DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

Started Jul 5, 2017 | Questions
Zavee New Member • Posts: 1
Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

Hi.  I am really interested in trying my hand at eclipse pictures in August since I live very close to the path where the total eclipse can be seen.  Based on what I've read, I was planning to use my dslr Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d.  Since it was recommended to use at least a 300mm lens, I planned to use my Kimunor 500 mm f8 or my Phoenix 500mm mirror lens.  These lens are both manual focus and I have not used them before since I usually use the AF feature.  Initially, when I put the Kimunor on and tried to take a picture my camera indicated that no lens was attached.  I went into settings and changed it to allow the shuttle to be activated even if there was no lens attached.  Now I have a new issue.  Everything I shoot is extremely bleached out. I tried various settings but never could increase the contrast to a usable level. Both the Kimunor and the Phoenix gave basically the same results.  What can I do to allow me to photograph decent pcitures?

ANSWER:
This question has not been answered yet.
Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D (Dynax 5D)
If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form.
FrancoD Forum Pro • Posts: 19,261
Re: Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

You are meant to use those lenses on manual or aperture priority.

Is that what you do ?

John Arenas
John Arenas Regular Member • Posts: 218
Re: Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

Zavee wrote:

Hi. I am really interested in trying my hand at eclipse pictures in August since I live very close to the path where the total eclipse can be seen. Based on what I've read, I was planning to use my dslr Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d. Since it was recommended to use at least a 300mm lens, I planned to use my Kimunor 500 mm f8 or my Phoenix 500mm mirror lens. These lens are both manual focus and I have not used them before since I usually use the AF feature. Initially, when I put the Kimunor on and tried to take a picture my camera indicated that no lens was attached. I went into settings and changed it to allow the shuttle to be activated even if there was no lens attached. Now I have a new issue. Everything I shoot is extremely bleached out. I tried various settings but never could increase the contrast to a usable level. Both the Kimunor and the Phoenix gave basically the same results. What can I do to allow me to photograph decent pcitures?

assuming the aperture is stopped down by the ring in the middle of the lens then set ISO to anything other than auto,  maintain F8, & adjust SS. I'd shoot via manual w/ either of the lenses. Good luck

 John Arenas's gear list:John Arenas's gear list
Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fujifilm X30 Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM +7 more
FrancoD Forum Pro • Posts: 19,261
Re: Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

The widest aperture on both lenses is f 8 (the only aperture in the mirror lens) .

John Arenas
John Arenas Regular Member • Posts: 218
Re: Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

Correct. My suggestion was directed to the kimunor. Also,  make sure exposure compensation dial isn't max out.

 John Arenas's gear list:John Arenas's gear list
Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fujifilm X30 Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM +7 more
EXX
EXX Senior Member • Posts: 1,204
Re: Using a Konica Minolta Maxxum 5d with a Kimunor 500mm f8.

I have some experience with mirror lenses; I use the Minolta AF 500mm F8 Reflex myself.

One problem with mirror lenses is that quality can very a lot. If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys, also with mirror lenses.

Mirror lenses have less contrast; that is something to correct in post processing.

However, since you have problems using both lenses, I suspect it is a problem of incorrect settings. Bypass the metering of the camera and use manual mode. Aperture is fixed to F8, so the only 2 things to set are ISO and Shutter speed. Leave the white balance to Auto.

I would start to fix the ISO to e.g. ISO400 and then start to make pictures at different shutter speeds and check the results.

Can you post some examples of pictures taken with both lenses?

 EXX's gear list:EXX's gear list
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Sony SLT-A55 Sony a77 II Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Sony DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 ZA Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* +18 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads