Archiver
Veteran
For the past year or two, I've wanted a Minolta 35-70 Macro, but wasn't really keen on buying one over the internet. I prefer to see, handle and even test a vintage lens before buying it. From what I have read, the 35-70 came in three versions, the first being licensed and rebranded by Leica; the second being a new optical design, and the third and final offering a macro mode and better image quality than its predecessors.
On a spur of the moment decision, I went to the local pusher, er, secondhand dealer this week, and was blissfully surprised to come across a 35-70 Macro in very good shape. Not only that, but it only cost AUD $90, which is a real bargain around here.
The lens is quite small and light, with a smooth zoom ring and rubber knurled focus ring. The minimum focus distance in standard mode is 80cm, which is even worse than a rangefinder lens, but the macro mode unlocks a much closer MFD. Depressing a button on the zoom ring extends the barrel like a helicoid or bellows, permitting much closer focus than normal. Macro is only available at the 70mm focal length, though this would probably suit the needs of someone shooting macro, anyway.
At f3.5, the lens is reasonably sharp, with lowish contrast. Flaring at f3.5 is fairly pronounced, with rather attractive curving bands of light if the sun enters from the top corners. Stopping down, contrast increases and the flaring diminishes. There is quite a bit of barrel distortion at 35mm, which goes away slightly as you zoom to 70mm.
One 'feature' is that the lens is 70mm when fully retracted, and 35mm when fully extended. This is counter to most lenses. Apart from that quirk, I'm extremely happy with this lens. The focal length range and close up capability make this a very versatile walkaround lens.
I'm shooting this lens on my Panasonic S5, but it ought to work well with my Dad's Minolta SR-T 101, which I will try once I have put in some new batteries. Sample images to come!
On a spur of the moment decision, I went to the local pusher, er, secondhand dealer this week, and was blissfully surprised to come across a 35-70 Macro in very good shape. Not only that, but it only cost AUD $90, which is a real bargain around here.
The lens is quite small and light, with a smooth zoom ring and rubber knurled focus ring. The minimum focus distance in standard mode is 80cm, which is even worse than a rangefinder lens, but the macro mode unlocks a much closer MFD. Depressing a button on the zoom ring extends the barrel like a helicoid or bellows, permitting much closer focus than normal. Macro is only available at the 70mm focal length, though this would probably suit the needs of someone shooting macro, anyway.
At f3.5, the lens is reasonably sharp, with lowish contrast. Flaring at f3.5 is fairly pronounced, with rather attractive curving bands of light if the sun enters from the top corners. Stopping down, contrast increases and the flaring diminishes. There is quite a bit of barrel distortion at 35mm, which goes away slightly as you zoom to 70mm.
One 'feature' is that the lens is 70mm when fully retracted, and 35mm when fully extended. This is counter to most lenses. Apart from that quirk, I'm extremely happy with this lens. The focal length range and close up capability make this a very versatile walkaround lens.
I'm shooting this lens on my Panasonic S5, but it ought to work well with my Dad's Minolta SR-T 101, which I will try once I have put in some new batteries. Sample images to come!
DennisM
Established
I also have this lens purchased new years ago, the latest MD version with the 1:4 macro setting. I last used it in 2019 on an XD-11 with a roll of Tri-X making exposures in the zoom range as well as in macro mode. I scanned the negatives after processing. I find it more than sharp enough for my needs, and I find macro exposures very sharp indeed as my Canon inkjet prints bear out; in my mind a lens that takes second place to none.
Archiver
Veteran
Here are a few test images I shot when out for a walk a few days ago. Using the lens was a bit frustrating, as the zoom is in the opposite direction from modern zoom lenses, i.e., at maximum zoom in the retracted position, and wide when extended. Also, the S5's EVF isn't quite up to manual focus without punching in, but overall, the experience was okay.
Wide open at f3.5, the lens is very sharp at 70mm, and decently sharp at 35mm. The focus ring is very smooth and almost a little slippery, it is that fast. There is some observable barrel distortion at 35. Colour isn't really something I can comment on as I do fairly extensive processing in terms of hue/saturation/luminance in a number of channels.
