Minolta Lenses from 1972 to 1977 -- the time period of the MC Rokkor-X lenses
The Rokkor-X line of lenses was a new and improved series of lenses made
to accompany the appearance of the revolutionary
Minolta XK camera
of 1972. In fact, the "X" in "Rokkor-X" comes from the new X-series
of cameras that the XK initiated. Unfortunately, Minolta confused a lot of
people because the new MC Rokkor-X lenses were only labeled "MC Rokkor-X"
in the US market. Everywhere else in the world these new lenses were labeled
simply "MC Rokkor", just like Minolta's earlier MC Rokkor
lenses -- even though there were several, substantial changes to the
new lenses. This had led to LOTS of confusion in non-US markets. (We
really feel sorry for you poor bastards in non-US markets, but don't blame
us.)
Not only were new focal lengths added to the MC Rokkor-X line of lenses but
the lenses now had new multi-coated optics. In fact, not every lens
surface of every lens element was multi-coated, but the new lenses had better
exterior cosmetics. Specifically, the aperture ring was changed from chrome
-- with black numbers -- to black -- with white numbers. Minolta engineers
felt that these white numbers show up better in the viewfinder readouts of
f-stops -- a new feature which first appeared with the
Minolta XK. To
allow for the appearance of the f-stop in the viewfinder, the aperture ring
on the lens had to be placed directly next to the lens mount -- not the case
on some previous Rokkor lenses.
In addition, the focal length of the lens was added to the barrel of the
lens in bright orange numbers -- a nice touch. Because several MC Rokkor-X
lenses had the same external appearance, such as the 35mm f1.8 and the 100mm
f2.5, this made finding the right lens a lot easier, without having to look
at the front plate of the lens. Also, the red lens-to-body alignment
dot was changed from a painted dot to a easier-to-find, raised, red hemisphere
-- which unfortunately has a nasty habit of falling off and slipping
down the drain! Last, but not least, the focusing ring on these lenses
was now covered with a more comfortable, reliable, non-slip, rubber waffling
-- instead of the more slippery metal grooves of the earlier lenses. The
slightest touch on the focusing ring assures a good grip.
The DOF button on the lens -- a common feature on the MC Rokkor series --
was gradually dropped during the MC Rokkor-X series. In some ways this
makes sense. After all, all of Minolta's cameras from 1966 onward (and
all that were on the horizon in 1972) had DOF buttons on the cameras. So
you'll see the DOF button on the early production lenses in this series,
but most MC Rokkor-X lenses do not have it. This means that with later
lenses in this series there is no was to visually check the depth-of-field
unless your camera has a built-in depth-of-field button. In this instance,
you have to use the built-in depth-of-field scale on the lens barrel -- if
the lens has one. You can check out
MINMAN's SLR
comparison table to see which SLR cameras have a DOF button.
At the same time that they dropped the DOF buttons, Minolta improved the
engraving on many of their lenses. On some of the new MC Rokkor lenses,
you will see -- if you look very closely -- that the distance markings, the
focal length markings, the zoom markings (where applicable), etc. are a little
wider. The letters and numbers are not taller, so they don't appear
to be bigger. They are just a little fatter, but they will appear to
be brighter since they are able to carry more paint. You can also notice
that the lens coatings have improved, but the old coating were quite adequate
to handle most situations..
As with the previous series, not all lenses in the
new MC Rokkor-X series were MC -- and some were not even automatic. But
they had new focal lengths and the new, improved cosmetics and lens coatings.
You can identify the MC Rokkor-X lenses by the front panel around the
lens (see above pictures). The abbreviation "MC" appears before the
word "ROKKOR-X", and the "ROKKOR-X" is marked in orange, at least in the
US market. (You poor bastards outside of the US market have to figure
it out for yourself.)
There are, in fact, two styles of lenses in this MC-ROKKOR-X series. These can be distinquished from each other by the lens construction code after the "ROKKOR-X", such as "PF", in the first style. In the second style, the lens construction code is dropped. In addition, the second style had some changes to the lens designs and some new lenses were added to the line. You can check out the details below.
These lenses were designed for cameras that have TTL meters. To use, the aperture and shutter speed dials are adjusted until the needles in the viewfinder match, and the exposure is taken. These lenses will work fine on earlier and later cameras.
