Best Vintage Lenses for Price & Character

Minolta Rokkor Buying Guide for Cinematographers and Indie Filmmakers. Full breakdown of each generation of the Rokkors. Plus history of one of the most fascinating camera and lens companies of the 20th century.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - The Godfather vs. Vintage Lenses
01:24 - Introduction
02:16 - Flaws vs. Characteristics
04:43 - Building a Set of Rokkors
05:14 - The First Generation
06:02 - Second Gen.
06:26 - MCi vs. MCii
06:43 - MC Rokkors Mkiii
07:17 - MCiii vs. MDi
07:49 - MCiii aka MC-X
08:31 - The Birth of MD Rokkor
09:57 - MC Rokkor vs MD Rokkor
10:22 - Last Generation of the Rokkors (MDii)
11:07 - Plain MDs
11:42 - Minolta's Later Years
12:12 - My Suggested Rokkor Lenses
12:30 - Reasons to Avoid MCi & ii
13:33 - The Holy Grail of the Rokkors
15:44 - My Preferred Generation
15:59 - The Leica Step Brother
16:14 - The Malick
16:36 - The Hollywood Competition
17:48 - First Rokkor to Buy
19:24 - 50mm f/1.4 vs. 50mm f/1.2
20:02 - Second Rokkor to Buy
20:21 - Third Rokkor to Buy
21:25 - My Favorite Long Lens
22:38 - The Character
24:25 - The Revenant
26:16 - MC Rokkor 21mm f/2.8 vs. MD Rokkor 20mm f/2.8
29:25 - Leica R 19mm Elmarit Stand-In?
31:17 - Modding for Cinematography
34:03 - Final Conclusion
Gear featured in this video:
Minolta 58mm f/1.2: ebay.us/pmTg0O
24mm f/2.8: ebay.us/LmZ6OZ
16mm f/2.8: ebay.us/JunopR
28mm f/2: ebay.us/9cLflK
50mm f/1.4: ebay.us/HMpOWH
85mm f/1.7: ebay.us/n0LP9T
100mm f/2.5: ebay.us/b3hLXt
35mm f/1.8: ebay.us/7t0HnI
20mm f/2.8: ebay.us/LCaz3F
Best Adapter for Minolta lenses: amzn.to/3GyuClf
👉🏼 My Gear List for Indie Filmmakers:
kit.co/jpOnFilm
Past Recommended/Referenced Videos:
Bird Running - Anamorphic Short Film (Shot on Rokkors, Aivascope, & Komodo): • Aivascope 1.5X Anamorp...
Leica vs Minolta: • Camera Company that Ro...
Why I Stopped Converting to EF Mount: • Is Stacking Lens Adapt...
My Zeiss Milvus Review: • Best Lenses for 6K and...
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#filmmaking #cinematography #vintagelens

[@JustinPhillip]

I have some excellent copies of some of the rare Rokkors now in my online store: www.justinfilm.com/shop

[@HamzaAwesoFilmmaker]

Most of the people they forget to appreciate this video as for me is one of the best lens guide video in the entire universe 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@JustinPhillip]

😆 Thanks!

[@HamzaAwesoFilmmaker]

@@JustinPhillip most welcome 🙏🏽

[@AdrianBond]

Man, that was an IMPRESSIVE impersonation. Likely the best I've ever seen. Seriously, well done.

[@donmarfai7764]

crazy good..makes R. De Niro look like a beginner

[@georgesealy4706]

I recently purchased the Rokkor MC 58mm F1.4 (second generation). I am extremely pleased with it. It is lightweight and small. I used it on my Fuji X-T4. I also put it on my GFX100. No vignetting and the results are wonderful. The Fuji GF lenses are execellent, but they are also heavy. This lens offers something different, and I can 'go small' and shoot whatever. Thanks for your video. It has a ton of information and I learned a lot.

[@danielromashov92]

Thank you for this excursion into Minolta lenses! Although as the result I do understand that they are not my "paintbrushes" but it was very interesting and even exciting to listen to you and to watch the sample footages. Thanks once again for your research and for your love to photography!

[@LucasRibeiro-qe9mb]

Great video Justin! Thank you for that I've been collecting some rokkors as well and I love them.

