Lens samples

Minolta MD 70-210mm 1:4.0 Zoom – review

Minolta MD 70-210mm 1:4.0 Zoom lens review

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

This is a manual-focus version of  “Beercan” – one of the famous lenses of Minolta. A rare case when the description is worth starting with the mention of another younger lens because everyone knows a “Beercan.” It’s enough to say that this is “beercan without autofocus” and everyone immediately understands what it is about. It is believed that the optical properties of the lens weren’t changed when autofocus appeared, but a small probability still remains, therefore I’ll clarify – the review is about MD, not about Alpha.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor 28mm 1:3.5 vs MC 28mm 1:2.5 vs MC 28mm1:3.5 vs MD 28mm 1:3.5 – comparison

Minolta SR 28mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MC Rokkor SG 28mm 1:3.5 (MC I) aka Minolta MC W Rokkor-SG 1:3.5 f=28mm
  • Minolta MC Rokkor SI 28mm 1:2.5 (MC II) aka Minolta MC W Rokkor-SI 1:2.5 f=28mm
  • Minolta MC Rokkor SG 28mm 1:3.5 (MC II) aka Minolta MC W Rokkor-SG 1:3.5 f=28mm
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:3.5 (MD III) aka Minolta New-MD 35mm f/1.8

This is a battle of not expensive Minolta wide lenses – 28mm focal distance with quite slow apertures is on the ring. LensWorks has another one battle dedicated to the New-MD lens generation and it seems that this comparison between fighters from MC era can extend an understanding of how this focal distance was covered by Minolta.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.7 – MC II – review

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.7 vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PF 1:1.7 f=55mm)

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

It is difficult to predict the test results by lenses with average specifications. Sometimes they can give us surprises because are working better than more powerful sisters. This Minolta 55/1.7 also has such a chance: it is not ultra-fast and not from the top-end of the products line, but F1.7 still sufficient for a photographer. And the one more nice feature – low price makes it affordable for everyone.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 85mm 1:1.7 – MC II – review

Minolta MC Rokkor PF 85mm 1:1.7 vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PF 1:1.7 f=85mm)

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

Let’s look at another one legendary lens produced by Minolta. A lot of photographers consider that this is the best portrait lens ever. And in overall unformal rating, it may stay in second place by popularity, right after the bokeh-monster Rokkor 58mm F1.2 which I consider as mostly known Minolta lens.

One time I was lucky to get the copy in ‘like new’ condition with original lens-shade, caps, and case and that occasion has driven me to find and review the full set of MC-II line Minolta Rokkor lenses. Some of the articles have been published earlier but this lens was a pusher to the full idea. (UPD: it is done! – the site contains articles about the whole line of MC II lens)

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By Tony, ago

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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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor QD 135mm 1:3.5 – MC II – review

Minolta MC Rokkor QD 135mm 1:3.5 vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-QD 1:3.5 f=135mm)

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

Small but very proud lens. Like many other lenses of that era, it is already very good in terms of performance, but in the next versions, it has been improved even more. The regular representative of ‘Hills&Valleys’ hull design.

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By Tony, ago