Minolta normal lenses.. which are the good ones?

[darinwc]

I see a bunch of different minolta normal lenses (50mm, 58mm, etc)
Which versions are the 'good ones'?

 

[CGW]

I'm partial to the semi-ancient MC Rokkor-PF 58/1.4. Nice on film bodies and <<gasp>>micro 4/3s cameras via adapters. Probably my favorite fast 50-ish lens--regardless of mount.

 

[Klainmeister]

I've got the Minolta AF 50mm 1.7 and love the darn thing. Great contrast, sharp, fast. It's a solid performer.

 

[jtzordon]

I had a 1.4 MC Rokkor with the waffled focusing ring and 55mm threads that was stellar. I currently have a 1.7 MC Rokkor with 52mm with the scalloped focusing ring that is less sharp wide open but has a really nice rendition.

 

[martyryan]

I have a 58 1.4 mc rokkor, a 50 1.4 pg mc rokkor, a 50 1.7 md, and the 45mm f2. My favorite overall is the 50 1.4 pg but they are all very good lens. The 58mm can flare in tough situations, the 50 1.7 is very contrasty and sharp but the oof rendition is a little hard.

Marty

 

[Diapositivo]

If you don't know the site already I can suggest "The Rokkor files" for interesting information, and tests, of Minolta Rokkor lenses (and other Minolta material).

Dead Link Removed

 

[C A Sugg]

Very limited experience, but regarding the MC Rokkor-PF 58/1.4 -- sharp but surprisingly low contrast. (at least my copy) That said, I tried it out for night street shooting at ISO 1600 and that property made it a good choice, keeping the lower values from dropping too far. But it also produced beyond weird artifacts, like "donuts" from distant traffic lights that looked like it was taken with a mirror lens.
On the other hand, the 50mm 1.4 MC Rokkor-X PG (late, rubber focusing ring) has stunning flare control. If you need to tame specular highlights, while still retaining a sense of brilliance, I'm not sure you could do better.

 

[Barry S]

The best Minolta normal lens is a free one. PM me and for the cost of postage I'll send you a 50mm f/1.7.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
For some reason I usually travel with three normal lenses.
I have the 58mm f/1.4; 50mm f/1.7; and the 45mm f/2.0;
The 58mm f/1.4 is usually my favourite !
And I only paid $7.00 for the 45mm f/2.0;
I'm still in mourning for the loss of my 58mm f/1.2 ...

But, I'm sure that you'll love the free 50mm f/1.7, that Barry S has offered !

Ron
.

 

[zk-cessnaguy]

There's something special about the MC58mm f/1.4, I'm quite partial to it.

 

[Steve Smith]

For some reason I usually travel with three normal lenses.
I have the 58mm f/1.4; 50mm f/1.7; and the 45mm f/2.0

That's an odd assortment of close focal lengths.

A few years ago when I realised I couldn't afford the Nikkor prime lenses I wanted, I bought a Minolta XE-1 (XE-7) and three lenses. 50mm f1.4 Rokkor PG, 28mm f3.5 Rokkor SG and 135mm f3.5 Rokkor X. I cannot fault any of these lenses and they cost between a third and a quarter of the comparable Nikkors.

Corrected spelling of favorite, in case Steve Smith stops by ...

Thank you!!



Steve.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

Thank you!!


Steve.

.
You're Welcome, Steve !

It only took me a year to learn the correct spelling ...

Enjoy The Weekend !

Ron
.

 

[upnorthcyclist]

The 50mm MC Rokkor-X PG 1:1.4 is my personal favorite, but they're all good lenses - you'll like the 1:1.7.

Mike

 

[Wade D]

I have a 50mm MD f/1.7 that is very sharp. My favorite street lens is an MC 35mm f/1.8. Not quite 'normal' but close enough. Very sharp and great contrast even wide open.

 

[j-dogg]

AF 70-210 f4 Beercan, the best non-G AF lens ever for Alpha mount.

 

[Alex_Holland]

I think that the PF models were their better ones...

 

[MSOKAL]

I use the old AF 50mm F1.7 always with great results.

 

[nanntonaku]

i started with the 50/1.4 MD,...

then picked up an old school auto-rokkor pf 58/1.4, which i'm enjoying as it was dirt cheap.

but from all the samples of rokkor lenses i've seen on flickr, the 1.2's seem to jump out at me the most,....

so now i'm after a 58/1.2, which is pricey compared to other rokkor lenses,... but is dirt cheap compared to the 1.2's of other brands.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
Welcome To APUG Nanntonaku !

Ron
.

 

[nanntonaku]

Cheers Ron!

 

[Pumalite]

I'm partial to the semi-ancient MC Rokkor-PF 58/1.4. Nice on film bodies and <<gasp>>micro 4/3s cameras via adapters. Probably my favorite fast 50-ish lens--regardless of mount.

+1

 

[Aristophanes]

I see a bunch of different minolta normal lenses (50mm, 58mm, etc)
Which versions are the 'good ones'?

All the Rokkors are good, all the 50's. I shoot the 50/2 and it is as sharp at f/2 as the 1.4. The 1.2 is super as well (aren't they all?).

 

[brucemuir]

All the Rokkors are good, all the 50's. I shoot the 50/2 and it is as sharp at f/2 as the 1.4. The 1.2 is super as well (aren't they all?).

Exactly, a decent 50mm isn't exactly rocket science.
Not trying to sound snide but stating the obvious.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I had several normal lenses including the 50mm f/1.4 and the 58mm f/1.4. I was always partial to the 58mm f/1.4 even though it was much older.

Steve

 

[Aristophanes]

The MD 24/2.8 is awesome. Maybe the best across brands. The 28 is.....meh. The 35/2.8 is very good. The 45...another meh. 58's good. 85 awesome. 100's all excellent. 135/2.8 is fantastic. 35-70/4 and 70-210/4 terrific. In fact, those zooms challenge the primes save for DOF.

I prefer the MD's as they have better flare control.

I shot my X-500 w/Ektar today!

Rokkorfiles is a reliable source for the manual focus items, but sadly incomplete.