Minolta MD 28/2 on EOS

Mechanical construction of a removable bayonet nail plate and the external infinity adjusting point made me determine to modify Minolta MD 28/2 latest model onto Canon EOS digital formatting image body. The former condition means that the inconvenient extruded part could be eliminated without any grinding procedure avoiding interferences in EOS mirror box, in addition to 0,5 mm backward positioning caused by  innate 43,5 mm shorter flange back design. Only 5 screws loosening can carry out the purpose without some troublesome procedures. The latter one does that final infinity helicoid adjustment could be done without disassembling lens element from anterior direction as having been done on older MC lenses mentioned before.
The focusing method by moving lens elements is different form ordinary wide angle view lenses, in spite of straight helicoid designing, the frontal lens element rotates while focusing ring is activated? Probably simultaneous movements of another lens module would be happened for some aberration's compensation?
As a matter of another attention, the most frontal glass looks smaller considering F number 2, some newer super transparent glass with lower dispersion material must be introduced in the lens element designing?

A piece of plus headed adjusting screw for infinity helicoid position is fixed by cementing material in addition to 2 small minus headed masked locking screws, approximately 1 mm diameter, 3 screws are designed in total for infinity position adjustment. In order to tighten them and to fix  focusing ring onto helicoid outer surface, some experience and skills are required, because too hard tightening torque on them invites some distortion of helicoid construction body, easily distorts leading to heavier rotating movement of focusing ring, so very precise even and adequate adjustment is indispensable for this torque setting procedure. 1 mm left side displacement of helicoid was the position for EOS mount, 0,5 mm frontal position compared with the original Minolta lens flange as the result. Now, setting Minolta lens on EOS mount is established with all attaining infinity focusing, in spite of 0,5 mm shorter flange-back discrepancy.

The purpose for using Minolta MD 28/2 brighter lens on EOS digital formatting image is to enjoy the way of expression on the out focusing gradual transition on the picture, so focusing point infront should be verified accurately through the finder of SLR camera, range finding by human eye is not enough in such situations. This is why I decided to modify it onto EOS using 28mm lens as 35mm one on APS-C formatting imaging area. Thanks to brighter F number of 2, Canon 7D finder commands a fine views when it is attached. So, this MD lens would play and work great with me in future. 

Old but better lens

Some influence by weather pressure layout brought to Kansai area relatively warm temperature this morning, the end of this year, but a bit rainy outside.
I have succeeded in surviving Minolta W.ROKKOR-SG 28/3,5, an old lens as it had been tens years ago, fully metallic constructive design shows that it would be continued indefinitely if the adequate and sufficient maintenance would be performed. The physical performance might be inferior to recent computer analyzed designed ones, 40 years old has some capability to resolve a scenery with specific character, I can ignore vignetting and circle end peg shape distortions. To tell the truth, I had obtained this one from YaHoo Auction at giving away price, 300 yen! Just because of mold formation at iris portion and heavy focusing ring movement,  I knew this 28/3,5 had not been used from the beginning and left untouched as long as 40 years, no wear of straight ahead helicoid guide and the iris ring's clicking movement with moderation, clean and transparent lettering imply the truth. As for critical problem caused by mold breeding inside of lens element, disassembling in pieces and cleaning procedures solved the problems thoroughly like nothing happened in the passed without leaving any scars on coating surfaces.
Denatured and hardened helicoid grease was removed and applied #70 gear oil there instead, re-obtaining desirably smooth movement was reproduced like a new lens. Lens speed 3,5 is not always a good advantage to use it on the see through the lens system with reflecting mirror, because there is some difficulty to find out focused pin point in some darker shooting condition, so this one would not be modified adopting connection by changing bayonet mount keeping Minolta SLR MC and MD mount. I have already obtained 42 PRAKTICA mount EBC Fujinon 28/3,5 as an alternative using by way of 42-EOS adapter. Consequently, SG 28/3.5 lens would be kept as my favorite one so long.

3 Minolta 28mm

Two Minolta manual focusing lenses from YaHoo Auction arrived at my hand at less than 1,000 yen, MD W.ROKKOR 28/2,8 and MC W ROKKOR-SG 28/3,5 promptly. Though I intended to modify them to adopt onto Canon EOS mount, I have changed my planning to use them on Leica M9 full sized imaging format to enjoy the wide angle optical equipments, otherwise the angle of view would reduced into that of ordinary 35 mm angle if put on APS-C Digital imaging area. Lens internal dirt, mold and dust inviting overcasting if I know these kind of disadvantage does not harm to the shooting result, but I dare disassemble the lens element a part to clean thoroughly, just because it is nothing but my fun.
Also, ZOOM ROKKOR 3,5-105 has arrived at me at cheapest price like nothing, some complicated construction because of adjustable picture angle would make me oblige to make effort to overcome the difficulty leading to my skill-up as an manufacturing engineer as usual. 

New & Old

Early this morning, pedestrian traffic is sparse as the paid work of the government has finished yesterday, though we work till noon and clean all the equipment we have after noon. As a matter for grateful, inconvenient inflammation on right side knee has almost disappeared this morning, because I spent almost of my free time at home yesterday.

I didn't remember the name of a favorite and familiar lens for large formatting image while silver salt film period until I actually ascertain the name plate, Symmar. Out of sight, out of distance, indeed!
I'll make efforts to set the lens on EOS digital format preparing any focusing construction.

I had an opportunity to drive SUBARU BRZ yesterday for the first time without any specific impressions. Though the compliance setting for noise and vibration is excellent, but that of three dimensional swing is not enough, lack of ripening and deeper fabrication, so I felt.

Redness swelling pain of knee

I feel some discomfort in the right knee joint since last evening, probably this dysfunction must be brought out by the lack of body liquid circulation leading to an imbalance of electrolyte in my body as this is often the case of the turn of the year from I was not old. It would take me at least one week interval to recover myself as usual. Failures in hip, knee and leg might lead to a handicapped person with walking difficulty, hoping to make any efforts so that it does not fall on me. Waking capability should be maintained till I go, however old I might be in future. Avoiding overeating, habitual and moderate exercise and correct posture after removing all of the body muscles. I will make good effort to recover myself in 2 or 3 days this time.
Newly introduced SUBARU BRZ for my son came back to us the day before yesterday, I haven't seen it yet, Air-Fighter like cockpit is not my favor?

Old item

Synchro COMPUR mechanical shutter module has found out in my junk box the other day, remembering me of good days that I had been accustomed to 4 inch by 5 inch format of silver salt film over 30 years ago. This shutter module had been replaced into alternative Seiko because of unstable operation. Probably some rust of staffed lubricating oil sludge must had caused the problem, so I'm going to disassemble to maintaining this fully mechanical shutter construction, of course sophisticated keen finger works would be required to carry it out and ST and SST would be required on the way, but I will do it being supported by the experience and the technology that I established while overhauling Leica M3 including range finder block full disassembling and re-adjusting including diopter of the distance measuring instrument construction. The shutter module is sandwiched by the anterior and posterior lens elements on the shutter board when actual use. I'm going to use this ancient lens board on the digital body in very near future to reproduce the performance of the old German Schneider large format lens. Long time of period has passed already that is enough to forger me the familiar lens name.

Old but enough

21 years old first generation BC7 SUBARU Legacy Lsi US model had overcome thoroughly a critical failure in the automatic trans-axle rear transfer clutch mechanism, I didn't do anything on the problem but switching on and off the wiring to activating solenoid valve while highway running. Probably, stepping wear at sliding groove in clutch bell must have been smoothed by this primitive experiment. As a matter of fact, any strange reaction has disappeared like nothing that is popular among the similar model user, tight corner braking phenomena. Childish but logic countermeasure with compatible with flash has taken effect, so, layman's idea should not be ignored. By the way, how shall I do on the replacement full kit parts of clutches at my hand now?

