Minolta 35mm lens

[JeremyLangford]

I want to buy a Rokkor 35mm lens to complete my Minolta SRT-101 lens collection (for now). I liked the idea of a faster Rokkor 35mm f/1.8, but they all seem to look much bigger and longer than the Rokkor 35mm f/2.8s, which would hurt me a lot since I don't own a Rangefinder, and try street photography with my SRT-101.

Is there one lens that most people see as the sharpest Rokkor 35mm? What do you guys reccomend?

Here is own I found on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Minolta-35mm-f-2-8-MC-W-ROKKOR-HG-Lens-Excellent_W0QQitemZ190184496440QQihZ009QQcategoryZ48554QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[feenej]

Just checked the rokkorfiles.com. The 35mm f2.8 is a great performer. Here is the review:

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/35mm Page 1.htm

 

[David Murphy]

I once owned a vintage Minolta 35/2.8 for MD and was very favorably impressed with its build quality although I never used it. I have little doubt it is a decent performer however (as most Rokkors are).

I want to buy a Rokkor 35mm lens to complete my Minolta SRT-101 lens collection (for now). I liked the idea of a faster Rokkor 35mm f/1.8, but they all seem to look much bigger and longer than the Rokkor 35mm f/2.8s, which would hurt me a lot since I don't own a Rangefinder, and try street photography with my SRT-101.

Is there one lens that most people see as the sharpest Rokkor 35mm? What do you guys reccomend?

Here is own I found on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Minolta-35mm-f-2-8-MC-W-ROKKOR-HG-Lens-Excellent_W0QQitemZ190184496440QQihZ009QQcategoryZ48554QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Bingley]

Jeremy -- I have both the Rokkor MD 35/1.8 and the Rokkor MD 35/2.8. I hardly use the former. It is a big lens, and for landscapes (my principal use for the 35mm focal length) the f2.8 is better, IMO. I think the 35/2.8 MD Rokkor is a terrific lens. Here's a sample taken w/ that lens. Using a tripod, the photo resulted in a print that enlarged very well to 11 x 14. With this lens and the 50/1.7, you could go a long way in a Minolta SLR kit.

 

[cbass]

I owned an MC Rokkor 35/2.8 for a few years but I never grew to like it. I used that lens almost exclusively for landscape & outdoor photography. To my eye, the color reproduction -- especially in blues and greens -- was flat and cold. However, the lens was pretty sharp. I ended up selling it.

Very cool that you are shooting street with the SRT-101 & 50/1.7. That is the same kit that I started with, and I used it for everything. I eventually moved on to some of the lighter X-series Minolta bodies (the acute-matte focus screens make a BIG difference) and rangefinders but I never sold my MD 50/1.7. That lens kicks butt, and it is my favorite photographic lens of any kind. I still use the 50/1.7 today with the "lowly" XG-A body and an MD 28/2.8 and a Rokkor-X 45/2.0 .

If you like wides I have heard many people praise the MC and MD versions of the 24/2.8.

 

[Nokton48]

Jeremy,

I have the MC 35mm f1.8 and MC 35 2.8 Rokkors. I prefer the 1.8, although it is big, and fast! I prefer to have the speed.

But if you need a compact lens, go for the 2.8. But get the MC version, snd the oriiginal Minolta Hood 🙂

 

[Nokton48]

Here's a nice one..........


http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAUTIFUL-MINOLTA-W-ROKKOR-HG-35MM-F-2-8-WIDE-ANGLE_W0QQitemZ320197359726QQihZ011QQcategoryZ48554QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[JeremyLangford]

I owned an MC Rokkor 35/2.8 for a few years but I never grew to like it. I used that lens almost exclusively for landscape & outdoor photography. To my eye, the color reproduction -- especially in blues and greens -- was flat and cold. However, the lens was pretty sharp. I ended up selling it.

Very cool that you are shooting street with the SRT-101 & 50/1.7. That is the same kit that I started with, and I used it for everything. I eventually moved on to some of the lighter X-series Minolta bodies (the acute-matte focus screens make a BIG difference) and rangefinders but I never sold my MD 50/1.7. That lens kicks butt, and it is my favorite photographic lens of any kind. I still use the 50/1.7 today with the "lowly" XG-A body and an MD 28/2.8 and a Rokkor-X 45/2.0 .

If you like wides I have heard many people praise the MC and MD versions of the 24/2.8.

Yea. Right now I own a Rokkor MD 50/1.7, a MC 16/2.8.

I have been wondering about my focusing screen. My dad owns a Minolta XG-7, and it seems like it is a lot easier to get the focus dead on. Would it be hard for someone to switch out a focusing screen?

 

[like2fiddle]

Jeremy, I was given a gift of a lens from a fellow RFFer on another thread. I'd like to to the same for you. PM me with your address. I have a nice 35/2.8 Rokkor I used to use with my SRT-201 I'll give you. Merry Christmas!

 

[JeremyLangford]

I was hoping that one of these 35mm's would be known to be the best out of all the Minolta 35mm's (such as the MD 50/1.7 compared to other 50mm's.

 

[rover]

Very nice Roger. Happy Holidays to both of you.

 

[JeremyLangford]

I sure do love this forum sometimes.

 

[cbass]

Probably easier just to buy a second body with an acute-matte screen. I think screens can be switched in some Minolta X-series bodies but I'm not sure which ones.

That MC 16mm lens must be pretty fun to work with. I have a 15mm in LTM mount that I like to use from time to time. Ultra-wides are fun 🙂

Good looking out on the lens offer...you'll have some karma to spare in the new year!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The SRT's have really dim viewfinders compared to newer cameras. Remember that the SRT is 1960's era technology. I have an SRT-101, an early one, and its screen is dimmer than my OM-1n from the late 70's, and the OM-1 is dimmer than my OM-4T with Olympus's 2-13 (a brighter newer screen that was sold as an accessory).