The Minolta MC 58mm F1.4, or better Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm F1.4 is a fast fifty prime lens for Minolta SR, SLR cameras. Made by Minolta Corporation from 1966 until the mid-1980s.
Lens has a standard focal length of 58mm. Which makes it a versatile lens for a wide range of photography types including portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
From recent information found online (October 2023), it seems (NOT CONFIRMED) this lens has radioactive lenses fitted. Which is also quite common in the reference production period. Inside lens there are “optical glasses” produced with rare and radioactive materials like lanthanum and thorium. I tried to understand if my specimen also has these “radioactive” lenses, but I have no evidence on the matter. I should equip myself with a Geiger detector, to be able to verify this for sure.
On the other hand, the glasses that contain these elements they tend, with time and light, to take on a yellowish colour NOT relevant in black and white photography, while in color photography it warms up the images slightly. This inconvenience can be avoided by taking care to always keep it covered the lens to protect the lenses from light.
Luckily my specimen isn’t affected by these defects. Lens is clear and transparent, no evidence of yellow coloration or degradation of the glass. It is also enclosed in a black neoprene bag with a top closure, and with original Minolta caps on the front and back of the lens. Therefore not exposed to light in any way.
My lens copy is version MC II. There is no imprint indicating MC II version. Minolta never labeled these lenses as MC I or MC II. There are two primary ways of telling the two versions apart.
The first is the SERIAL NUMBER. According to various online sources, the MC II version of this lens starts at 5064519. Thus, a lens with a lower serial number will be an MC I version, while anything greater will be the MC II.
Second and quicker method of identifying the MC II version is to glance at the focusing ring. The superior MC II has what is known as a “hills and valleys” design. Where the metal grip undulates with high and low areas. The MC I features a circular grip with knurled areas and a band that has a constant height throughout its circumference.
Maximum aperture of F1.4 it’s a FAST lens. Consent shooting in low light conditions providing some shallow depth-of-field effects.
Specs: Focal 58mm | Aperture F1.4 to F16 | Blades 6 | Min. Focus 0,60mt | Filter 55mm | Weight 290gr | Length 41mm
Personal Evaluation: Mechanical Quality 4,5 | Optical Quality 4,5 | Usability 4,5 | Price 4,25 | Bokeh 4,0
*** The evaluations refer to the specimen in my hands, and also to the use of the relative adapter ***
Photos taken with lens. Manual focus. MD/NEX adapter mounted on camera
I purchased this Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm F1.4 in mid-May 2023 from a stall at the flea market located in Treviglio (Bg). As often happens, I couldn’t resist the temptation. The lens is clean optically and mechanics are in good order. It was one of those lenses I had been following for some time, and for which I had read various reviews online. Lens’s characteristics are in line with my main interests. Fast aperture openings, i.e.. lenses wider than f/2.8.. It’s now the lens with the fastest aperture in my collection. I want to reiterate that ALL my lenses are regularly used for photography and NOT kept in a drawer. I’m not a collector but a USER of these vintage lenses. I’ll test and photographic experiments with this lens as well to verify its qualities. I hope that the lens lives up to its good reputation and the favourable reviews found on the internet.
*** UPDATE AUGUST 2023 *** This lens is confirming all the positive aspects I had read before and after purchasing it. I love the subject separation from the background it can achieve with wide apertures. I even tried some landscapes, which are not exactly my photographic genre, and I must say the results are positive. Will continue with further tests in the coming weeks, and as always, I will add the corresponding photos to this page.
Hedera helix, L. – Berries and leaves.
European ivy, is a species of flowering plant of the ivy genus in the family Araliaceae.
Sony Alpha 6400 – Minolta 58mm – F8- 1/80 – ISO 100 – Hood NOT applied to lens – AWB auto.
Sunny – Date: January 12, 2024
Location: Trezzo sull’Adda (Mi) – Italy
Euonymus europaeus, L. – Reddish leaves in late Autumn.
Common spindle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to much of Europe.
Sony Alpha 6400 – Minolta 58mm – F8- 1/80 – ISO 400 – Hood NOT applied to lens – AWB auto.
Sunny – Date: December 10, 2023
Location: Trezzo sull’Adda (Mi) – Italy
Val Taleggio gorge, narrow road under rocks.
Spectacular 3 km gorge between San Giovanni Bianco (Bg) and Taleggio. Known as the Orrido della Val Taleggio.
Sony Alpha 6400 – Minolta 58mm – F5.6 – 1/125 – ISO 400 – Hood applied to lens – AWB auto.
Sunny – Date: September 24, 2023
Location: Val Taleggio (Bg) – Italy
Wild meadows and mountains scenario.
Piani di Bobbio in summer: Hiking trails, lush greenery, and breath taking mountain vistas
Sony Alpha 6400 – Minolta 58mm – F11 – 1/400 – ISO 100 – Hood applied to lens – AWB auto.
Sunny – Date: July 16, 2023
Location: Piani di Bobbio (Lc) – Italy
Melilotus albus, Medik
White melilot, is a nitrogen-fixing legume in the family Fabaceae.
Sony Alpha 6400 – Minolta 58mm – F2.8 – 1/125 – ISO 100 – AWB auto.
Sunny – Date: July 08, 2023
Location: Trezzo sull’Adda (Mi) – Italy
Dipsacus fullonum, L.
Wild teasel, is a species of flowering plant genre Caprifoliaceae.
Sony Alpha 6400 – Minolta 58mm – F4 – 1/640 – ISO 100 – Hood applied to lens – AWB auto.
Sunny – Date: July 08, 2023
Location: Trezzo sull’Adda (Mi) – Italy