I drove up to Mousi from Sasayama rising up from Northern slopes, there were several frozen places, I could have arrived at an usual restaurant, "Sugar" at ease on BC7. I make it a rule to visit to see managers and to enjoy with them who are very friendly and talkative with the visitors, though I did over-ate myself as usual.
I found out old lens by chance in my junk box, Elmarit-R 135/2,8 with fault defect in lens element, peeling balsam extensively. Giving up to use this without any experiment, I checked it comparing with another l35 lenses, Minolta TELE-ROKKOR-PE 135/3,5 and Hektor 135/4,5 at 6,3 aperture. No inferiority can not be used without any fear, the result obtained made me determine to continue this old lens from now.  

Changes perception

The first generation Canon EOS Kiss Digital kit zoom lens 18-55/4,5 deserted by my son has enough physical performance for me. So, I decided to use this small and light toy like standard zoom lens as an ordinary normal device.
According to inviting this genuine lens, basic ritual I have been going so long must be changed because of all automatic system provided on a sophisticated recent camera, auto-focusing, auto-iris-closing, cognitive-focusing. I'm going to be a coward photographer on earth?
Among them, automatic ISO value adjusting system is very convenient for me avoiding too slow shutter operation leading to camera shake. Thanks to the noise reduction researches on the imaging area by the factory engineers, I can shoot without any fear of miserable results. It's like a different world for me like looking up sun rise!
Also, an old Leitz Macro Elmar 65/3,5 would be carried about in the same manner that had been modified to adopt onto EOS mount while the silver salt film period. As it is designed only for Vizo-Flex system, some focusing device is indispensable, helicoid ring or focusing rail, so I did it by utilizing Asahi Pentax K mount helicoid ring and T-mount adapter for EOS. Of course, infinity position is established by just adopting on the decided lens back distance.
In addition, 42mm Praktica screw mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85/2,8 HFT is available on EOS, smaller and lighter character but with favorable performance makes me satisfy as a good one.

Progress

New comer Canon EOS 7D has not a few developed functions compared with old 10D, especially, 100% field view ratio is above a word finding out no reason to return to old one. Functional button switches are almost the same, though many additive are observed. Smaller mirror situating just frontal part of CMOS sensor with 45 degree angle has influence a little, that are arranged to accept EF-S lenses with shorter lens distance. Thanks to this modification, old zoom lens deserted by my son is acceptable for new body and probably I would use it. An experimental comparison, Canon EF 50/1,8-2 and Minolta Rokkor-PG 50/1,4 revealed the superiority of ancient model even now as mentioned in various reports. The price of 7D was just 1/3 of 5D Mk3. From some different standing point of view, APS-C that is smaller than full size, has a unignorable advantage instead, suing some better area if the lens that is designed for full size formatting image cutting of the inferior end part. This way was often the case I had been utilized since the silver salt film period, Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Planar 100/3,5 was set on Mamiya 645 1000S focal-plane shuttered model. Now I'm enjoying photographic hobby in the same way on Digital formatting image.

Ambivalence

Finally I selected Canon 7D digital body for the next choice as a successor of 10D that had been used as long as 11 years. I have been at a loss which to choose, 5D Mk3 or 7D, I have wiped out my hesitation. The least modification in digital signal, want I reproduce the scenery by means of original lens physical performances. Though I know that it's possible to change the way of expressions by means of digital signal image processing, I dare put an emphasis on the Leitz theory, "Kante". My brain cortex must have be hardened with modification? 

Lens maintenance

The iris surfaces were cleaned on Tele-Elmarit M 90/2,8 by disassembling them in pieces. Not a little efforts were required to re-assemble them in position with some special skill remembering the past. The first generation Tele-Elmarit 90/2,8 was designed to invite some special dispersion glass for the first time resulting no straightforward depiction habit in various resolutions. Larger image circle and removable lens head designing made it possible to modify it onto Mamiya 645 body utilizing as a standard lens. Lower picture shows Elmar 90/4, Elmarit 90/2,8 was fixed as the same manner as this.
Consequently, smaller but excellent Leitz lenses had played in the winning in the photographic contests while silver salt film period 30 years ago.

