Minolta Fisheye recommendation

unwantedfocus · May 7, 2022

Hello,

so I have been seeing a lot of fisheye images lately and they are really appealing to me. I currently shoot on my Minolta SRT 101, I know that there is a 16mm f.28 available but it is also a little bit pricey, also seen a sigma md. I have also seen that there are a decent amount of screw on adapters, can anybody recommend a screw on fisheye adapter? Is there anything I have to keep in mind when getting an adapter? Problems I might encounter? Or save up money for the real deal?

thanks

xkaes · May 7, 2022

I've tried a few of the screw-in adapters. They are OK for fun, but that's about it. If you go that route, stop down ALL the way -- and accept that the edges of the image will still be crap. The Spiratone Curvetar is the "best", but it's only 160 degrees and still has soft edges.
I'd recommend holding out for a Minolta, but the Sigma is also fine. They show up at decent prices. Or you could try an adapter -- and sell it after you see the results. Who knows, you might like it.

unwantedfocus · May 7, 2022

thank you for the information, when using such adapter I would also have with a 35mm lens, the ring from of the barrel visible in the frame correct? attached an image

Bill Burk · May 7, 2022

eBay has several 16mm fisheye for about $200. Is that out of your budget? I recently spent about that on a Pentax 17mm and thought it was a good value. I have been enjoying the wide perspective.

There are some non-brand Minolta closer to $100 but stay away from that $60 Vivitar looks like it has haze on inner elements.

unwantedfocus · May 7, 2022

200 would be in my budget but the Minolta goes for 300 minimum from what I have seen.

Les Sarile · May 7, 2022

unwantedfocus said:
200 would be in my budget but the Minolta goes for 300 minimum from what I have seen.

In the used market there are reasons that years later many lenses hold their value or even increase over time.

Kodak Gold 100-7_30-32 by Les DMess, on Flickr

unwantedfocus · May 7, 2022

Its okay just have to save up a bit more then. Just wanted to rule out options since I'm not big into the fisheye lenses game yet.

xkaes · May 7, 2022

I suspect you can get a Curvatar for around $20. It uses a Series VII adapter as I recall -- just get an adapter for your lens filter size. The results are FISHEYE, but never 180 degrees. You can attach it to any lens and the results will be different. Just remember to stop all the way down for the best results.

Now that I think of it, I have a Curvatar with a small chip on the edge -- not that big a deal. If you want, I'll send it to you for free -- for the cost of postage. You'll need to get a Series VII adapter to your filter size. Send me a private message if interested.

Bill Burk · May 7, 2022

If you use eBay, be patient. I saw a good one but I don’t know the mount series well enough to know if it’s good for you but you can get Minolta for $200

Sirius Glass · May 7, 2022

unwantedfocus said:
Its okay just have to save up a bit more then. Just wanted to rule out options since I'm not big into the fisheye lenses game yet.

In the past when I used only Minoltas, the Rokkor lenses were much brighter for the same f/stop and better contrast, due to type of glass used and coatings. I would recommend continuing to look for a Rokkor MC or MD fisheye lens. I have a high quality fisheye lens and I am the first to say while it is fun to use with the right subject and composition, it is not the most useful lens in the camera bag. Patience is a virtue, take your time and spend wisely.

Patrick Robert James · May 7, 2022

IIRC there is a Russian M42 mount fisheye (Zenit?) that is pretty good. You should be able to adapt that to your camera. Don't know what they sell for though. It won't interface with your camera either but with a fisheye you really don't need that.

ic-racer · May 7, 2022

Compared to when they were new, I think most 35mm format fisheye lenses are relatively inexpensive currently.

The Rokkor 16mm listed for $335 in 1975. That would $1790 today.

For half of $1790 I got all these Yashica ML lenses, including the Fisheye. I suspect with Rokkors, you could do the same.

unwantedfocus · May 8, 2022

xkaes said:
I suspect you can get a Curvatar for around $20. It uses a Series VII adapter as I recall -- just get an adapter for your lens filter size. The results are FISHEYE, but never 180 degrees. You can attach it to any lens and the results will be different. Just remember to stop all the way down for the best results.

Now that I think of it, I have a Curvatar with a small chip on the edge -- not that big a deal. If you want, I'll send it to you for free -- for the cost of postage. You'll need to get a Series VII adapter to your filter size. Send me a private message if interested.

Thanks for the kindness but shipping would already be very expensive, I will look around locally.

Patrick Robert James said:
IIRC there is a Russian M42 mount fisheye (Zenit?) that is pretty good. You should be able to adapt that to your camera. Don't know what they sell for though. It won't interface with your camera either but with a fisheye you really don't need that.

I will look into that one thanks, I already have a m42 adapter for my Minolta.

Bill Burk · May 8, 2022

unwantedfocus said:
Thanks for the kindness but shipping would already be very expensive, I will look around locally.

I will look into that one thanks, I already have a m42 adapter for my Minolta.

Since you have an adapter, and you can look at M42. Here is the model I got and which tends to have a good price: "Pentax SMC Fish Eye Takumar 17mm f/4 M42"

The common low price is about $250. My offer of $220 was accepted for one.

One up there now in the right price point says near mint, but just like mine, the front multicoating has a mottling. That won't ruin the quality of images, but a fair offer might be accepted.

PS, this is full frame wide angle. It does not make a circular image.

Les Sarile · May 8, 2022

unwantedfocus said:
Thanks for the kindness but shipping would already be very expensive, I will look around locally.

I will look into that one thanks, I already have a m42 adapter for my Minolta.

I didn't know there was an M42 to Minolta mount adapter!

My only other fisheye is the Fish Eye Takumar 17mm f/4. Came on an ESII and as you can see Takumar and Asahi were removed not too lightly! Apparently they used to do this to bypass import requirements.

Pentax ESII with SMC Fish Eye Takumar 17mm f/4 by Les DMess, on Flickr

It may not be a looker but I've run many rolls using this lens and it is also quite the performer.

xkaes · May 8, 2022

A couple of points.

Minolta made adapters for M42 (they called it Pentax thread), Exakta, and Leica (L39mm thread) lenses. Does anyone know of any others? The genuine Minolta adapters can be a little pricey, but at least the Leica and Pentax adapters were made by third parties, as well.

Also, keep it mind that some full-frame fisheye lenses are not a full 180 degrees on the diagonal. They are the exception, as far as I know, but some are, for example, 170 degrees. For most purposes this is unimportant, but just something to keep in mind.

Bill Burk · May 8, 2022

That’s the one Les! Here you can see mottling that’s not a deal killer for using but will make it harder to re-sell the lens or for collecting

Sirius Glass · May 8, 2022

Bill Burk said:
That’s the one Les! Here you can see mottling that’s not a deal killer for using but will make it harder to re-sell the lens or for collectingView attachment 304970

Your dog does not seem to be focused on the subject. Is he getting enough food, exercise and sleep?

Minolta Fisheye recommendation

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency