Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 vs MD 100mm 1:4.0 Macro – comparison

Minolta MD 35mm lenses – Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 vs MD 100mm 1:4.0 Macro – comparison:

  • Minolta MD Macro 100mm 1:4.0 (MD III, New-MD)
  • Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 (MD III, New-MD)

Both these lenses are from the “must-have” category, for different tasks of course – the macro and the telephoto, so, there is no need to choose one of these two – lenses aren’t competitors. The comparison has been performed just because of curiosity.

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Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 two copies comparison – LensRomantic

Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 two copies comparison (New-MD, MD III or Plain MD design)

The description of a LensRomantic test is here. These comparisons are for collectors or tech-enthusiasts. Photographers may go directly to a lens review.

Minolta New-MD 100mm F2.5 is one of the best-balanced portrait lenses – the ideal combination of focal distance, aperture, and IQ with weight and size. It was forgotten for some period, but today the lens is becoming popular again, and it is harder and harder to find it.

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Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5 Macro – MC II – review

Minolta MC Rokkor QE 100mm 1:3.5 Macro – vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Macro Rokkor-QE 1:3.5 f=100mm)

  • Official classification: MC
  • Collector’s classification: MC II, Hills &Valleys, Knurled

The first feeling: it’s not a lens – it’s a howitzer. Every Rokkor from pre-rubberized generations looks like a rock, but this macro-hundred is the champion among others. Even huge and twice heavier Rokkor MC 300mm 1:5.6 looks more elegant than this hunk of metal with a few pieces of glass.

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

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.

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Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 – MC II – review

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 100mm 1:2.5 vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PF 1:2.5 f=100mm)

  • Official classification: MC
  • Collector’s classification: MC II, Hills &Valleys, Knurled

Here is another one telephoto lens by Minolta. Very suitable for portraits because it is ‘100mm fast’ – the focal distance is not short, but the lens is still convenient in operation. Also, it is ready for landscapes from F5.6 and totally sharp over the frame if closed to F8 – this ability makes this lens enough universal. It may be interesting for photographers who are looking for a mix of good IQ and classic rendering.

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