58mm f/1.2 Rokkor on Maxxum 7D Digital --- The Neo Ermanox Photo Gallery by Pete Ganzel at pbase.com

58mm f/1.2 Rokkor on Maxxum 7D Digital --- The Neo Ermanox

The legendary Minolta MC mount 58mm f/1.2 Rokkor modified to fit directly
on the Minolta AF Maxxum/Dynax cameras without the optical adapter that is normally needed.

A standard AF lens mount was machined to fit to the back of the 58mm once the MC mount was removed.
Lens was not changed so that it can be returned to MC mount use if desired.

A specialized lens for available, low light use and for creative effects with depth of field.
The lens is well known for its smooth rendition of out of focus areas, and these photos bear that out.

On the APS sensor, it has an equivalent angle of view of an 85mm lens on full frame 35mm, an ideal portrait length.

The heavy lens weighs in at 18 ounces (about a pound of glass). Lets in 40% more light than an f/1.4

Oh, and AS works too. Will do some testing with available light night street photography.

Sony should have their Minolta lens engineers (or Zeiss) come up with a meter coupled (not necessarily AF) f/1.2 full frame or f/.75-1 APS version of this lens, the focal length is ideal for the APS sensor. Improved baffling and "digital" coatings would make this lens more desireable than it already is.

Ermanox Eastman.jpg	Ermanox Ad From 1927	gallery: A classic f/1.2 Rokkor from 1970 is modified to fit directly on the Maxxum 7D	Through the Lens4687.jpg	Larch 4428.jpg
Maple Tree 4361.jpg	PICT4441.jpg	Dicentra 4459.jpg	Taxus cuspidata 4483.jpg	Mothers Day 4682.jpg
Gina and Family 4644.jpg	Viburnum 4697.jpg	Viburnum 4710.jpg	viburnum f1.2 T4706	Viburnum f5.6 4707
Viburnum Group 4662.jpg	Tamarack Full Size 4663.jpg	Jack4809.jpg Minolta 58mm f/1.2 Rokkor on Maxxum 7D	Ostrich Fern 4847.jpg	Poppy 4799.jpg Minolta 58mm f/1.2 Rokkor on Maxxum 7D
Maidenhair Fern 4803.jpg Minolta 58mm f/1.2 Rokkor on Maxxum 7D	Altered Ferns4825.jpg	Frog Pond 5098.jpg	Iris versicolor 5099.jpg	Leopard Frog Water Lily 5094.jpg
Leopard Frog f2 5095.jpg	Sleeping Cat 5058.jpg	f1 Rodenstock Heligon 4965.jpg	Iris versicolor 5194.jpg	Cat portrait 5165.jpg
Guin 5182.jpg	Water Lily 5338.jpg	Fireflies 5809.jpg	The Ball.jpg	Twilight Mandevilla 7640.jpg
PICT4745r.jpg	Houseboat 7894.jpg	Mickeys 7822.jpg	Mickeys 7825.jpg	Mickeys 7827.jpg
Mickeys 7832.jpg	Mickeys 7840.jpg	Mickeys 7841.jpg	Night Spider 7936.jpg	Wabasha Bridge 7917.jpg
Euonymous 8830.jpg	Euonymous 8831.jpg	Euonymous 8833.jpg	Euonymous 8842.jpg	Fruiting Body 8840.jpg
Lilly Pad 8814.jpg	Lily Pad 8823.jpg	Ripple 8812.jpg	Viburnum 8826.jpg	Checks Cashed Mickeys 0016.jpg
MickeysCar 0012.jpg	Birches 4808.jpg	Interrupted Fern 4767.jpg	Maidenhair 4738.jpg	Sedges 4804.jpg
Fern Sporangia 4782.jpg	gallery: Example images Minolta 50mm f/1.2 Rokkor	3 Fast Ones 3417.jpg	Super Star 4211.jpg	Available Light 4.jpg
58mm F/1.2 Rokkor Depth of Field	58mm Rokkor DOF Resize.jpg	Minolta tests.jpg	Hood 6988.jpg	D57KD Shade 0079.jpg
D57KD Shade 0080.jpg	Fat Cat II Canon 5D.jpg	Daffodils f/1.2 58mm Rokkor on 5D Canon	Shade Assortment 9764.jpg	Minolta 58mm f/1.2 Rokkor on Sony Alpha A900
Oats Poppies 0703.jpg	poster-Ganzel-image2.jpg

comment |

wenh		31-May-2011 17:15
Hi, Pete, I would appreciate your comment/advise on the issue of front/back focus as I describe below. I have just converted a mint copy of the first version Minolta MC 58mm f/1.2 to Minolta/Sony A-mount with focus just pass infinity. The bokeh indeed look stunning. The sharpness is actually also great, with sharply resolved hairs in a portrait picture. However, there is a front focus problem. My conversion does not have the AF confirmation. When the object appear to be nicely focused looking through the viewfinder, the image from the sensor of my Minolta 7D is not focused. The point of focus is in front of the object. I have tried other lenses on the camera for a comparison, including the Minolta AF 100mm/2.8 Macro for close objects and the Minolta AF 135mm/2.8 for relatively distant objects, both producing nicely focused image when the objects appeared sharply focused in the viewfinder. This comparison tells me that the camera body is not the problem (I in fact did this comparison on two Minolta 7D bodies). Then, what is the reason? How can I possibly remedy this front focus issue? Thank you for your time. Wenhao

wenh		31-May-2011 16:55
Hi, Pete, I would appreciate your comment/advise on the issue of front/back focus as I describe below. I have just converted a mint copy of the first version Minolta MC 58mm f/1.2 to Minolta/Sony A-mount with focus just pass infinity. The bokeh indeed look stunning. The sharpness is actually also great, with sharply resolved hairs in a portrait picture. However, there is a front focus problem. My conversion does not have the AF confirmation. When the object appear to be nicely focused looking through the viewfinder, the image from the sensor of my Minolta 7D is not focused. The point of focus is in front of the object. I have tried other lenses on the camera for a comparison, including the Minolta AF 100mm/2.8 Macro for close objects and the Minolta AF 135mm/2.8 for relatively distant objects, both producing nicely focused image when the objects appeared sharply focused in the viewfinder. This comparison tells me that the camera body is not the problem (I in fact did this comparison on two Minolta 7D bodies). Then, what is the reason? How can I possibly remedy this front focus issue? Thank you for your time. Wenhao

Ray		17-Dec-2009 15:49
I own an Rokkor f1.2. Recently, I sent it to a local camera repair shop for maintenance. When I got it back, I discovered the the focusing mechanism to be very stiff. I took it back, and was told there was nothing wrong. I have other lens from the same era, and they focus smooth and easy as this one did before I had it CLA'd. Do you have any advice? Happy holidays to all! Ray

Ray		17-Dec-2009 15:39
I own an Rokkor f1.2. Recently, I sent it to a local camera repair shop for maintenance. When I got it back, I discovered the the focusing mechanism to be very stiff. I took it back, and was told there was nothing wrong. I have other lens from the same era, and they focus smooth and easy as this one did before I had it CLA'd. Do you have any advice? Happy holidays to all! Ray

Gerard SCHOLZEN		05-Feb-2009 17:43
Hi Pete I got both rokkor 58mmf1,2 and 87mmf1,7. I 'd like to use them on my alpha 700., after modification with your MD to AF conversion kit. Please could you tell me: a/if you have kit for each lens b/the price for the two including shipping to France c/the best process to pay (I have a paypal account) Thank you very much. Best regards Gerard

Tung		20-Jan-2009 17:49
Hi, Pete,I want to purchase your md modified to af conversion kit. But it is for my 85 f1.7. How can i purchase it? i have my paypal.

