Minolta MC Rokkor 24mm 1:2.8 VFC – MC-X – review

Published by Tony on 2021-02-252021-02-25

Minolta MC VFC Rokkor-X 24mm 1:2.8 (Minolta MC Rokkor 24mm 1:2.8 VFC) – vintage manual lens test and review

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

This is the first lens with unique Ninolta’s know-how – Variable Field Curvature (VFC). The lens is enough rare, probably because just a few photographers need it, but it is very interesting from the collector’s point of view.

This review doesn’t contain tests of Variable Field Curvature -‘VFC’ feature of this lens. Here you can get information about how this lens works in normal mode.

The lens for the test was provided by Egor Nikolaev (Егор Николаев) – many thanks and greetings.

Minolta MC Rokkor 24mm 1:2.8 VFC specifications

More data

Historical note

This is the first VFC (Variable Field Curvature) lens in history. In total, 4 models were released, and the latter – MD-III – already has its review on the site. It seems that all four have the same optical design.

The total amount of the MC-X series probably about 3000 copies – it is really small. So, the rareness status of this lens is true.

The lens exterior

Mounted on camera Minolta XE-7

Very authentic set – the camera and lens could be purchased at the same time

Minolta MC Rokkor 24mm 1:2.8 VFC sharpness

Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance

Testing methods description

• Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
• Distance: 1.7m
• Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
• The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
• RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px

Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper)

Scene preview

Test results

Long-distance resolution test

Testing methods description

• Target: cityscape
• Distance: > 200 meters to center focus point
• Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF. The focus point is on the center only.
• RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px

Scene preview

Test results

Minolta MC Rokkor 24mm 1:2.8 VFC – aberrations

Vignetting

Geometric distortion

Coma aberrations

Chromatic aberrations

Minolta MC 24mm 1:2.8 VFC long-distance bokeh

Test #1

Test conditions: the lens was focused on minimal distance on the scale (0.3m), buildings are on “infinity”-distance.

Test#2:

Test conditions: lens was focused on 0.5m

Minolta MC 24mm 1:2.8 VFC light bubbles bokeh – long distance

Test #1

The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 0.3m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)

Test #2

Test conditions: lens was focused on 0.5m

Minolta MC Rokkor 24mm 1:2.8 VFC – final conclusion

Very good wide lens – or even much better than usual. It is able to provide a total sharpness over the whole frame at F8 and ready for most tasks since F5.6- a great result for a 24mm lens. Add here little aberrations, well-fixed geometry, and absence of a chromatic halo. Other traits are usual for Minolta lenses – nice feeling in the hands, well build, and even looks like a gem.

What about price – a photographer should realize that the usual Minolta 24mm lenses of any generation can give the same sharpness at least, or even better for the half price or so. But collectors should remember that this lens is unique as many as possible – only Minolta released this type of feature (VFC) and in enough small amount. So, the main recommendation – take it if you get such a chance.