S5 - Minolta 35-70 Test 1 by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Minolta MD Zoom 35-70 Macro Test 2 by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Walk This Way by Archiver, on Flickr
In the next week or so, I aim to take this out for general shooting in a city environment, which will provide some visual variety. Overall, I love the look of the images this lens can produce.
Wide open at f3.5, the lens is very sharp at 70mm, and decently sharp at 35mm. The focus ring is very smooth and almost a little slippery, it is that fast. There is some observable barrel distortion at 35. Colour isn't really something I can comment on as I do fairly extensive processing in terms of hue/saturation/luminance in a number of channels.
S5 - Minolta 35-70 Test 1 by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - Minolta MD Zoom 35-70 Macro Test 2 by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - Walk This Way by Archiver, on FlickrIn the next week or so, I aim to take this out for general shooting in a city environment, which will provide some visual variety. Overall, I love the look of the images this lens can produce.
Austintatious
Well-known
In your description of these lenses above, I have the second version. (no macro) It is no slouch ! Picked it up from KEH for $35.00 about twenty years ago.
Shadow & Netting by Carlos Yashinon, on Flickr
img003 by Carlos Yashinon, on Flickr
Shadow & Netting by Carlos Yashinon, on Flickrimg003 by Carlos Yashinon, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
Austintatious From what I've read, the second (non macro) version is considerably better than the first version, and the fact that you got one for only $35 is an even bigger bonus.
Austintatious
Well-known
I have been pleased with it 
Seems to depend on which review one reads as to what version of the lens is better. My copy reads MD Zoom Rokkor-X 35-70 F3.5
throughout the zoom range. It has 6 aperture blades where the "macro" version has seven blades. Still have 3 Minolta's but using it on Sony A7 II these days.
Seems to depend on which review one reads as to what version of the lens is better. My copy reads MD Zoom Rokkor-X 35-70 F3.5throughout the zoom range. It has 6 aperture blades where the "macro" version has seven blades. Still have 3 Minolta's but using it on Sony A7 II these days.
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
The lens is in fact an f/2.8-3.5 zoom with a built-in aperture limiter to make it a constant aperture zoom. It's quite trivial to remove two scews to get rid of the brackets that limit the aperture at the wider end of the range: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14411702@N00/discuss/72157622735081016/
Pictures taken at 35mm f/2.8 are not bad at all. Just a bit more vignetting and blur in the corners than at f/3.5 but perfectly usable for candid pictures in low light.
Cheers!
Abbazz
Pictures taken at 35mm f/2.8 are not bad at all. Just a bit more vignetting and blur in the corners than at f/3.5 but perfectly usable for candid pictures in low light.
Cheers!
Abbazz
Archiver
Veteran
Wow, that is amazing! Not sure if I'm game to try this, but what a great discovery.
WJJ3
Well-known
Archiver, the Minolta 35-70 f3.5 macro is a great lens on film. I have been shooting one for about 7 years, and it is my go-to lens on my X-500.
At 35mm, MFD and barrel distortion are drawbacks, but it's hard to complain about this sweet little zoom because it shines everywhere else. Some of my favorite shots I've taken with this lens:
peony
2015 Tanabata Fireworks Niseko
HakubaShrooms
HakubaShrooms
cosmos
Crane
Spring2015_2AA011
Hakuba Yosakoi
fireworks2015AA014
Furry hood
fall2015AA010
Sorry, I know that's a lot. But this lens is so handy and good that I have carried and shot it a lot.
At 35mm, MFD and barrel distortion are drawbacks, but it's hard to complain about this sweet little zoom because it shines everywhere else. Some of my favorite shots I've taken with this lens:
Sorry, I know that's a lot. But this lens is so handy and good that I have carried and shot it a lot.
David Hughes
David Hughes
The non-RF lenses from Minolta, and Konica for that matter, have always been under-rated in my opinion. Luckily it means you can acquire them without taking out a second mortgage on the house...
