Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

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Archive 2009 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

racevedo
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p.1 #1 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

I was so happy with the 58/1.2 that I'm exploring more of the knuckle-scalloped metal focus ring'd early MC lenses. I just got in the 21/2.8 and she's a beauty - couldn't resist a quick test. This shot of my eldest daughter was taken by holding the lens in place on the body via 10x live view with the focus set near MFD on my 1Ds3, wide open, 1/40th, ISO800 - no processing, AWB, neutral, no sharpening, resized for web. The 100pct crop is of course untouched.

This lens will be heading over for the full service treatment by Mr. Buchanan himself. Just when I thought zuiko fever had subsided, the rokkor mania has taken hold.

Oct 24, 2009 at 12:09 AM

PhotoMaximum
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p.1 #2 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

I am in the middle of a stalled project for converting a 21/2.8 Rokkor. Hope to get back to it this winter.

You don't hear much about this lens but they look really good.

PS: Nice photo there, especially when you consider how you shot it.

Oct 24, 2009 at 01:12 AM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #3 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Nice! I have one of these too that I have been languishing in converting also. Superb bokeh there! And very sharp, yes. There's a ton of good Rokkors. If you like these, I'd also recommend: 100/3.5 macro, 85/1.7, 35/1.8 at the least. Maybe some of the 24s and 28s too. Overall the Rokkor 21 is a great lens, better than the Oly 21/2 in some areas, according to Modern Photography tests. (contrast, mainly). I have the oly 21s and also 17-40L so will have to do a shootout sometime.

-Ed

Oct 24, 2009 at 01:35 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #4 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

It was through your original thread that I became intrigued and interested in it, I hope your conversion results in success!

This was like a grab+don't slip oops try not to fumble the shot haha.

Oct 24, 2009 at 01:35 AM

PhotoMaximum
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p.1 #5 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

I have two: the older style and the newer waffle grip. Both seem so solidly made. Puts the EF 20/2.8 to shame in my book...

Oct 24, 2009 at 01:37 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #6 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Hey Ed, you're also an inspiration *cough, bad influence, ahem*

I spend more time researching past threads and posts lately - your comments and scanned lens tests have been a great resource. I also have the oly 21/2 but not the 3.5 so I can at least compare those. I have more rokkors en route as well. I really like the focus rings. At the same time, I love the zuikos equally for their power packed punch. Sometimes you feel like a nut... Correction, I'm definitely always an Alt-nut haha and I'm only on my second flavor.... there should be a sticky thread for newbs... Welcome to the disease

Oct 24, 2009 at 01:45 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #7 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

I hear you PhotoMaximum. The build quality is wonderful. I decided that the zuikos will be the waffle gripped alt lenses and the rokkors will be metal gear solid haha.

Oct 24, 2009 at 01:52 AM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #8 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Thanks, glad to contribute. ;-) The scanned lens tests are easy and a nice way to at least quantify some testing, FWIW. the Oly 21/2 is a superb lens, it's hard to say if the Rokkor is better - I havent' done a serious comparison but the Rokkor will have big shoes to fill, as I think the Oly is the next best 21 to the Zeiss distagon beast. (Maybe better - at least faster...). I only have the newer style rokkor-x version but I think optically they were pretty much the same between versions, except for coatings perhaps. The rokkor build-quality is great. Optically excellent too. I think the Oly's excel for speed, size and IQ in some cases but Minolta was a first-world player back in the day too. Dimitry (Dim.ka) has one of these too and has tested it against the Rokkor 20/2.8, and other stuff too I think. It holds up well!

-Ed

Oct 24, 2009 at 03:11 AM

JimBuchanan
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p.1 #9 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Hey, Ed. Where are those scanned lens reviews, again?