Time to change

The wave of aging that are now happening in the countryside is coming to urban soon especially in clinical medical field. Even  now designed hospital emergency state are on the verge overflowing, so they want to distribute some part of aged emergency patients to the practitioners of the town, leading to the preparation for acceptance of emergency medicine. This is an urgent need for us in health cares, countermeasures should be reconsidered with making haste among both the research institutes and  the large hospitals with emergency designation. Accurate prediction and measures on the aging of Baby Boomers soon after the WW2 70 years ago, both of the target to be overcome.

I could have my desired permission on the introduction of new modes, Canon EOS 5D Mk3 as a succession camera of 10D that has been used as long as 10 years. 36 by 24 full sized formatting screen would bring some sensation in the recommendation of the lenses focal length perceptions due to the difference of sizes, APS-C to full size. Just change my mind one size down compared with former one, though I though 35mm lens was used as a standard one on APS-C, I must change it into actual 50mm as so, just going to the past, silver salt period. As I'm prepared for the coming revolution, all the Minolta manual focusing lenses had been modified into EOS Digital mount, more careful checking procedures one by one must be done on bayonet nails back spaces hitting on mirror box vertical surfaces.

Color resolution

Wild birds are flying about among very close to the pedestrian in the city this fine morning, they are all used to people, bulbuls and sparrows. Everything is busy at the end of this year these days.

One week interval was enough for VW 1302 Super Beetle to cause some dysfunctions on the generator and a motor oil pressure switch, but such kind of phenomenon have disappeared soon after a while, removal of oxide thin film on the generator commutator and some clogged oil gallery. Even in a shielded dram brake surface, feel I some rusting graininess on the brake pedal at a very beginning stage after leaving in the rainfall outside a few times.

Just a simple experiment under artificial lighting shows some completely different color resolution, Minolta Rokkor 28/2 lens was set on different bodies, Canon EOS 10D with Digic developing engine and Leica M9 KODAK engine. This kind of differences due to the white balance setting mainly, so I would be able to adjust the color resolutions as I prefer. Though the test lens was adopted on M9 body, 28mm focal length permits the lack of range finder coupling connection, because the deeper focusing physical performance covers enough to obtain clear transparency if the iris is closed down to 5,6. Leica M body cap and Minolta SLR lens rear cap parts that were adhered together in the condition of establishing the compensation of flange-back, 44,0-27,8 mm.

Dark atmosphere

A great person in the department of Cultural Anthropology, Professor Takao Sofue went away yesterday. This kind of bad news makes us feel dark on earth. His performance is one of my favorite interest to be gotten lost in my late life from now, anyway it's a matter for regret to have lost a reliable cornerstone. It's a dark and rainy weather condition this morning shows some chaotic course of our country, old style political executive survived again after the election on last Sunday. The economical condition would turn bad to worse in future?

As I wanted a Minolta 135mm lens hood with 52mm diameter for Nikon 105/4 Macro lens, YaHoo auction brought me TELE  ROKKOR-QD 135/3,5 lens in addition at 800 yen, though another exhibitions were there for only the hood at the same price. This lens has modified to adopt onto Canon EOS body in the same manner I had done. Initial production, probably 1960 period had some specific construction, constructive screws invited inside and outside were all minus slitted heads and the lens element had no drawback. The physical performance was enough to satisfy myself, so this old style lens would be continued long with me from now.

Successfully finished!

