MINOLTA 135mm f3.5 & f4.0 LENSES

MINOLTA 135mm f3.5 & f4.0 LENSES

"Tatty Web", Long Beach, California, October, 2006
Minolta XD-7 in aperture-priority, auto-exposure mode with a shutter speed of about 1/250
Minolta MD Celtic 135mm f3.5 at f3.5
Agfa 100 color negative film generically packaged
Copyright @ 2006 by Francisek Cesarski

From the earliest days, Minolta made several 135mm lenses targeting the lower-priced market. Initially, these appeared with a f4.0 optic, which later evolved into a long list of f3.5 135mm lenses -- as you will see. These should not be construed as lower quality lenses just because they are lower priced. Like the 28mm f3.5 lenses, the 135mm f3.5 and f4.0 lenses were designed to cut cost, not quality.

The competition

There are several 135mm lenses with a f3.5 aperture. Most are these are very inexpensive, thanks to poor workmanship, with poor results.

MINOLTA 135mm f3.5 & f4.0 LENSES

LENS FEATURES

IMAGE

COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 4-22
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm
DESIGN: 3/3
FILTER: 46
DIAPHRAGM: preset
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 5'
SIZE: 4.5"x2.2"
WEIGHT: 14oz.

A less expensive alternative to the 135mm Auto-Rokkor with a pre-set aperture. But don't assume this lens is a slouch. It's 12 blade aperture tells you that Minolta didn't cut any corners in quality. The quality is so good that Minolta used its design for its first Bellows lens.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 52
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x3.5"
WEIGHT: 14oz.

A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses. Not only did it replace the 135mm f4.0, but it had an automatic diaphragm, a stop-down button, and meter-coupling. To accomplish this, the f-stop ring is moved much closer to the camera -- but not all the way, so the f-stops will not appear in viewfinders of cameras equipped to do this.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x3.5"
WEIGHT: 14oz.

A later version of the lens with important changes. The f-stop ring is moved all the way to the camera body, the focusing ring has deeper grooving, and the lens now has the standard 55mm thread.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X QD 1:3.5 f=135mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x3.4"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 1oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor 135mm 3.5 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION: LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE CELTIC-QD 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 52
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 5'
SIZE: 2.5"x3.4"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 1oz.

A less expensive version of the MC Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5. This was the first Celtic lens and it is an unusual intermediate species between what came before and what was to come after. It was obviously intended to be a less expensive version of the MC Rokkor-X line because it had some of the new features, but it retained some of the older features as well. In addition, it lost a few features as a cost saving approach. It was the only Celtic lens that had a metal focusing ring (the same as the earlier MC Rokkor series), and unlike all other Celtic lenses, it was only marked in feet, so it was obviously intended only for the US market. But unlike all of the other Celtic lenses, it had the added features of a stop-down button and the orange focal length markings of the MC Rokkor-X series. It is also the only Celtic with the lens formula in the inscription -- "QD". For some reason, the name Minolta does not appear anywhere on the lens. This is a top-notch lens -- IF you can find it.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 5'
SIZE: 2.5"x3.4"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 1oz.

An updated version of the original 135mm f3.5 MC Celtic with a 55mm filter thread and a rubber focusing ring. This version was to become the standard for the Celtic line. It lost the DOF button, the focal length inscription, and the lens formula inscription. But it gained focusing marks in meters.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD TELE ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.9"
WEIGHT: 9.3oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.9"
WEIGHT: 9.3oz.

A less expensive version of the MD Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 -- and an new rubber-waffling style for the Celtic lenses.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
MINOLTA MD TELE ROKKOR-X 135mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø49mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 49
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.9"
WEIGHT: 9.3oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 with a change to the optical formula and the filter size.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 135mm 1:3.5 JAPAN ø49mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 49
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.9"
WEIGHT: 10.1oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=135mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 49
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.9"
WEIGHT: 9.3oz.

An updated version of the previous Celtic with a 49mm filter thread -- and a return to the classic rubber-waffling style of the Celtic lenses.

LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 4-22 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm DESIGN: 3/3 FILTER: 46 DIAPHRAGM: preset MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 5' SIZE: 4.5"x2.2" WEIGHT: 14oz.		A less expensive alternative to the 135mm Auto-Rokkor with a pre-set aperture. But don't assume this lens is a slouch. It's 12 blade aperture tells you that Minolta didn't cut any corners in quality. The quality is so good that Minolta used its design for its first Bellows lens.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 52 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x3.5" WEIGHT: 14oz.		A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses. Not only did it replace the 135mm f4.0, but it had an automatic diaphragm, a stop-down button, and meter-coupling. To accomplish this, the f-stop ring is moved much closer to the camera -- but not all the way, so the f-stops will not appear in viewfinders of cameras equipped to do this.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x3.5" WEIGHT: 14oz.		A later version of the lens with important changes. The f-stop ring is moved all the way to the camera body, the focusing ring has deeper grooving, and the lens now has the standard 55mm thread.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X QD 1:3.5 f=135mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x3.4" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 1oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor 135mm 3.5 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE CELTIC-QD 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 52 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 5' SIZE: 2.5"x3.4" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 1oz.		A less expensive version of the MC Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5. This was the first Celtic lens and it is an unusual intermediate species between what came before and what was to come after. It was obviously intended to be a less expensive version of the MC Rokkor-X line because it had some of the new features, but it retained some of the older features as well. In addition, it lost a few features as a cost saving approach. It was the only Celtic lens that had a metal focusing ring (the same as the earlier MC Rokkor series), and unlike all other Celtic lenses, it was only marked in feet, so it was obviously intended only for the US market. But unlike all of the other Celtic lenses, it had the added features of a stop-down button and the orange focal length markings of the MC Rokkor-X series. It is also the only Celtic with the lens formula in the inscription -- "QD". For some reason, the name Minolta does not appear anywhere on the lens. This is a top-notch lens -- IF you can find it.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 5' SIZE: 2.5"x3.4" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 1oz.		An updated version of the original 135mm f3.5 MC Celtic with a 55mm filter thread and a rubber focusing ring. This version was to become the standard for the Celtic line. It lost the DOF button, the focal length inscription, and the lens formula inscription. But it gained focusing marks in meters.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD TELE ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x2.9" WEIGHT: 9.3oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x2.9" WEIGHT: 9.3oz.		A less expensive version of the MD Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 -- and an new rubber-waffling style for the Celtic lenses.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD TELE ROKKOR-X 135mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø49mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 49 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x2.9" WEIGHT: 9.3oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 with a change to the optical formula and the filter size.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 135mm 1:3.5 JAPAN ø49mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 49 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x2.9" WEIGHT: 10.1oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 135mm 3.5 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=135mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 49 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 4.9' SIZE: 2.5"x2.9" WEIGHT: 9.3oz.		An updated version of the previous Celtic with a 49mm filter thread -- and a return to the classic rubber-waffling style of the Celtic lenses.