Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 vs MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5 vs MD 100mm 1:2.5 – comparison

Published by Tony on 2019-05-202019-05-20

Minolta SR 100mm lenses comparison:

• Minolta MC Tele Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 (MC II)
• Minolta MC Tele Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5 (MC II)
• Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 (MD III)

100mm is a very popular portraiture focal distance for today, greatly demanded by photographers. Historically, the number of available 100mm lenses is much less than 85 mm or 135mm for example, and prices can’t be called small. Each of these three tested objects has its own feature that makes the lens strong. Therefore, the final choice is likely to be based not on the sharpness but on personal preferably of a photographer. Anyway, let’s select a champion in resolution.

This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. Test results may differ if any element is changed.

Tested lenses reviews

Minolta SR 100mm lenses comparison – sharpness/resolution

Long-distance test description

• Camera Sony A7II (24mpx, full frame) – RAW (ARW), tripod, A-mode, ISO 100, WB fixed, SteadyShot OFF, manual focus correction for every shot
• Targets (buildings) – fixed by gravity power on the distances in more than 200 meters
• ARW post-processing – Capture One, default settings, 100% crops 300×200 px

Scene preview

Test results

Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5 vs Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 vs Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 vs Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5

Minolta SR 100mm lenses comparison – final conclusion:

Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5 vs Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5

• Center: MD 100/2.5 won
• Middle: MD 100/2.5 has a micro-nano-pico advantage
• Corner: win-win. Or even a little-nano advantage of MC 100/3.5 if to take a look with a microscope. Sounds impossible, but it’s true

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 vs Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5

• Center: MC 100/2.5 won
• Middle: win-win
• Corner: MC 100/3.5 won

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 vs Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5

• Center: both are close to the same
• Middle: MD 100/2.5 won
• Corner: MD 100/2.5 won

Results:

• 1st place: Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 of course. It’s for ages younger than Rokkor 100/2.5 and one-stop faster than Rokkor 100/3.5
• 2nd place: Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5. This lens so cool, that it can fight against New-MD with a one-stop difference. Magic. So, if a photographer needs compact and lightweight 100mm than this small one can be recommended instead of the winner
• 3rd place: Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5. But very close to the top-two