lightseeker.org / Lichtsucher.com: Minolta MC W.Rokkor-SI 24mm f/2.8

I've been looking for a thoroughly worry-free package for my APS-C camera Sony a6000. Something about the 35mm and not too big is supposed to be such a lens. As bright as possible. Actually, this would be converted to full format 24mm and at least a aperture of 2.8. First of all, I had my Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21mm f / 4.0 in view. But this is unfortunately not as bright as desired.

With the Leica M-Mount and the small adapter, however, it is very compact and light. In one of my next reviews, I will deal extensively with the little Voigtländer.

I then got by chance offered this specimen of an old Minolta Rokkor in a camera-forum. The part is already quite worn and no longer crisp. But the lenses of this objective are without any blemish.

The first thing I noticed after unpacking the lens was the high weight. The lens is built like a tank, made entirely of metal and incredibly heavy. Together with the adapter, the combination is not really compact and light. On the other hand, optical performance is astonishing. But one after another.

Let us first come to the statistical data, as always.

Mount: Minolta SR

Lens construction: 9 elements in 7 groups

Closest focus distance: 30 cm

Number of diaphragm blades: 6

Weight: 395 gramm

Diameter and length: 65 x 50mm

Filter size: 55mm

Apertures: 2.8 to 16

The operation of the lens works without problems, the apertures rest perfect and well audible. The focus setting is smooth and precise. With this focal range, there are no problems with the focus of motifs. Even exposure times of less than 1/30 seconds can be easily photographed by hand.

The sharpness in the middle of the photo is very good from the beginning, also with the aperture open. However, the corners look quite muddy at f/2.8. It is only from aperture 5.6 that the entire image is sharp and contrast-rich from one corner to the other.

The lens is ideally suited for landscape photography. For higher apertures from f / 8 to f / 11, the results are simply amazing. Above all, the resolution in the center of the image suggests other 24mm lenses, like my Tokina RMC 24 / 2.8. Only my Olympus OM 24 / 2.8 is not to beat. The old OM Zuikos are really Leica lenses for the poor.

Purple color fringes appear clearly when the aperture is open at the edges of the picture and when the color contrasts are high. Stopped down to aperture 4.0 is sufficient to prevent color fringing. In Lightroom you can remove the fringing colors with one click. In the case of backlight, the Rokkor is very good-natured and there are only few disturbing flares. An additional lens hood may help the image quality even better.

Sony a6000 with Minolta W.Rokkor-SI 24mm f/2.8 at f/8.0, 1/60s, ISO 125

The distortions are very narrow. Here in the following uncorrected photo you can see a slight barrel distortion in the upper part of the picture. This is surprisingly good for such a wide-angled lens.

Sony a6000 with Minolta W.Rokkor-SI 24mm f/2.8 at f/4.0, 1/2000s, ISO 100

The bokeh is extremely soft and pleasant. This was not to be expected with only six blades. In this photo you can see the round lights with open aperture. Amazing for this lens construction.

Sony a6000 with Minolta W.Rokkor-SI 24mm f/2.8 at f/2.8, 1/60s, ISO 200

Summed up, one can say that this lens is worth its money. Even heavily used it is barely under 50 euros to get. The high prices are typical of older wide-angle lenses. For an MC Rokkor 24mm one must normally - depending on the condition - between 50 and 100 euros. On Ebay some copies go also for 200, - Euro and more to the clientele. Wide-angle lenses like this Rokkor can be perfectly adapted to all possible system cameras, such as Sony, Panasonic, Fuji and Olympus and have an excellent picture quality. Differences exist depending on age, wear and quality of lens coating.

From my site, there is a recommendation for this lens. Those who get it cheap should take it and adapt to its camera. If I have the opportunity in the near future, I will try to test the Rokkor on a Sony-full-frame camera and complete this review.

Here are some photos from the last weeks I shot with the Minolta MC Rokkor: