MINOLTA 100mm MACRO LENSES

MINOLTA 100mm MACRO LENSES

Minolta sold and made five 100mm macro lenses over the years. All of these macro lenses came with an extension tube. On their own, they would focus to 1/2 life-size, and with the use of the extension tube, they would focus to life-size. If you buy one, make sure it comes with the extension tube, otherwise you can only get to 1/2 life-size. Other extension tubes, or additional extension tubes, can of course be used, but the scales on the side of the lens barrel are designed specifically for the 1X extension tube. These will be inaccurate with any extension tube of a different length.

The competition

There are a several 100mm macro lenses out there, and most are pretty good. Among the best are the Vivitar Series 1, from 90mm to 105mm, as well as the Kiron 105mm f2.8, Tokina 90mm f2.5, Sigma 90mm f2.8, and Tamron 90mm f2.5 models. Typically, they cost a little less than the Minolta versions -- and provide a slightly brighter viewfinder. Due to the razor-thin depth-of-field of a 100mm macro lens, a slightly brighter viewfinder is not a very important factor to consider when making a choice. On the other hand, Vivitar made a model that did not require an extension tube to reach life-size -- very convenient! If you opt for an alternative, make sure that it has an auto-diaphragm, MC coupling, or MD coupling -- depending on your needs.

MINOLTA 100mm MACRO LENSES

LENS FEATURES IMAGE COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR - QE 1:3.5 f=100mm
DESIGN: 5/4
FILTER: 52
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.3'
SIZE: 3.5"x2.9"
WEIGHT: 1lb. 3.4oz. This was Minolta's first 100mm macro lens. Like all later models of the 100mm f3.5 macro, it had a tripod socket built into the extension tube. This helped provide better balance in extreme close-up work. But, since it is on the extension tube, it was only available between 1/2X and 1X.

FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QE 1:3.5 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm
DESIGN: 5/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 3"x3.5"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 5.1oz. An updated version of the MC Rokkor 100mm 3.5 macro with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 5/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 3"x3.5"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 5.1oz. An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 100mm 3.5 macro with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm
f-STOPS: 4-32
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:4 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 5/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 2.6"x3.5"
WEIGHT: 13.4oz. This lens was introduced in the MD Rokkor-X series. It is a less expensive version of the MD Rokkor-X 100mm 3.5 macro with a smaller, f4.0 aperture. While it doesn't sound like much of a difference, it creates a slightly darker viewfinder. Focusing is still very easy due to the razor-thin depth-of-field. Another cost-saving measure was the removal of the tripod socket on the extension tube. This is not a significant change since the lens is substantially lighter, and the tripod socket on the camera is available, if needed.

FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm
f-STOPS: 4-32
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD MACRO 100mm 1:4 JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 5/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 2.6"x3.5"
WEIGHT: 13.4oz. An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 100mm 4.0 macro with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.

**MINOLTA 100mm MACRO LENSES**
LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR - QE 1:3.5 f=100mm DESIGN: 5/4 FILTER: 52 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 1.3' SIZE: 3.5"x2.9" WEIGHT: 1lb. 3.4oz.		This was Minolta's first 100mm macro lens. Like all later models of the 100mm f3.5 macro, it had a tripod socket built into the extension tube. This helped provide better balance in extreme close-up work. But, since it is on the extension tube, it was only available between 1/2X and 1X.
FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QE 1:3.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm DESIGN: 5/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 3"x3.5" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 5.1oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor 100mm 3.5 macro with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 5/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 3"x3.5" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 5.1oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 100mm 3.5 macro with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm f-STOPS: 4-32 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:4 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 5/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 2.6"x3.5" WEIGHT: 13.4oz.		This lens was introduced in the MD Rokkor-X series. It is a less expensive version of the MD Rokkor-X 100mm 3.5 macro with a smaller, f4.0 aperture. While it doesn't sound like much of a difference, it creates a slightly darker viewfinder. Focusing is still very easy due to the razor-thin depth-of-field. Another cost-saving measure was the removal of the tripod socket on the extension tube. This is not a significant change since the lens is substantially lighter, and the tripod socket on the camera is available, if needed.
FOCAL LENGTH: 100mm f-STOPS: 4-32 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD MACRO 100mm 1:4 JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 5/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 2.6"x3.5" WEIGHT: 13.4oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 100mm 4.0 macro with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.

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The material on this website is protected by US Federal copyright laws. It cannot be copied or used in any manner without specific approval from the owner.