[@Hitchelfitkyle]

Awesome edit! So much great info all in one video! I’ve been using Minolta lenses for a couple years. They are awesome! 🙌🙌🙌

[@VirtualGuth]

Well done, a very thorough job. While I'm not a cinematographer, I've long admired Minolta as a company. They were true innovators and I always thought it was cool that they made their own lenses. I was still in high school when the XD11 was released. It took me quite a while to save up enough to buy one - that camera served me well for many years. After I switched to the use of rangefinders, I eventually added a Minolta CLE to the mix, along with two of the "M-Rokkor" M mount lenses in focal lengths of 28mm and 40mm. The M-Rokkor lenses are still fairly well regarded today, and were considered very solid performers at the time of their release. In addition to the 28mm and 40mm sizes, Minolta also offered a 90mm f/4 lens. For quite some time the M-Rokkor lenses found favor among Leica M camera users looking for less expensive alternatives to Leitz glass. These days a number of companies offer "budget" M mount lenses, yet prices for M-Rokkor lenses continue to rise just as with so many other vintage lenses. I liked the idea of pairing the M-Rokkors with the CLE for the Minolta connection. While the 40mm f/2 was a no brainer for me, I held off on buying the 28mm f/2.8 lens until I could find an example that had been repaired by Minolta back in the day. Sadly, the vast majority of the 28mm M-Rokkor lenses produced developed an issue that I've seen referred to as Schneideritis, as well as Spotting Corrosion. I'm not sure which is more appropriate, but over the course of time this problem eventually displays as a series of small white spots throughout the lens. Back in the day when Minolta was still around, they would repair this problem under warranty, even well past the warranty deadline. Those lenses seem have held up over the course of time.

[@dymone4894]

My Dad decided in the 90's that he wanted to get into photography so he bought a Maxxum 7000 and 3 lenses. I think he used it a dozen times before putting it in the bag he bought for it all and promptly forgot about it. In the early 2000's he asked me if I wanted it and I said yes. It wasn't until about 5 years ago, after he passed, that I remembered the camera. The body was nasty. He had left batteries in it and spare batteries in side pockets which exploded over time. Surprisingly however, the lenses are immaculate. One was attached to the body still, and clean, and the other three in pouches, with covers on both ends. Now I'm trying to decide which Sony to marry these to and continue what my dad started. I'm thinking a A6300 with the adapter as a starter. Either way I need to take a good look at the lenses and see what I have now that I have a reference. Thank you for this amazing bit of information! I'm sure I will refer to it many times.

[@johnb4557]

There is an adapter for the A7RIV that allows full autofocus with those old Maxxum lenses. I've got one and it works great.

[@jensknappe2485]

please try the lenses with a Minolta body, filmphotography is much more exciting !

[@johnanthonycolley3803]

Your Minolta Maxxum lens will directly couple to: any of the Sony Alpha DLSR Camera ( i.e A100 to A900 ) Or Sony Alpha SLT camera ( SLT-A33 - SLT-A99 ) Without needing an adaptor 😊 As these share the same mount as the Minolta Maxxum Bodies .. Expect to pay around 700 - £2000 for a mint A900 or SLT-A99 Body, as these were Sony's " Top of the Range ' PRO ' Full Frame " bodies until the introduction of Mirrorless.. And are still highly regarded and sought after ( even in 2023 ) However: Any of the others can be picked up between 60 - £300 depending on condition.. ( A little more for a A700 or SLT-A77 ) I personally have an A100, SLT-A65, A900 ( Maxxum 7000, more about that later ) ( A100 ) I love this little body, 100% dependable. LIGHT N TUFF. Especially when coupled with one of the compact ( Minolta / Sony ) lenses Takes really nice fine art or portrait photos. ( 10mp CCD sensor ). has a lot of the functions and controls which were deleted from following models, only to reappear on the A900 ( wink ) Bad points: not easy to use if you've Big Hands LoL 2nd body.. SLT-A65 ( 24mp CMOS ) live view flip screen, and electronic view finder. Much like any modern camera .. Very fast shooting rate, shoots half decent video. bad points: carry plenty of spare batteries . ( especially if you use the rear screen a lot ) ii) watch out for the overly saturated colour rendition on both the electric viewfinder and Live View . . 3rd body: A900 the big daddy ( 24mp Full Frame ) Sony DLSR . Built like a Battleship 😊 Awesome ergonomics .. One battery easily lasts all day, Full size, very sharp n bright viewfinder Takes Awesome Photos.. bad point: BIG n HEAVY especially coupled to one of Minolta's Pro Lens ( such as the 80-200 APO HS F2.8 ) LOL. Enjoy 😊 ( boxed )Maxxum 7000 I actually brought this camera because it was MINT ( very little use ) came boxed. And with a MINT ( Boxed ) Minolta AF 35-105 lens ( which wanted to replace my existing one, which I use a great deal and has barrel creep ) Regarding The 7000 It appears to function perfectly.. ( Sadly box didn't contain the manual but did include a " Minolta " branded Camera Strap ) apart from a little greying in the handgrip it's totally clean & undamaged I put batteries in it. It' powered up. Coupled it to my Minolta 80-200 Everything Working immediately, [ Body LCD Display, Viewfinder Metering, Auto focus etc. ] Shutter sounds like it's working correctly ie timing changes in unison shutter speed setting ( But lacking film or any means to process it, I'm unable to verify its correct ) Likely I will put it on display it, but Id much rather hand it to someone who is going to use it. If thats YOU. Contact me .. Best regards John ..

