Minolta Rokkor Survival Guide

[Nick Morrison]

Love this shot. Rokkor 50 1.2 MD. I always stumble on it on flickr:

 

[Nick Morrison]

PS these two shots pretty much summarize Rokkor for me. Look at the bokeh and color.

Pulled from flickr (I troll when I'm bored).

Rokkor 100 3.5 (Macro?)

Rokkor 50 1.2

 

[Uli Plank]

Actually, the colors are typical Rokkor, but the bokeh of the 58mm 1.2 is far better. This bokeh of the 50 1.2 is drawing too much attention IMHO.

The 100 should be the macro, yes. The other 100s are faster (and very good too, except the weak mechanics of the 100 f2).

BTW, the mild color fringing in the OOF highlights is nearly gone if you stop down just a tad from WO – I made this a habit.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Actually, the colors are typical Rokkor, but the bokeh of the 58mm 1.2 is far better. This bokeh of the 50 1.2 is drawing too much attention IMHO.

The 100 should be the macro, yes. The other 100s are faster (and very good too, except the weak mechanics of the 100 f2).

BTW, the mild color fringing in the OOF highlights is nearly gone if you stop down just a tad from WO – I made this a habit.

I actually like how nervous the bokeh of the 50 1.2 is - I think it's charming. But I hear you, the 58 1.2 is certainly widely regarded for a reason. Dying to use mine on a shoot.

PS: Uli at my father's prodding, I ended up buying a vintage Rokkor 100 f2, and got it modded at RP lens. Trying to figure out the right project to use it on as well!

 

[Nick Morrison]

One more superb 50 1.2 sample I stumbled upon, in Flickr:

 

[Paul Rio]

hi guys, i was posting this inquiry over at the contax zeiss thread, and nick suggested the rokkors instead.
im looking to purchase some vintage taking glass to pair with my Iscorama 54 for an upcoming short.
i want that 60-70s vibe and want something that easily flares.

so here's a list for your consideration:
-50mm MC f/1.4 Rokkor-pg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-MC-...81383858?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4619d953b2

-28mm MC f/2.8 Rokkor-sg (i think this is the widest i can go without vignetting on the isco.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MC-...09122849?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2334c41c21

-85mm MC f/1.7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-MC-...25576591?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item58aaf9248f

-135mm MC Rokkor-x
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MC-...21552854?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item233581c6d6

i noticed the 28mm isn't as fast as the others. there's no 2.0 version out there?

thanks!

 

[Nick Morrison]

hi guys, i was posting this inquiry over at the contax zeiss thread, and nick suggested the rokkors instead.
im looking to purchase some vintage taking glass to pair with my Iscorama 54 for an upcoming short.
i want that 60-70s vibe and want something that easily flares.

so here's a list for your consideration:
-50mm MC f/1.4 Rokkor-pg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-MC-...81383858?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4619d953b2

-28mm MC f/2.8 Rokkor-sg (i think this is the widest i can go without vignetting on the isco.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MC-...09122849?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2334c41c21

-85mm MC f/1.7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-MC-...25576591?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item58aaf9248f

-135mm MC Rokkor-x
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MC-...21552854?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item233581c6d6

i noticed the 28mm isn't as fast as the others. there's no 2.0 version out there?

thanks!

There is a 28 f2. I know, because I own 2! Has a floating element, fantastic bokeh, and a great piece of glass! Here are some sample shos from flickr:

 

[Uli Plank]

There are even two versions of the 28mm 2.0, in MC and in MD. The MD is a bit sharper, but the MC flares nicely. I once compared the 2.0 version to a 28mm 2.8 and it was even a tad better at 2.8, so I sold the 2.8 …

BTW, all MCs have the ideal combination of brass and aluminum (aluminium for the British) for their focus threads, while the MDs have aluminum on aluminum. You can feel it…

 

[Clayton Burkhart]

Oh lord. More flower pictures.

 

[Nick Morrison]

BTW, all MCs have the ideal combination of brass and aluminum (aluminium for the British) for their focus threads, while the MDs have aluminum on aluminum. You can feel it…

Agreed - that was one of the main reasons I went all MC. Didn't like the build of the MD's nearly as much.

Oh lord. More flower pictures.

Haha. You can blame me. I just like them because they show off bokeh well. I promise, no more.

 

[Paul Rio]

There is a 28 f2. I know, because I own 2! Has a floating element, fantastic bokeh, and a great piece of glass! Here are some sample shos from flickr:

those are lovely.
i think it would be beneficial for both you and i if you sold me one of your 28mm f2 when the time comes. :yesnod:
just think, one of your glass being shown on an anamorphic scale in all its glory!

There are even two versions of the 28mm 2.0, in MC and in MD. The MD is a bit sharper, but the MC flares nicely. I once compared the 2.0 version to a 28mm 2.8 and it was even a tad better at 2.8, so I sold the 2.8 …

BTW, all MCs have the ideal combination of brass and aluminum (aluminium for the British) for their focus threads, while the MDs have aluminum on aluminum. You can feel it…

i want my flares, i was testing out takumar 50mm with the isco and i had difficulty achieving those horizontal flares. but quite possibly a user error though.

Oh lord. More flower pictures.

i prefer cats myself.

 

[dean vian]

here is low res still from 35mm still camera of Rokkor 58mm wide open.

 

[dean vian]

and another not wide open. 70s kind of look. still low res

 

[Uli Plank]

can't see the second one. But the one I see is a painting!

 

[dean vian]

yeah the 1.2/58mm wide open is perfect for painting look, this is only lit from tiny crack of evening sun and no other illumination. Even though I love most of the Rokkor lenses that one is just so special. I am really liking my 2/28mm MC too. I am using the 28mm and 58mm the most.

 

[dean vian]

Here is the varisoft on setting 2 (of 3) Classic Hollywood. The lens is actually amazing on sharp setting. I actually use it a lot without the soft. It has a very early 80s look without soft setting

 

[Nick Morrison]

Nice pics!

 

[Nick Morrison]

Here is a very interesting a comprehensive "review" of many of the primes in the Rokkor lineup.

http://digitalrokkor.altervista.org/minoltalens.html

Enjoy!

 

[David Peterson]

I didn't see the Minolta MC W Rokkor 28mm f/2.5 mentioned in this thread, and I wondered what folks think of this lens?

 

[Erik_Flynn_Patton]

I used the 28mm MC f/2.5 and the 50mm 1.7 for a short last year. Perfectly solid equipment, no complaints from me.