MINOLTA MACRO & MICRO LENSES

MINOLTA MACRO, MICRO & BELLOWS LENSES

Minolta made an amazing array of macro, micro and bellows lenses from 12.5mm to 135mm -- for bellows use, microscope use, or stand-alone use.

MACRO LENSES

What makes a macro lens a "macro" lens? Many people assume that a macro lens is just one that focuses closer than normal. While this is almost true, it is not the only criteria. A true macro lens is one that focuses to at least a 1:1 (lifesize) magnification. In addition, it also has a flat field of focus. Normal lenses have a very slight curvature in their focal field, while macro lenses are more highly corrected. This is especially important when photographing flat objects such as coins, stamps, documents, paintings, and other photographs. You want the center of the object, as well as the corners, in sharp focus.

Minolta made macro lenses in two focal lengths -- 50mm and 100mm. Both types focus from infinity to 1X lifesize, but there are important differences. The 50mm versions are smaller, lighter and cost less. The 100mm versions allow you to work further away from the subject, which can be important if you want to avoid disturbing a butterfly or are allergic to bees, for example.

BELLOWS LENSES

Bellows lenses are sometimes referred to as short-mount lenses since the part of the lens barrel that normally focuses the lens is gone. It's not needed since these lenses are designed to be used on a bellows -- and the bellows does the focusing. This keeps the lenses small, light and less expensive. Minolta made a dozen bellows lenses in five focal lengths from 12.5mm to 135mm.

You can actually use enlarging lenses as a bellows lens since these are designed for high magnifications and have a flat field of focus. All you need is an adapter, typically a Leica adapter, and a bellows, of course. The results are superb, so you can save some money if you already own an enlarging lens. Just make sure it is a top quality enlarging lens like the Minolta Rokkor enlarging lenses. Bellows lenses have certain advantages over enlarging lenses in use, but optically they are very similar.

For more details on any particular lens, click on the focal length.

MINOLTA MACRO, MICRO & BELLOWS LENSES

FOCAL LENGTH

f-STOP RANGE

LENS INSCRIPTION

VIEW

DESIGN

FILTER THREAD

DIAPHRAGM

MC

MD

CLOSE FOCUS

SIZE

WEIGHT

12.5mm

1.9-8.0

LEITZ PHOTAR

--

4/4

--

manual

no

no

--

0.9"x0.5"

1.2oz.

12.5mm

2-16

MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO ROKKOR-X 12.5mm 1:2 LENS MADE IN JAPAN

--

4/4

special

manual

no

no

--

1.3"x0.9"

1.5oz.

12.5mm

2-16

MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO 12.5mm 1:2 JAPAN

--

4/4

special

manual

no

no

--

1.3"x0.9"

1.5oz.

25mm

2.0-16

LEITZ PHOTAR

--

6/4

special

manual

no

no

--

0.9"x0.6"

1.9oz.

25mm

2.5-16

MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO ROKKOR-X 25mm 1:2.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN

--

6/4

special

manual

no

no

--

1.3"x0.7"

1.5oz.

25mm

2.5-16

MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO 25mm 1:2.5 JAPAN

--

6/4

special

manual

no

no

--

1.3"x0.7"

1.5oz.

50mm

3.5-22

MINOLTA ROKKOR - QF 1:3.5 f=50mm

47

6/4

55

preset

no

no

8"

2.2"x2.5"

7.5oz.

50mm

3.5-22

MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-QF 1:3.5 f=50mm

47

6/4

55

auto

yes

no

9"

2.5"x2.2"

7.3oz.

50mm

3.5-22

MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=50mm

47

6/4

55

auto

yes

no

9"

2.5"x2.2"

7.3oz.

50mm

3.5-22

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

47

6/4

55

auto

yes

no

9"

2.5"x2.2"

7.3oz.

50mm

3.5-22

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

47

6/4

55

auto

yes

yes

9"

2.5"x2.2"

7.3oz.

50mm

3.5-32

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

47

6/4

55

auto

no

no

--

2.2"x1"

4.1oz.

50mm

3.5-22

MINOLTA MD MACRO 50mm 1:3.5 JAPAN ø55mm

47

6/4

55

auto

yes

yes

9"

2.5"x2.2"

7.3oz.

50mm

3.5-32

MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS MACRO 50mm 1:3.5 JAPAN

47

6/4

55

auto

no

no

--

2.2"x1"

4.1oz.

100mm

3.5-22

MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR - QE 1:3.5 f=100mm

24

5/4

52

auto

yes

no

1.3'

3.5"x2.9"

1lb. 3.4oz.

100mm

3.5-22

EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QE 1:3.5 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm

24

5/4

55

auto

yes

no

1.5'

3"x3.5"

1lbs. 5.1oz.

100mm

3.5-22

EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm

24

5/4

55

auto

yes

yes

1.5'

3"x3.5"

1lbs. 5.1oz.

100mm

4-32

MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR 1:4 f=100mm

24

3/3

55

auto

no

no

--

2.5"x1.4"

5.9oz.

100mm

4-32

MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm

24

3/3

55

auto

no

no

--

2.5"x1.4"

5.9oz.

100mm

4-32

EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:4 LENS MADE IN JAPAN

24

3/3

55

auto

no

no

--

2.2"x1.1"

5.3oz.

100mm

4-32

EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm
LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:4 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm

24

5/4

55

auto

yes

yes

1.5'

2.6"x3.5"

13.4oz.

100mm

4-32

MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm

24

5/4

55

auto

no

no

--

2.5"x1.4"

5.4oz.

