Lenses Reviews And Tests

Minolta MC Tele Rokkor PE 200mm 1:4.5 – MC II – review

Minolta MC Rokkor PE 200mm 1:4.5 vintage manual lens review (Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PE 1:4.5 f=200mm )

  • Official classification: MC
  • Collector’s classification: MC II, Hills &Valleys, Knurled

This is a “classic” or “vintage” long lens with elegant shape and with a good enough IQ for any photographer task. Of course, it has “steel and glass” construction as any lens from this line.

(Note: this is the starting article of the reviews cycle about Minolta MC Rokkor lenses in “Hills and Valleys” body design. The author hopes that every lens from this line will be tested on the site. Stay tuned.) (more…)

By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 75-150mm 1:4.0 Zoom – review

Minolta MD 75-150mm 1:4.0 Zoom lens review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD

There are a few popular 2x-zooms produced by the genius of Minolta’s engineers. Everyone knows at least MD 35-70/3.5 and I can add into that list Minolta MD 24-50/4 and maybe MD 24-35/3.5. This reviewed MD 75-150/4 is a further level. See the test results – it’s fantastic.

The tested copy is in beautiful condition in all aspects, something like ‘Near Mint’ in Japanese sellers terminology. No traces of disassembling and damages.

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By Tony, ago

Chiyoko 85mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 85mm f/2.0 – comparison

Ciyoko 85mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 – or, in other words – Super Rokkor and MD III – one of the first versus one of the best. Not a battle actually, better to call it friendly match. It is clear in advance that the more modern MD version will win but it isn’t a problem because these two lenses are absolutely different – mount, age, speed, materials, logo – everything is different, except for two points: both are Minolta and both are 85mm.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta SRT 101, three lenses and collectors disease

Minolta SRT 101 – boxed kit review

You know that photography is the most popular hobby in the world, and photo-gear collecting is linked very closely with taking photos – I think that collecting has a chance to take one of the top places by a number of involved contributors among all other collectors directions. Anyone can be cameras or lens collector, independently of income, lifestyle, and place of living. There was a lot of photo gear that has been produced and every collector can choose the object in a huge variety of prices, rareness, and availability. Usually just what is needed – a few bucks, flea-market or postal office, and a little empty space on a bookshelf.
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By Tony, ago

Chiyoko 85mm 1:2.8 Super Rokkor – review

Chiyoko 85mm f:2.8 Super Rokkor aka Chiyoko Super Rokkor 1:2.8 f=85cm C (Minolta) lens review.

This lens is from the first years after WWII and it’s a part of the history of Japan’s photo-industry, from the times when the poor and the ruined country started the race against the world’s most famous corporations producing photo equipment and finally have won. The reason is clear – one glance at Super Rokkor 85mm is enough to see that it was created and built with incredible quality. Touching this lens drives me to feel that I touch history.

Some amateur photographers say that they love real ‘glass and metal’ lenses, and this feeling drives them to create better photos than with lenses that are built using plastic and rubber elements in construction. Quite often when saying these words they are holding in their hands something like Minolta MC or Canon FL or Nikon pre-AI, etc. I believe that these MC and FLs against this Chiyoko are looking like aluminum trinkets. (more…)

By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom vs MD 28mm 1:3.5 vs MD 35mm 1:2.8 vs MD 50mm 1:1.4 vs MD 85mm 1:2.0 – comparison

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.8 Zoom comparison with prime lenses:

  • Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.8 Zoom Macro (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:3.5 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:2.8 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 (MD III)

One of the best zooms from pre-AF era is going to fight against famous primes on the most used focal distances. Yes, that primes are powerful, so a victory of zoom looks impossible but it will be cool even if it will show at least a close level of sharpness. (more…)

By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – review

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro lens review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD

This MD 28-85/3.5-4.5 usually is hidden behind the shadow of much more famous MD 35-70/3.5 but about me personally – I prefer to take this 28-85/3.5-4.5 instead of 35-70/3.5 in any case. Real convenience in using is better than a tiny better resolution in some positions.

This has been tested by Great and Powerful Antony Hands in his The 35mm Shoot-out – as a zoom which can compete with wide-angle primes.
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By Tony, ago

Minolta SR 50mm 1:1.4 lenses comparison – MC-X, MD I, MD-II, MD-III

Minolta SR 50mm 1:1.4 lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MC Rokkor PG 50mm 1:1.4 (MC-X)
  • Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm 1:1.4 (MD I)
  • Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm 1:1.4 (MD II)
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 (MD III or New-MD)

This is the comparison of Minolta-SR 50mm lenses – from Rokkor MC up to New MD – all are the best classic 50mm lenses ever, and this selection of the winner is just an option – photographers can use any of these lenses without doubts and without reading of this article, but it was curious to find out how the Minolta’s optics changes from generation to generation.

The comparison is big enough and maybe boring, so, if you prefer to sort out in details – you need the patience to look over all diagrams with samples, if you just interested who is a winner – go to the end of the article, but such way is not to recommend, because it would be better if someone controls the author’s conclusion.

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By Tony, ago