Overview of the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm

For the provided lens MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar manual lenses.

In short

MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm - old manual focus prime, developed for film cameras, particularly fast. Very much appreciated by amateur photographers. Considered one of the best lenses from MINOLTA.

The review shows an adapted version for use on cameras with a Canon EF / EFS mount. The lens originally had the original Minolta MC mount. Judging by the serial number 2773280 copies from the review, one of the last modifications and one of the last parties are shown.

MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm is primarily interesting for its bokeh at F / 1.2-F / 2 apertures.

 

History

The MINOLTA ROKKOR class 58 / 1.2 lens is available in several versions:

1. MINOLTA MC ROKKOR-PG 1: 1.2 f = 58mm, since 1966, metal focus ring, silver aperture ring. Radioactive.
2. MINOLTA MC ROKKOR-PG 1: 1.2 f = 58mm, since 1969, rubberized focus ring, black iris control ring, non-radioactive.
3. MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm, since 1973, rubberized focus ring, black aperture control ring, non-radioactive coating. The version is shown in this review.
4. MINOLTA MC ROKKOR-X 1: 1.2 f = 58mm, since 1973, similar to the previous one, marking ROKKOR-X was available only for some countries. In the rest, this lens came without the 'X' prefix.

It was later replaced by MINOLTA MD ROKKOR 50mm 1: 1.2.

Main technical specifications of MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm

Name of instances from review	Near the front lens 'MINOLTA lENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm 2773280'
Basic properties	MC - Minolta MC mount, preceding MD mount automatic or semi-automatic iris control with corresponding cameras MF (Mannual Focus) - manual focus only Metal case
Front Filter Diameter	55 mm
Focal length	58 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x (this is fix)
Designed by	for film cameras with the Minolta MC mount. In the review, the lens is redone for the Canon EF / EFS mount
Number of aperture blades	8 petals
Tags	marking on the focus ring with the focusing distance in meters and feet depth of field scale for F / 16, F / 11 (not explicitly), F / 4 ring with aperture values, there are marks for F / 1.2, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 R mark for infrared operation
Diaphragm	F / 1.2 to F / 16 You can set one intermediate value between each pair of numbers (except between F / 1.2 and F / 2)
MDF (minimum focusing distance)	0.6 meters
The weight	475 grams
Optical design	7 elements in 5 groups
Lens hood	must screw into the thread of the front filter
Period	With 1973-1978
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Lens made in Japan)
Price	You can see real prices for MINOLTA 58 / 1.2 of different modifications on ebay at this link Prices for modern Sony lenses (which absorbed Konika-Minolta) are available see here.

The F / 1.2 aperture is about 1/3 of the wider than the F / 1.4 aperture of many other similar lenses, for example, Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 1: 1.4 f = 58mm. But F / 1.2 does not only mean higher aperture, but it also relates this lens to premium solutions, and also serves as a good indicator that the lens pattern should have its own character.

Assembly, control, focus

Lens body It is made qualitatively. The focus ring has a wide anti-slip insert made of hard rubber or similar material.

The diaphragm consists of eight petals and forms a hole in the shape of a regular octagon.

Important: MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm has no intermediate value between F / 1.2 and F / 2, and this difference is more than a step. I would really like to have intermediate values, for example F / 1.4 or F / 1.7.

MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm uses small filters with a diameter of 55 mm. On the body there is a focus distance scale and a depth of field + tag for working in the infrared spectrum.

The focus ring of the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm rotates approximately 180 degrees (half a full turn). During focusing, the trunk of the lens travels forward, but the thread under the filters does not rotate. Focusing is performed by moving the entire lens block. The minimum focusing distance is 60 cm, which is the norm for such lenses.

The rotation of the focus ring is tight, making it inconvenient to focus. In the interval between 2-3 meters, the ring can slip. In this case, the lens looks well preserved.

