Switching from Minolta to Nikon (MF-SLR)

pryan9 · Oct 4, 2010

So my go to 35mm SLR rig has always been a Minolta SRT of some sort and rokkor-x lenses (28, 50, and 135). Recently I picked up a beauty of a Nikkormat with a Pre AI Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4 lens.

I blasted off a few frames with the Nikkormat and really loved the way the photos turned out. The 50mm f1.4 seemed sharper than my Rokkor-x 50mm f1.7 and the bokeh was outstanding wide open.

I'm considering picking up a few more lenses for my Nikkormat and was hoping for some feedback. Should I be searching for some AI lenses in-case I decided to pick up an FM or FM2 down the road? or should I stick with the Pre AI stuff? I was looking at buying the Nikkor-N 24mm f2.8 and the Nikkor-Q 135mm f2.8 to compliment my Nikkor-S 50mm 1.4.

Lastly, do you think it will be difficult switching from Minolta to the Nikkon system in terms of camera operation and ergonomics? My only concern is being out in the field and totally forgetting to take into account something that came as second nature when shooting my Minolta's. I just love the way this camera feels and the bulkiness is not an issue for me at all.

CGW · Oct 4, 2010

First, which Nikkormat did you get? NAI lenses are usually fairly cheap in common focal lengths but they are getting old and some show it. Bodies like the FE and F3 are "bridge" models with flip-up Ai tabs that accomodate NAI/AI lenses. Nikon did make "Ai" kits(i.e., a new aperture ring with Ai follower, "rabbit ears" meter coupling, and aperture numbers) that allowed updating of older Nikkors to fit newer Ai bodies. I find these preferable to the sometimes gruesome DIY "Ai" conversions with Dremel-ed notches and stick-on aperture labels. Check out the extensive lens review, lens specification and serial # lists at: www.nikonlinks.com

I've used both and never had any difficulty switching between Minolta and Nikon manual focus bodies.

rmont2 · Oct 4, 2010

There are plenty of the Nikon FM bodies out there that can be purchased for a small amount. I sold one of these about 5 years ago and now wish I hadn't. The FM can take both the NAI/AI lenses which I believe the FM2 cannot take the NAI. Hope this helps.

lxdude · Oct 4, 2010

As far as "second nature" things go, one you might have a problem with is, the aperture and focusing rings both turn opposite to the Minolta.

pryan9 · Oct 4, 2010

It's actually a Japanese Nikomat version and I think its a FTn but I'll have to double check later this evening to verify that.

Ralph Javins · Oct 4, 2010

Good morning;

As lxdude mentioned, not only do the aperture and focusing rings turn in the opposite directions on the two lens types, the lenses also mount backwards; the NIKKOR lenses mounting in the opposite direction of just about everything else in the world.

Other than those things, I have not had too much difficuty in going back and forth between my Minoltas and Nikons. Sometimes a quick moment of annoyance, but if it does not result in the loss of a time critical shot, it is not too bad.

pryan9 · Oct 5, 2010

Thanks for all of the info..

Do you think that my selection of lenses is a good starting point or should I try for some newer AI lenses? Image quality wise, how do the old Pre AI's that I listed above match up to the newer glass?

dynachrome · Oct 5, 2010

I don't think you will see a difference in quality between the images you get from the two systems. If you have an f/1.7 Minolta lens which is in good working order and the sharpness doesn't look good, it isn't the lens. Any Nikkor from the C lenses on has very good coating. If you are using a non-AI camera then you should consider the condition of any lenses you buy first and whether they are pre-AI or AI/AIS second. Getting AI or AIS lenses will allow you to use all of the features of a newer camera. If I don't need a shutter speed higher than 1/1000 then an SRT camera will work as well as any Nikkormat. If I need to shoot at 1/2000 or 1/4000 I will use an FE2. The 50/1.7 MC Rokkor-X is probably my favorite Minolta standard lens. It has excellent coating and mostly metal barrel construction. The later Minolta standard lenses have more plastic in their barrels.

All of the 24mm Nikkors are very good. I have three of the pre-AI 135/2.8 lenses: Nikkor Q, Nikkor QC and 'K.' These 135s do not have very close focusing so they aren't as convenient for portraits as a 105/2.5 but they are well made and decently charp.

Paul VanAudenhove · Oct 7, 2010

As far as having focusing rings turn in opposite directions when changing from one system to another, I was taught a simple trick: always leave your focus set at infinity. The advice was actually given to me to make me faster at focusing manually, with the lens set at infinity you can only turn it one way. It's a neat trick that really shines when you're out shooting.

guitstik · Oct 7, 2010

Get an adapter that will allow you to use your Minolta glass on the Nikon body, voila.

capa-apug · Oct 8, 2010

The FM/FM2/FM2n is a great camera ... you'd like it. I also recommend the more modern N8008/N8008s if yer into that.

I've been a Nikon shooter for over a decade, but I used Minoltas in college. The college owned the gear, but students got to use it. I really liked the X-700. I've often perused keh.com's MD Minolta gear just sort of daydreaming. That gear is so inexpensive! I'd say Minolta gear is a real bargain these days.

guitstik · Oct 8, 2010

I love Minolta equipment. I have three X-700's, three X-370's, an sRt 102, a Konica (not really Minolta) Auto S2 and a Hi-Matic 9 along with all the glass that I have for them. I won't say that Minolta is all that I use 'cause then I would be lying but it is my most prolific equipment.

fschifano · Oct 8, 2010

What would I do? That's easy. Unless the money is really tight, I'd opt for the AI or AIS lenses every time. While the non-AI lenses can be had for less, and will certainly be as good as anything you have for the Minolta, they will severely limit your choice of bodies. Some will be compatible with limited functionality with later bodies, while others will not accept early non-AI lenses at all. With AI or AIS lenses, you don't have that problem and most of them (anything except the "E" series lenses) will have the fork necessary to engage the metering lever on your Nikomat. Some of the AF and AE bodies may not meter with them, but these are only a few.

Focus No. 9 · Oct 8, 2010

Pryan. have you googled a nikkor lens? I quickly find the link to www.mir.com which I've used to study the various types and focal lengths while trying to build a system for my FM.

And by the way...y'all keep that 'anything except the "e: lens' fire lit so as to keep the high-spending digivultures moving on to other prey.

pryan9 · Oct 9, 2010

great...thanks for all the info! maybe the ai lenses are a better choice

clayne · Oct 9, 2010

I'm a nikon user - but I know this: minolta optics are absolutely some of the best out there.

It's not that the nikkor you picked up is sharper or better - it's that it's something different.

You're in the "love" phase.

fschifano · Oct 10, 2010

I agree, the Minolta Rokkor lenses are top notch optics - some are among the best out there. But you will not be disappointed with the performance of the vast majority of Nikkors either. The only real exceptions I can think of are some of the very low end zoom lenses. Every manufacturer has made dog lenses, and Nikon is no exception.

Switching from Minolta to Nikon (MF-SLR)

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