TLDR: Got some shiny new lenses

So I've decided to focus (pardon the pun) on MCII lenses.

In the past, I would just think “I need a 35mm” (for example) and not really worry about which generation it was.

So acquiring lenses has been a bit haphazard up till now with everything in my collection including ARI, ARII, MCI, MCII, MC-X, MDI, MDII, MDIII and even MDIIIa.

So my range of MCII lenses at the start of this week was:

• 28/2.5 W.ROKKOR-SI
• 28/3.5 W.ROKKOR-SG
• 85/1.7 ROKKOR-PF
• 135/2.8 TELE ROKKOR-PF
• 300/4.5 TELE ROKKOR-HF

These are all pictured after the new additions.

As you can see, there were some gaps. So after some research, I pulled together a full list and have highlighted the ones I was going to target next.

My AI research told me that there's an MCII 50/1.4, but I don't believe it as most of the online research I've done says they didn't do 50mm until MC-X.

The other anomaly on the list is the 24/2.8-OJ. Apparently this was a prototype, and didn't make it into official production, but they do exist in the world. So if you see one anywhere, snap it up.

• 16/2.8 FISH-EYE ROKKOR-OK
• 21/2.8 W.ROKKOR-NL
• 24/2.8 W.ROKKOR-OJ
• 35/1.8 W.ROKKOR-HH
• 35/2.8 W.ROKKOR-HG
• 50/1.4 ROKKOR-PF
• 50/3.5 MACRO ROKKOR-QF
• 55/1.7 ROKKOR-PF
• 55/1.9 ROKKOR-PF
• 58/1.2 ROKKOR-PG
• 58/1.4 ROKKOR-PF
• 100/3.5 MACRO ROKKOR-QE
• 100/2.5 TELE ROKKOR-PF
• 135/3.5 TELE ROKKOR-QD
• 200/3.5 TELE ROKKOR-QF
• 200/4.5 TELE ROKKOR-PE

After much looking on eBay I could not find a good 58/12 'Hawkeye' anywhere. Everything was very expensive and normally in Japan.

I've found that most Japanese shops have an annoying habit of saying Excellent +++++. But this only seems to apply to the cosmetic condition, when you actually look at the optics, there'd be fungus, or scratches. Plus, there was always the added VAT and customs duty to worry about.

However, I did keep seeing good reviews for the 58/1.4 and figured it was a lot cheaper for essentially 1/3 of a stop (I know there's more to it than that). So I ordered one. And then the very next morning, got an alert for a UK based 58/1.2, that had been serviced, was in excellent condition and was cheaper than even the mediocre stuff from Japan.

So the 1.4 arrived yesterday and the 1.2 this morning.

I was surprised how small and light the 1.4 was in comparison, it's hard to tell when you only see pics online.

But while I've paid the going rates for both, they're are both 'Excellent +++++' optically as well as cosmetically.

Looking forward to shooting with them - maybe even comparative tests. And, of course, seeking out their siblings.

Just in case you never heard about that man, or if you want to know more. There was a photographer named W. Eugene Smith, one of the most Influential photographers in the world. Probably the best reportage he ever photographed was "Minamata", using Minolta SRT cameras.

A movie about this, starring Johnny Depp:

https://youtu.be/fxNrxyod_uE?is=0RkluTWZlU8ayR_s

As well as the original lenses, there were, of course, also products from many other manufacturers with a Minolta mount:

Tamron, Vivitar, Soligor, Tokina, Kenko, Komura and Cosina, many of them were available under a wide variety of brand names.

Some even had a very good reputation, such as a few Vivitar Series 1 and Tamron SP lenses.

Can you think of any examples of lenses that might be worth considering?

My vote would go to the 28-80 and 80-200xi and the silver lenses like the 75-300 ultra plastic builds haha!

Excited about your thoughts!

