Minolta manual focus lenses

[ MC Lenses ] [ MD Lenses ] [ Opinions on lenses I own ] [ Test results from magazines ]

MC lenses

The lenses from the MC series were available with cameras from the SRT, XM, and XE series (from 1966 to around 1977). MC stands for meter coupled and not multi coated, as Minolta called its coating technology "achromatic coating". I'm not sure whether the table below is complete, but it should give you an idea of the range of lenses that was available at the time (mid-seventies). Note the prevalence of prime lenses (i.e., lenses with a fixed focal length).

Some MC lenses carry a somewhat cryptic two-letter code after the Rokkor designation, such as MC Rokkor-PG 1.4 / 50 mm. These codes simply represent the number of optical elements and groups of which the lens is composed. The first letter represents groups, and the second letter elements, according to the following scheme:

GroupsElements
T3C3
Q4D4
P5E5
H6F6
S7G7
O8H8
N9I9

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find the full details for all lenses. Lens designs were updated all the time, so various models of a lens may have been available. (Towards the end of the seventies, the two-letter codes were dropped altogether.)

TypeElem. / grps.Filter size Angle of viewMin. foc. dist.
Fisheye lenses
MC Fisheye Rokkor 4 / 7.5 mm12n.a.180°1.2 m (?)
MC Fisheye Rokkor 2.8 / 16 mm11n.a.180°0.3 m
Ultra-wideangle lenses
MC W.Rokkor 4 / 17 mm1172 mm103°0.25 m
MC W.Rokkor 2.8 / 21 mm1272 mm90°0.25 m
MC W.Rokkor-SI 2.8 / 24 mm9 / 755 mm84°0.3 m
MC VFC Rokkor 2.8 / 24 mm9 / 755 mm84°0.3 m
Wideangle lenses
MC W.Rokkor 2 / 28 mm1055 mm75°0.3 m
MC W.Rokkor-SI 2.5 / 28 mm9 / 755 mm75°0.5 m
MC W.Rokkor 1.8 / 35 mm855 mm64°0.3 m
MC W.Rokkor 2.8 / 35 mm752 mm64°0.4 m
MC Shift CA Rokkor 2.8 / 35 mm9 / 755 mm64°0.3 m
Standard lenses
MC Rokkor-PG 1.2 / 58 mm7 / 555 mm41°0.6 m
MC Rokkor-PG 1.4 / 50 mm7 / 555 mm46°0.5 m
MC Rokkor-PF 1.7 / 50 mm6 / 555 mm46°0.5 m
MC Rokkor-PF 2 / 50 mm6 / 555 mm46°0.5 m
Telephoto lenses
MC Rokkor-PF 1.7 / 85 mm6 / 555 mm29°1.2 m
MC Tele Rokkor 2.5 / 100 mm655 mm24°1.2 m
MC Tele Rokkor-PF 2.8 / 135 mm6 / 555 mm18°1.5 m
MC Tele Rokkor-QD 3.5 / 135 mm4 / 452 mm18°1.5 m
MC Tele Rokkor-QF 3.5 / 200 mm6 / 462 mm12°2.5 m
MC Tele Rokkor 4.5 / 200 mm552 mm12°2.5 m
MC Tele Rokkor 4.5 / 300 mm672 mm4.5 m
MC Tele Rokkor 5.6 / 300 mm555 mm4.5 m
Mirror (RF) lenses
RF Rokkor 8 / 800 mm8n.a.3°20'8 m
RF Rokkor 6.3 / 1000 mm9n.a.2°30'30 m
RF Rokkor 11 / 1600 mm9n.a.1°30'20 m
Macro lenses
MC Macro Rokkor 3.5 / 50 mm655 mm45°up to 1:1
MC Macro Rokkor-QE 3.5 / 100 mm5 / 455 mm24°0.45 m (1:2)
Zoom lenses
MC Zoom Rokkor 2.8 / 40-80 mm1255 mm59°-31°1 m
MC Zoom Rokkor 4.5 / 80-200 mm1455 mm12°-30°1.8 m
MC Zoom Rokkor 5.6 / 100-200 mm855 mm12°-25°2.5 m
MC Zoom Rokkor 8 / 100-500 mm1672 mm5°-24°2.5 m

These data were gathered from "Het Minolta reflex boek" by Wim Zwemmer (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1975, ISBN 90.10.01388) and various test reports in Dutch photography magazines.