[@ciprianoravet]

Let me guess, you have: 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.7 and 35-70mm f4 😊

[@dymone4894]

@@ciprianoravet Yes to the first two, no to the 35-70. I have the 70-210 beer can. 😁

[@lander.96]

Thank you for the insights. Helps tremendously.

[@gtkiller]

The information you provide in this video helped me tremendously and gave me the confidence to dive in and purchase a MC Rokkor-X PG 50mm F1.4. Your description is spot on such and amazing lens. It's given new life to my XT3!

[@JustinPhillip]

Awesome!

[@crjpeg]

The video is excellent. I love Minolta lenses since my first SLR, the SRT200. Your acting at the beginning… WOW!!! Impressive!!!

[@khorkhordina]

Amazing video. After watching I was able to find and buy "the holy grail" 58 mm 1.2 (MC III version). It's insanely good. Thank you for all the detailed information.

[@chosenideahandle]

Thanks for this. I'm out shooting later today with the same Rokkor I used in high school in the 80s (a 1979 Rokkor-X 50mm f1.7), but now adapted to my FX30. Your acting is excellent BTW.

[@MoCheez]

I couldn't live without my Minolta's and Rokkor's. Also been using them with Sony FX-9/FS-7 and they looked awesome! Best Rokkor video ever!

[@JasonRomolo]

Nice intro and heads up on the Rokkors, Thanks!

[@ivanlee3178]

Very nice video! About the Minolta 50 1.2 you are absolutely correct, I had all of them, the 58 1.2, the 50 1.2, the 50 1.4 PG and a new MD 50 1.4. The 58 1.2 its on a league of its own, but the 50 1.4 PG was my favorite ever 50mm. The 50 1.2 had the same character as the 50 1.4, but a bit less sharp.

[@MrMftech]

Excellent review and explanations.

[@erikwhitesides]

my dad passed away a couple years ago and in an orlando magic duffel bag he had a Minolta xd11, Md orange rokkor-x 50 and 135 lenses with the 55 mm UV filters. there was a small amount of fungus on the 135 because it been stored in one of those leather canisters that do not ventilate well. he also had a plain md 24, but i found an rokkor-x 24 with 55 filter ring on ebay to match the others. i was able to get the camera working with some fresh batteries. i'm having a lot of fun learning more about photography, and the tactile feel of all the parts, and thought that goes into each photo has just been super fun. i'm really glad all the equipment survived being in storage for 30+ years and i'm amazed people are continuing to talk about these cameras/lenses in 2022.

[@TheShabazzProduction]

Justin that intro had me cracking up, that shit was superb, great acting. And yes I have a MC Minolta 50mm 1.4mm and I'm the original owner from the year it came out. This was a excellent presentation.

[@JustinPhillip]

Awesome! Thank you! 😆

[@numistika]

I just watched the very start ))) You are so funny! I thought it was some movie cut to start with. You would be a good actor! Now I must keep watching!

[@testtesttest968]

Well put together and informative.

[@ThirdEye105]

I came across your lens review while searching for something about color and rendition of Minolta rokor lenses. I like your acting of Al Pacino and this looks like a very interesting review.

[@gssgaston]

My uncle just gave me his SRT200 for Christmas that he had growing up as a kid. I had a feeling all the lenses he gave me were mostly kit lenses and I was right thanks to this video. Thanks for all the info, starting my shopping for a new 50mm now!

[@numistika]

As a Minolta vintage glass collector, I find myself to go back to your wonderful review time after time. Just wanted to say thank you for this useful piece! Just bought the 85mm Minolta, next on the list will be the fish-eye! :) Thanks again!

[@JustinPhillip]

Awesome! Thank YOU!

[@chuckygobyebye]

Oh, welcome to the Minolta junkie support group. I stole my dad's camera and lenses when I was 20 and have never looked back. Fantastic SLR bodies and the Rokkor lenses are legendary. I wasn't aware that they were being used for cinematography, we nerds have been waiting for years for some kind of adaptor so we can use them with DSLRs.

[@SeanSeesMedia]

working at a 2nd hand store here in Australia, I've been fortunate to get first dibs on quite a few old Minolta film bodies and some lenses. I did some basic research and bought a few, before I saw this video, but now am I happy I did. Haven't even used them yet, but recently got an adapter for my fuji mirrorless and I'm keen to test them out. Picked up a 50 1.7 mc III PG as well as a 28mm mc 3 and a 135mm mc2. I also have a zoom lens that looks like an mc2 and a 300mm 5.6 that I thought would be cool to mess around on. Your videos are great, loved the acting at the beginning. Long videos but found myself watching every minute without being tempted to skip forward at all, so kudos on the great, engaging content.