Regards, David
Regards, David
Archiver
Veteran
Defintely. It's why I am now building my collection of Minolta lenses, and I'm grateful for my Dad keeping his lenses from the 70s in such good condition. I can amass a very versatile set of lenses for less than a single modern zoom or fast prime. But ebay indicates that prices on Minoltas are going up, too, so I'm getting them as suitable copies become available.
Austintatious
Well-known
Two decades ago I started collecting Minolta because it was very good quality and less expensive than Nikon gear. The collection has included :
SRT 102
X-500... given to a friend
X570
XE-7...sold
XD-11
28mm f2.5 Rokkor
35mm f2.8 Celtic
45mm f2 Rokkor-X
50mm f1.7 MC Rokkor
50mm f1.7 MD Rokkor-X
55mm f1.7 MC Rokkor
50mm f1.4 MC PG Rokkor-X
58mm f1.4 MC PF Rokkor
135 mm f2.8 MD Rokkor-X
35-70 f3.5 MD Rokkor-X
28-85 f3.5-4.5 MD
80-200 f4.5 MC Rokkor-X
It is not the whole enchilada, but it's a start
SRT 102
X-500... given to a friend
X570
XE-7...sold
XD-11
28mm f2.5 Rokkor
35mm f2.8 Celtic
45mm f2 Rokkor-X
50mm f1.7 MC Rokkor
50mm f1.7 MD Rokkor-X
55mm f1.7 MC Rokkor
50mm f1.4 MC PG Rokkor-X
58mm f1.4 MC PF Rokkor
135 mm f2.8 MD Rokkor-X
35-70 f3.5 MD Rokkor-X
28-85 f3.5-4.5 MD
80-200 f4.5 MC Rokkor-X
It is not the whole enchilada, but it's a start
Archiver
Veteran
Austintatious What a great collection. Mine so far:
Minolta SR-T 101/Super )Dad's camera)
MD Rokkor 24mm f2.8 (new MD, bought by me in the last year)
MD W Rokkor 35mm f2.8 (new MD, original from Dad)
MC Rokkor PG 50mm f1.4 (lovely solid metal body version, original from Dad, probably bought in the mid 70s)
MC Tele Rokkor 135mm f2.8 (bought by Dad in the 70s, beautiful colours and character)
MD Zoom 35-70mm f3.5 Macro (bought just a few weeks ago)
To round out the set, I'm on the lookout for a good 28, a fast 35, and a fast 85. They will come, I'm sure.
I can get a 24-50mm f4, but I'm not sure of the image quality, nor am I sure of how much use I would get from it. The Rokkor 24 and 35 are awesome walkaround lenses and can focus pretty close, unlike the 24-50 zoom.
The 24, 35 and 50 have been wonderful for video capture, giving footage a low contrast and organic look that isn't easy to get with modern glass. I haven't used the 35-70 on a job yet, but tests show that it will be very useful.
Minolta SR-T 101/Super )Dad's camera)
MD Rokkor 24mm f2.8 (new MD, bought by me in the last year)
MD W Rokkor 35mm f2.8 (new MD, original from Dad)
MC Rokkor PG 50mm f1.4 (lovely solid metal body version, original from Dad, probably bought in the mid 70s)
MC Tele Rokkor 135mm f2.8 (bought by Dad in the 70s, beautiful colours and character)
MD Zoom 35-70mm f3.5 Macro (bought just a few weeks ago)
To round out the set, I'm on the lookout for a good 28, a fast 35, and a fast 85. They will come, I'm sure.
I can get a 24-50mm f4, but I'm not sure of the image quality, nor am I sure of how much use I would get from it. The Rokkor 24 and 35 are awesome walkaround lenses and can focus pretty close, unlike the 24-50 zoom.
The 24, 35 and 50 have been wonderful for video capture, giving footage a low contrast and organic look that isn't easy to get with modern glass. I haven't used the 35-70 on a job yet, but tests show that it will be very useful.
