Minota MD 135mm f=2.8 Lens

upnorthcyclist

Hi all,
I recently purchased an XD-11. I have owned an SRT-102 for decades and have a nice little kit of MC prime lenses, but now I'm on the prowl for MD lenses for the new (to me) camera.

One of my favorite MC lenses is the venerable 135mm f=2.8 Rokkor-X. I want to get the same lens in the MD version.

I've done some research and the early MD version was, indeed, the same 4 elements in 4 groups configuration as my MC but at some point Minolta changed it to a much lighter 5 elements in 5 groups version. I don't know if the newer lens' photo quality is better or worse, but I'd really like to get the same lens configuration as the one I have, as it is such a terrific, versatile lens.

What , if any, are the differences in physical appearance or labeling between the MD 4/4 lens and the MD 5/5 lens? I know that, eventually, the lens came out with the X-700 switch, but it appears that there is a version that is 5/5 without the switch, which I'd like to avoid. When I say physical appearance, I mean something I can see from lousy pictures on that popular internet auction site.

Thanks in advance for any help the group can offer. The difference between the versions may be something that is embarrassingly obvious - I just don't want to find it out the hard way...

Best regards,
Mke
 
OP
OP

upnorthcyclist

Right after I posted this, I found a picture out there in cyberspace. All clear now!

Mike
 

Cork

Can you post the link? I have two and both are the old-style MD Rokkor-X versions. I weighed them both to be sure. (grin)

By the way, congrats on the XD-11! I love mine.
 

Cork

Thanks, Mike. I do enjoy Peter Serbe's comments on lenses even if I don't always agree with them.

I'm using my XD-11's to teach my three teenagers "real" photography, and wonder whether I'm spoiling them by starting them with one of the better cameras made. (grin) But the feel is so superb, particularly compared to their digital P&S (or PoS), that they are hooked.

Best,
Cork
 
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