Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 85mm f/1.7 Portrait Lens Review
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- In this episode, I review a legendary 1970s portrait lens: the Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 85mm f/1.7. The lens is famous for its bokeh and softness, particularly when shot wide open. It was first introduced in 1970, comes with 6 aperture blades and consists of 6 elements in 5 groups. As it is a Minolta SR mount (sometimes also called MC/MD mount) lens, it can be easily adapted to digital mirrorless cameras as well.
Take a look at the full review for sample images and details.
Equipment used:
Minolta XD-7
Minolta Rokkor-PF 85mm f/1.7
Films used:
Ilford FP4+
Fuji Natura 1600
Agfa APX 400
Ilford Delta 100
Dev & Scan:
www.meinfilmlab.de
Models:
/ isiknowsbest (Isabel)
/ liindaa.13 (Linda)
/ alexadevii (Alexa)
If you'd like to get in touch or see some early behind the scenes footage, find me on Instagram: / analog_insights
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I'm not really into ASMR, but the shutter sound on the Minolta XD is just so soothing. Almost as soothing as these voiceovers!
The monochrome shots are lovely, but the color photos of the red-haired girl are exquisite and should hang in a gallery or museum. Excellent work by both model and photographer.
Steve G Wow, thanks so much for your kind feedback. I really appreciate it, Steve.
That lens renders beautifully! Thanks for another great review.
Good work! The lens captures the drama of atmosphere. The portraits were compelling and we got a sense of stillness and we wanted to look for a long time.
its a pleasure to see, that somebody still uses film.... carry on!!!
Outstanding review and images... Be well and stay encouraged!!!
Thanks again for a very informative video. Great presentation with some lovely portraits.
Max,
Thank you for producing exceptional videos and for providing film photos for accurate assessment for analog photography. As a result of this video, I just bought a Minolta MD Rokkor-X 85mm f1.7 lens and can’t wait for taking street portraits in Seattle, Washington USA and travel abroad once the pandemic improves for travel.
How are your thoughts about it? 😏 I've prepared to sell mine coś I don't use it but I know I'm gonna really miss it 🙄
Great lens review, man. Some of those black and white images were absolutely beautiful. Thanks for doing this and for sharing which film stocks you used.
I'm looking forward to seeing the images from my recently acquired XD 11 with the 50mm F1:1.7 lens I got with it! Ilford HP5 400 monochrome film.
I love your images, simply magical!
Minolta 135mm vintage lens next! love your review!
Lovely, simple portraits. Great work. Thanks for this.
davidf2281 Thanks so much. Really appreciate your comment.
It is very interesting how the lens performs. I learned quite a bit about what to look for in an image as well. The best, however, are the images themselves-beautiful work. Thanks.
blaxton2 Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate your feedback. Glad to hear that the video was interesting to you. :)
Now, this is a good lens review! Great work keep it up. I really like that you mentioned which film you used as I still can't tell which film was used by just looking at a video. Fantastic models and a good lab.
Thanks so much for your kind feedback. Really appreciate it! :)
Stunning video bro. I really enjoyed it.
Great review! Keep it up :)
Great Pictures, superb Photograph :) ...& also a good video.
OneBlind Men Thanks so much for your kind words.
These portraits look simple and beautiful! I'm not a tech geek so I enjoy vintage lenses quite a lot, especially the Meyer Optik 50mm 1.8 Oreston which isn't that sharp but the close focus distance of 0,35m makes it really versatile.
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I'll definitely take a look at this Meyer Optik lens. Sounds very interesting. :)
Thanks! Good work keep it up !
I qas a bit tired and Max voice had the effect of amsr on me. Not everyone have this hability. And great video as always.
I recently did quite a bit of testing of this lens and my copy is shockingly sharp. I had quite a hard time to get it to misbehave in any way, even without a lens shade. I was surprised as I expected a bit of softness, and only saw that wide open. I think for the price it would be very hard to beat.
I'm a Minolta film shooter, I mainly shoot portraits. This lens has been in my wish list for quite some time. I'm glad you did this review and focused it on portraits. A clear reminder that this lens is a must for portraits. Thanks a lot for the review, love your work by the way. Cheers from NYC.
Marcos Santana I shoot Minolta on my XD11. What lenses have you been using for your portraits so far? I own the MD Rokkor-X 85mm f1.7 and the Rokkor-X 100mm f2.5. Both are truly stunning. I even own the later version Rokkor-X 85 f2 as well but haven’t taken photos with it yet. Amazing photographs so far.
@@Gabez82 My go to for portraits right now is the MC 58mm Rokkor-PF 1.4. it's sweet spot aperture seems to be F2.8. So for outdoors, i shoot it at that aperture and for control lightning in studio i step it down to 5.6. I do headshots with an Albinar 135mm 2.8. If you want to see some images check out my IG: @msantanaphoto for fashion shots and @msantanaweddings for weddings and maternity. Both accounts have images shot with these lenses.
@@marcossantana1164 Interesting, an Albinar. Have you considered the MD Rokkor 135mm f2.8? Great to hear other people love Minoltas too.