Image quality

MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm for more than 40 years, which means that F / 1.2 at that time was really a serious test. F / 1.2 made it possible to give a vivid picture in the optical viewfinder, which was very important for comfortable work. But the picture on F / 1.2 is clogged with spherical aberrations, and also suffers from strong chromatic aberrations. But in the center of the frame, even F / 1.2 produces quite acceptable sharpness for many creative tasks. There is no catastrophe in terms of sharpness at F / 1.2 for the lens. At the same time, such lenses are more valued not for high-quality optical indicators, but for the nature of the pattern, in particular for the side of the lens, where all sorts of aberrations can only be in the hands of the photographer, creating their own unique pattern.

The F / 2.0 lens significantly increases sharpness, and on F / 2.8 it will be difficult to distinguish it from some modern lenses.

Aperture F / 1.2 and F / 2 are the most interesting for unusual photos. At F / 2, the picture has a more advantageous appearance due to a smoother bokeh.

Full Frame Sample Photos

Pictures from the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm lens and camera Canon EOS 6D. JPEG straight from the camera. The control mode was 'Standard' with default settings '3/0/0/0'.

Download jpeg source photos c Canon EOS 6D can at this link (87 files, 400 MB). Pay attention to EXIF the F / 1.2 value is everywhere, but shooting was carried out at different aperture values. On the Canon EOS 6D the lens catches a mirror, a fraction of a millimeter is not enough to focus on infinity. Run on f / 1.2 through JVI very difficult and almost impossible, it is best to use Live View. The focusing screen of modern CZKs is not designed to work with F / 1.2.

Sample photos on APS-C

All photos below are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a3500 (EXMOR CMOS 20 MP). All photos are on-camera JPEG. Picture Control Mode 'Standard 0/1/1'. Functions' Corr. ob .: Shading ',' Corr. ob .: Chrome. aberr. ' and 'Corr. Rev .: Distortion 'were disabled.

Download jpeg source photos c Sony a3500 can at this link (27 files, 120 MB). On the Sony a3500 I used a lens through an adapter Canon EF -> Sony E (with autofocus support for lenses that have one).

Bonus Level

In the best traditions of Radozhiva, a good lens must definitely visit my Nikon D40 (CCD 6 MP). Shooting 'macro' at F / 1.2 is a lot of fun.

Download jpeg source photos from Nikon D40 can at this link (20 files, 70 MB).

My experience

MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm is one of the few lenses I dreamed of a few years ago. Something about him attracted me very much. But I never got to the purchase. Now, when I played enough with the review version of MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm, I clearly concluded that MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm was clearly not for me.

Most likely, this is precisely the lens whose character can be tested only with a long passage of time, either by shooting on film, or certain plots. Even a whole month was not enough for me to properly try out the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm.

The character of the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm picture needs to be able to be applied, and this is not always possible or advisable.

The sandy, friable bokeh of the lens looks very good in black and white pictures. The picture with the MINOLTA MC ROKKOR 1: 1.2 f = 58mm also looks very good in some creative processing styles.

It was extremely difficult for me to make friends with these lenses, maybe other users of this lens will tell about their experience in the comments.

How to use SR/MC/MD mount lenses

To use a MINOLTA SR, MC, MD mount lens on modern mirrorless cameras, you should use the appropriate adapter:

• Canon RF/RF-S: adapter SR/MD/MC -> RF/EOS R
• Canon EF-M: adapter SR/MD/MC -> EF-M/EOS M
• Sony NEX/ILCE/FE/E: adapter SR/MD/MC -> NEX/ILCE/FE/E
• Nikon Z: adapter SR/MD/MC -> Z
• Panasonic L / Sigma L / Leica L/T/TL: adapter SR/MD/MC -> L
• fujifilm x: adapter SR/MD/MC -> X/FX
• Samsung NX: adapter SR/MD/MC -> NX
• Micro 4 / 3: adapter SR/MD/MC -> M4/3
• Nikon 1: adapter SR/MD/MC -> N1

The adapters are compatible with SR, MC and MD mount lenses and these mounts are backwards compatible. But the use of lenses with a MINOLTA SR, MC, MD mount on SLR cameras is difficult due to the long working distance. In such cases, a corrective lens adapter must be used, which will degrade the image quality.

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram