Fast short Tele on NX - Adapted 100mm f/2.5

I've been using Minolta MC/MD manual focus lenses on my NX (And on my Minolta too, of course) for a while now, but my lineup had a broad gap in focal lengths between 58mm and 135mm. While an 85mm would be nice, they run several hundred dollars depending on the model. Then I stumbled on the Minolta MD 100mm f/2.5. They show up on ebay for around $100, and after a few missed auctions I won one for $75. It's in perfect condition, and included the box!

My first Minolta lens was a large/heavy 58mm f/1.4. It helps me make some beautiful images, but has lots of old lens character. As I added to my Minolta collection, I started getting a few MD lenses. Minolta went to great lengths to reduce the size/weight of these lenses. (The standard filter size, for example, went from 55 to 49mm. Everything was scaled down...) Their optical performance is great too! The 58mm, for example, has strong spherical aberration wide open, with an accompanying loss of contrast. It's also prone to flare. By contrast, all of my MD lenses are sharp from wide open, and behave much more like modern glass.

So I open the box and am amazed at how compact/light the 100mm is. It's no larger than the NX 20-50mm kit lens and includes a brilliant two-stage retracting lens hood. The build quality is nice, and focus/aperture adjustments are nice and smooth.

It's nice and sharp wide open and is really crisp stopped down to f/4. It can show purple fringe around really brilliant highlights, but this too is totally absent at f/4. It shoots like a 150mm on the NX, which is an interesting focal length. You need a little distance from other people to get a good shot, which helps you capture folks in a relaxed I'm-not-posing-for-a-picture state. I just got back from the zoo, and while you won't be counting nose hairs on the giraffe, it's really nice when you want to include some surroundings in the frame.

Here are some shots of the lens, including some alongside familiar NX zoom lenses, and some examples. On the NX100, it makes for a nice compact little little package with some reach. DoF is narrow enough that it would be easier to use on something with a viewfinder, like the NX10/20/30... Think about this one if you're longing for a cheap, fast short tele lens.

You can see that, without the adapter, it's about the same length at the 20-50 kit lens.

And that it's way more compact, no surprise, than the 50-200mm.

While it won't bokeh-obliterate your backgrounds, it can strongly isolate your subject.

Check out my reflection in his glasses...

Very nice shots; you've used very expertly. And thanks for the info.

Another nice Rokkor in very good hands !

Thanks guys! 

Superb images great work .
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/simon-nx/
Trying to capture the images i see around me.

Superb images great work .
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simon-nx/
Trying to capture the images i see around me.

Very kind of you to say, Simon.

Nice to see these images in combination with older nanuel lenses.
I just ordered an NX30, specially also for using in combination with manual lenses that I have already for years, in my case with a Nikon mount.

Leon,
I think you will be pleased with your choice, I played with one recently and it's a nice camera. The EVF and focus peaking should be helpful if you have many fast/long lenses. Your biggest adjustment will be with the crop sensor, all your lenses will be 50% longer... Have fun!

That's quite a selection of lenses, and you have ambitious plans! Good luck!