[ MC Lenses ] [ MD Lenses ] [ Opinions on lenses I own ] [ Test results from magazines ]
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:
Groups | Elements | ||
---|---|---|---|
T | 3 | C | 3 |
Q | 4 | D | 4 |
P | 5 | E | 5 |
H | 6 | F | 6 |
S | 7 | G | 7 |
O | 8 | H | 8 |
N | 9 | I | 9 |
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.)
Type | Elem. / grps. | Filter size | Angle of view | Min. foc. dist. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fisheye lenses | ||||
MC Fisheye Rokkor 4 / 7.5 mm | 12 | n.a. | 180° | 1.2 m (?) |
MC Fisheye Rokkor 2.8 / 16 mm | 11 | n.a. | 180° | 0.3 m |
Ultra-wideangle lenses | ||||
MC W.Rokkor 4 / 17 mm | 11 | 72 mm | 103° | 0.25 m |
MC W.Rokkor 2.8 / 21 mm | 12 | 72 mm | 90° | 0.25 m |
MC W.Rokkor-SI 2.8 / 24 mm | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 84° | 0.3 m |
MC VFC Rokkor 2.8 / 24 mm | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 84° | 0.3 m |
Wideangle lenses | ||||
MC W.Rokkor 2 / 28 mm | 10 | 55 mm | 75° | 0.3 m |
MC W.Rokkor-SI 2.5 / 28 mm | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 75° | 0.5 m |
MC W.Rokkor 1.8 / 35 mm | 8 | 55 mm | 64° | 0.3 m |
MC W.Rokkor 2.8 / 35 mm | 7 | 52 mm | 64° | 0.4 m |
MC Shift CA Rokkor 2.8 / 35 mm | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 64° | 0.3 m |
Standard lenses | ||||
MC Rokkor-PG 1.2 / 58 mm | 7 / 5 | 55 mm | 41° | 0.6 m |
MC Rokkor-PG 1.4 / 50 mm | 7 / 5 | 55 mm | 46° | 0.5 m |
MC Rokkor-PF 1.7 / 50 mm | 6 / 5 | 55 mm | 46° | 0.5 m |
MC Rokkor-PF 2 / 50 mm | 6 / 5 | 55 mm | 46° | 0.5 m |
Telephoto lenses | ||||
MC Rokkor-PF 1.7 / 85 mm | 6 / 5 | 55 mm | 29° | 1.2 m |
MC Tele Rokkor 2.5 / 100 mm | 6 | 55 mm | 24° | 1.2 m |
MC Tele Rokkor-PF 2.8 / 135 mm | 6 / 5 | 55 mm | 18° | 1.5 m |
MC Tele Rokkor-QD 3.5 / 135 mm | 4 / 4 | 52 mm | 18° | 1.5 m |
MC Tele Rokkor-QF 3.5 / 200 mm | 6 / 4 | 62 mm | 12° | 2.5 m |
MC Tele Rokkor 4.5 / 200 mm | 5 | 52 mm | 12° | 2.5 m |
MC Tele Rokkor 4.5 / 300 mm | 6 | 72 mm | 8° | 4.5 m |
MC Tele Rokkor 5.6 / 300 mm | 5 | 55 mm | 8° | 4.5 m |
Mirror (RF) lenses | ||||
RF Rokkor 8 / 800 mm | 8 | n.a. | 3°20' | 8 m |
RF Rokkor 6.3 / 1000 mm | 9 | n.a. | 2°30' | 30 m |
RF Rokkor 11 / 1600 mm | 9 | n.a. | 1°30' | 20 m |
Macro lenses | ||||
MC Macro Rokkor 3.5 / 50 mm | 6 | 55 mm | 45° | up to 1:1 |
MC Macro Rokkor-QE 3.5 / 100 mm | 5 / 4 | 55 mm | 24° | 0.45 m (1:2) |
Zoom lenses | ||||
MC Zoom Rokkor 2.8 / 40-80 mm | 12 | 55 mm | 59°-31° | 1 m |
MC Zoom Rokkor 4.5 / 80-200 mm | 14 | 55 mm | 12°-30° | 1.8 m |
MC Zoom Rokkor 5.6 / 100-200 mm | 8 | 55 mm | 12°-25° | 2.5 m |
MC Zoom Rokkor 8 / 100-500 mm | 16 | 72 mm | 5°-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).
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.
Type | Elem. / grps. | Filter size | Angle of view | Min. foc. dist. | Mass |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fisheye lenses | |||||
MD Fisheye 4 / 7.5 mm | 12 / 8 | n.a. | 180° | 0.5 m | 345 g |
MD Fisheye 2.8 / 16 mm | 10 / 7 | n.a. | 180° | 0.25 m | 265 g |
Ultra-wideangle lenses | |||||
MD 4 / 17 mm | 11 / 9 | 72 mm | 103° | 0.25 m | 325 g |
MD 2.8 / 20 mm | 10 / 9 | 55 mm | 90° | 0.25 m | 240 g |
MD 2.8 / 24 mm | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 84° | 0.3 m | 215 g |
Wideangle lenses | |||||
MD 2 / 28 mm | 10 / 9 | 55 mm | 75° | 0.3 m | 345 g |
MD 2.8 / 28 mm | 7 / 7 | 49 mm | 75° | 0.3 m | 185 g |
MD 3.5 / 28 mm | 5 / 5 | 49 mm | 75° | 0.3 m | 165 g |
MD 1.8 / 35 mm | 8 / 6 | 49 mm | 63° | 0.3 m | 235 g |
MD 2.8 / 35 mm | 5 / 5 | 49 mm | 63° | 0.3 m | 165 g |
Standard lenses | |||||
MD 2 / 45 mm | 6 / 5 | 49 mm | 51° | 0.6 m | 125 g |
MD 1.2 / 50 mm | 7 / 6 | 55 mm | 47° | 0.45 m | 315 g |
MD 1.4 / 50 mm | 7 / 6 | 49 mm | 47° | 0.45 m | 230 g |
MD 1.7 / 50 mm | 6 / 5 | 49 mm | 47° | 0.45 m | 165 g |
MD 2 / 50 mm | 6 / 5 | 49 mm | 47° | 0.45 m | 155 g |
Short telephoto lenses | |||||
MD 2 / 85 mm | 6 / 5 | 49 mm | 29° | 0.85 m | 280 g |
MD 2.5 / 100 mm | 5 / 5 | 55 mm | 24° | 1 m | 365 g |
Telephoto lenses | |||||
MD 2 / 135 mm | 6 / 5 | 72 mm | 18° | 1.3 m | 725 g |
MD 2.8 / 135 mm | 5 / 5 | 55 mm | 18° | 1.5 m | 365 g |
MD 3.5 / 135 mm | 5 / 5 | 49 mm | 18° | 1.5 m | 275 g |
MD 2.8 / 200 mm | 5 / 5 | 72 mm | 12°30' | 1.8 m | 700 g |
MD 4 / 200 mm | 5 / 5 | 55 mm | 12°30' | 2.5 m | 400 g |
Long telephoto lenses | |||||
MD 4.5 / 300 mm | 7 / 6 | 72 mm | 8°10' | 3 m | 710 g |
MD 5.6 / 300 mm | 5 / 5 | 55 mm | 8°10' | 4.5 m | 695 g |
MD APO 5.6 / 400 mm | 7 / 6 | 72 mm | 6°10' | 5 m | 1.4 kg |
MD APO 6.3 / 600 mm | 9 / 8 | n.a. | 4°10' | 5 m | 2.4 kg |
Mirror (RF) lenses | |||||
RF 5.6 / 250 mm | - | n.a. | 10° | 2.5 m | 250 g |
RF 8 / 500 mm | - | n.a. | 5° | 4 m | 600 g |
RF 8 / 800 mm | - | n.a. | 3°10 | 8 m | 2 kg |
RF 11 / 1600 mm | - | n.a. | 1°30 | 20 m | 6.9 kg |
Macro lenses | |||||
MD 3.5 / 50 mm | 6 / 4 | 55 mm | 47° | 0.23 m (1:2) | 205 g |
MD 4 / 100 mm | 5 / 4 | 55 mm | 24° | 0.45 m (1:2) | 380 g |
Zoom lenses | |||||
MD Zoom 3.5 / 24-35 mm | 10 / 10 | 55 mm | 84°-63° | 0.3 m | 285 g |
MD Zoom 4 / 24-50 mm | 13 / 11 | 72 mm | 84°-47° | 0.7 m | 395 g |
MD Zoom 3.5-4.8 / 28-70 mm | 8 / 8 | 55 mm | 76°-35° | 0.8 m | 375 g |
MD Zoom 3.5-4.5 / 28-85 mm | 13 / 10 | 55 mm | 75°-29° | 0.8 m | 470 g |
MD Zoom 3.5 / 35-70 mm | 8 / 7 | 55 mm | 63°-34° | 1 m | 355 g |
MD Zoom 3.5-4.5 / 35-105 mm | 14 / 12 | 55 mm | 63°-23° | 1.5 m | 430 g |
MD Zoom 3.5-4.5 / 35-135 mm | 14 / 12 | 55 mm | 63°-18° | 1.5 m | 510 g |
MD Zoom 3.5 / 50-135 mm | 12 / 10 | 55 mm | 47°-18° | 1.5 m | 480 g |
MD Zoom 4 / 70-210 mm | 12 / 9 | 55 mm | 34°-12° | 1.1 m | 635 g |
MD Zoom 4 / 75-150 mm | 12 / 8 | 49 mm | 32°-16° | 1.2 m | 445 g |
MD Zoom 4.5 / 75-200 mm | 15 / ? | 55 mm | 32°-12° | 1.2 m | 640 g |
MD Zoom 5.6 / 100-200 mm | 8 / 5 | 55 mm | 24°-12° | 2.5 m | 595 g |
MD Zoom 5.6 / 100-300 mm | 13 / 10 | 55 mm | 24°-8° | 1.5 m | 700 g |
MD APO Tele Zoom 8 / 100-500 mm | 16 / 11 | 72 mm | 24°-5° | 2.5 m | 2080 g |
Special lenses | |||||
MD 2.8 / 24 mm VFC | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 84° | 0.3 m | 340 g |
MD Shift CA 2.8 / 35 mm VFC | 9 / 7 | 55 mm | 63° | 0.3 m | 560 g |
MD Varisoft 2.8 / 85 mm | 6 / 5 | 55 mm | 29° | 0.8 m | 430 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.
(These are my personal opinions. For results from more objective tests in photography magazines, check out the lens test page.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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