Minolta help

xoxixox · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 83

Helo everybody, I need some help to understand the world of Minolta lenses.
i'm interested by the 58mm and the 50mm both f/1.2

I found various models of them, and I already understand that the "X" in Rokkor-X was for the North american market.

But I would like to know if there is a diference between these 50mm :
Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.2 Lens made in japan (filter diameter 55mm) (230 Euros)
Minolta MD 50mm f/1.2 Japan (filter diameter 49mm) (25 Euro)
Minolta MC Rokkor-X PF 1:2 f=50mm Lens made in Japan (200 Euros)

The prices are just an indication

I read that ROKKOR was for the name of a mountain, near the Minolta factory but what else.

For the 58mm I found 2 models one all in metal and another one with a rubber focusing ring. I guess the metal one is the older one, but does they perform the same ?

Sorry for my bad english, and I hope the Minollta specialists will hep me

Wink

dnas · Joined: 14 Nov 2008 Posts: 488 Location: Japan

With the MC Rokkor 58mm F1.2 with the metal(earlier) and with the rubber(later) and essentially the same, except that generally, you can expect the coating to be better on the later ones. (gradually improved)

Minolta MC Rokkor-X PF = Minolta MC Rokkor-PF
The letter code PF indicates
P = 5 groups (T=3; Q=4; P=5; H=6; S=7; O=8; N=9)
F = 7 elements (C=3; D=4; E=5; F=6; G=7; H=8; I=9; J=10; K=11; L=12)

Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.2 (55mm filter)
Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.2 Japan (49mm filter)
Minolta MD 50mm f/1.2 Japan (49mm filter) (locking switch and yellow ft. scale, and featured a lot more plastic, with lighter weight the result)
The last two are different lenses from the first one, as the later MD (49mm filter) was redesigned. Many people prefer the middle one with more metal and less plastic.

I've also noticed that the later plastic ones not only had plastic covers and outsides, but rather than the lens elements screwing into a metal thread, the rear elements are mounted in plastic and screwed into a plastic mount with three screws. Well, maybe not the F1.2 50mm(perhaps), but certainly the 135mm F2.8 & the 50mm F1.4 & F1.7, & the 28mm.

xoxixox · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 83

Thank you dnas for your kind explanation, I have learn something today. I came from the Nikon world, so the Minolta is new to me.
I found some interesting website :
http://www.rokkorfiles.com/Lens%20History.html
http://minolta.rokkor.de/minoltalenses.htm

Very Happy

hexi · Expire: 2011-11-18

Hello and welcome to the Minolta world Very Happy

The lenses you ask about, the 58mm f1.2 is very good for portraits, i've seen some done with, very good rendition and blur at wide open.

The second one you mention is a MD 50mm f2 not 1.2 , see the price Wink

a very good lens of what i read, quite compact.

and its mount Rokko the name of the mountain

xoxixox · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 83