[@JustinPhillip]

Awesome! Thank you

[@jayforcinema]

Thanks! This is a beautifully done comparison. I have a set of Nikkor AI/AI-S lenses, and those are my sweet spot in the vintage game. The rendition is crisp but not clinical, and the bokeh is subtle and creamy, flaring is minimal, and they're mostly similar in size, with a nice focus mechanism :)

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Very interesting. I got a bunch of MC and MD lenses although not as fancy as yours. In my basket of about 80 vintage lenses I haven't taken them with me too often. However this morning I put my plain MD 28mm non Rokkor on my A7II and did a lot of golden autumn photos. Even though it's very basic I really like the colours and the light weight. I like the light plastic lenses especially when paired together w. my little Fujifilm range finder style cameras. Plastic fantastic.

[@tubecorr]

I went with the older Rokkors for my anamorphic setup. The older lenses often have more aperture blades and the flares aren't that much of an issue once the anamorphic adapter is on. I'm a big fan of the 45mm 2.8, 58mm 1.2 and the 100mm 3.5 . All of them have 8 rounded aperture blades.

[@prestonbarratt7536]

Justin, I have been dreading the release of this video. I absolutely LOVE my rokkors. Hopefully prices don't get too outrageous. Really been digging the content recently.

[@JustinPhillip]

🤣 Dont worry, my videos dont get too many views. What we really need to fear is the bigger youtubers jumping on the boat! 🤣🤣

[@EddiksonPena]

Agreed. Better to rack up now.

[@qtben17]

The rokkor 58 1.2 has higher commanding price than any FD or FL 1.2s around. All hyped!

[@strahof]

You've been a great help to me. Thank you!

[@JustinPhillip]

🙌🏼

[@MysterDaftGame]

I have an MD W.Rokkor 35mm f/1.8 and it's such a great little lens to use ! I also have an MD Macro Rokkor 50mm f/3.5, not a lens that would be used for filmmaking, but for stills macro photography, it's a joy to use !

[@okarola]

Learned so much! Thanks!

[@gokhan9395]

Love this video thanks man!!

[@fabioferracaneVideo]

Great video! Thanks

[@lichtmaler]

best review on rokkor glass. Thanks for that!

[@oceanstormfilms]

Really great series of videos on this fantastic lens maker. Been collecting a while and your info has been invaluable in validating my choices (bar one or two - yep fell for the 21mm). It's kinda crazy how some people opt for speed over absolute performance. I opted for MCII (one MCIII) and now have a full set from 16mm to 200mm. Love them - without reservation. Only my Konicas give me a comparable smile every day. Keep up the excellent work dude.

[@JustinPhillip]

Awesome! Thank you! Sadly hard times have pushed me to start selling my collection

[@JustinPhillip]

My Gear List: kit.co/jpOnFilm

[@agungnorhasni714]

What a nice and high quality video review, one of the best. Btw Justin, your acting remembering me of Michael Corleone anger, you a great actor to be honest

[@JustinPhillip]

😆 Thank you!

[@raymeedc]

Just picked up a nearly mint condition MCiii with your helpful advice, Justin….. Much Appreciated 👌

[@JustinPhillip]

Fantastic!

[@creditelectric]

Started collecting my prime MD versions when digital was starting to take hold around 2008. I get a kick out of mounting them on to my Sony or something else & processing the images. Favourites are the wides to 135mm 2.8.Conversions are something I'm not pursuing as the adapters satisfy my needs, yes I would love exif data but it is not critically important, one could take a note book & pen which is what I used to do experimenting on film.Bargains, I was very lucky with a 24mm VFC that seemed to be getting neglected on Ebay, not many bids, was not to be shipped overseas might have been an issue & not enough local interest.

[@EddiksonPena]

One of the slept on rectilinear lens is also the 17mm f/4 .. if you can find it in MC flavor at a reasonable price. Overall love the vids def looking for more content from you using these.

[@mohammedhassan6867]

The acting is out of this world, love it! Subbed!

[@JustinPhillip]

😆 Thanks!

[@henryrogers5500]

Excellent video! Thanks.

[@feralfpv3768]

dude! thanks for all the info, so awesome👍👍

[@JustinPhillip]

You bet!

[@CamBrowne]

Thank you so much for this video

[@mudgie069]

I love my Rokkor lenses. I currently have the MC 28mm f2.8, Celtic 35mm f2.8, MC 50mm f1.7, MD 50mm f/1.4, MC 55mm f1.7, MC 58mm f1.4 and MC 135mm f2.8. I don't use them maybe as much as I should but I'll never get rid of them. I'd love the 45mm f2 and 85mm f1.5 and they are on my to get list.