In sum, the major changes on these lenses were (not all lenses had these):
| FOCAL LENGTH | f-STOP RANGE | LENS INSCRIPTION | VIEW | DESIGN | FILTER THREAD | DIAPHRAGM | MC | MD | CLOSE FOCUS | SIZE | WEIGHT |
| 7.5mm | 4-16 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC FISHEYE ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=7.5mm | 180 | 12/8 | built-in | auto | yes | no | 1.5' | 2.7"x2.5" | 12.7 oz. |
| 12.5mm | 1.9-8.0 | LEITZ PHOTAR | -- | 4/4 | special | manual | no | no | -- | 0.9"x0.5" | 1.2oz. |
| 16mm | 2.8-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC FISHEYE ROKKOR-X OK 1:2.8 f=16mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC FISHEYE ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=16mm |
180 | 11/8 | built-in | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.5"x2.9" | 15.7oz. |
| 17mm | 4-16 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=17mm | 104 | 11/9 | 72 | auto | yes | no | 10" | 3.0"x2.1" | 11.6oz. |
| 21mm | 2.8-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X NL 1:2.8 f=21mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=21mm |
92 | 12/9 | 72 | auto | yes | no | 10" | 2.6"x2.9" | 15.6oz. |
| 24mm | 2.8-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X SI 1:2.8 f=24mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=24mm |
84 | 9/7 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.0"x2.5" | 14.5oz. |
| 24mm | 2.8-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X SI 1:2.8 f=24mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=24mm |
84 | 9/7 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.6"x2.0" | 12oz. |
| 25mm | 2.5-16 | LEITZ PHOTAR | -- | 6/4 | special | manual | no | no | -- | 0.9"x0.6" | 1.9oz. |
| 28mm | 3.5-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X SG 1:3.5 f=28mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=28mm |
75 | 7/7 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 2' | 2.5"x1.8" | 8.6oz. |
| 28mm | 3.5-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X PE 1:3.5 f=28mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=28mm |
75 | 5/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.5"x1.6" | 8.6oz. |
| 28mm | 2.8-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X SG 1:2.8 f=28mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=28mm |
75 | 7/7 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.5"x1.8" | 9.3oz. |
| 28mm | 2.5-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X SI 1:2.5 f=28mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.5 f=28mm |
75 | 9/7 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.75' | 2.5"x2.4" | 12.8oz. |
| 28mm | 2-16 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:2 f=28mm | 75 | 10/9 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.4"x2.6" | 12oz. |
| 35mm | 2.8-16 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X HG 1:2.8 f=35mm | 63 | 7/6 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.25' | 2.5"x1.8" | 7.6oz. |
| 35mm | 2.8-16 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=35mm | 63 | 5/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.5"x1.6" | 8oz. |
| 35mm | 2.8-16 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN SHIFT CA ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=35mm | 63 | 9/7 | 55 | auto | no | no | 1' | 3.3"x2.8" | 1lbs. 4oz. |
| 35mm | 1.8-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X HH 1:1.8 f=35mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC W. ROKKOR-X 1:1.8 f=35mm |
63 | 8/6 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1' | 2.6"x2.6" | 14.6oz. |
| 40-80mm | 2.8-22 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=40-80mm | 59-31 | 12/12 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.2' | 3.8"x3.9" | 1lbs. 4.5oz. |
| 50mm | 3.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QF 1:3.5 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=50mm |
47 | 6/4 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 9" | 2.5"x2.2" | 7.3oz. |
| 50mm | 2-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X PF 1:2 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:2 f=50mm |
47 | 6/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.75' | 2.5"x1.6" | 8.5oz. |
| 50mm | 1.7-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X PF 1:1.7 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:1.7 f=50mm |
47 | 6/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.5' | 2.5"x1.4" | 5.6oz. |
| 50mm | 1.4-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X PG 1:1.4 f=50mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:1.4 f=50mm |
47 | 7/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.5' | 2.6"x1.8" | 10.8oz. |