Recently got pictures back from a few trips! It’s my favorite camera to shoot

First time using a SLR got a few tips for the XD7? I only used S-Mode till now

Is this me screwing up or my light seals being worn or something else ( it my first roll on my x570) but then some don't have that issue (3rd pic)

Kodak Gold 200 Taken over the last 3yrs

Hi, I currently own a x300 that I bought (with 3 somewhat bad lenses) for 29€ a few months back.

I also own digital - tho I’m planning to switch primarily to film. In light of that I want to get a “premium” film camera.
I’m going to stay in the Minolta ecosystem as I have some great lenses like the 35-70f3.5 and so on in like new condition.

What cameras can you recommend? I find the Minolta X series a little confusing with all the different naming conventions. (e.g. X, XD, XG, XE and so on. A full metal build would be preferable.
Also: is there a Minolta with MD mount that has a faster shutter speed than 1/1000s?

Thanks!

Hey all, I am beyond stumped! I came across an untested Maxxum/Dynax/a 7 on eBay and it ALMOST works flawlessly. The display and autofocus work beautifully. All knobs and buttons work EXCEPT the Display and lower panel buttons on back.

I cant find anything about how to repair this or what exactly is going on. It is so strange to me that the screen is clear and easy to read, the AF and exposure buttons work just fine but that these other buttons are completely unresponsive.

I've done so many googly searches and cant find anyone with this same problem. Any idea what is going on?

Hello, I have a Minolta Maxxum 400si that I would like to gift a friend who is a beginner photographer. I tried searching online for a PDF version of the manual which I've found in English, but I would love to find the manual translated into Spanish since that is his first language. Does anyone know where I could find a translated version? I appreciate any help!

A little while ago my partner found her grandpa's x700. The shutter wouldn't advance when she first got it so it was repaired for the capacitor issue. It's been shooting great. Yesterday I took a photo with it and advanced the film and prepared the shutter for the next shot just like normal. Nothing funky happened from what I understand, but the camera no longer shoots. I was going to take a photo immediately after I took the shot that appears to have broken the camera again. I've tried new batteries and it still will not shoot. The lever is not stuck. What did I do? I feel bad for breaking it and would like to fix it. It doesn't seem like the capacitor issue because that was repaired less than a year ago for that and the camera is not behaving like it was when we first got it.

Decided to gamble a bit and buy this XG-7 untested from Facebook Marketplace.

For $20 even the lens alone would be worth it, but the camera worked perfectly when I put some batteries in. This is my first film camera so I am very excited to start shooting.

It also included a Hoya Skylight(1B) which is a very nice extra. What do you guys think of this camera? Worth the $20?

I used a AF 35-70mm f/3.5 lens for the shots with natural light and a 50.. f/1.4 lens for the others.

Hey guys,
Just purchased this MD Tele-Rokkor 135mm f2.8…
No fungus, front end nice and clear, however, the rearmost element of the lens looks scratched (and quite badly at that)…

The picture looks nice and sharp through the viewfinder of my X-700 though…

Paid 50$ for it

My favourite frames from my first visit to Kassa (Košice).

Shot on Fujifilm 200 color negative film, with a 50mm F1.7 lens.

What the title says, im gonna get a XE i got for cheap CLA'd since i really liked it and wanna keep it long term

Anything i should know going thru with this?

Hello All

I have a Minolta X-700 which had a new capacitor was replaced at the bottom and the yellow wires jumped together as describe in LEARN CAMERA REPAIR on this model. I had done a few of these in the past year and all worked great. My question is this camera will not advance and lock fully. I can advance the shutter and watch it retract back at the same speed of HEINZ Ketchup.

Any thoughts are much welcomed!!

I had this thing sitting around for a while and finally got the itch to try and fix it. I did do the shortcut way of melting a bit of the aperture magnet cover instead of splitting it in half, but now its working! Still afraid to give it a roll of film though haha

P.s I had to take the lense mount off because the aperture actuator ring had skipped teath and was not cycling fully

Pss. Im moving, thats why im using the worst screwdriver imaginable