[@JustinPhillip]

An updated more comprehensive guide for rehousing Rokkors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIqUhmeYhKllo9E

[@RustyShackleford9000]

Hey Justin, does the mc Rokkor-x 50mm 1.4 have thoriated radioactive glass?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@RustyShackleford9000it does not

[@Meteotrance]

The rokkor md 50 mm was my first and only Lens i get with my minolta analog camera, i litteraly learn photography with this combo and im still shooting on film with it, but it's a Joy to use with my bmpcc 4k camera, like you say it breath, when i need less sharpness it's a go to, im still in love with minolta Lens, i need to expand my minolta Lens collection, just a wide angle and a zoom and i could using it with my old film camera.

[@4doorsupra153]

I bought a minolta xg9 2 months ago and it's my favorite camera ever ❤

[@AlexDoesYouTubes]

Way back when I was shooting on a GH2 I used vintage Rokkors, lovely image out of them.

[@vicpico1]

Hi! As far as I can remember Minolta. had a merging time with Konica, one the biggest company in camera before. Then it was taken over by Sony. Thanks for your sharing.

[@weisserth]

I both love and hate this video. I am a photographer, not doing cinematography. I've been shooting with Minolta SLRs for almost 20 years and have been adding to my lens collection. Now this video is driving demand and competition for the few good copies of some the more desirable lenses I don't have yet. LOL. Am I glad I already have that 58mm f1.2 PG... Good thing you cinematographers don't care about the MD lenses. LOL. Kudos on this very well researched and well made video. I love my Minolta setup. The most astonishing lens I have is the 35mm Shift CA. Want to shoot a scene with a mirror without the camera in the mirror reflection? That will do the trick.

[@TheFallOfSaigon22345]

The big beefy Topcon RE Super was actually the first TTL metering camera, but nonetheless love the Minoltas.

[@backwoodsvapes139]

I have an SRT101 I dated to 67 (super low serial number) 1st gen 58mm f1.4 PG lens, also shoot an X-700 with a 50mm f2. Great cameras have taught me everything I know about 35mm film and SLR photography

[@jonathanl7883]

Great video Justin!

[@JustinPhillip]

Thanks!

[@billkabb]

Great info .. mine 35-70 and 50 f1.4 are the latest md and they perform stelar ...

[@HaraldEngels]

When I moved to Asia I had to reduce my collection of 170 vintage lenses down to 12. After months of testing 7 Minolta Rokkors made it to the 12 lenses which I took with me. Beside the balanced profile of these lenses I like how easy you can maintain, clean and repair these lenses what is important in the humid climate where I am living now. And I truly love the color rendering of these lenses.

[@johnb4557]

Which 7 did you take with you Harald?

[@iSleepDoc]

Justin, you’re an amazing actor and very skilled person👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thanks for an amazing video

[@JustinPhillip]

Thank YOU! 🙌🏼

[@returnofemmanuel]

Thank you for this video Justin - not many people out there talking about the Rokkors to this extent. Learned a lot about the generations and can confidently now identify what Rokkor lens I'm looking at thanks to your insight. I secured myself a 17mm f4 recently (MC Rokkor 3rd gen) recently to add to my 50mm f1.7 and 28mm f2.8 (which I have now found out are 2nd generation MD lenses :( and have realized why I also don't like those lenses as much haha it's the plastic). Definitely going to replace those with the MC 3rd gen versions and also get myself the 58 and 85mm you mentioned down the road. One other lens I really wanna get is the MC 7.5mm f4 Rokkor-X but it's extremely rare. I only found one of those lenses online but there's some dust particles in it AND it's the MD version. Thanks again!

[@JustinPhillip]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@BananaXpress]

very detailed episode..... thanks .

[@JustinPhillip]

Glad you liked it

[@sonpois]

I love my Minolta Rokkor lenses. Got the 58mm f1.2, 45 f2, 35mm f1.8 and I use them mostly on my medium format GFX. Yes there is some vignetting but it's all worth it with some corrections. You convinced me to get the 20 and 24mm soon. Just found a 20mm for 320 bucks! Seems like a lot but now I understand why. Thanks for this :)

[@tiziocaio8657]

I’m using mine Leica R 60mm f2.8 macro on my gfx. The colours are incredible, imho even better than mine native GF lenses. The contrast and the saturation are more natural. I’m really happy with it. I also tried an Olympus OM 50mm f1.4 and I will buy it, it’s really nice.

[@georgesealy4706]

I have a GFX 100 and I like the Rokkor 58mm lens on it. My next purchase will be the 35mm, F1.8 which should give me about a 25mm FF equivalent. I have GF lenses but they are heavy as you probably know.

[@tiziocaio8657]

@@georgesealy4706 i prefer Leica R vintage lenses over the native GF ones because imho their colour rendering is more natural and pleasing. Same with sharpness and contrast.

[@jd5787]

Hills & valleys = "scalloped". Cool video. Need to start using my rokkors more!

[@igottheshaft]

Love the intro! Nice performance.