100mm

4-32

MINOLTA MD MACRO 100mm 1:4 JAPAN ø55mm

24

5/4

55

auto

yes

yes

1.5'

2.6"x3.5"

13.4oz.

100mm

4-32

MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS MACRO 100mm 1:4 JAPAN

24

5/4

55

auto

no

no

--

2.2"x1.1"

5.3oz.

135mm

4-22

FIRST STYLE: MINOLTA BELLOWS ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm. "LENS MADE IN JAPAN" unpainted on the barrel
SECOND STYLE: MINOLTA BELLOWS ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm. "LENS MADE IN JAPAN" painted white on the barrel
THIRD STYLE: MINOLTA BELLOWS ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm LENS MADE IN JAPAN

18

3/3

46

preset

no

no

--

2.2"x2.2"

7oz.

MINOLTA MACRO, MICRO & BELLOWS LENSES
FOCAL LENGTH	f-STOP RANGE	LENS INSCRIPTION	VIEW	DESIGN	FILTER THREAD	DIAPHRAGM	MC	MD	CLOSE FOCUS	SIZE	WEIGHT
12.5mm	1.9-8.0	LEITZ PHOTAR	--	4/4	--	manual	no	no	--	0.9"x0.5"	1.2oz.
12.5mm	2-16	MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO ROKKOR-X 12.5mm 1:2 LENS MADE IN JAPAN	--	4/4	special	manual	no	no	--	1.3"x0.9"	1.5oz.
12.5mm	2-16	MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO 12.5mm 1:2 JAPAN	--	4/4	special	manual	no	no	--	1.3"x0.9"	1.5oz.
25mm	2.0-16	LEITZ PHOTAR	--	6/4	special	manual	no	no	--	0.9"x0.6"	1.9oz.
25mm	2.5-16	MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO ROKKOR-X 25mm 1:2.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN	--	6/4	special	manual	no	no	--	1.3"x0.7"	1.5oz.
25mm	2.5-16	MINOLTA BELLOWS MICRO 25mm 1:2.5 JAPAN	--	6/4	special	manual	no	no	--	1.3"x0.7"	1.5oz.
50mm	3.5-22	MINOLTA ROKKOR - QF 1:3.5 f=50mm	47	6/4	55	preset	no	no	8"	2.2"x2.5"	7.5oz.
50mm	3.5-22	MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-QF 1:3.5 f=50mm	47	6/4	55	auto	yes	no	9"	2.5"x2.2"	7.3oz.
50mm	3.5-22	MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC MINOLTA CELTIC 1:3.5 f=50mm	47	6/4	55	auto	yes	no	9"	2.5"x2.2"	7.3oz.
50mm	3.5-22	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	47	6/4	55	auto	yes	no	9"	2.5"x2.2"	7.3oz.
50mm	3.5-22	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	47	6/4	55	auto	yes	yes	9"	2.5"x2.2"	7.3oz.
50mm	3.5-32	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	47	6/4	55	auto	no	no	--	2.2"x1"	4.1oz.
50mm	3.5-22	MINOLTA MD MACRO 50mm 1:3.5 JAPAN ø55mm	47	6/4	55	auto	yes	yes	9"	2.5"x2.2"	7.3oz.
50mm	3.5-32	MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS MACRO 50mm 1:3.5 JAPAN	47	6/4	55	auto	no	no	--	2.2"x1"	4.1oz.
100mm	3.5-22	MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR - QE 1:3.5 f=100mm	24	5/4	52	auto	yes	no	1.3'	3.5"x2.9"	1lb. 3.4oz.
100mm	3.5-22	EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QE 1:3.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm	24	5/4	55	auto	yes	no	1.5'	3"x3.5"	1lbs. 5.1oz.
100mm	3.5-22	EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:3.5 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm	24	5/4	55	auto	yes	yes	1.5'	3"x3.5"	1lbs. 5.1oz.
100mm	4-32	MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR 1:4 f=100mm	24	3/3	55	auto	no	no	--	2.5"x1.4"	5.9oz.
100mm	4-32	MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm	24	3/3	55	auto	no	no	--	2.5"x1.4"	5.9oz.
100mm	4-32	EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:4 LENS MADE IN JAPAN	24	3/3	55	auto	no	no	--	2.2"x1.1"	5.3oz.
100mm	4-32	EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MD ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA MD ROKKOR-X 100mm 1:4 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø55mm	24	5/4	55	auto	yes	yes	1.5'	2.6"x3.5"	13.4oz.
100mm	4-32	MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm	24	5/4	55	auto	no	no	--	2.5"x1.4"	5.4oz.
100mm	4-32	MINOLTA MD MACRO 100mm 1:4 JAPAN ø55mm	24	5/4	55	auto	yes	yes	1.5'	2.6"x3.5"	13.4oz.
100mm	4-32	MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS MACRO 100mm 1:4 JAPAN	24	5/4	55	auto	no	no	--	2.2"x1.1"	5.3oz.
135mm	4-22	FIRST STYLE: MINOLTA BELLOWS ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm. "LENS MADE IN JAPAN" unpainted on the barrel SECOND STYLE: MINOLTA BELLOWS ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm. "LENS MADE IN JAPAN" painted white on the barrel THIRD STYLE: MINOLTA BELLOWS ROKKOR - TC 1:4 f=135mm LENS MADE IN JAPAN	18	3/3	46	preset	no	no	--	2.2"x2.2"	7oz.

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