MINOLTA 300mm f4.5 LENSES

MINOLTA 300mm f4.5 LENSES

Minolta sold 300mm lenses in two "sizes" -- f 4.5 and f5.6. While both provide the same telephoto effect, they are very different lenses. The f4.5 versions are substantially larger, heavier, and more expensive. But for the brightest possible viewfinder, and for shooting in low light, the f4.5 is the star.

The competition

There are a number of fast 300mm alternatives to choose from ranging from f2.8 down to f5.0. The f2.8 optics, such as Tamron and Tokina, are very expensive APO optics, but worth it if you need the fastest aperture and don't mind the extra weight -- and I mean WEIGHT. They do not provide better results, but they do provide a faster f-stop. Most other fast 300mm lenses are to be avoided, except for the Sigma 300mm f4.5 APO. It's as expensive as the Minolta, and harder to find -- but provides tack sharp results wide open.

MINOLTA 300mm f4.5 LENSES

LENS FEATURES

IMAGE

COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-32
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - TD 1:4.5 f=30cm
DESIGN: 4/3
FILTER: 77
DIAPHRAGM: preset
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 15'
SIZE: 9.6"x3.1"
WEIGHT: 2lb. 12oz.

Minolta's first 300mm lens appeared in October of 1960. It was large and heavy with a simple three element construction -- the first of FOUR -- and a pre-set design.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-32
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:4.5 f=30cm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 77
DIAPHRAGM: preset
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 15'
SIZE: 9.1"x3.1"
WEIGHT: 2lb. 4oz.

A new an improved version of the 300mm f4.5 Rokkor appeared in 1965. It was smaller and lighter, but was still a large, heavy lens. It sported an improved optical design, but was still a pre-set design.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-22
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - HF 1:4.5 f=300mm
DESIGN: 6/6
FILTER: 72
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 15'
SIZE: 3.1"x7.9"
WEIGHT: 2lb. 8.5oz.

Another redesigned 300mm f4.5 for the MC Rokkor series -- now marked in millimeters -- with an auto-diaphragm, and an even better optical design. This makes for a shorter lens, but it is slightly heavier. While the earlier versions both had tripod sockets, this model added a much-needed tripod socket that rotated. It also has a stop-down button, and a slide-out lens shade!

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X HF 1:4.5 f=300mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=300mm
DESIGN: 6/6
FILTER: 72
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 15'
SIZE: 3.1"x7.8"
WEIGHT: 2lbs. 8.6oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor 300mm 4.5 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-32
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=300mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD TELE ROKKOR-X 300mm 1:4.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø72mm
DESIGN: 7/6
FILTER: 72
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 9.8'
SIZE: 3.1"x7"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 9oz.

Externally, the lens looks similar to it's predecessor, but there are big differences. First, it has a different optical construction -- with internal focusing. As a result, the lens is much lighter -- so much lighter that Minolta dropped the rotating tripod socket. In fact, this version doesn't have a tripod connection at all, and focuses more than five feet closer. But with a lens this long, a tripod is a good idea -- fortunately, the camera has one!

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-32
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 300mm 1:4.5 JAPAN ø72mm
DESIGN: 7/6
FILTER: 72
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 9.8'
SIZE: 3.1"x7.0"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.9oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 300mm 4.5 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.

**MINOLTA 300mm f4.5 LENSES**
LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 4.5-32 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - TD 1:4.5 f=30cm DESIGN: 4/3 FILTER: 77 DIAPHRAGM: preset MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 15' SIZE: 9.6"x3.1" WEIGHT: 2lb. 12oz.		Minolta's first 300mm lens appeared in October of 1960. It was large and heavy with a simple three element construction -- the first of FOUR -- and a pre-set design.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 4.5-32 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:4.5 f=30cm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 77 DIAPHRAGM: preset MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 15' SIZE: 9.1"x3.1" WEIGHT: 2lb. 4oz.		A new an improved version of the 300mm f4.5 Rokkor appeared in 1965. It was smaller and lighter, but was still a large, heavy lens. It sported an improved optical design, but was still a pre-set design.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 4.5-22 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - HF 1:4.5 f=300mm DESIGN: 6/6 FILTER: 72 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 15' SIZE: 3.1"x7.9" WEIGHT: 2lb. 8.5oz.		Another redesigned 300mm f4.5 for the MC Rokkor series -- now marked in millimeters -- with an auto-diaphragm, and an even better optical design. This makes for a shorter lens, but it is slightly heavier. While the earlier versions both had tripod sockets, this model added a much-needed tripod socket that rotated. It also has a stop-down button, and a slide-out lens shade!
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 4.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X HF 1:4.5 f=300mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=300mm DESIGN: 6/6 FILTER: 72 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 15' SIZE: 3.1"x7.8" WEIGHT: 2lbs. 8.6oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor 300mm 4.5 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 4.5-32 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=300mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD TELE ROKKOR-X 300mm 1:4.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø72mm DESIGN: 7/6 FILTER: 72 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 9.8' SIZE: 3.1"x7" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 9oz.		Externally, the lens looks similar to it's predecessor, but there are big differences. First, it has a different optical construction -- with internal focusing. As a result, the lens is much lighter -- so much lighter that Minolta dropped the rotating tripod socket. In fact, this version doesn't have a tripod connection at all, and focuses more than five feet closer. But with a lens this long, a tripod is a good idea -- fortunately, the camera has one!
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 4.5-32 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 300mm 1:4.5 JAPAN ø72mm DESIGN: 7/6 FILTER: 72 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 9.8' SIZE: 3.1"x7.0" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.9oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 300mm 4.5 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.