[@JustinPhillip]

Thanks!

[@altrujillo3566]

Great and useful video - thank you. Please, your thoughts on the MC Tele Rokkor-X 100mm/2.5? I'm looking for a vintage with best bokeh.

[@paulsmustache]

Some M42 lenses are excellent as they were radioactive. One that is highly prized is the C. Zeiss Jena Pancolar 55 F/1.4. The other is a Ashai SMC Takumar 50mm F/1.4. Those that do night photography in a city with lots of neon lights use it as it produces a some excellent "bokeh bubbles. "

[@robert18productions]

This video was well put together and really illustrates some of the best and most underrated vintage lenses from any major manufacturer. I was lucky enough to pick up a MC Rokkor 58mm f/1.2 in near mint condition for only around $125. Surprisingly, I found a much better find picking up a pretty good condition MC Tele Rokkor-PF 100mm f/2 for only $26 at a flea market! I currently own the MD 24mm f/2.8, MD Rokkor 28mm f/2.8, MC Rokkor 58mm f/1.2, MC III Rokkor 50mm f/1.4, MD 50mm f/1.7, MD 50mm f/2, MC Rokkor 100mm f/2, MD 35-70mm f/3.5 (Non Macro). The one thing I disagree with you on in this video is the quality of Plain MD lenses. Sure, the build quality took a nose dive but in general the optics seem to be superior to that of previous Rokkor versions. For instance both variants of the plain MD 35-70mm f/3.5 are optically superior to their Rokkor counter part. The MD 50mm f/2 is another gem which sharpens up faster at wide apertures in the corners compared to other 50mm variants including the MC III Rokkor 50mm f/1.4. The MD 70-150mm f/4 is another hidden gem which is among the sharpest 70-150mm f/4 lenses ever made. In comparisons from the "artaphot" website, the plain MD 24mm f/2.8 (49mm filter version) seems to be sharper to that of the rokkor variants (55mm filter versions) specifically in the corners at wider apertures. I have read that the earlier rokkor 24mm variants may be better in the center of the frame but I have yet to see a detailed comparisons of this claim. Then again the build quality of the MC and MD Rokkors are outstanding in comparison to the plastic Plain MD lenses.

[@matthewmaccarthy8542]

This video is fantastic.

[@JustinPhillip]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@bradmiller9993]

Cool stuff; thanks for the info. Heading to eBay now !

[@DANAMIONLINE]

I felt engaged watching your acting. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I’m currently considering a set of Minolta’s or SMC Takumars. Thanks for the sharing your experience with these lenses. Can Simmod covert the SR mount to EF?

[@JustinPhillip]

They can not. However, Ron hinted about them possibly coming up with a work around! 👀🤷🏼‍♂️

[@anullaka9993]

14:05 The holy grail of Minolta Rokkor is actually the G.Rokkor 28 f3.5. It's the only Rokkor that carries the G (Gold) designation. The G.Rokkor 28 f3.5 is used on Minolta TC-1, and Minolta also released a LTM version in a limited quantity (2,000 units only).

[@JustinPhillip]

interesting...

[@yuehe3203]

Awesome! Thanks for the detailed sharing . I LOVE lens flares and am looking for lenses that make beautiful flares. Any suggestion which Minolta lens gives the best ghosting and flare? Thanks!

[@JustinPhillip]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6PMnZKhlt2BhJI

[@connornyhan]

Slowly collecting my own set, recently got an MCII 35mm f1.8 and honestly I’m very happy with it.

[@EddiksonPena]

Whtas your next lens ?

[@connornyhan]

@@EddiksonPena bought the 135mm f2.8 MCII. Now I’m looking at 85mm f1.7 or the 24mm f2.8

[@EddiksonPena]

@@connornyhan got the 85 .. highly recommend it over the 24

[@princeharbinger]

Excellent video, very well presented, and informative. Would you mind elborating a bit more on why you don't like the Minolta MD branded lenses? Is it specifically because of the build quality, or is there some sort of optical flaws that they may have? Thank you for your time.

[@JustinPhillip]

Some of them ( specifically the two i mention in the video) are excellent. I mean outside of build quality, from what i can find, the glass is VERY similar. But i still chose, own & have two MDs. The 35 f1.8 & 20 f2.8. And i think those two are excellent performers. There are other collectors that prefer the MDs. So i wouldnt completely write them off. Oh! And the little 45mm f/2 pancake is one of my favorite as well.

[@SomeUnremarkableGuy]

Do the same for AF lenses. This video is so good and it would be criminal not to have part 2

[@fodsonmedia]

Great video! Instant sub!

[@JustinPhillip]

Nice! thanks!

[@lesath7883]

Thank you for this extensive review. It has a lot of information I needed and nobody else provided. Nice collection

[@ghw7192]

I an a lifelong Nikon user, but I have SRT and X series Minolta cameras simply because the Rokkor lenses are so good.

