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I have this old Minolta 50mm f1.7 manual focus lens from the last century. Its an excellent lens, made in Japan and in excellent condition. I was thinking of using it, with an adapter, for full manual use with my Nikon D60.

Good idea, bad idea? I need some feedback about this setup. I also have a 28mm f2.8 lens, similar age, that I could also try.

I thought I read about a Russian web site that sells cheap lens adapters. Are those any good? I can't find that post now but I'm sure its here. Thanks,

You _might_ be able to get it to work, but it won't work well.

There aren't many manual lenses that can be adapted to work on Nikon DSLRs and still retain the ability to focus to infinity. If you use an adapter, you'll either be stuck with using it for closeup's only, or the adapter will include a glass element (cheap) that will degrade the image anyhow.

Either way, the short and realistic answer is, it won't work.

You're better off getting older Nikon manual focus lenses. They're relatively cheap.

No way, or at least not worth your bother.

1. Minolta MF lenses are due to a variety of factors (though mostly the very shallow flange distance), unadaptable to any other mount, with the exception of four thirds. Conversions of certain lenses are possible, but it's mostly the exotic stuff that gets the time and attention - and even then, almost never converted to Nikon mount.

2. On the D60, if it doesn't have electrical contacts (known commonly as a CPU lens in Nikon parlance), it won't meter at all. This applies to Nikon MF (AI, AIS lenses) too, even though they will mount.

Minolta lenses are awesome but only awesome on Four Thirds or if you spent time/money, converted to Canon mounts.

50mm f/1.7 is pretty good.

I have the 28mm f2.8 macro, 58mm f1.4, 45mm f2 pancake, 35mm f2.8, 135mm f2.8 and an 80-200mm f4.

However on four thirds, everything is times 2 for crop factor. Awesome for ridiculous tele's like having a 160-400mm f4 or a 116mm f1.4

Thanks for the reply, folks. Based on the feedback, this idea is off the table now and I'm offering the Minolta lenses for sale now. Is $30 reasonable for the 50mm f1.7? The 28mm will be cheaper as it shows some damage on the body. Any takers?

If the 50mm f1.7 is mint, that price is reasonable.

What brand 28mm?

The 28mm is also Minolta - I'll take some pics tonight and post them.

Here they are ... how much should I ask for them?


Minolta 50mm f1.7


Minolta 28mm f2.8


Tokina Doubler for Minolta