BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Accessories for Film Photographers

Photography Question 

Terry McClain
 

I Need an Adapter and Don't Know What Kind


Hi, I am very new to using a SLR and am trying to learn with help from other people, and reading as much info as I can get my hands on. I recently purchased a lens from a seller of an online auction and it doesn't fit my camera. The guy that I purchased it from said all I need is an adapter and it will solve the problem.

The problem at hand is... there are about twenty different adapters for sale on auction and I have no clue as to what I really need. The camera I have is a Minolta 700X. The lens is a Tamron SP 60-300mm 1:3.8-5.4 (These are the numbers on the lens. As you can tell I have no idea what they mean.) I bought this lens because the guy told me it would do awesome sports shots and that is the real reason I got into the SLR. I wanted to enjoy a baseball game and get some photos that didn't look like I flew over the stadium in a helicopter snapping away.

If anyone has information on this I would really appreciate your help. I have this terriffic looking lens and have no clue as to whether it will do what I want because it doesn't fit. Thanks a bunch.


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August 13, 2003

 

Jon Close
  You need more information on the lens you bought. Tamron makes their lenses in many mounts to fit different makes of cameras. If this lens is made with the Nikon, or Pentax, or Canon mount you need to insist that the seller take it back.

However, Tamron also makes manual focus lenses with a "universal" mount they called "Adaptall", and the adaptor for each camera mount is sold separately. I suspect that is what you have. If so, you need the Adaptall mount for Minolta MD. B&H has them for about $35.
See http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=300 (the Tamron Adaptall mounts are listed on page 4 of that link).

You'll note that on page 1 of the above link that there is a less expensive (~$15) "general brand" T-mount to Minolta MD adaptor. I don't know if the Tamron Adaptall is the same as the T-mount.


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August 14, 2003

 

Jon Close
  Oops, sorry, the Tamron Adaptall for Minolta is on page 4 of the B&H link, not page 3.


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August 14, 2003

 

Maynard McKillen
  Dear Terry:
The Tamron 60-300SP was an adaptall series lens. Look for the M/MD adapter using John's link to B&H.
The T-mount John mentioned is a different animal from the Tamron adaptall series adapters, and while it serves a similar function, it would not help mate your lens to the Minolta body. A T-mount is used, typically, to mate a thread mount lens to a camera body that takes bayonet mount lenses. I suspect your 60-300 lens does not have threads at the back end, but a rather complicated looking bayonet- design mount, which mates to the Tamron Adaptall mount.
You may want to buy a T-mount for your camera, however, if you ever plan to mount it to a telescope, which is one other purpose for a T-mount...


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August 14, 2003

 

Terry McClain
  Thank you both so very much. I appreciate your help. I purchased the adapter and it works great. Once again, thank you.


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August 18, 2003

 
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