some fast to moderately fast primes for it. Something in the range of a:
28mm
35mm
50mm
100 or 135mm
200mm
300mm
500mm
Any recommendations for these focal lengths and also what lenses to stear clear of? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Heath
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Post by kamera on Jul 11, 2006 15:07:36 GMT -5
Heath,
Personally, I would recommend staying with the Minolta MD brand, as they can be obtained for relatively little money nowadays and retain their good quality!!
Go for these IMO:
28/2.8, 50/1.4 or1.8, 135/2.8, 200/2.8 --- all have all of these and they are great. I have no experience with the 300 and in the 500 category you would be getting a mirror lens which has the OOF 'donuts' in the background, which is not always appealing to a lot of persons.
The Sigma 600mm mirror lens seems to have a much reduced donut effect...as shown in Rick's couple pics and as he states. I do not know if it is available in an MD mount...perhaps with an adaptor.
Just my suggestions...I imagine other members opinions will vary.
Enjoy that new camera!!
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by heath on Jul 12, 2006 7:20:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Ron. I will have to keep my eye out for the ones you mentioned.
A 50 1.4 would be awesome, as would the others. I am watching a 5.5 300m Soligor in MD mount at the moment and may end up picking that up if the price doesn't get too high. Minolta stuff is still fetching quite high prices here in Australia.
There is a camera fair here at the end of the month that I am going to. I iwll have to check out what the sellers have on offer.
Heath
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jocko
Contributing Member
Posts: 29
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Post by jocko on Jul 12, 2006 7:43:06 GMT -5
Hallo Heath, I'm sure you already know it, but just in case not, this (happily Australian!) site has excellent information and tests on Minolta lenses - www.rokkorfiles.com/. Back when I began photography, in the early-mid 80s, I used to look longingly at the Minolta MC f1.2 58mm - and not long ago I finally got one. It's comparatively expensive, and pretty hefty, but I'm hoping for good things based on the Rokkor Files tests. Mine had a problem with the aperture blades, which sometimes failed to close correctly. It was put right by the dealer under guarentee. I don't know if this is common problem with these lenses, but as e-bay and dealer prices seem similar, it might suggest plumping for one from the latter. Cheers, Ian |
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Post by heath on Jul 12, 2006 8:08:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I am new to the world of MInolta lenses. My only other MInolta camera is an A5 rangefinder.
Heath
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Post by kamera on Jul 12, 2006 13:40:44 GMT -5
Oh yes...the Minolta MC 58/1.2 is a fantastic fast lens but does carry a high price on Ebay compared to other MC or MD lenses...I have seen one go as high as $300.
Unless doing a lot of indoor available light shots one seldom would use the fast speed, I think.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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jocko
Contributing Member
Posts: 29
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Post by jocko on Jul 14, 2006 7:01:06 GMT -5
I quite agree Ron - and apparently the incomparably cheaper 58/1.4 is also a lovely lens... but, I have always wanted an ultra-fast for available light portraits. I haven't been looking at e-bay lately, but mine, purchased in January from Cameta, cost well under $200 and was in superb cosmetic shape. Given how absurdly expensive things are over here, I thought that was a real bargain! E-bay prices are crazy sometimes, aren't they? I suppose it's the thrill of the bid....
All the best, Ian
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Post by kamera on Jul 15, 2006 13:26:31 GMT -5
Ian,
You can get a lot of good deals...price and quality...from Cameta. I find a lot of my gear there.
Plus they have the 6 month warranty on everything they sell.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by heath on Jul 15, 2006 22:24:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the additional information guys. At the moment I am wbidding on a Minolta SRT 303 with 3 lenses and a Metz flash unit. The lenses are a 135 3.5, a 35 4 and a 50 1.4. Just over a day to go and I am in the lead. Just hope I iwn it as it will be good start to my MD lens system.
Heath
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rover
Lifetime Member
Dad with a Camera, or two, or...
Posts: 101
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Post by rover on Jul 19, 2006 13:39:47 GMT -5
The MD 35/1.8 and 24/2.8 are very good but command about $200. The MC 58/1.2 is a joy, I was very lucky and found one for $100 or so, shop around you never know what you may find. The MC 58/1.4, MC and MD 50/1.4 and 1.7 are excellent lenses. The 1.7 lenses are said to me some of Minolta's sharpest, and can be had for $20ish. The MC 85/1.7 commands a high price, but all MC and MD 85s are sought after. The MC 100/2.5 is excellent, the 135 lenses are very good, 2.8 and 3.5. I have even found the 200/3.5 and 300/4 for $100 each. A great kit to use and collect. Very affordable overall.
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Post by heath on Jul 20, 2006 4:54:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Rover. I did win the kit I mentioned in my previous post. Got the lot for $116 AUD including postage. Just waiting for it to be delivered. I also won a Soligor 300mm 5.5 for Minolta to go with my kit. I know it isn't that fast, but it is a nice looking lens.
Heath
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Post by kamera on Jul 20, 2006 8:44:58 GMT -5
Rover,
A Minolta MC 58/1.2 for $100...wow...did you luck out!! I want one but see them go for upwards to $300 or more.
I do also have a MC 58/1.4 and it is a good lens, but taking mostly outdoor shots with it I seldom make use of the fast speed.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jul 26, 2006 9:40:28 GMT -5
Back in the late '70's my sister decided to get a Minolta 201 SLR after seeing pictures from my XE-7.
My XE-7 had one of the older MC type 1.4 Lens and her 201 had a 1.7.
We went out on a field trip so I could show her how to use her new 201 and I took the same pictures with my XE-7.
The results were amazing. That 1.7 lens produced pictures that just popped with color and sharpness. My 1.4 pictures were flat compared to hers.
About that time I crossed camera collecting paths with a fellow who lived nearby named Jason Schneider who wrote a camera collector column for Modern Photography. I was at his house one day and told him of my big discovery that the slower Minolta lens produced better pictures.
Jason said "Sure, that's true of most camera brands, the only exception was Pentex which produced better pictures from their faster lens." He also told me Minolta was known as a "Wide-Angle" specialist and the edge sharpness was superior to more expensive brands. He told me Konica had one of the sharpest 50mm lenses at that time.
The biggest surprise from meeting Jason was his mother. You could mention any lens and she would tell you how many elements, who designed it and all kinds of information that would go right over my head. She was amazing.
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Post by kamera on Jul 26, 2006 16:41:30 GMT -5
It is generally believed by most photogs that you should use an F-stop or two slower than your fastest for best quality.
A lot of us perhaps have the fastest lens just to say we have it, but unless you are doing a lot of indoor natural light pics you most likely will use that 1.4 or 1.2 little. At least that has been my experience.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by heath on Jul 27, 2006 6:05:50 GMT -5
I just won two more Minolta mount lenses, and at great prices too.
The first is a Vivitar 28mm 2.8 T4 mount with the Minolta MC adaptor for $25.50 (including postage). This lens was made by Tokina for Vivitar.
The second is a Minolta MD 50mm 1.7. Looks to be in close to int condition. This I got for $22.30 (including postage.
Remember, these prices are in Australian dollars. Not bad prices if you ask me.
Heath
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