Saturday, January 21, 2012

Minolta MC W.Rokkor-SG 28mm f3.5

Most lens makers have at least two versions of a same focal length.  One priced as entry level, and the other as a premium model.  The common example is the 50mm lens.  We have the f1.8 version, which is much cheaper than the f1.4.  In the olden days, the most common focal lengths are 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 135mm.  Of the wide angles, 28mm is most popular.  For Minolta, it has at least four versions: 28mm f2, 28mm f2.5 and 28mm f2.8 and 28mm f3.5.  I posted some sample pictures of the MC W.Rokkor 28mm f2.5 a while back here, and here.  I like it a lot.  The f3.5 is of course the cheapest of them all.  It can be had for a very low price even today.

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Crane -- NEX-5N & Minolta MC W.Rokkor-SG 28mm f3.5

The MC W.Rokkor 28mm f3.5 reminds me of the Takumar 28mm f3.5. Both are extremely well made, and feels great in the hand.  The Takumar is smaller and looks better in my opinion, not that the look matters much.  In normal use, the f3.5 and f2.5 version of the W.Rokkor is almost identical, since one would normally stop it down.  Both are very sharp lenses and frankly, at around f8, the difference is practically nil.  The f2.5 version is a full stop faster, so if do shoot wide open often, it may be worthwhile to get the faster one.  For most occasions where this lens is intended to be used, they don't make much difference. If weight is an important issue, you may like the f3.5 version better.

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Walk in the snow -- NEX-5N & Minolta MC W.Rokkor-SG 28mm f3.5
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8 comments:

  1. obakesanJanuary 21, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    one legged walk in the snow ... or so it looks
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lens BubbleJanuary 22, 2012 at 12:14 AM

    @obakesan: Haha. Just noticed that!

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    Nice pics. I just purchased, rather cheaply, this exact same lense for my Sony Nex 5N.
    Hope to get similar results

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  4. ZachJune 1, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    Great picture. Would love to have one for my 5N too.

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    Replies
    1. Lens BubbleJune 1, 2012 at 8:34 AM

      This lens is very inexpensive. Good value for the money.

      Delete
  5. DefevNovember 4, 2012 at 1:21 AM

    Hi - just happened on you blog, as I was investigating the Minolta Rokkor MC 28mm/3,5. First of, quite impressed by your pics ! Second, what do you entail by "very inexpensive" ? Thanks.

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  6. UnknownApril 7, 2017 at 10:54 AM

    I just got mine, bought by mistake. Didn't realize that it was 3.5.
    Payed 30 Euros with shipp. No reason for cry.
    However, example looks completely new. Manufactured very well. Almost identical to my MD rokkor 50/1.4. Just filter is smaller: 49mm.
    There are several different subtypes of same lense manufactured. This one I have, belong to last two models made and have design 5/5. Some earlier models are 7/7 design.
    More here: http://minolta.eazypix.de/lenses/

    Still, first shots are promising.
    It is pleasure to work with. Mine is MD version. I guess this will be my "normal 50" lens from now on. To be correc, it will be as 42mm on my APSC camera.
    It is interesting that there is not much online reports about this lens. Which is pitty.

    ReplyDelete

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