Dysfunctional X-Ray system in our business was repaired yesterday taking time as long as 8 hours by myself. Servicing the machinery in different field makes me a progress so much though fraying my own nerves tasks as it was. Careful checking on fuses on the circuitry cards led me to the conclusion that the dysfunction was brought not by some semiconductor error but by lack of current supply in the circuitry especially in mechanical connection. Then all the mechanical relays were disassembled a part and the terminals were filed and cleaned to establish good current flows. In addition, pinching connected wiring were thoroughly replaced into the method with soldering. After these kind of repairing procedures, 24 years used X-Ray system had re-acquired the original performance with success. Finally, X-Ray radiation was confirmed by actual play of this machinery.
Now, I have escaped from the huge expenses and the threatens by my son insisting on the renewal of this into newest Digital X-Ray system.
Women and young people have some tendency to hate old things, however hard I might explain the importance of not an outer appearance but the actual function and performance, they do not understand with inclining to the newer productions.

Power Tr.

Very important and useful information was obtained from the chief engineer in the producing company of our X-Ray system last night, but for this indispensable factory internal know-how, it took me several days to come the destination for repairing this machinery. 8A fuse was checked last night ascertaining the connection, but 10A fuse opening is the criminal of the dysfunction this time probably caused by the power transistor shortening, one or more in 8 pieces, so the semiconductor replacement would be required. If the fuse was connected, it's very doubtful that the main part of radiation gun should be broken. In order to do that any specific measuring device is not necessary but only a simple circuit tester is enough, just see the connection open or shortened between three terminals on P-Tr.
24 years has passed since this machinery had been produced, so the same semiconductor would not exist in the market, but there should be any alternatives for the replacement, check the datum sheet carefully after coming across with the parts actually. Also he said in addition, 250V high voltage condition with thunder attack is dangerous enough to stop my heart's action and to take me to the Heaven, sure!

Out of order!

X-Ray system for our business became out of order after 24 years use the day before yesterday as if God says now is the time to change into newer Digital system? I know that the replacement of the machinery should be done sooner or later in very near future, but I'm going to try to repair this one if the difficulty might beyond the competence of my engineering skill especially internal electric circuitry including high-voltage one. I must be careful definitely enough not to appear myself on the news paper, yes, death by high voltage chair in US Al Capone period.
Equipment surrounding me breaks one after another these days, how come?
According to the information on the display name of the board, the technology of Finland company is introduced inside. Anyway, my free time this week end should be fully occupied by the maintenance work on this broken machinery without any doubt.

TELE ROKKOR-PE 200/4,5

I enjoyed modifying and adopting Minolta TELE-ROKKOR PE 200/4,5 old lens onto Canon EOS Digital mount yesterday. After establishing these procedures, I do not find out any reason to throw away this marvelous lens on earth. Though disadvantage like darker F number 4,5 and longer closest distance 2,5m as this one has, on the other hand, smaller barrel designing and shorter TELE lens element including a piece of aspheric one designing are somewhat advantages so I regard. As written in "Leica Lens Manual", heavier and bulky lens has unavoidable tendency of property not to be used so often leaving at home, APO Summicron 180/2 and APO Teryt 280/2,8 would loose their opportunity to be brought out because of heavy weight, both of them weighs over 2,5kg like a military M16 rifle. So, this new comer would be taken out with me from now reminding me of the necessity of a tripod equipment for longer focal lens than 135mm avoiding camera shake.
EOS body cap is cut into two pieces to utilize bayonet nails and attached on to an original Minolta flange surface with acrylic resin material. The inevitable flange-back discrepancy of 0,5mm shorter is compensated by adjusting the helicoid ring making it at posterior position in combination with focusing ring to establish the infinity position.

