Minolta Auto Tele Rokkor-QE 100mm f3.5

Many would confuse this lens with the macro version of the Minolta MC Rokkor 100mm f3.5. This is a plain, vanilla portrait lens.  Very compact and very well built; just slightly (less than 1 cm) longer than the MC Rokkor-PF 58mm f1.4 and weighs about the same. Aperture stops are locked, like the Topcor 58mm f1.8. You must press a pin to change aperture. This is good in a way, that you won't accidentally change the aperture, but too cumbersome in actual use.

The lens is pretty contrasty for a portrait lens, but I guess it was designed for black and white photography in mind, as it predates the MC and MD Rokkor lenses. Very sharp stopped down, and completely usable wide open.  Minimum focus distance is 1.2m which is not too bad, but forget about close ups. The bokeh is actually quite nice, helped with an 8-blade aperture.  Overall a delightfully nice lens to use.

Three crosses - Minolta Auto Tele Rokkor 100mm f3.5 & Sony A7. Click for larger.

Bokeh - Minolta Auto Tele Rokkor 100mm f3.5 & Sony A7. Click for larger.

Ryan - Minolta Auto Tele Rokkor 100mm f3.5 & Sony A7.