Anton		01-Jan-2009 11:34
Pete, I am interested in purchasing your conversion kit for my 58 PG lens. I have paypal account & can pay wth it. Is the price same for shipment to indonesia ? Please clarify as I would like to order soon. Thks & Happy holiday

Anton Zackaria		30-Dec-2008 16:18
Hi Pete, How are you lately? I already purchased 2 minolta lenses and still interested in knowing about your m42 kit adapter. If you don't mind and would like to sell them, please inform me more about the product along with the price & shipment to Indonesia. Thanks & wishing you a happy holiday.

Anton		10-Dec-2008 09:05
Ok. I get the idea now. So how much is the modification will cost me? (Lens is 85/1,7 MD Rokkor)My camera is Sony A350. You could email me to : antonzac@gmail.com Thanks a lot for your guidance. Best Regards, Anton

Anton		10-Dec-2008 08:37
Ok. I get the idea now. So how much is the modification will cost me? (Lens is 85/1,7 MD Rokkor)My camera is Sony A350. You could email me to : antonzac@gmail.com Thanks a lot for your guidance. Best Regards, Anton

Anton Zackaria		10-Dec-2008 05:58
Hi, Pete.. what would be an obvious difference between adapter of MD-Sony/Minolta mount with your modification? Theirs also can focus to infinity. (there are many items cheap to expensive, don't know which is best) But I think there must be something special about your modif ... :D I'm bidding on an MD lens now & waiting to get the lens first. Thanks & all the best, Anton.

Pete Ganzel		10-Dec-2008 04:46
Anton: See here for tests and comparison of optical MD/Minolta AF adapters; http://www.pbase.com/pganzel/haoda_adapter Pete

Pete Ganzel		10-Dec-2008 04:41
Anton: There is really nothing special. If you are talking about adapters that use an optical element, then a mount swap as I do here is superior, especially with fast lenses like the 58mm f/1.2 Rokkors. The small elements used in the MD/AF optical adapters lead to significant vignetting when the lens is used wide open as you would tend to do with the fast Rokkors. They also act as mild teleconverters (approx 1.2X) as well as taking approximately a half stop additional exposure. Pete

Anton Zackaria		10-Dec-2008 01:49
Hi, Pete.. what would be an obvious difference between adapter of MD-Sony/Minolta mount with your modification? Theirs also can focus to infinity. (there are many items cheap to expensive, don't know which is best) But I think there must be something special about your modif ... :D I'm bidding on an MD lens now & waiting to get the lens first. Thanks & all the best, Anton.

Pete Ganzel		09-Dec-2008 01:05
Anton: I do not sell chipped adapters. I have however started providing a M42 conversion kit for the 58mm Rokkors that can use a chipped M42 adapter which are readily available commercially. This also makes the lens more desireable since it can be used on many camera platforms (ie, Canon EOS, Pentax, etc.) with the addition of an inexpensive M42 ring. If you are interested e-mail me at peteganzel@lycos.com. Pete

Guest		08-Dec-2008 16:37
Hi, Pete.. great job .. I would love to buy a kit from you before deciding to get 58/1,2. Please quote the price including the chip installed for Sony A mount. Delivery can be done either directly to Indonesia or my sister in Illinois. NO problem. Best Regards & have a blessed day, Anton

Pete Ganzel		08-Oct-2007 16:18
Hello Pete, Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how amazing the f/1.2 Rokkor is on my Alpha, and how grateful I'm for your CNC skills in making it possible to use it! Thanks again so much and all the best. Regards, Hisham

Jay		12-Feb-2007 18:01
Any idea when you'll be posting the instructions on how to modify an MC/MD lens to fit on a Maxxum? Thanks! Jay

Guest		30-Oct-2006 11:53
Hi, Pete This is really great job. I look if I have made same modification on old Minolta MD Rokkor 50/1,4. But there is a problem. On inner side of this old MD Mount is one part (on sprig) with which we open (set) Aperture. So if we replace old MD mount (with new one) we can't set aperture anymore. So I'm not sure that same modification we can made on this lens. Sorry on my English. Davoring Slovenia

Guest		27-Aug-2006 21:50
That's wanderful! Thanks for yours articles! But the big problem is a sharp focusing. I'll think, a god job to make better your fokusing to change a screen your D7D from an analog Minolta's (such as x-300, x-700 etc). You can do it by yuorself. Take a look for foto (200dpi)http://alfaklub.pl/forum/showthread.php?t=5155&highlight=przerabianie P.S. sorry for my English

Alex		02-Aug-2006 12:56
Hi Paul. I have a number of Rokkors that I sure would like to modify for use with my 7D...namely the 85mm f2, the 50m 1.4 and the 35mm f1.8. I'd look foward to kits from you or instructions of how to modify the lenses..Many Thanks!!