| 58mm | 1.2-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X PG 1:1.2 f=58mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:1.2 f=58mm |
41 | 7/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.5' | 2.8"x2.1" | 1lb. |
| 80-200mm | 4.5-32 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=80-200mm | 30-12.5 | 14/10 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 6' | 3"x6.3" | 1lbs. 8.8oz. |
| 85mm | 1.7-16 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PF 1:1.7 f=85mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:1.7 f=85mm |
29 | 6/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 3.3' | 2.5"x2.8" | 1lbs. 0.3oz. |
| 100mm | 4-32 | MINOLTA AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=100mm | 24 | 3/3 | 55 | auto | no | no | -- | 2.5"x1.4" | 5.9oz. |
| 100mm | 3.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X QE 1:3.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=100mm |
24 | 5/4 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 1.5' | 3"x3.5" | 1lbs. 5.1oz. |
| 100mm | 2.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PF 1:2.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:2.5 f=100mm |
24 | 6/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 4' | 2.5"x2.6" | 14.4oz. |
| 100mm | 2.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PE 1:2.5 f=100mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:2.5 f=100mm |
24 | 5/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 3.3' | 2.5"x2.5" | 12.9oz. |
| 100-200mm | 5.6-22 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=100-200mm | 24-12.5 | 8/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 8.2' | 2.5"x6.8" | 1lbs. 4.1oz. |
| 100-500mm | 8-32 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC ZOOM ROKKOR-X 1:8 f=100-500mm | 24-5 | 16/10 | 72 | auto | yes | no | 8.2' | 3.6"x12.3" | 4lbs. 6oz. |
| 135mm | 3.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X QD 1:3.5 f=135mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=135mm |
18 | 4/4 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 4.9' | 2.5"x3.4" | 1lbs. 1oz. |
| 135mm | 2.8-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PF 1:2.8 f=135mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=135mm |
18 | 6/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 4.9' | 2.6"x3.8" | 1lbs. 2oz. |
| 135mm | 2.8-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X QD 1:2.8 f=135mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:2.8 f=135mm |
18 | 4/4 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 4.9' | 2.6"x3.8" | 1lbs. 2.3oz. |
| 200mm | 4.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PE 1:4.5 f=200mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=200mm |
12.5 | 5/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 8.2' | 2.5"x5.1" | 1lbs. 2oz. |
| 200mm | 4-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PE 1:4 f=200mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4 f=200mm |
12.5 | 5/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 8' | 2.5"x5.1" | 1lbs. 2oz. |
| 200mm | 3.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X QF 1:3.5 f=200mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:3.5 f=200mm |
12.5 | 6/4 | 62 | auto | yes | no | 8' | 3.0"x5.4" | 1lbs. 11.4oz. |
| 300mm | 5.6-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X PE 1:5.6 f=300mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=300mm |
8 | 5/5 | 55 | auto | yes | no | 14.8' | 2.5"x7.3" | 1lbs. 8.5oz. |
| 300mm | 4.5-22 | EARLY STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X HF 1:4.5 f=300mm LATE STYLE: MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC TELE ROKKOR-X 1:4.5 f=300mm |
8 | 6/6 | 72 | auto | yes | no | 15' | 3.1"x7.8" | 2lbs. 8.6oz. |
| 400mm | 5.6-32 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN MC APO TELE ROKKOR-X 1:5.6 f=400mm | 6 | 7/6 | 72 | auto | yes | no | 16.4' | 3.3"x10" | 3lbs. 2.8oz. |
| 560mm | 5.6-? | LEITZ TELYT | 5 | 2/1 | ? | preset | no | no | ? | ? | ? |
| 800mm | 8 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN RF ROKKOR-X 1:8 f=800mm | 3 | 8/7 | special | fixed | no | no | 26' | 4.9"x5.8" | 4lb. 5oz. |
| 800mm | 6.3-? | LEITZ TELYT | 3 | 3/1 | 132 | preset | no | no | 41' | 6"x31" | 15lb. |
| 1600mm | 11 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN RF ROKKOR-X 1:11 f=1600mm | 1.5 | 7/6 | special | fixed | no | no | 70' | ? | ? |
| 1600mm | 11 | MINOLTA LENS MADE IN JAPAN RF ROKKOR-X 1:11 f=1600mm | 1.5 | 6/5 | special | fixed | no | no | 66' | 7"x12.7" | 15lbs. 1.6oz. |
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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.