[@_parkphoto]

Fascinated to hear what you have to say about the 50mm MC 1.4 PG - my copy seems to have a lott of spherical aberration, which is why it's taken me a while to start using it for photography and video. Thoughts? Do you encounter that SA?

[@JustinPhillip]

yeah, unfortunately that's not one of the more sought after minoltas. I just have it because, but yeah technically that was more of a kit lens for its time. A kit lens upgrade for "professional photographers" but i will say most minolta lenses are kinda "funky" they have their own weird character, which most of the time i really enjoy. I like to refer to Minolta's as a hybrid between Canon FD & Leica R

[@relaxwithme3266]

I love Minolta glass. Just shot a national commercial on them paired with Blackmagic 6K FF and they performed nicely!

[@JustinPhillip]

Excellent

[@ItsMe-oi9dy]

You showed a 45mm F2 at the start but never spoke about it. I used to have one and loved it so hoped you'd speak about it. I now have the rokkor 40mm F2 which is tiny and fun but just a bit awkward to use due to its focus ring.

[@JustinPhillip]

oh yea, i mentioned it in a later video as one of the taking lenses for an Aivascope anamorphic adapter i used to use. That little 45mm is a great little lens, excellent size and performance. I highly recommend. The one you're talking about i believe is the Leica M version. I actually have the Leica Summicron, which is the Rokkor design. Also an excellent lens. I much prefer the 40mm M version over the MDii version. But they are both great. The 45mm was a kit lens, so copies may vary.

[@aucourant9998]

I have a mint Rokkor MC 58mm F1.4 (2nd gen, the good one). I bought it from Turkey and I don't think it has ever been used, it's in exceptional condition. I use it on my Fuji XT2 for portraits and landscapes. It effectively becomes a 87mm f2.1. It's a beautiful lens even wide open, not too soft, and lovely bokeh. For landscape at f5.8-f11 it's really sharp (but needs a lens hood).

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Awesome intro!!!!!!

[@JustinPhillip]

Thanks!

[@timatwater8247]

Wow, very thorough! I'd always read that the MC iii optical designs and also the Celtic line optical designs gradually transitioned into most of the MD line too. In any case I like my little Rokkor-X plastic quasi pancake 45 2.0 lens for my old XD11 and later Minolta bodies. I would also assume the MD iii (Minolta Lens) line continued into the later AF lenses, at least in the primes like the 50 1.7 and 1.4, 28 2.8 and 2.0 etc. That's a lot of Minolta history!

[@JustinPhillip]

Yeah the 45mm is an awesome little lens

[@timatwater8247]

Right and there was also the 40 2.0 normal Minolta lens for the Leitz Minolta CL, I've read a lot of good things about that lens.

[@minoltacollector9128]

14:06 Correction, there are only three versions of the MC 58mm 1.2, one for each generation. All of which are PG lenses (7 elements, 5 groups), there is no PF version, it doesnt exist I think you are confusing it with the 58mm 1.4 which is a totally different lens and different price bracket ($400 vs $30)

[@tailibaba]

Hello fellow! I thank you so much for posting such a great and professional video! Very decent! It also helps a lot on how to build my own Minolta sets. Recently, I am interrsted in MC W.Rokkor - SI 28mm f/2.5. No info about this lens. Would you please check it out? I'd love to listen to your opinion and advise. It's MCIII for sure. Thank you!

[@chadpalmercrisis1723]

The opening performance 🎬🔥🔥

[@JustinPhillip]

thank you

[@sclogse1]

The Minolta Celtic 135mm 2.8 is a marvelous lens. Crazy sharp stopped down a bit to the point that you'll think you upped your in body sharpness. I mean superb. Combine that with, if you're lucky, a 35 dollar purchase, and you're one very happy camper.

[@reptilespantoso]

I'm into the MCII gen. Have a 28mm f3.5, 35mm f1.8 (needs a clean), 58mm f1.4 (no thorium), 100mm f2.5. Very happy with these.

[@pepelepew271]

About flaws, Minolta has Cemented elements on some lenses which means if fungus or dirt appears between the cemented elements the lens is broken and cannot be repaired a variety of lenses from other brands have this design also. Some people defend this design or don’t bother with it but keep in mind when buying one that there might be a chance that you will not be able to get it serviced if it has this one of these problems. Besides this pet peeve the Minolta 1.4 is one of the best lenses ever made the colors are stunning. Just take care of your gears folks. Minolta gang out!

[@jerryrichards8172]

Minolta was so far ahead in every department. Have been shooting nothing but Minolta since the early 80s. The mid 70s years was the Pentax k-1000. Then switched to Minolta x-700 and just this yr 2022 when my x-700 started acting up I switched to the Minolta alpha 9. I'm really happy with it. Have you can you do one on the AF Minolta lenses ?

