f-STOPS: 2.5-22
PERIOD: 1958-1966
INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - F 1:2.5 f=180mm
DESIGN: 6/?
FILTER: ?
DIAPHRAGM: preset
MC: no
MD: no
CLOSE FOCUS: 5'
SIZE: ?
WEIGHT: ?
MINOLTA 180mm LENS
Minolta had to make a wide variety of SLR lenses -- from the beginning -- in order to sell their cameras. SLR cameras were limited in their ability to use super wide-angle lenses, unlike rangefinder cameras, but this was balanced out by the ability of the SLR to use super-telephoto lenses, which rangefinder could not. Minolta intended to provide a wide variety of telephoto lenses for their new SLR cameras in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The 180mm focal length was very popular at the time, and Minolta designed an optic to meet this need -- the super-fast 180mm f2.5 Tele Rokkor. This was designed to be the fastest 180mm lens in the world! If this lens ever went into production, very few were made. It is listed in Minolta's advertising material and books of the period, but that's not a guarantee that they were actually made. It's likely that Minolta decided that their 250mm f4.0, 200mm f3.5, and 135mm f2.8 were adequate to cover the need for moderate telephoto lenses. Yet we know that at least a few were created as prototypes, so they are out there -- somewhere.
The competition
As mentioned, the 180mm focal length was popular in the "early days" -- from othe rmanufacturers -- and many of these 180mm lenses can be used on Minolta cameras with adapters, such as the 180mm f2.8 Exakta lenses. Other alternatives are the 180mm f3.5 Soligor, which is a preset lens with very mushy results. If you need a 180mm lens, go with the Tamron LD 180mm f2.5. It will set you back about $500. Better yet, get a Minolta 200mm lens.
| LENS FEATURES | IMAGE | COMMENTS |
| FOCAL LENGTH: 180mm f-STOPS: 2.5-22 PERIOD: 1958-1966 INSCRIPTION: MINOLTA TELE ROKKOR - F 1:2.5 f=180mm DESIGN: 6/? FILTER: ? DIAPHRAGM: preset MC: no MD: no CLOSE FOCUS: 5' SIZE: ? WEIGHT: ? |
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If this lens ever went into production, very few were made. It is listed in Minolta's advertising material and books of the period, but that's not a guarantee that they were actually made. It's likely that Minolta decided that their 250mm f4.0, 200mm f3.5, and 135mm f2.8 were adequate to cover the range of moderate telephoto lenses. |
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The material on this website is protected by US Federal copyright laws. It cannot be copied or used in any manner without specific approval from the owner.