MC TELE-ROKKOR PE 200/4,5

Arrived Minolta MC TELE ROKKOR-PE 200/4,5 old lens has fully disassembled for maintenace and adaptation with sine arrangement on Canon EOS Digital formatting image. This lens has some specific lens element construction, a piece of aspheric one is equipped inside, but is also unpopular because of relatively longer closest point, 2,5m and darker 4,5 F number. Consequently, contracted price was only 500 yen and shipping fee was 680 yen, 1,180 yen was the total expense, shipping fee exceeds it's original one, it happens often the cases. I feel sad that excellent old Minolta lenses are thrown away at junk prices these days because of the reason of incompatibility on recent digital formats. Incredible efforts must have been made at that time by the factory lens designing engineers.
Though my way of establishing the compatibility on EOS mount might require some technical expertise and special adhering material, I hope many enthusiasts in this hobby field would try to do the same as I'm enjoying to survive many buried MC and MD lenses now. 

Periodical maintenance

I have overslept myself this morning getting up 1 hour later than usual without any specific reason just because of cold and dark winter weather. According to the degree of adfreezing on window screen BC7 is chosen for a means of transportation these days, depending on the parking place. Just a bit lack of steering stability make me feel some necessity to check it's wheel alignment and axle constructive geometry once more again. Now is the time for precise checking on them, because the deformable rubber parts causes discrepancies on the alignments gradually. In order to drive an automobile comfortably, this kind of periodical checking and adjusting efforts are indispensable.
Anyway, what must be done must be done, however troublesome it might be.

MD 100 Macro

The performance of Minolta MD Macro-Rokkor 100/4 was tested at Kyoto the day before yesterday, excellent resolution of texture was proved as I had expected. In spite of a marvelous performance, most of the photographers must have deserted because old Minolta lenses of shorter flange-back value, 43,5mm than Canon EOS and 46,5mm Nikon Digital bodies in addition to SONY alpha 44,5mm. There should be no idea to adopt 43,5mm flange back MD lenses onto longer FB  digital body, so our common sense on this point leads us to a miserable conclusion.
Though this 0,5mm shorter flange back value than EOS mount standard might be some decisive flaw not to be controlled, so not a few MINT conditioned MD Rokkor lenses appear at an incredibly cheap price in the junk market, 1/10 to 1/20. It would be unwilling phenomena for the factory lens designing engineers once who had  been at the forefront, because they must have made desperate efforts to produce Minolta MD Rokkor lenses 30 to 40 years ago. The technology to correct most of the aberrations were established at that time already and now the way to obtain the best answer for lens designing is known instantly by computerized calculation how ever complicated and difficult formula might be. So, recent lens tastes are the almost the same between lens makers, because the answers are the same obtained by computer analysis. The difference of the way of expressing were found in silver salt period apparently, this is why I prefer older lenses than modern ones. 100mm/4 Macro Rokkor is one of my most favorite one among Minolta lenses while silver salt film period.

BC7 SUBARU Legacy LSi

Malfunction on the rear transfer clutch in BC7 SUBARU Legacy LSi US model has recovered completely, no strange tight corner braking effect is observed since a month ago just after availing all the replacement parts for the maintenance, how come? 6 years interval used lead battery 75D23L has ended it's life because of lack of capacity, head light becomes darker when starter motor is activated, and the voltage comes to higher in relatively charging period of time. In addition, special shaped clip to keep frontal grill in position must be ordered, 6 pieces in total. Wheel alignment and constructive axle geometry must be checked again, I feel some left side tendency while straight running. Set-back, swung rear end, uneven wheel bases, frontal camber error or it's value on rear axle leading to causing thrust angle?

Exhibition in Kyoto

97th Hanging scroll mounting exhibition was held at Kyoto Cultural Museum last Sunday, the engineer group is very active in repairing old and ancient Japanese National Treasures, so their technology shown there was nothing but some ultimate technology. The end processing of their works are great and above words. They are now all busy for the preparation works of  Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture. I could hear by chance about a piece of special technical methods from the representative of the group who is my friend that the glue is made from boiled flour powder and mature the material as long as 10 years to obtain adequate and flexible physical property avoiding cracks on the surface according to wound-surround procedure. And the works with natural glue are inhibited while the rainy season because of it's physical property conflicting with too much humidity.  It is an unique and secret technique that was transmitted from generation to generation for hundreds of years.