MINOLTA 28mm f2.0 & f2.5 LENSES


The 28mm lens is considered by many to be the base wide-angle lens.  Minolta made many of these, but their first FAST 28mm was the f2.5.  The f2.0 versions of the 28mm are even better for low-light shooting, but are larger, heavier and more expensive.

The competition

There are a ton of 28mm lenses out there, but most are not as fast as these Minoltas.  The ones that are typically have soft results, especially when used wide-open, like the Spiratone 28mm f2.0.  The few quality shooters, like the Vivitar Series 1 28mm f1.9 typically cost as much as the Minoltas.

MINOLTA 28mm f2.0 & f2.5 LENSES

LENS FEATURES

IMAGE

COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
f-STOPS: 2.5-16
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR - SI 1:2.5 f=28mm
DESIGN: 9/7
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.75'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.4"
WEIGHT: 12.8oz.

A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses. Think of it as a faster version of the MC Rokkor 28mm f3.5 that focuses substantially closer. A few of Minolta's lenses, like this one, incorporate rare-earth elements, such as thorium and lanthanum, to produce a high refractive index not obtainable with normal glass. These radioactive elements degrade over time and can cause the lens to turn yellow if not regularly exposed to UV light. The yellow tint will not affect B&W pictures much, but will cast a tint on color pictures. It can be removed by exposing the glass to UV light, such as a bright window sill. Make sure the lens is not exposed to direct sunlight as the heat can cause the internal lubricants to migrate. Depending on where you live, the yellowing will take a few weeks to a few months to disappear. Storing this lens without the lens caps will prevent the yellowing.

FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
f-STOPS: 2.5-16
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X SI 1:2.5 f=28mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.5 f=28mm
DESIGN: 9/7
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.75'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.4"
WEIGHT: 12.8oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor 28mm 2.5 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. The early version of this lens suffers from the same propensity to yellow as its predecessor.

FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
f-STOPS: 2-16
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:2 f=28mm
DESIGN: 10/9
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1'
SIZE: 2.4"x2.6"
WEIGHT: 12oz.

A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses. Think of it as a faster version of the MC Rokkor-X 28mm f2.5 that focuses substantially closer. Floating element design, so unfortunately, the front filter threa rotates as you focus.

FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
f-STOPS: 2-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD W. ROKKOR-X 1:2 f=28mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD W. ROKKOR-X 28mm 1:2 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 10/9
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1'
SIZE: 2.6"x2.4"
WEIGHT: 12.4oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 28mm 2.0 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series -- and a tapered front. Floating element design, so unfortunately, the front filter threa rotates as you focus.

FOCAL LENGTH: 28mm
f-STOPS: 2-22
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 28mm 1:2 JAPAN ø49mm
DESIGN: 9/9
FILTER: 49
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1'
SIZE: 2.5"x2.0"
WEIGHT: 9.4oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 28mm 2.0 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series. Floating element design. Optical design changed from 10/9 to 9/9 resulting in a smaller and much lighter lens -- in part to to more plastic parts. Filter thread changed from 55mm to 49mm.

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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.