MINOLTA SHORT-TO-MODERATE TELE- ZOOM LENSES

MINOLTA SHORT-TO-MODERATE TELE- ZOOM LENSES

"Aspens, golden banner, and deer", near Golden, Colorado, 1977
Minolta XE-7 at about 1/60
Minolta MC Zoom Rokkor-X 80-200mm f4.5 at 200mm and f4.5
Kodak Kodachrome 25 color slide film
Hoya UV filter
Copyright @ 1977 by Joe McGloin

If you are a landscape photographer who needs to cut down on weight, such as a backpacker, one of these Minolta zooms might be just the ticket. With one of these you cover range from 70/80mm to 200/210mm. Sure, you'll lose a little in the maximum f-stop, but you'll lose a lot in size and weight -- compared to carrying two or three separate lenses. Unlike most of the competition, these Minolta lenses have constant apertures at all focal lengths (with only one exception) and produce excellent quality pictures.

The competition

No doubt about it, there are more zoom lenses in the "80-200mm" range that any other lens. But 99% of them are junk. They might be small, they might be light, but they will not compare to the results you get from a Minolta zoom. There are a few contenders, but they are neither small, nor light, nor cheap.

MINOLTA SHORT-TO-MODERATE TELE- ZOOM LENSES

LENS FEATURES

IMAGE

COMMENTS

FOCAL LENGTH: 70-210mm
f-STOPS: 4-32
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 70-210mm 1:4 JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 12/9
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 3.6'
SIZE: 2.7"x6"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.4oz.

An updated version of the MD Minolta 75-200mm 4.5 zoom (below). A one-touch, super-quality zoom . And again, Leica liked it so much they sold it as the Leitz Vario-Elmar R 70-210 f4. It's 1/3 f-stop faster and about the same size and weight. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

FOCAL LENGTH: 70-210mm
f-STOPS: 4.5/5.6-22/27
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 70-210mm 1:4.5/5.6 JAPAN ø49mm
DESIGN: 12/9
FILTER: 49
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 3.9'
SIZE: 2.6"x?"
WEIGHT: 11.5oz.

An updated version of the MD Minolta 70-210mm 4.0 zoom -- sort of. It's a completely different design, and look & feel. It's still a one-touch zoom -- but with a variable aperture. It's pretty slow and dark at the 210mm setting (f5.6), and not a speed demon at 70mm either (f4.5), but this allows the lens to be smaller and lighter. It was probably made by Cosina and is not known for its quality pictures. If you are looking for a zoom in this range, it's best to buy an earlier version. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

FOCAL LENGTH: 75-150mm
f-STOPS: 4-32
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 75-150mm 1:4 JAPAN ø49mm
DESIGN: 12/8
FILTER: 49
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 3.9'
SIZE: 2.7"x4.5"
WEIGHT: 15.7oz.

A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses in the MD Rokkor-X series. It's a one-touch zoom and great for portrait shooting -- competing with the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50-135mm f3.5, of course. It's a small and light one-touch zoom (for quick action) and covers all of the major portrait lenses -- 85mm, 100mm, and 135mm. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

FOCAL LENGTH: 75-200mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-22
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM ROKKOR-X 75-200mm 1:4.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN
DESIGN: 15/11
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 4.3'
SIZE: 2.7"x6.1"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.2oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 80-200mm 4.5 zoom. A one-touch, super-quality zoom. Once again, Leica liked it so much they sold it as the Leitz Vario-Elmar R 75-200 f4.5. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

FOCAL LENGTH: 75-200mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-22
PERIOD: 1981-present
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 75-200mm 1:4.5 JAPAN ø55mm
DESIGN: 15/11
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 3.9'
SIZE: 2.7"x6.1"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.2oz.

An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 80-200mm 4.5 zoom (below) with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series. In addition to the slightly wider focal lenght range, it has slightly closer focusing, a depth-of-field scale, and magnification markings on the zoom barrel. It was quickly replaced with the MD Minolta 70-210mm f4.0 (above). The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

FOCAL LENGTH: 80-160mm
f-STOPS: 3.5-22
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA AUTO ZOOM ROKKOR 1:3.5 f=80-160mm
DESIGN: 15/10
FILTER: 77
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 8'
SIZE: 8.1"x3.4"
WEIGHT: 4lb.

This was Minolta's first zoom lens and was quite an accomplishment at the time despite covering only the narrow 80-160mm range. It incorporated 15 elements, and was not a computer-aided design! It was a large and heavy (FOUR POUNDS), two-touch zoom, but it had an automatic diaphragm. Its major drawback, at the time, was it's high price. It never sold well, so Minolta produced a much less expensive, pre-set, slower, smaller & lighter 100-200mm f5.6 Rokkor zoom. These early zoom lenses helped Minolta to become a leader in later zoom lens designs. The f-stops will not appear in the viewfinders of any cameras.

FOCAL LENGTH: 80-200mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-32
PERIOD: 1972-1977
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=80-200mm
DESIGN: 14/10
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 6'
SIZE: 3"x6.3"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.8oz.

A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses in the MC Rokkor-X series. A one-touch, super-quality zoom that Leica liked so much they sold it as the Leitz Vario-Elmar R 80-200 f4.5. At the time this Minolta zoom had a list price of $400. The Leica? The exact same lens, with German quality control? $1200. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

FOCAL LENGTH: 80-200mm
f-STOPS: 4.5-32
PERIOD: 1977-1981
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=80-200mm
DESIGN: 14/10
FILTER: 55
DIAPHRAGM: auto
MC: yes
MD: yes
CLOSE FOCUS: 6'
SIZE: 3"x6.3"
WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.8oz.

