Archive 2018 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

markiespencer
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

Hi all

Going through the local classifieds last weekend, I stumbled upon a Minolta 24mm 2.8 (MD-III) for a rather good price (50$) and bought it. The lens is in good shape optically and cosmetically but has a stiff focus ring. Would you recommend having it repaired? The local repair shop proposes a CLA for 100$, which is double the price I bought the lens for and makes it much less of a bargain. How feasible would a DIY-repair be? I looked for some disassembly videos online and apparently, the 24mm is one of the more challenging designs.

Best wishes,

Nov 01, 2018 at 06:56 AM

rdeloe
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

I haven't fixed a Minolta, but I have done a few Olympus lenses. I was successful only because I found excellent disassembly videos for the models I was fixing. You also need some specialized tools and supplies. These are not expensive but they can take a while to find. Very important is the right lubricant. You may also need JIS screwdrivers (looks like a Phillips but it's not -- pointer tip). And you will need a good spanner wrench. I bought all this stuff from Japan.

There's also the risk that key parts are locked together. For instance, I had some lenses where I simply couldn't get the beauty ring off (the ring that had the lens info but also locked down the front elements). Either a grain of sand was jamming it, or someone had epoxied it down. I've encountered both scenarios. Sometimes between solvents, heat, cold and brute force I've been able to get stubborn ones off.... but sometimes not.

So the long and the short of it is go for it if you're handy and you like messing around with old lenses. But if not, just buy another one.

P.S. I'm also not sure if it's worth fixing this particular model! I use Olympus OM and I know that the OM 24/2.8 is widely considered one of the best vintage 24s. I have not heard the same about this Minolta.

Nov 01, 2018 at 08:29 AM

markiespencer
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

Thanks for the extensive reply. I would not mind fiddling a bit with the lens, but if the right equipment is hard to come by (esp. the lubricant, I imagine) and the results rather uncertain, it might not be worth investing too much time and effort.

From what I've read the Minolta is not too different from the Zuiko: small with similar sharpness; lesser build quality (more plastics); but fewer issues with flaring and vignetting.

Nov 01, 2018 at 08:54 AM

amade1974
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

this minolta has the same optical design as the Leica R 24. Most likely underwent less of a QC and has different coating than the Leica lens, but the optical design can't be that bad as Leica adapted it...then again, it is not considered the best Leica lens...

most likely the grease has dried out, but is it a killer to use the lens or just a nuissance?

Nov 01, 2018 at 09:30 AM

markiespencer
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

It's very stiff, but you are right: in the end, it's rather a nuisance. It's not impossible to use the lens, just not very pleasant.

About the Leica/Minolta link: I read they changed the optical formula (from 9/7 to 8/8) for this version. Apparently, this change brought an improvement in sharpness. But again: I have not checked this for myself, I just learned about it reading some reviews.

I have played around a little with the lens and so far it seems to show a performance fairly typical for the Minolta lenses from that era: not the sharpest, but sharp enough; nice colours and pleasing bokeh. The latter is of course not abundantly present here, considering the type of lens, but it was surprising none the less.

Nov 01, 2018 at 10:50 AM

amade1974
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

markiespencer wrote:
It's very stiff, but you are right: in the end, it's rather a nuisance. It's not impossible to use the lens, just not very pleasant.

About the Leica/Minolta link: I read they changed the optical formula (from 9/7 to 8/8) for this version. Apparently, this change brought an improvement in sharpness. But again: I have not checked this for myself, I just learned about it reading some reviews.

I have played around a little with the lens and so far it seems to show a performance fairly typical for the Minolta lenses from that era: not the sharpest, but sharp enough;...Show more →

if the usability is limited into the not very pleasant then I would skip the CLA (or try doing it yourself). You can get helicoid grease from the Ukraine on Ebay.

I had some play in en elmarit r 90 (first version). I think the lens had not had a CLA for a long time (I had not sent it for servicing since I got it (so the last 10 years). I had it CLAd this year and it made a huge difference, no play whatsoever. Made a big difference in the usability of the lens. But that was a 300 euro lens compared to a 50 euro lens...

Nov 02, 2018 at 05:44 AM

markiespencer
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

The regular (inflated?) asking price for this lens is quite higher than 50, rather around 150-200. But nevertheless, I think I will indeed just use it as-is, without CLA. Is there any risk to that? Could I be damaging the lens on the long term?

Nov 02, 2018 at 06:04 AM

amade1974
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

markiespencer wrote:
The regular (inflated?) asking price for this lens is quite higher than 50, rather around 150-200. But nevertheless, I think I will indeed just use it as-is, without CLA. Is there any risk to that? Could I be damaging the lens on the long term?

the stiff focusing is most likely due to the drying up of the grease in the helicoid. unless it is extremely stuck and you really force it so that you could bend the helicoid (I doubt you have that strength) I cannot see how you would be damaging the lens.
If you want I can ask around in NL to see if there are some people that perform CLA for less than 100. I remember seeing someone advertising lubricating the helicoid starting at 25 euros (or 50)...
I'll pm you

Nov 02, 2018 at 09:05 AM

markiespencer
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

A late update for whoever runs into the same (for this model rather frequent) problem: giving the lens a good amount of exercise by turning the focus ring back and forth, alleviates much of stiffness. After giving it a couple of daily work-outs, it is now at a point that the lens is is almost on par with the normal functioning of lenses that age.

May 27, 2021 at 08:16 AM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Minolta 24mm 2.8

I'd probably try using it on a hot day too. See if it freed up the grease.

But the Minolta is Phillips Reeve's favorite, IIRC, and Minolta made the optics for the Leica R 24mm.

May 28, 2021 at 09:27 PM


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