Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5 – review

Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5 – vintage manual lens test and review
- Official classification: New-MD
- Collector’s classification: MD III
This lens is in the list of most popular lenses among Minolta fans and it seems because this is most little and cute 135mm lens, but not because of IQ. On the other hand, test results are good and even if this lens is not so sharp as faster sisters it may be a better choice in cases when the weight plays a big role.
Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5 (MD III, New-MD) specifications
minolta.eazypix.de index | 199 |
Name engraved on lens | MD |
f[mm] | 135 |
A max [1/f] | 3.5 |
A min[1/f] | 22 |
Lens design [el.] | 5 |
Lens design [gr.] | 5 |
Filter thread Ø front(rear)[mm] | 49 |
Lens Shade | built-in |
closefocus[m/ft] | 1.5/5 |
Dimension Ø x length [mm] | 64×72.5 |
Weight[g] | 285 |
Year | 1981 |
Style | MD III |
Code No. (ROKKOR-X) or Order No. | 594-800 |
More data
Floating elements | NO (full support by autofocused adapters) |
Aperture blades number | 6 |
Confidence in the test results of reviewed copies | High |
Reviewed lens SN: | 8075287 |
- Minolta MD 135mm f3.5 optical design
- Minolta MD 135mm F3.5 optical design
Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5 exterior
Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5 mounted on Minolta X-700
This is a very suitable set – the camera and lens have the same design (1981 release)
Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5 sharpness
Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance
Testing methods description
- Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
- Distance:10% longer than minimal focus distance marked on the lens
- 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
Scene preview
Test results (selected version, easy to compare – 4 positions)
Test results (full version – 9 positions)
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 MD 135mm 1:3.5 aberrations
Vignetting
Geometric distortion
Coma aberrations
Chromatic aberrations
Short-distance bokeh
Test conditions: lens was focused on minimal distance 1.5m, plants are in 5m distance from the camera
Long-distance bokeh
Test conditions: the lens was focused on half distance on the scale (2.5m), buildings are on “infinity”-distance
Light bubbles bokeh
Test conditions: lens was focused on minimal distance + 10% of scale (about 1.7m), diodes were fixed in 5m distance
Minolta MD 135mm 1:3.5(or Minolta MD 135mm F/3.5, New-MD, MD III design) – overall conclusion
It is lightweight and small-sized – these are the main reasons to use this lens. The F3.5 is not so fast as already reviewed MD 135mmF2.0 or MD 135mmF2.8 but it works fine from F5.6 for most of a photographer’s tasks and can be used wide open F3.5 for portraits. Additionally, it has nice bokeh and geometry. Actually, this lens IQ is very close to MD 135mmF2.8 but almost a one stop has been lost and the performance what can be getting with a faster lens for example – on F5.6 with this lens is available just on F8.
On the other hand, it’s really cheap and can always be in a bag because of the dimensions and weight. Even build-in lens-hood is presented – this ancient magic was lost by modern developers. So, this lens doesn’t have a performance advantage, but it may be a good option for long walks or if the 135mm focal distance is needed occasionally.
7 Comments
infoman · 2018-02-14 at 12:18
May the god bless you with many children for the work you do with those lenses 😉
Tony · 2018-02-14 at 12:27
I am grateful to you for your words. It’s important for me
kidd · 2022-05-04 at 23:36
Thank you for your hard work, you’ve saved me $ not to buy it, but stay with c/y sonnar even if it’s more heavy
Andrzej Wilk · 2020-10-23 at 11:43
I like Your job, well done, thanks
Ray Fletcher · 2024-03-16 at 10:10
A majestic analysis and having read it and enjoyed every word, I’m off to buy one for myself. Your erudite writing has swayed my mind – and my pocket! Thank you so very much.
Emil · 2024-04-17 at 00:05
I just ordered this lens on ebay in Germany. Ultimately the price and size decided for it against the 2.8, despite of possible worse IQ… I can’t wait to test it on my Minolta x700 as well as Sony A7
Thank you for the thorough no-fuss review!
Emil
Tony · 2024-04-17 at 14:54
Thatnk you Emil. And please, don’t worry about a difference between F2.8 and this one – both lenses are great, and each one has an advantages