Some notes on MC lens compatibility with the XD7 and X-700 cameras: MC lenses do not have the extra tab on the aperture ring that communicates the value of the smallest aperture to the camera, so they cannot be used in program mode (P) on the X-700 or shutter priority mode (S) on the XD7. (To be more exact: when used in either of these modes, the camera cannot display the calculated aperture readings.) Secondly, the spring mechanism of the aperture blades on MC lenses is said to be different from that on MD lenses. When taking a picture, the aperture closes normally, but the different spring tension might cause the aperture blades to bounce back somewhat before settling at the appropriate position. As this happens at the same time the light meter performs its "final check", it might result in an incorrect exposure. Not all MC lenses have exactly the same spring mechanism, so some may function without a problem. As always, the best way to see if this problem affects any specific combination of camera and MC lens is to test it (preferably with slide film).

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MD lenses

The MD series of lenses was introduced at the same time as the XD7 camera. To allow shutter-priority autoexposure on the XD cameras (and later program mode exposure on the X-700), MD lenses featured an extra tab on the lens mount to communicate the minimum aperture to the camera. In addition, the aperture spring mechanism was adapted for the "final check" metering system.

Again, lens designs changed over time so multiple models of a single type of lens may have been available. In most cases, this in the new lens being smaller and lighter (and possibly consisting of fewer lens elements) than the old model.

TypeElem. / grps.Filter size Angle of viewMin. foc. dist.Mass
Fisheye lenses
MD Fisheye 4 / 7.5 mm12 / 8n.a.180°0.5 m345 g
MD Fisheye 2.8 / 16 mm10 / 7n.a.180°0.25 m265 g
Ultra-wideangle lenses
MD 4 / 17 mm11 / 972 mm103°0.25 m325 g
MD 2.8 / 20 mm10 / 955 mm90°0.25 m240 g
MD 2.8 / 24 mm9 / 755 mm84°0.3 m215 g
Wideangle lenses
MD 2 / 28 mm10 / 955 mm75°0.3 m345 g
MD 2.8 / 28 mm7 / 749 mm75°0.3 m185 g
MD 3.5 / 28 mm5 / 549 mm75°0.3 m165 g
MD 1.8 / 35 mm8 / 649 mm63°0.3 m235 g
MD 2.8 / 35 mm5 / 549 mm63°0.3 m165 g
Standard lenses
MD 2 / 45 mm6 / 549 mm51°0.6 m125 g
MD 1.2 / 50 mm7 / 655 mm47°0.45 m315 g
MD 1.4 / 50 mm7 / 649 mm47°0.45 m230 g
MD 1.7 / 50 mm6 / 549 mm47°0.45 m165 g
MD 2 / 50 mm6 / 549 mm47°0.45 m155 g
Short telephoto lenses
MD 2 / 85 mm6 / 549 mm29°0.85 m280 g
MD 2.5 / 100 mm5 / 555 mm24°1 m365 g
Telephoto lenses
MD 2 / 135 mm6 / 572 mm18°1.3 m725 g
MD 2.8 / 135 mm5 / 555 mm18°1.5 m365 g
MD 3.5 / 135 mm5 / 549 mm18°1.5 m275 g
MD 2.8 / 200 mm5 / 572 mm12°30'1.8 m700 g
MD 4 / 200 mm5 / 555 mm12°30'2.5 m400 g
Long telephoto lenses
MD 4.5 / 300 mm7 / 672 mm8°10'3 m710 g
MD 5.6 / 300 mm5 / 555 mm8°10'4.5 m695 g
MD APO 5.6 / 400 mm7 / 672 mm6°10'5 m1.4 kg
MD APO 6.3 / 600 mm9 / 8n.a.4°10'5 m2.4 kg
Mirror (RF) lenses
RF 5.6 / 250 mm-n.a.10°2.5 m250 g
RF 8 / 500 mm-n.a.4 m600 g
RF 8 / 800 mm-n.a.3°108 m2 kg
RF 11 / 1600 mm-n.a.1°3020 m6.9 kg
Macro lenses
MD 3.5 / 50 mm6 / 455 mm47°0.23 m (1:2)205 g
MD 4 / 100 mm5 / 455 mm24°0.45 m (1:2)380 g
Zoom lenses
MD Zoom 3.5 / 24-35 mm10 / 1055 mm84°-63°0.3 m285 g
MD Zoom 4 / 24-50 mm13 / 1172 mm84°-47°0.7 m395 g
MD Zoom 3.5-4.8 / 28-70 mm8 / 855 mm76°-35°0.8 m375 g
MD Zoom 3.5-4.5 / 28-85 mm13 / 1055 mm75°-29°0.8 m470 g
MD Zoom 3.5 / 35-70 mm8 / 755 mm63°-34°1 m355 g
MD Zoom 3.5-4.5 / 35-105 mm14 / 1255 mm63°-23°1.5 m430 g
MD Zoom 3.5-4.5 / 35-135 mm14 / 1255 mm63°-18°1.5 m510 g
MD Zoom 3.5 / 50-135 mm12 / 1055 mm47°-18°1.5 m480 g
MD Zoom 4 / 70-210 mm12 / 955 mm34°-12°1.1 m635 g
MD Zoom 4 / 75-150 mm12 / 849 mm32°-16°1.2 m445 g
MD Zoom 4.5 / 75-200 mm15 / ?55 mm32°-12°1.2 m640 g
MD Zoom 5.6 / 100-200 mm8 / 555 mm24°-12°2.5 m595 g
MD Zoom 5.6 / 100-300 mm13 / 1055 mm24°-8°1.5 m700 g
MD APO Tele Zoom 8 / 100-500 mm16 / 1172 mm24°-5°2.5 m2080 g
Special lenses
MD 2.8 / 24 mm VFC9 / 755 mm84°0.3 m340 g
MD Shift CA 2.8 / 35 mm VFC9 / 755 mm63°0.3 m560 g
MD Varisoft 2.8 / 85 mm6 / 555 mm29°0.8 m430 g

