Lenses Reviews And Tests

Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – 16el 13gr vs 14el 12gr versions – comparison

Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro (16el.13gr.) vs Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom (14el.12gr.) – comparison Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 (16el.13gr.) (MD III) Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 (14el.12gr.) (MD III) A perfect demonstration of the differences between lenses with the same parameters, but with...

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Minolta Lens Perfect Data

There are several sources with Minolta lenses lists, but the most accurate is a “book about Minolta” with the separated part “Minolta Lens – Perfect Data”(pdf is here). It is attractive because this data is provided by the company itself. And it unambiguously sorts all Minolta SLR lenses into just 4 categories. And yet, unmistakably and with totally correct optical designs. It looks like a miracle after the classifications that are used among collectors (due to their high demands for details). I believe that for the average user this is the best source – simple and clear.

So, the moment came when I got tired of opening the pdf on page 97  and starting to scroll down, so I decided to put these incredible tables on the site simply in the form of pictures for quickly viewing.

The article – is the translation from Japanese, there is no my ideas. Additionally, in the bottom – the description of the differences between the Minolta lenses is presented, it is also very clear. (more…)

By Tony, ago

Minolta Auto Tele Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.0 – AR II – review

Minolta Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.0 Auto Tele (AR-II) engraved as “Minolta Auto Tele Rokkor-PF 1:2 f=100mm” lens review

  • Official classification: SR
  • Collector’s classification: AR II

This is another lens at the top of the wish list of many photographers and collectors. Photographers are drawn to its speed and portrait focal length, while collectors are drawn to its rarity and some traits which are unusual for Minolta’s products.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta Rokkor 45mm 1:2.8 TD – review

Minolta Rokkor TD 45mm 1:2.8 pancake engraved as “Minolta Rokkor-TD 1:2.8 f=45mm” lens review

  • Official classification: SR
  • Collector’s classification: AR C or AR II – depends on the opinion of collectors, there are no clear agreements (for me it seems that AR II is more correct but it is not very important thing to argue, both codes have chances to be used)

    The only pancake from Minolta. After this attempt, the company never produced lenses in this form factor again. No one voiced the reason officially, but given the rarity of pancakes among the products of other companies, there is nothing surprising in this.

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    By Tony, ago

    Minolta MC Rokkor PG 58mm 1:1.2 – MC-X – review

    Minolta MC Rokkor PG 58mm 1:1.2 (MC-X) engraved as “Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 1:1.2 f=58mm” lens review

    • Official classification: MC
    • Collector’s classification: MC-X

    A very important introduction: by popular collector’s classification this lens has three main versions (MC I, MC II and MC-X), this review is for the latest version with a rubberized focus ring. The site already has a review of the second version (non-radioactive copy), and from the point of view of mechanics and optics, the difference between these two lenses is either absent or extremely insignificant. Therefore, I will use a lot of copy-paste from an earlier article.
    However, all tests are original and made on the specific lens for which this review is written.
    (A review of the earliest version will definitely be made in the future in order to completely close the topic of this lens model) (more…)

    By Tony, ago

    Chiyoko 35mm 1:3.5 Rokkor – review

    Chiyoko Rokkor 1:3.5 f=3.5cm lens review (Chiyoko 35mm 1:3.5 Rokkor)

    Mount – M39 or Leica screw mount (flange focal distance – 28.8 mm)

    Here is an review of the lens, which is a legend not only of the company, but in general of the entire photographic industry. This is one of the vast number of examples from the beginning of the Japanese Economic Miracle. No matter what results it shows in tests, its value is historical: it is the world’s first mass-produced multi-coated lens.

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    By Tony, ago

    Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – 16 elements in 13 groups – review

    Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro (16el.13gr.) lens review

    • Official classification: MD/New-MD
    • Collector’s classification: MD-III

    A bit unusual zoom for MD-III Minolta line – too many metals is visible in exterior. The combination of F4.5 with 105mm for the long end looks quite fast for portraits, so the main question – what a sharpness this lens can offer?

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    By Tony, ago

    Minolta Auto Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.8 – AR II – review

    Minolta Auto Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.8 (AR-II) engraved as “Minolta Auto Rokkor-PF 1:1.8  f=55mm” lens review

    • Official classification: SR
    • Collector’s classification: AR-II

    Another lens from the distant past – the line was started in 1961. In those years, it was the number two fifty among all similar Minolta’s lenses right after new and faster AR-II 58/1.4. It could come in kits for both lines  – expensive flagship SR-3/SR-7 cameras and also for cheaper SR-1 cameras.. Now let’s see what it can offer to us.

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    By Tony, ago

    Minolta Auto Rokkor PF 55mm 1:2.0 – AR I – review

    Minolta Auto Rokkor PF 55mm 1:2.0 (AR-I) engraved as “Minolta Auto Rokkor-PF 1:2.0  f=55mm” lens review

    • Official classification: SR
    • Collector’s classification: AR-I

    Slightly slower sister of the earlier Auto Rokkor PF 55/1.8. Literally – the second kit lens in the history of Minolta SLR cameras – was produced specifically for the SR-1 cameras (the second SLR by Minolta). I will definitely make a comparison of these lenses in the future, but for now we will consider the younger one separately.

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    By Tony, ago

    Minolta Auto Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.8 – AR I – review

    Minolta Auto Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.8 (AR-I) engraved as “Minolta Auto Rokkor-PF 1:1.8  f=55mm” lens review

    • Official classification: SR
    • Collector’s classification: AR I

    Absolutely the first one – Minolta’s newest SLR camera SR-2 went on sale in 1958 with this lens. It doesn’t matter what results this lens performs in testing, but its historical significance makes it the very valuable for owners.

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    By Tony, ago