Do SLR lenses have personality?

I'm very surprised that no one has mentioned any of the manual focus Minolta Rokkor lenses. The 24mm (2.8), 58mm (1.2), and 85mm (1.7/ 2) are all legendary lenses amongst Minolta aficionados. The 24mm for its outstanding clarity and quality (also because Leica chose to rebadge it for their R system) and the 58mm and 85mm both have unbelievable bokeh.
 
I'm glad to see that the Nikkor 5.8cm F1.4 was mentioned. I still have and use mine, and find it's signature very close to the Leica Summarit. The Summarit and 5.8cm Nikkor are both developments of the classic 1-2-2-1 Planar, the Summarit split the rear element for a 1-2-2-1-1 and the Nikkor split the front element for a 1-1-2-2-1 layout. The net effect gives very similar signature.
 
I really like my zuiko's. 50 1.4 pre 1100000, to me quite similar in look to my pre asph lux, my 85 f2 and 180 2.8 have very similar bokeh and the 24 2.8 I have is very sharp.
The slr lens I miss was my 60mm macro elmarit R. Simply superb. The one I don't miss was a 58mm 1.4 rokkor from 1970. no contrast and too soft.
I'm tempted to try a 1980's 50 1.4 planar as i've seen some great pics from them but I would need to pick up a cheap Contax body as well.
 
matchat said:
I'm very surprised that no one has mentioned any of the manual focus Minolta Rokkor lenses. The 24mm (2.8), 58mm (1.2), and 85mm (1.7/ 2) are all legendary lenses amongst Minolta aficionados. The 24mm for its outstanding clarity and quality (also because Leica chose to rebadge it for their R system) and the 58mm and 85mm both have unbelievable bokeh.
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A couple of others mentioned the Rokkor glass, and I absolutely agree. I've been collecting Rokkor lenses since I discovered my old X-370 still works and I've been very impressed with what I've found. I have the f/1.4 version of the 58mm and it has loads of personality. It may not be the sharpest, but the bokeh is awesome. The MC Rokkor PG 50/1.4 is probably the sharpest 50 I've ever used wide open. The 24/2.8 is fantastic too. Minolta glass must be the best manual focus SLR value available (of course, I haven't tried them all).

Paul
 
photophorous said:
A couple of others mentioned the Rokkor glass, and I absolutely agree. I've been collecting Rokkor lenses since I discovered my old X-370 still works and I've been very impressed with what I've found. I have the f/1.4 version of the 58mm and it has loads of personality. It may not be the sharpest, but the bokeh is awesome. The MC Rokkor PG 50/1.4 is probably the sharpest 50 I've ever used wide open. The 24/2.8 is fantastic too. Minolta glass must be the best manual focus SLR value available (of course, I haven't tried them all).

Paul
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I too have the Rokkor MC PG 50 1.4 (came with my XE-7 I bought for 50 bucks) and its excellent... sharp at all stops

but I generally prefer to use the Rokkor MC PG 58mm 1.2 for almost everything (KEH has one currently for 200), it is my single favorite lens for any of my cameras, Minolta or Nikon/Fuji

the MD 50mm 1.7 has the most unique out of focus characteristics, its a lens best used for black and white film

(the Rokkor-X MD 28mm 2.8 I have is really sharp as well as the 135mm 2.8, a stellar performer, they just don't find a lot of time on my camera)

out of all the Rokkor glass I inherited or picked up I still don't have an 85mm and I have yet to get the vaunted 35mm 1.8 MC HH that I keep hearing about
 
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