These data were compiled from "Het grote Minolta boek" by Lars Polder (Focus Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1983, ISBN 90.10.04681.8), "Minolta XG-XD" by Josef Scheibel (Kluwer, Deventer, 1982, ISBN 90.201.1370.4), several Minolta brochures, and various test reports in Dutch photography magazines.

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Opinions on lenses I own

(These are my personal opinions. For results from more objective tests in photography magazines, check out the lens test page.)

MC W.Rokkor-SI 2.8 / 24 mm

The 24 mm lens is suprisingly heavy. This may be due to its complex "floating focussing" construction, which unfortunately also results in the front element rotating during focussing. I only bought this lens quite recently (it was a real bargain!), so my first hand experience is presently quite limited. However, the optical quality seems very fine so far, which is in line with magazine tests.

MD W.Rokkor 3.5 / 28 mm

The 3.5 / 28 mm performs reasonably well, but due to its limited maximum aperture I find it quite difficult to focus, especially in dim light. I don't use it very often.

MD 1.8 / 35 mm

If I were to have only a single lens, I'd prefer it to be the 1.8 / 35 mm. The 35 mm focal length is extremely useful, and the large aperture makes it even more so. Compact and unobtrusive, high optical quality. I'm extremely satisfied with it. If you want one, be prepared to shop around for a while, as this lens is a bit hard to find and prices tend to vary a lot.

MD Rokkor 2 / 45 mm

This lens may not be as small as the famous Pentax "pancake" lens, but it is certainly very compact. Its (partially plastic) construction is not really up to the high standards of the other, more expensive lenses, but it performs surprisingly well optically. An ideal travel lens, especially on a compact and light camera, such as an XG or X-series model.

MC Rokkor-PG 1.4 / 50 mm

Excellent lens. Extremely sharp, high contrast, and so on. Really makes you wonder why people nowadays seem to prefer zoom lenses. Plus, the bright viewfinder image and shallow depth of field assure that focussing, even on a manual focus camera, is extremely easy.

MD 2 / 85 mm

Short telephoto lens, primarily aimed at portrait photography but equally useful for candids and photojournalism-type work. The large aperture makes finding correct focus very easy and precise. One small point of criticism, though: the focussing ring requires a rather long turn to get from infinity to 1 m; this means focussing is very accurate but also somewhat slow. The lens is relatively compact, not much larger than the 1.4 / 50 mm standard lens. Optical quality is excellent (see also test results).

MD Zoom 4 / 75-150 mm

A compact zoom lens with a useful, though not impressive range of focal lengths. Having a constant aperture is useful, especially when using a non-TTL flashgun. Taking into account that it is a zoom lens, the optical quality is really very good. Even at f/4, it takes acceptable pictures. I'm particularly impressed with its ability to handle high-contrast backlit scenes without introducing flare.

MC Rokkor-QF 3.5 / 200 mm

A large and heavy lens with an amount of glass bound to impress anyone only used to the light and compact zoom lenses of today. Due to its size and weight, it's not really convenient to carry around for long periods of time. I bought it 2nd hand, for little money (it's a half stop brighter, but often much cheaper than the MD 4 / 200 mm). I haven't had it for a long time yet, so my experience is limited. So far, optical quality seems more than adequate. Due to its relatively large maximal aperture (f/3.5), subjects can be isolated from the background even at a relatively large distance.

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Last updated on: April 20, 2001