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Zenitar 16mm fisheye


my_photography1

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I recently picked up this lens to use with my Minolta cameras and was disappointed to discover that it will not function with my Maxxum 5. Even with the M42/maxxum adapter metering does not function at any mode. It simply will not display aperture f/stops even in manual mode. However my Maxxum 9000 does function with this lens, although in Manual mode only. Since the lens has no internal electronics AF will not function and any metering (if you can get it to function) results require that the fstops be set manually on the lens prior to exposure. I also have used the Zenitar successfully with my Minolta SRT202 with the proper M42/MD adapter ring. Since the SRT is a manual SLR and uses simple match needle metering, this manual lens works well. I'm impressed with the image quality, especially when you factor in the cost of this lens compared to other true 'fish-eyes.'
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Also to clarify, the Maxxum 5 would not even fire the shutter with this Zenitar lens attached. However the Maxxum 9000 fired correctly and exposed correctly in Manual Mode, as did the SRT202. I would assume the newer Maxxum cameras have programming that prevents functionality with fully manual lenses such as this. I doubt this lens would function with a Maxxum 7 or 9, but could not speculate regarding the xi and i series of maxxums.
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I have no problems using my old M42 lenses with Dynax-5.

One thing: you need to change custom settings (allow shutter release w/o lens + allow priority of shutter over autofocus)!

 

TTL metering works. but after some tests I found that it's not quite correct. In my case it is a constant error, that can be compensated by +1..+1.5 Ev exposure correction. (tested with different lenses: Helios 44, Jupiter 37, Rubinar 500/8)

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To use this lens on a Dynax/Maxxum 7 you will need to set costom menue 16 to off, set the camera to shutter automatic and manualy set the f. on the lens. This is the case with all Newer Minolta, when no electronc signal is recived from the lense a shutter lock is activated. I will try to find the costom setting for the dyanx/maxxum 5 for the other member that has this problem.
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Dee Dee and Scott's suggestions do correct the shutter firing issue on the Maxxum 5. I forgot all about the custom functions on this camera. Once the Custom Function 14 was set to '2' (off), the shutter fires with this lens (What through me off originally is that it will fire without film, put film in it and the shutter locks) However I still can't fully meter. Regardless of the priority mode, only the shutter speed is displayed. The aperture dispay is "--" whether in Program, Aperture, Shutter or Manual Mode. So I can't determine correct exposure other than a hand-held meter or the 'sunny-16' rule. I didn't see any other custom functions that may override this. Anyone know how to overcome this issue? It's not a big deal, I can use my hand-held meter, I'm just glad I can now use this fisheye with my Maxxum 5. I've been happy with the results using my SRT202.
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I have succesfully used it on the Maxxum 5, 500 SI and 800 SI. You have to set a certain custom function on the newer camera's (5, 7), or press a combinatuion of two buttons on older camera's to be able to use non electronically coupled lenses. Frying electronics? I doubt that, there is no electronic connection at all anyway.

Image quality: fine! BUT it's true that infinity focus can be lost with the M42 to M AF adapter, but that is very easy to solve by unscrewing threee little screws under the rubber focus ring. You then can rotate the focus ring a bit back so that the focussing can go further. I had the guy that sold it do that. he also had to remove one pin from the inside, that closes the aperture on a M 42 camera, now the aperture closes immediately when you turn the aperture ring instead of just before taking the picture.

Metering: Of course it does show -- for the aperture, it doesn't know what the aperture is. You just focus at 2,8 (bright finder), then turn the aperture ring to the desired aperture, and meter and shoot. It calculates the speed just fine based on the light that comes in at that moment. No problem, even acurate enough for Velvia. Although, maybe a half or whole stop extra wouldn't hurt, I think so much light comes in at extreme angles that the metering system thinks it's a bit more light than it actually is.

Do I advise to get one? Sure I do! It's graet fun! And cheap! Only the 50 mm 1.7 is chaeper. AND it will be my wide angle solution for the coming Maxxum 7D!

Enjoy,

Daniel (NL)

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i have a minolta 9000 and a PK fit zenitar 16mm. i found a PK to minolta mount adapter, works perfectly. it's also really good because i still have all my pentax gear, i can use my pentax 50mm f/1.2 on my minolta. try to pick a mount adapter up if you can, they are extremely useful!
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  • 1 month later...

Hi, I have a minolta x-300 (it's not even mentioned on the legacy page of minolta). I wish to purchase a Zenitar fish eye lens but don't know which adapter to use (Minolta MD/M42 or Minolta AF/M42). The only info I have from the manual of my camera about the lens is

 

Lens Mount: Minolta SLR bayonet (54º rotation angle); coupling for full-aperature metering and automatic diaphragm control with Minolta MD lenses.

 

thanks in advance

L

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