Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 – review

Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 – vintage manual lens test and review
- Official classification: New-MD
- Collector’s classification: MD III
The only 300mm lens in the New-MD line. It has been built by a classic approach to the optical design. Test results say that it was the right decision – no weakness was found.
Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 (MD III, New-MD) specifications
minolta.eazypix.de index | 229 |
Name engraved on the lens | MD |
f[mm] | 300 |
A max [1/f] | 4.5 |
A min[1/f] | 32 |
Lens design [el.] | 7 |
Lens design [gr.] | 6 |
Filter thread Ø front(rear)[mm] | 72 |
Lens Shade | built-in |
closefocus[m/ft] | 42646 |
Dimension Ø x length [mm] | 77.5×177.5 |
Weight[g] | 705 |
Year | 1981 |
Style | MD III |
Code No. (ROKKOR-X) or Order No. | 581-808 |
More data
Floating elements | NO (full support by autofocused adapters) |
Aperture blades number | 6 |
Confidence in the test results of reviewed copies | High |
Reviewed lens SN: | 8005219 |
Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 exterior
Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 mounted on Minolta X-700
This is a very suitable set – the camera and lens have the same design (1981 release)
Full box set:
Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 sharpness
Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance
Testing methods description
- Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
- Distance:10% longer than minimal focus distance marked on the lens
- 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
Scene preview
Test results (selected version, easy to compare – 4 positions)
Test results (full version – all 9 positions)
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 MD 300mm 1:4.5 aberrations
Vignetting
Geometric distortion
This lens doesn’t have a visible geometric distortion. No tests needed.
Coma aberrations
This lens doesn’t have a noticeable coma. No tests needed.
Chromatic aberrations
Short-distance bokeh
Test conditions: lens was focused on minimal distance 3m, plants are in 5m distance from the camera
Long-distance bokeh
Test conditions: the lens was focused on half distance on the scale (7m), buildings are on “infinity”-distance. This is a rare case for real photography but demonstrates the maximum possible level of blur
Light bubbles bokeh
Test conditions: lens was focused on minimal distance + 10% of scale (about 3.5m), diodes were fixed in 5m distance
Minolta MD 300mm 1:4.5 (or Minolta MD 300mm F/4.5, New-MD, MD III design) – overall conclusion
Firstly, as it displayed by tests, this lens is sharp – it has no big difference in resolution in the center and in corners and ready for work even if aperture has been fully opened – F4.5. Secondly, it is able to hide any background totally in an absolutely smooth bokeh. Aberrations are presented of course, but nothing serious. Usually, the long lenses aren’t very convenient, but this New-MD version is thin and lightweight enough to use it in walks in parks around. The build-in lens-hood is presented, but the lens’s fire-resistance is fine too. Average today’s prices look very reasonable for so technically advanced lens. So, yes, it can be recommended without doubts.
1 Comment
wswe · 2018-09-14 at 23:30
nice review