An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 80-200mm 4.5 zoom (above) with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series. Very few were made before it was replaced by the 75-200mm f4.5 zoom (above) -- so it's hard to find. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

**MINOLTA SHORT-TO-MODERATE TELE- ZOOM LENSES**
LENS FEATURES	IMAGE	COMMENTS
FOCAL LENGTH: 70-210mm f-STOPS: 4-32 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 70-210mm 1:4 JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 12/9 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 3.6' SIZE: 2.7"x6" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.4oz.		An updated version of the MD Minolta 75-200mm 4.5 zoom (below). A one-touch, super-quality zoom . And again, Leica liked it so much they sold it as the Leitz Vario-Elmar R 70-210 f4. It's 1/3 f-stop faster and about the same size and weight. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.
FOCAL LENGTH: 70-210mm f-STOPS: 4.5/5.6-22/27 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 70-210mm 1:4.5/5.6 JAPAN ø49mm DESIGN: 12/9 FILTER: 49 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 3.9' SIZE: 2.6"x?" WEIGHT: 11.5oz.		An updated version of the MD Minolta 70-210mm 4.0 zoom -- sort of. It's a completely different design, and look & feel. It's still a one-touch zoom -- but with a variable aperture. It's pretty slow and dark at the 210mm setting (f5.6), and not a speed demon at 70mm either (f4.5), but this allows the lens to be smaller and lighter. It was probably made by Cosina and is not known for its quality pictures. If you are looking for a zoom in this range, it's best to buy an earlier version. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.
FOCAL LENGTH: 75-150mm f-STOPS: 4-32 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 75-150mm 1:4 JAPAN ø49mm DESIGN: 12/8 FILTER: 49 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 3.9' SIZE: 2.7"x4.5" WEIGHT: 15.7oz.		A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses in the MD Rokkor-X series. It's a one-touch zoom and great for portrait shooting -- competing with the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50-135mm f3.5, of course. It's a small and light one-touch zoom (for quick action) and covers all of the major portrait lenses -- 85mm, 100mm, and 135mm. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.
FOCAL LENGTH: 75-200mm f-STOPS: 4.5-22 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM ROKKOR-X 75-200mm 1:4.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN DESIGN: 15/11 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 4.3' SIZE: 2.7"x6.1" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.2oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 80-200mm 4.5 zoom. A one-touch, super-quality zoom. Once again, Leica liked it so much they sold it as the Leitz Vario-Elmar R 75-200 f4.5. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.
FOCAL LENGTH: 75-200mm f-STOPS: 4.5-22 PERIOD: 1981-present INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA MD ZOOM 75-200mm 1:4.5 JAPAN ø55mm DESIGN: 15/11 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 3.9' SIZE: 2.7"x6.1" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.2oz.		An updated version of the MD Rokkor-X 80-200mm 4.5 zoom (below) with the typical changes of the MD Minolta series. In addition to the slightly wider focal lenght range, it has slightly closer focusing, a depth-of-field scale, and magnification markings on the zoom barrel. It was quickly replaced with the MD Minolta 70-210mm f4.0 (above). The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.
FOCAL LENGTH: 80-160mm f-STOPS: 3.5-22 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA AUTO ZOOM ROKKOR 1:3.5 f=80-160mm DESIGN: 15/10 FILTER: 77 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 8' SIZE: 8.1"x3.4" WEIGHT: 4lb.		This was Minolta's first zoom lens and was quite an accomplishment at the time despite covering only the narrow 80-160mm range. It incorporated 15 elements, and was not a computer-aided design! It was a large and heavy (FOUR POUNDS), two-touch zoom, but it had an automatic diaphragm. Its major drawback, at the time, was it's high price. It never sold well, so Minolta produced a much less expensive, pre-set, slower, smaller & lighter 100-200mm f5.6 Rokkor zoom. These early zoom lenses helped Minolta to become a leader in later zoom lens designs. The f-stops will not appear in the viewfinders of any cameras.
FOCAL LENGTH: 80-200mm f-STOPS: 4.5-32 PERIOD: 1972-1977 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=80-200mm DESIGN: 14/10 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 6' SIZE: 3"x6.3" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.8oz.		A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses in the MC Rokkor-X series. A one-touch, super-quality zoom that Leica liked so much they sold it as the Leitz Vario-Elmar R 80-200 f4.5. At the time this Minolta zoom had a list price of $400. The Leica? The exact same lens, with German quality control? $1200. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.
FOCAL LENGTH: 80-200mm f-STOPS: 4.5-32 PERIOD: 1977-1981 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=80-200mm DESIGN: 14/10 FILTER: 55 DIAPHRAGM: auto MC: yes MD: yes CLOSE FOCUS: 6' SIZE: 3"x6.3" WEIGHT: 1lbs. 8.8oz.		An updated version of the MC Rokkor-X 80-200mm 4.5 zoom (above) with the typical changes of the MD Rokkor-X series. Very few were made before it was replaced by the 75-200mm f4.5 zoom (above) -- so it's hard to find. The f-stops appear in the viewfinders of cameras that are equipped to display them.

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