Minolta 135 F2 and 200 F2.8 - Pricing?

[hoffy]

Howdy all,

I am thinking of adding some fastish tele primes to my Minolta Manual Focus setup. The obvious ones that I am thinking are the 200mm F2.8 and the 135mm F2. I'm thinking Minolta only here for now (no 3rd party brands)

Firstly, what versions were available in these focal lengths?
Secondly, how rare are they?
Thirdly, can anyone give me an indication of pricing?

Cheers

 

[Pioneer]

I am certainly not an expert here but the MD 135/2 and the MD 200/2.8 are the only Minolta manual focus lenses I am aware of. I think the 135/2 is a bit harder to find but I don't know whether that means it is rarer or not. I know the 200/2.8 can usually be found for less than $500. I am not sure about the 135/2.

 

[David Brown]

This might be of help.

Dead Link Removed

For pricing, there's always KEH and ebay ...

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Chech out KEH or B&H.

Jeff

 

[hoffy]

This might be of help.

Dead Link Removed

For pricing, there's always KEH and ebay ...

Keh, yes. I find pricing on ebay pointless these days.

The main drama is that KEH dont have either lens at the moment

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Hoffy;

The fast Minolta ROKKOR telephoto lenses.

You should be able to find the Minolta MD 135mm f:2.0 and the Minolta MD TELE ROKKOR 200mm f:2.8 or the MD 200mm f:2.8 from right around 1980 with a reasonable search. The real challenge is finding the Minolta AUTO TELE ROKKOR-PF 100mm f:2.0 or the MC TELE ROKKOR-PF 100mm f:2.0. The 100/2.0 is from the early to middle 1960s.

Pricing? You are talking about a limited production run for the 135/2.0 and the 200/2.8. The 100/2.0 now is considered to be rare. There are not really enough sales records to provide any real guidelines for these lenses. It probably will be more dependent on negotiating skill and the knowledge of both the seller and the buyer. I cannot really offer any suggestions on where to look for these lenses and any selling prices for them. KEH may have some records, but they are not at all extensive, and they seem to just dissipate after a few months. As just a guess on my part, I feel that the middle to high 3 significant figures, or possibly now up into the low 4 significant figures, might be what you will encounter for initial asking prices. We are not talking that much about working lenses here. These have fallen into the "collector" category now. But then, you could encounter someone who is trying to sell their father's old cameras, and is having difficulty finding anyone wanting to buy older film camera equipment. Who knows?

Enjoy; Ralph, Latte Land, Washington

 

[donkee]

I picked up my MD 200 f/2.8 in used excellent condition in the early 90's for about 300.00 from maybe KEH. Last I checked Fleabay using an ended auction search (just for giggles about 6 months ago) I saw the excellent condition ones sold for between $500-$800. Almost thought about selling mine, but nah, I like it way too much to sell.

Funny how in the old days everyone looked down on Minolta gear. These days you hear how good the stuff was and prices are starting to go up. Glad I bought mine and extras before everyone figured out what figured out years ago.

 

[hoffy]

Hmmmm, that's getting on the high side of what I would spend. I'd rather spend those sums on MF kit. Damn sony and the NEX range!

I see the 135 f2.8 and the 200 f3.5 go for substantially cheaper. How do these rate?

 

[Zathras]

(Snip)........Funny how in the old days everyone looked down on Minolta gear. These days you hear how good the stuff was and prices are starting to go up. Glad I bought mine and extras before everyone figured out what figured out years ago.

Check out Minolta's enlarging lenes as well, if you get the chance. They are seriously good lenses.

 

[dynachrome]

There are many versions of the 135/2.8. They are all decent. The second version of the MC is not very good close up but is otherwise good. The last MD versions are considered very good and even the last 135/2.8 MD Celtics are very good. The 200/3.5s are all good. The last one, the MC Rokkor-X, is the nicest of the bunch and has the best coating. If your lighting is not too difficult and if you use the hood, the second MC version (aperture ring at the rear) is also very good. The 200/3.5s do not sell for too much so if you try one, you might like it. If I need to use a fast 200 on a Minolta camera I can use an adapter with an M42 Vivitar 200/3 Series 1. Otherwise I would use a 200/2.8 Canon New FD (1st version), which is also very good.

 

[crumbo]

OT -- Ancient thread, I know, but does anyone know the status of Ralph Javins, a frequent poster here some years back. He long ago mentioned needs regarding a Kyoritsu EF-511 tester, and I was hoping he might have acquired technical information regarding same.

If anyone could put me in touch with him, I would be sincerely grateful.

CJ