[@jessecook3593]

Just spent all day on eBay researching these lenses. I've considered buying modern PL/EF cine lenses, but the price is a bit more than I'm comfortable with spending. Of course the cine build is great for longevity, but I'm a solo shooter 9/10 times, so I don't have to worry about renting them out and having other people put a lot of wear and tear on my lenses. Considering these, and the Contax Zeiss lenses. But man, you can get these for a STEAL right now. Thanks for the video. One of my fav subs.

[@JustinPhillip]

👀 Nice!

[@relaxwithme3266]

Thank you for this video, Justin. I've just got a set of Rokkors in for the BMCC 6K FF and they're just blowing me a way with their unique color and overall rendering. I do have one question for you. One of my favorite set of lenses of all time are the Minolta "Beercan" lenses. Do you know if they ever came in an MD mount? I do have a set of them here in A mount, but unfortunately they are autofocus lenses and not very comfortable to use when manual focusing. Thanks man!

[@JustinPhillip]

Those are only A mount. Those are being sourced for rehousing, so nab those up if you like them!

[@relaxwithme3266]

@@JustinPhillip I have both beercans in house here. I may try out the 35 to 70 f/3.5 MD. It may offer a decent manual focus experience while keeping similar color and contrast as the beercans.

[@ReachFilms]

In :42 in and I love it already

[@KNURKonesur]

I watched the whole video cause I'm trying to decide if I want to buy a cheap 58/1.4 MC1 or spend double the money and buy the 58/1.4 MC2. And I must admit, this is incredibly well researched and put together, kudos! The issues you said about thorium happen in a lot of older bright lenses and curing yours for a week is still shorter than what I had to do with several lenses from the 1940s and 1950s. The tint will come back, but it should take at least 15-20 years for it to be visible. The whole "version III is the same lens, just better" I strongly disagree with, but it's personal preference. Version III has more contrast, better resolution, but loses the bokeh and spherical aberrations that made the first versions' bokeh interesting and more painterly. Also from what I've seen in terms of samples, I actually don't like the 58/1.2 as much. It's highly praised by a lot of people for being the cutting edge example of the line, but as a "blurry background rendering machine" the out of focus specular highlights with edges contoured outward don't look as nice as the ones contoured inward. Seems like the bokeh of the 58/1.4 is just like the Contax Zeiss Planar 50/1.4, just a (apparently some people tested it to be closer to 61mm than the claimed 58mm) - which is a win in my book.

[@tailibaba]

And...one more thing. What is the ring you put on around focus ring at 31:20? Thank you!

[@donnydop]

Great video, thank you! Wish I had watched this before building my set... Currently have: MC III 21mm 2.8, MD I 28mm F2, MC III 35mm F2, MC III 58mm 1.2, MC III 85mm 1.7. Planning to PL rehouse these so I think the move before I do is to sell the 21mm for a MD 20mm. Would you recommend swapping the MC 35mm for MD 35mm? And also holding out to find a MC 28mm rather than the MD 28mm? Build quality isn't an issue as they are getting rehoused. So only interested in the glass.

[@JustinPhillip]

yeah thats a dream of mine. No i wouldnt worry about switching the 35 or the 28.

[@Muchtoobizy]

I have a Rokkor 58mm F1.2 MC Mark II PG lens (one of the last copies, so it was made without thorium). I found it in a second hand camera store last September. Since buying it, I have rarely used another lens from my extensive collection. It is really that good. If you are after a vintage look to your pictures with beautiful out-of-focus rendering; this is your lens. I would love to source some of the other lenses you mentioned.

[@JustinPhillip]

yeah i have that one too...but mine sadly did have thorium...wonder what the cut off was for that PG mk ii??

[@Muchtoobizy]

@@JustinPhillip I did some research when I first bought my lens, to figure out whether it contained thorium. I cannot verify the source of this information, so I may be mistaken, but I learned that lenses with serial numbers below #2571225 contained thorium and lenses with a greater number, up to those starting with #27*****, do not contain thorium.

[@JustinPhillip]

@@Muchtoobizy welp, yupp, that would explain it! LOL thanks!! meanwhile, the whole reason i chose one with a SN of 250 is because of all the internet folklore i read saying that was the one to get!! lol,

[@johnb4557]

@@Muchtoobizy Yeah. Spot on. I have a Rokkor X MC 58 1.2 with a 274--- serial number. I've tested it on a Geiger counter, and it is not radioactive.

[@kentsoderstrom8378]

I’ve been a Minolta guy since 1977 when I got my first camera. Got in store now about 30 Minolta SR-mount lenses of all generations. Gotta check them out if I find some jewels. Easy to find adapters to my Sony mirrorless or M43 cameras. Maybe I find something that goes with my Panasonic Leica 15/1,7?

[@JustinPhillip]

definitely