Minolta RF 800mm 1:8 converted to EOS...

[lextalionis]

For starters, these are the only two posts on the WWW that has information about this lens:

Galerie - Minolta-Forum (MiFo) - Konica Minolta- und Sony-Fotoforum

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenwales/4277800414/

So here’s an unusual find, at least for me. The Minolta RF 800mm 1:8 Catadioptric. When I acquired this lens last month I immediately began work on an EOS mount. Knowing that it had zero aperture mechanics I was sure it was going to be an easy conversion. The only question I had in the beginning was whether or not the screw-in filter (screws into the Minolta RS mount) was required or not. Well after some searching I came across a good review of the Minolta 500mm f/8 RF Rokkor-X and in this review Antony does point out that the screw-in filter should stay in for performance. So know this set me back a little, but I got it figured out.

#1 The package:


#2 The guts:


#3 The mounts. On the left is a machined M42-EOS adapter with an epoxied 42-to-39mm reducing bushing which, to my astonishment, works as a perfect mate to the screw-in 39mm filter.


#4 The EOS conversion complete (non-destructive, i.e. this is fully reversible back to stock). The ONLY removal of Minolta stock I had to do was 1mm of the Minolta normal screw-in filter housing. Also shown is a hand-crafted aluminum filter key:


#5 Here’s the lens along with the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM for comparison:


#6 LOL, give a photog a mm and he’ll want a few more :) The 7-element RMC Tokina Doubler converted to EOS:


#7 2560mm f/16 Effective :)


SAMPLES

This moon shot was taken from downtown Austin, TX by Greg Daem with a Canon EOS 50D:


The moon at 1600mm including a video.

All the rest of the sample shots

Thanks for looking,
Roy

[groovyone]

Wow, you sure messed up a nice a-mount lens! Hahaha, only kidding. Nice work on the conversion!

[lextalionis]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Wow, you sure messed up a nice a-mount lens! Hahaha, only kidding. Nice work on the conversion!

"Kidding" because I didn't right? It's 100% fully reversable; in fact, that's what I had to do to use the 2X TC. Thanks for comment...it's fun lens to show off

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by lextalionis

"Kidding" because I didn't right? It's 100% fully reversable; in fact, that's what I had to do to use the 2X TC. Thanks for comment...it's fun lens to show off

Kidding because it has Canon cooties. haha. Seriously though, very impressive work.

[supra28]

Amazing conversion.... what an an alt lens....

[ngoduyviet]

What a find. I'd love to get my hand on one of those just to experiment.

[LWimages]

Originally Posted by lextalionis

The moon at 1600mm including a video.

Roy

Amazing!!!

[lextalionis]

Thanks everyone...it's a fun lens to use.

[ptrd]

That is pretty awesome.

Mind I ask how much it cost you for the whole she-bang?

[lextalionis]

Originally Posted by ptrd

That is pretty awesome.

Mind I ask how much it cost you for the whole she-bang?

Thanks! The lens was the "right price", too low to reveal here. click Add to Cart to see the price.

[lextalionis]

So Antony North (The Rokkor Files) has released a review of my lens...since it's rare he obliged to review it: Minolta RF 800mm 1:8 review on The Rokkor Files