Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 Tele – MC I – review
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-HF 1:4.5 f=300mm )
- Official classification: MC
- Collector’s classification: MC I
It’s difficult for me to make an objective conclusion about this lens – I don’t use such focal distances in real photo-sessions. This lens is for something like birds or foxes or maybe for Moon. Anyway – I can test it in the standard way.
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 specifications
# in minolta.eazypix.de index | 225 |
Name engraved on the lens | MC TELE ROKKOR-HF |
f[mm] | 300 |
A max [1/f] | 4.5 |
A min[1/f] | 22 |
Lens design [el.] | 6 |
Lens design [gr.] | 6 |
Filter thread Ø front(rear)[mm] | 72 |
Lens Shade | built-in |
closefocus[m/ft] | 4.5/15 |
Dimension Ø x length [mm] | 80×200 |
Weight[g] | 1150 |
Year | 1969 |
Style | MC I |
Code No. (ROKKOR-X) or Order No. | 581 |
More data
Floating elements | NO (full support by autofocused adapters) |
Aperture blades | 6 |
Confidence in the test results of reviewed copies | Enough High |
Reviewed Lens SN: | 3502401 |
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 lens exterior
The lens mounted on camera Minolta SR-T101
BTW – this camera is a big brick of metal, but here it looks very elegant
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 sharpness
Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance
Testing methods description
- Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
- Distance: 5m
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
- The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper)
Scene preview
Test results
Long-distance resolution test
Testing methods description
- Target: cityscape
- Distance: > 200 meters to center focus point
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF. The focus point is on the center only.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Scene preview
Test results
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 aberrations
Vignetting
Geometric distortion
Coma aberrations
Chromatic aberrations
Long-distance bokeh
Test#1
Test conditions: the lens was focused on 4.5m, buildings are on “infinity”-distance
Test#2
Test conditions: lens was focused on 8m
Light bubbles bokeh
Test #1
The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 4.5m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)
Test #2
Test conditions: lens was focused on 8m
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 final conclusion
Of course, the weight of this lens should be mentioned: 1150 g. For example, younger New-MD modification is 705g, lighter for 445g. Test results show that this lens doesn’t have something which can compensate for the weight. The IQ is nice, but without surprises, looks standard for long lenses of that era.
Everyone who says on photo-forums something like ‘real steel lenses are the best’ – have to get this one and enjoy. For collectors this lens is also ‘must-have’ – a beautiful example of engineering from ’60 which can be acquired for a reasonable price. And if you put it on the shelf, it will amaze your guests.
This lens took part in battles:
2 Comments
Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 vs MD 300mm 1:4.5 - Lens Works · 2020-07-12 at 13:44
[…] Minolta MC Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 Tele – MC I – Lens Works 2020-07-11 […]
Minolta MC I Rokkor HF 300mm 1:4.5 vs MD III 300mm 1:4.5 - Lens Works · 2020-07-12 at 14:06
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