I was wondering if its possible to mix older lenses with newer body. I'm looking at film cameras. I had a Minolta XG-7 and all the lens for it (Like a Minolta F1.4 50MM etc.) I sold the body but still have the lenses. I'd like to get a newer body to use these old lenses with... How can you tell if they will work with a newer body?
2007-12-18 14:03:00 · 5 answers · asked by sara 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
When film cameras went autofocus, the four major (Japanese) companies went two ways. Canon and Minolta changed their lens mounts, opting for something larger to accommodate more electronics. Nikon and Pentax kept the same lens mount. (Nikon has recently abandoned their manual focus lens compatibility with their newer digital SLRs.)
Technically, you could use those MD lenses on an AF or digital body with an adapter but you're better off using a contemporary lens that's designed for digital imaging.
The lenses you have can be used another Minolta non-autofocus camera or on some Chinese (Phoenix and Seagull SLR's use Minolta or Pentax mounts) or former Soviet-bloc cameras.
2007-12-18 14:39:13 · answer #1 · answered by HXT1138 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to continue shooting film, Sara, look on ebay for a MINOLTA XE-7 or X-700 or XD-11.
The XE-7 has Multiple Exposure capability but its a real brick of a camera - heavy. You can shoot in "A" (Aperture Preferred) or Manual Metered. It also has the smoothest film advance and quietest shutter of any MINOLTA made prior to the XD-11. The XE-7 was sold by LEICA as their R-3*. LEICA and Copal developed the shutter, MINOLTA the body and electronics.
The X-700 has either "A" or "P" (Program Mode) operation. You can use the Motor Drive 1 (MD-1) with it. The X-700 also introduced TTL - Off-Film Flash Metering - to the world. With the MINOLTA 360PX or 280PX or Auto Macro 80PX the camera controls the flash duration. Please note that this feature is still being used today in most digital cameras. An X-700 with the MD-1 and the Power Grip II flash bracket with the 360PX mounted makes an imposing package.
The XD-11 was the world's first Multi-Mode SLR, offering Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual Metering. It was another product of the MINOLTA-LEICA partnership. The Xd uses the shutter and film advance from the XE-7. LEICA sold this MINOLTA as the LEICA R-4 & R-5. The XD accepts a winder. It also has multiple exposure capability.
A visit to rokkorfiles.com might be interesting to you.
* LEICA offered a "motor drive" (really a glorified auto winder) for the R-3. Under their agreement with MINOLTA this was not offered for the XE-7. The R-3 also used the LEICA metering system and lens mount.
2007-12-19 07:43:19 · answer #2 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Th XG lenses are MD mount, the new Minolta/Sony DSLRs use the Minolta A mount. So no you cant use them on a newer body. Why do you need a newer body? Film cameras move film from one side to the other, theres no digital processing or the such. Unless the XG is playing up keep using it. If you want a bit more modern try a Minolta X700 maybe, with a motordrive on it.
2007-12-18 22:10:23 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What Jeff said. The other answerer has a point about adaptors - but the quality defeats the purpose IMHO.
X700, X300 are ok. The X370 finished production about 4-5 years ago they are the most modern to fit minolta MD mounts.
a
2007-12-18 23:32:16 · answer #4 · answered by Antoni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the manufacturers website. they will have that info.
2007-12-18 22:06:59 · answer #5 · answered by gryphon1911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