Guest		14-Jul-2006 16:35
I'd be interested in a conversion kit as I don't have access to any tools. You could decide on a price and take pre-paid orders so that there would be no financial risk. Please post on dyxum.com if you decide to do so. Jason

Guest		14-Jul-2006 16:35
I'd be interested in a conversion kit as I don't have access to any tools. You could decide on a price and take pre-paid orders so that there would be no financial risk. Please post on dyxum.com if you decide to do so. Jason

Phil		24-Jun-2006 08:37
I'd be very interested in such a mount adaptation - there's plenty of great MF glass out there. If anyone has details of places to get the thin adapters, too, I'd love to know. I'll check back here in the hope of some updates :-) Thanks! www.the-farm.net

Tobi		15-Jun-2006 19:19
Hi Pete. Great job. There definitly IS a market for it. There are a lot of people ( for example, see thegerman MINOLTA FORUM www.minolta-forum.de )looking forward to have such an modificated adapter! Best regards, tobi

Peter		14-Jun-2006 16:00
I too would definitely be looking to buy an adapter. I have no fear of the work, but I don't have the tools.

John		02-Jun-2006 02:23
What a great job! I definitely will buy serveral of them if you have it for sale. John from Hong Kong

greg		21-May-2006 20:25
If you could get a minimum run of the T-Mounts milled to the correct size i'm sure you could at least get your money back. i would park one on my 58f1.4 and am eyeing a couple other lenses as well. Most folks don't have access to a lathe and the parts, or the patience to get the infinity focus right. But that crucial part would eliminate those barriers.

darerecich		16-May-2006 05:11
Hi Pete, great job! I think there could be a market but the job is very labor intensive (well at least it takes skilled hands and patience) to modify the mount. I suppose people with very expensive MF glass would be willing to pay to have each of their lenses modified to fit directly on their DSLR. I would imagine most people, present company included, are happy enough using the slim adapters which only add a tick (1.1-1.2x) to the focal length. Have you done any comparisons between using the adapter and a straight on camera modified lens? Aside from the slightly longer focal length don't think there is much degradation with the adapter. As for taking photos with the MF lens wide open I have to test some of mine again, as far as I can recall most (all?) of them used wide open resulted in photos that came out with a "dreamy" effect.

Pete Ganzel		12-May-2006 01:18
Hi Dumont, All the shots so far in the gallery were taken with the lens wide open at f/1.2. The conversion is surprisingly simple, without damaging the lens in any way so that it can be returned to use on MC/MD mount cameras. I'm thinking of making a conversion kit for sale so that other people can take advantage of these great old lenses on their AF Minoltas. Do you think there is a market for it?

darerecich		11-May-2006 21:56
Hi Pete, look forward to how you adapted the Rokkor for direct use on the 7D without an adapter. Meanwhile assume you set the Rokkor smaller than f1.2 for your sample pics? I have several MD/MC lenses which I use with my 5D with the thin 1.2x adapter and when set wide open almost always get a blurry/dreamy effect. Stopped down the pic's come out very good. Brgds Darren (aka Dumont www.pbase.com/dumont)

Pete Ganzel		10-May-2006 22:41
The MC Mount was removed and substituted by a modified Maxxum AF mount. The modification collimated the lens to infinity by machining to the right thickness. So yes, infinity focus works fine. I'll post directions in this gallery soon.

greg		10-May-2006 18:05
i presume you lost infinity focus but are fine with that for most uses? Post some pics of the installation, my 58f1.4 is itching;-)

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