MINOLTA 50mm MACRO LENSES

MINOLTA 50mm MACRO LENSES

Minolta sold and made six 50mm macro lenses over the years -- all f3.5. The optical formulas were always the same -- you can't improve on perfection -- but the features of the lenses evolved. All of these macro lenses came with an extension tube. On their own, they would focus to 1/2 life-size, and with the use of the extension tube, they would focus to life-size. If you buy one, make sure it comes with the extension tube, otherwise you can only get to 1/2 life-size.

The competition

The only 50mm Macro lenses worth considering are the Vivitar 55mm f2.8 which does not require an extension tube to reach life-size, and the Sigma 50mm f2.8. They are slightly faster than the Minolta versions, but you won't save much.

MINOLTA 50mm MACRO LENSES

LENS FEATURES

IMAGE

COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA ROKKOR - QF 1:3.5 f=50mm
DESIGN: 6/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: preset
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 8"
SIZE: 2.2"x2.5"
WEIGHT: 7.5oz.

This was Minolta's first macro lens. It had a Leica thread (39mm) -- for some reason -- so it came with a Leica-to-Minolta adapter. It also had a 1:1 extension tube, as well as a reverse ring for use on a bellows. It was a very well-designed lens and the basic design lasted for many years (see below). It was a pre-set style, which necessitates two f-stop rings, but this lens also had two f-stop scales. The first (from f3.5-22) is on the top of the lens for normal use. The second, which runs from f4.8-32 is used when the 1:1 extension tube is attached. In addition, the lens has a handy magnification scale and a unique exposure compensation system. After focusing and determining the magnification, the f-stop ring is manually adjusted according to the built-in scale. It is thought that Minolta used a Leica thread to make this lens attractive to users of other camera systems -- in addition to Leica users. With a simple Leica adapter, this lens is useable on many cameras and bellows systems.

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1966-1972
INSCRIPTION:
MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-QF 1:3.5 f=50mm
DESIGN: 6/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 9"
SIZE: 2.5"x2.2"
WEIGHT: 7.3oz.

An updated version of the Rokkor 50mm 3.5 macro with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor series. It dropped the Leica thread of its predecessor in favor of the normal Minolta mount. Perhaps sales to non-Minolta users was not as profitable as expected, or perhaps Minolta finally realized that "Hey, those other camera companies actually make their own macro lenses!". In addition, because it is an auto-diaphragm lens, it has a small stop-down lever to use with cameras that lack a DOF button. The meter-coupled, 1:1 extension tube has a full set of f-stop settings.

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QF 1:3.5 f=50mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=50mm
DESIGN: 6/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 9"
SIZE: 2.5"x2.2"
WEIGHT: 7.3oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor 50mm 3.5 macro with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. The stop-down lever was dropped. The extension tube does not show f-stop settings.

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=50mm
DESIGN: 6/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 9"
SIZE: 2.5"x2.2"
WEIGHT: 7.3oz.

A less expensive version of the MC Rokkor-X 50mm 3.5 macro -- but despite that, it came with a 1:1 extension tube and a reversing ring!

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION:
EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=50mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 50mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 6/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 9"
SIZE: 2.5"x2.2"
WEIGHT: 7.3oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 50mm 3.5 macro with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series. The extension tube has MD capability.

FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD MACRO 50mm 1:3.5 JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 6/4
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 9"
SIZE: 2.5"x2.2"
WEIGHT: 7.3oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 50mm 3.5 macro with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series.

**MINOLTA 50mm MACRO LENSES**
LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA ROKKOR - QF 1:3.5 f=50mm DESIGN: 6/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: preset MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 8" SIZE: 2.2"x2.5" WEIGHT: 7.5oz.		This was Minolta's first macro lens. It had a Leica thread (39mm) -- for some reason -- so it came with a Leica-to-Minolta adapter. It also had a 1:1 extension tube, as well as a reverse ring for use on a bellows. It was a very well-designed lens and the basic design lasted for many years (see below). It was a pre-set style, which necessitates two f-stop rings, but this lens also had two f-stop scales. The first (from f3.5-22) is on the top of the lens for normal use. The second, which runs from f4.8-32 is used when the 1:1 extension tube is attached. In addition, the lens has a handy magnification scale and a unique exposure compensation system. After focusing and determining the magnification, the f-stop ring is manually adjusted according to the built-in scale. It is thought that Minolta used a Leica thread to make this lens attractive to users of other camera systems -- in addition to Leica users. With a simple Leica adapter, this lens is useable on many cameras and bellows systems.
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1966-1972 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-QF 1:3.5 f=50mm DESIGN: 6/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 9" SIZE: 2.5"x2.2" WEIGHT: 7.3oz.		An updated version of the Rokkor 50mm 3.5 macro with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor series. It dropped the Leica thread of its predecessor in favor of the normal Minolta mount. Perhaps sales to non-Minolta users was not as profitable as expected, or perhaps Minolta finally realized that "Hey, those other camera companies actually make their own macro lenses!". In addition, because it is an auto-diaphragm lens, it has a small stop-down lever to use with cameras that lack a DOF button. The meter-coupled, 1:1 extension tube has a full set of f-stop settings.
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QF 1:3.5 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=50mm DESIGN: 6/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 9" SIZE: 2.5"x2.2" WEIGHT: 7.3oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor 50mm 3.5 macro with the improved cosmetics and lenses coating of the MC Rokkor-X series. The stop-down lever was dropped. The extension tube does not show f-stop settings.
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=50mm DESIGN: 6/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 9" SIZE: 2.5"x2.2" WEIGHT: 7.3oz.		A less expensive version of the MC Rokkor-X 50mm 3.5 macro -- but despite that, it came with a 1:1 extension tube and a reversing ring!
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 50mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 6/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 9" SIZE: 2.5"x2.2" WEIGHT: 7.3oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 50mm 3.5 macro with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series. The extension tube has MD capability.
FOCAL LENGTH: 50mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD MACRO 50mm 1:3.5 JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 6/4 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 9" SIZE: 2.5"x2.2" WEIGHT: 7.3oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 50mm 3.5 macro 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.