MINOLTA 300mm f5.6 LENSES

MINOLTA 300mm f5.6 LENSES

Minolta sold 300mm lenses in two "sizes" -- f4.5 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. Where weight, size, or cost are a concern, the f5.6 is the star. Most of the 300mm f5.6 models used the convemient 55mm filter thread. This allows you to get into long telephotography without having to buy an entire set of larger, expensive filters.

The competition

There are a number of 300mm alternatives with f5.5 or f5.6 apertures. Most should be avoided, since they are strictly budget lenses, but a few are quality shooters, such as the Soligor and Osawa f5.5. And where size and weight are a big concern, there are a couple of 300mm f5.6 lenses that are mirror optics, like the Cambron and Rokunar -- and don't forget the Minolta 250mm f5.6 CAT..

MINOLTA 300mm f5.6 LENSES

LENS FEATURES

IMAGE

COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 5.6-32
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:5.6 f=30cm
DESIGN: 4/4
FILTER: 62
DIAPHRAGM: preset
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 15'
SIZE: 7.7"x2.5"
WEIGHT: 1lb. 3oz.

A less expensive, smaller, lighter alternative to the 300mm f4.5 Rokkor. It appeared in 1963, and has a pre-set aperture structure. Note that the lens is marked in centimeters, not millimeters, and has a larger filter thread than the later models.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 5.6-32
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - PE 1:5.6 f=300mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8'
SIZE: 3.1"x7.9"
WEIGHT: 1lb. 9.7oz.

A redesigned 300mm f5.6 from the Rokkor series, this version appeared in June of 1965, and has the MC function and a new auto-diaphragm, plus a new optical design. Despite being produced until 1973, when it was replaced by the Rokkor-X version (below), it is rather hard to find.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 5.6-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PE 1:5.6 f=300mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=300mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8'
SIZE: 2.5"x7.3"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.5oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor 300mm 5.6 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. The early version even came with a built-in stop-down button, and both versions came with a built-in, sliding lens hood.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 5.6-32
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD TELE ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=300mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD TELE ROKKOR-X 300mm 1:5.6 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8'
SIZE: 2.5"x7.3"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.5oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 300mm 5.6 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm
f-STOPS: 5.6-32
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 300mm 1:5.6 JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 5/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8'
SIZE: 2.5"x7.3"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.5oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 300mm 5.6 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series. Apparently, like the original MC version few, if any were made, but it listed in the Minolta literature.

**MINOLTA 300mm f5.6 LENSES**
LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 5.6-32 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - QD 1:5.6 f=30cm DESIGN: 4/4 FILTER: 62 DIAPHRAGM: preset MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 15' SIZE: 7.7"x2.5" WEIGHT: 1lb. 3oz.		A less expensive, smaller, lighter alternative to the 300mm f4.5 Rokkor. It appeared in 1963, and has a pre-set aperture structure. Note that the lens is marked in centimeters, not millimeters, and has a larger filter thread than the later models.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 5.6-32 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR - PE 1:5.6 f=300mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8' SIZE: 3.1"x7.9" WEIGHT: 1lb. 9.7oz.		A redesigned 300mm f5.6 from the Rokkor series, this version appeared in June of 1965, and has the MC function and a new auto-diaphragm, plus a new optical design. Despite being produced until 1973, when it was replaced by the Rokkor-X version (below), it is rather hard to find.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 5.6-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PE 1:5.6 f=300mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=300mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8' SIZE: 2.5"x7.3" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.5oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor 300mm 5.6 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. The early version even came with a built-in stop-down button, and both versions came with a built-in, sliding lens hood.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 5.6-32 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD TELE ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=300mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD TELE ROKKOR-X 300mm 1:5.6 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8' SIZE: 2.5"x7.3" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.5oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 300mm 5.6 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 300mm f-STOPS: 5.6-32 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 300mm 1:5.6 JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 5/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 14.8' SIZE: 2.5"x7.3" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.5oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 300mm 5.6 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series. Apparently, like the original MC version few, if any were made, but it listed in the Minolta literature.

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