MINOLTA'S f1.2 NORMAL LENSES

MINOLTA'S f1.2 NORMAL LENSES

Minolta created a plethora of normal lenses over the years. They can be grouped according to their largest f-stop. At one end were the super-speed demon f1.2 normal lenses. These were very expensive and heavy and used by just a few photographers. The lens in the f1.2 versions offer super-fast optics -- at a price. For those who don't need a normal lens except in bright conditions, a slower lens will work.

Minolta made normal lenses in a variety of focal lengths (from 45 to 58) and a variety of f-stops (from f2.8 to f1.2):

The competition

The only alternative is a Vivitar 55mm 1.2 lens which is impossible to find.

MINOLTA'S f1.2 NORMAL LENSES

LENS FEATURES IMAGE COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 58mm
f-STOPS: 1.2-16
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR - PG 1:1.2 f=58mm
DESIGN: 7/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 2.8"x2.1"
WEIGHT: 1lb. A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses. Think of it as a deluxe version of the 58mm f1.4. But it's not only faster -- it focuses closer. It is a little soft when used at f1.2, but allows you to shoot under just about any condition. 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, 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: 58mm
f-STOPS: 1.2-16
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X PG 1:1.2 f=58mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:1.2 f=58mm
DESIGN: 7/5
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 2.8"x2.1"
WEIGHT: 1lb. An updated version of the MC Rokkor 58mm 1.2 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. This lens suffers from the same propensity to yellow as its predecessor.

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 1.2-16
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:1.2 f=50mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 50mm 1:1.2 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 7/6
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 2.6"x1.8"
WEIGHT: 11.1oz. Think of it as an updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 58mm 1.2 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 1.2-16
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 50mm 1:1.2 JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 7/6
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5'
SIZE: 2.6"x1.8"
WEIGHT: 11oz. An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1.2 with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.

**MINOLTA'S f1.2 NORMAL LENSES**
LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 58mm f-STOPS: 1.2-16 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR - PG 1:1.2 f=58mm DESIGN: 7/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 2.8"x2.1" WEIGHT: 1lb.		A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses. Think of it as a deluxe version of the 58mm f1.4. But it's not only faster -- it focuses closer. It is a little soft when used at f1.2, but allows you to shoot under just about any condition. 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, 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: 58mm f-STOPS: 1.2-16 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X PG 1:1.2 f=58mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:1.2 f=58mm DESIGN: 7/5 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 2.8"x2.1" WEIGHT: 1lb.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor 58mm 1.2 with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. This lens suffers from the same propensity to yellow as its predecessor.
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 1.2-16 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:1.2 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 50mm 1:1.2 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 7/6 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 2.6"x1.8" WEIGHT: 11.1oz.		Think of it as an updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 58mm 1.2 with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series.
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 1.2-16 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD 50mm 1:1.2 JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 7/6 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 1.5' SIZE: 2.6"x1.8" WEIGHT: 11oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1.2 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.