Oct 24, 2009 at 04:30 PM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #10 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

www.edsawyer.com/lenstests/ The rokkor 21 and many others are in there. ;-)

Oct 24, 2009 at 08:09 PM

Jim Schemel
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p.1 #11 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Here is a shot that i took today with my converted to EOS Mount Rokkor 50mm f1.4
Shot on 5D
-Jim

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% crop -

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Oct 24, 2009 at 09:25 PM

racevedo
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p.1 #12 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

The 50/1.4 rokkor is rubber gripped only right? Too bad there wasn't an earlier counterpart.

Oct 24, 2009 at 11:38 PM

Jim Schemel
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p.1 #13 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

racevedo wrote:
The 50/1.4 rokkor is rubber gripped only right? Too bad there wasn't an earlier counterpart.

The one that i have is rubber gripped.
-Jim

Oct 25, 2009 at 11:57 AM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #14 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

the 58/1.4 would be the earlier counterpart...

Oct 25, 2009 at 01:27 PM

Jim Schemel
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p.1 #15 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Enjoying the Rokkor 1.4.Took this shot at f2 on 5D.Focus is on the eyes.
-Jim

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% crop

Oct 31, 2009 at 10:07 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #16 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Beautiful cat, give it a pat from me.

Nov 02, 2009 at 01:20 PM

racevedo
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p.1 #17 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

is there a smiley icon for rubbing hands together along with a maniacal grin... muwahaha

Dec 06, 2009 at 06:30 PM

racevedo
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p.1 #18 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Freshly unpacked.. bye bye SR mount, hello EF!

Words cannot express how perfect this conversion turned out. Jim has delivered a masterpiece demonstrating exquisite craftsmanship which has immediately spawned pride of ownership on my part. This beauty oozes quality, clears the mirror, wide open, at infinity on my 1Ds3. Now my beloved 58/1.2 has a stable mate in the 21/2.8!

I am very well pleased with every facet of the conversion experience. From initial contact to imminent completion, Jim was proactive in communication keeping me abreast of progress as well as establishing realistic expectations - he is the consummate professional. The true value and service represented in this lens goes well beyond the physical mount. It has been said before, and I'll say it again, the time spent on tuning and ensuring infinity is where added benefit shines through, highlighting the refinement derived from Jim's experience and personal signature touch.

Look for more to come, because I'm not stopping with one...

Dec 11, 2009 at 01:40 AM

john lewis
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p.1 #19 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

So how does the 21mm fare

Is is a gem like other the 58mm

pictures, and more pictures

Dec 11, 2009 at 03:52 AM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #20 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Nicely done! I still haven't converted my 21 rokkor. cool to see that it will clear the mirror w/o having to reduce the rear retaining rings. I had guessed that might be the case. Post more pics of the mount conversion if you would. It looks like the basic typical wide-angle rokkor rear conversion method. (Silver ring becomes mounting surface)

-Ed

Dec 11, 2009 at 03:57 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #21 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Actually, the rear retaining rings were taken down very slightly only on the leading edge where it might hit while still providing protection for the glass. Unmodified though, it did not clear on Jim's 5d (unshaved mirror) and that's when he asked me if I'd like to try for additional clearance since I had a 1-series. Fortunately for my combo, all is well in infinity-mirror land!

I'm not very familiar with how the typical wide-angle rear conversion method is done, but compared to my 58/1.2, there are distinct refinements. Makes me want to update the 58, haha!

Dec 11, 2009 at 04:13 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #22 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

john lewis wrote:
So how does the 21mm fare

Is is a gem like other the 58mm

pictures, and more pictures

I will definitely post some shots once I'm able to take it out for a spin!

Dec 11, 2009 at 04:17 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #23 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

1Ds3, Rokkor 21/2.8 @ f8, 1/125th, ISO100, infinity focus, tripod low to ground about 1.5'

Dec 14, 2009 at 07:54 PM

Ed Sawyer
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p.1 #24 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Looks nice! Thanks for sharing! Definitely interested to see more from this one,

-Ed

Dec 15, 2009 at 04:23 AM

racevedo
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p.1 #25 · Rokkor fever... not another 58 thread!

Here's an indoor brick wall / awning / long exposure test shot, haha

Dec 16, 2009 at 03:31 AM


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