Wait a bit, next week should arrive my new toy - SD14, then i will try to do mount convertion for using it with Minolta MC/MD lenses (Will use Rokkor 58 1.2, Rokkor 85 1.7, Rokkor 21 2.8mm)
I have only had one Rokkor, the 58mm f1.4, which I converted to SA mount and I was'nt very impressed with it...Optically it was no better than my Cheapo (£3 inc postage!!!) Pentacon 50mm f1.8.
The Canon FL 55mm f1.2 is the best 50mm-ish lens I have ever used period and I've used quite a few...Its easily a match for my Carl Zeiss 85mm f1.4 Planar T*, but more useful because its wider.
I'd like to thank Cogitech for the wonderful write up as I've just became a new and extremely happy Rokkor 58 1.2 shooter. This lens very quickly became my favorite, along with the CZ Planar 100/2.
I got my copy from a local photography teacher. The lens has some minor clouding at the outer rim of the rear element, I suspect the lens was cleaned and the person didn't do a very good job. But most importantly, one finally came up for sale and it was at a very good price (USD $140).
This lens should be a fairly late version with the serial number of 2765183. It's marked as MC Rokkor without "PG" or "X" and has a rubber ring.
I'd also like to issue a friendly reminder to anyone ready to go through the the conversion to really, really take your time and exercise a lot of patience AND concentration when filing the retaining ring, as Cogitech advised. After the 3rd pass, I got carried away and picked up the speed a little while talking to a friend. The next I know, there was a very small scratch at the center of the rear element.
I had just accidentally filed the rear element!
So far it doesn't seem to be effecting the image quality, and I'll probalby never use this lens at anything but wide open. But I don't think the gross feeling I have towards myself will go away anytime soon.
I have yet to achieve focus at infinity, but it's getting closer.
One thing I'd like to know and suggest to add to the write up is how the others protected/cleaned the rear element before/during/after filing the retaining ring?
jkao0826, Why did you file the retaining ring if you only have a crop body (according to your profile?) When mine gets here later this week, I plan on NOT filing the ring at all, unless I eventually go full frame.
Because a 5D should be coming very soon, and we have a 1Ds at work that I'd like to try with this lens on. I also want to save myself the trouble of having to take the lens apart again.
I cant believe my luck. I was searching for the Rokkor 85mm 1.7 at B&H and ran across a 58mm 1.2 rated 8 for $200.00 Yup I gotta another one coming!! This one I am going to document all the orginal measurments so I know exactly how far to mill (or sand) the shim to for other mounts. I may not actually modify it, but use it on my x570.
I have had an older metal focus ring version of this lens for 20 years. It was my favorite on my XE5. I'ts really a fun lens.
Since going digital, I haven't used it for a few years. I now have a 1Ds, has any one tried a converted 58 1.2 on the 1Ds? How different is the mirror from the 5D?
Well, success! (Mostly). I have mounted my first Rokkor 58 f/1.2. It took a lot longer than I anticipated. I did OK with the hole drilling, but still only got three of the 4 aligned (don't know how I messed up the fourth...the adapter probably slid). Anyway, the three are snug, so I'm not too worried. I am ALMOST to infinity. My arms were so tired from sanding that I just had to stop when I got to the point where infinity focuses about 35 feet away. I'll tune it further at a later date. I had no idea how long the sanding would take. Maybe I need better sandpaper, but it took a solid hour of sanding to get it to where I am now.
Since I have another on the way, I will probably not do a second conversion, but rather will see which is optically superior (if there's a difference) and keep that one converted, and sell the other unconverted. If the second one is better, I'll transfer the modded shim and aperture ring to that lens...then I'll put the Minolta mount on this one. However, if the second is better optically, I'd be really pleased, since this one is quite good!
I am pleased with wide open performance, though the DOF is SO thin that hitting focus exactly is going to be a challenge, I can see. At f/2 and beyond, it is VERY sharp, and still has nice, pleasing bokeh, so I can't complain!
I finally got around to converting a Rokkor 58mm too, I used an Olympus adapter, which required substantially more removal of the minolta mount to reach infinity. It is an AF confirmation adapter!
Andrew Gough wrote:
I finally got around to converting a Rokkor 58mm too, I used an Olympus adapter, which required substantially more removal of the minolta mount to reach infinity. It is an AF confirmation adapter!
Andrew,
Ooohh, la la!
Looks like you have a winner. Can you elaborate on the Oly adapter (pics maybe) and removal of the minolta mount? What does the AF confirm do for the Rokkor?
I can hardly wait to get mine and convert it.
I used Cogitech's method, but the Oly adapter is a lot thicker. The OM register is 46mm, whereas the Minolta is 43.5mm. People are using the M42 mount which is 45.5mm The required register for Canon is 44mm. So, I painstakingly sanded the approx 2-2.5mm off and viola it worked, and AF confirmation too!