@@Gabez82 oh yes absolutely, but the 85mm is my priority right now,, the albinar is pretty sharp wide open, stepped down to 5.6 is tack sharp, so it's doing it's job in the mean time. I love my minolta mf cameras, x570 and x700 for studio work, SRTs for street, x9 and xg1 for day to day family pix
@@marcossantana1164 That's great, so many Minoltas to choose from, sounds like your collection is expansive too. I own a SRT101&202, XD11, 7sII RF, X-700, even a Maxxum 7000. They are like children, I love them all equally, but each is one is unique for certain uses.
Which 85mm you think you're gonna focus on acquiring? MC, M.D. or New-MD?
hey thankyou so much for the review, i've been confusing to decided which one manual lens to buy. i found not much about this lens but one good friend suggest me and then i found your video. i think this rokkor just stole my heart now hahaha and anyway your pictures are lovely! do more vintage lens review please. XOXO warm regards from Indonesia!
Ekklesia Sheny Thank you for your kind words and feedback. Glad to see that the review helped to make up your mind. :)
Hello.
Great review . I love the 85mm focal length for portrait . It's really versatile . minolta lenses are really awesome and i love them .my minolta portrait lens that i use it on my xd7 and srt100x is the minolta 85mm f2.8 varisoft . A special Minolta lens designed for portrait photographers.
Regards .
Mohammad
Thanks for your comment and pointing this lens out as well. Sounds interesting.
Amazing lens and pictures! Do hou have any tips for shooting b&w vs color? Shoot at box speed or not, meter for the highlights? Much appreciated!
Very good review man! I’m think of getting this for my x-700, i was wondering how tight you get can get on portraits. I have never shot at 85mm focal length, so i am having a hard time figuring what the field of view would be at minimum focus distance. Ideally i would like a lens where my subject’s face can fill the frame. Thanks!
What a voice :D Thanks for sharing your thoughts, learning a lot from your videos.
Recently got a XD7 maybe ill get this 85mm, although some people prefer the f 2.0 version (seems to be sharper)
Vielen lieben Dank :)
daniellerecoba Thanks so much for your kind feedback. I really appreciate it.
And yes, wide open the f/2 version is probably sharper. Once stopped down there shouldn’t be much difference between the two. :)
but is sharper more valuable for portraits? I always focus on the over look of the photo rather than pinpoint focus and detail
@@Mark_James_Hill That's correct, sharper not always means better ;) I saw a day ago that someone adapted 50/2, 85/1.7, 200/3.5 and even 58/1.4 (which is the worse from listed in terms of sharpness and color aberrations) to a Fujfilm GFX medium format and got insane results (44x33mm so images had been cropped).
Wunderschöne Bilder! :)
Manuel Domann Dankeschön. 🙏🏻
Hi I have md 100mm f2.5 but I love 85mm Rokkor . I think very better than 100mm f2.5 for b&w .what do think?
I still have my Minolta XD-11 with the 50mm f1.4 Rokkor X
Hi. Which do you prefer, this lens or the Minolta 58 f 1.2?
9:00 amazing shot!
You are a brilliant photographer! Love the examples of this lens but it's too pricey for me. Thank you
Nice review, how much one should pay for a minty one?
Thanks -- impressive. How about some side by sides? I happen to own an old Canon fd 85 f/1.8 and have had the experience of being breath taken at its sharpness and contrast as images come up in the tray. Really now, is there any difference between it and the Minolta, Pentax, Nikkor and Konica (greatly underrated, along with Olympus probably) corresponding lenses? Is there any such real difference?
You mentioned on one of the Pentax videos that Pentax tried only once to take the pro market - with the Pentax LX 1980. Minolta tried earlier - with the Minolta XM. This system is very ambitious as well. Would it be interesting for you to introduce the audience into the XM-system? I would love to watch ...
this is now my dream lens addition to my Minolta system 😂
I have this exact lens... I bought it from at a moving sale for $5.00. I have about 20+ Minolta Rokkor lenses. Great glass!
Thief
I would like to hear your thoughts about Minolta Rokkor 135mm, it is remarkably sharp with outstanding colours and bokeh, add to that the atmosphere it renders. thank you
Max,back in the 70's, the 105mm lens for the 35mm format was thought to be an invaluable tool for portraits, perhaps you could look into the matter and give us your thoughts.
105 was made famous for the national geographic pic of the Afghan girl with blue eyes. Nice but I prefer 85. Or 90 on a m.
Great video, as always. Thank you. Is it possible to show the work also 50 / 1.4?
Thanks for your comment? You would like me to review the standard Minolta 50mm lens? Interesting idea actually. I'll think about it. :)
Analog Insights Thank you
The colour portraits look beautiful, how much of that is the lens and how much the emulsion I'm not sure as I have never used that particular film stock.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, there are so many factors contributing to the final look of a color photo that it is kind of hard to pinpoint. Light, lens, film, scanner, selected filters, etc. all affect the final result.
I really miss the highlight gradation from film that is sacrificed in digital metering.
Great video. Big fanboy. What do you think of the Minolta M Rokkor 90 F:4 for the CL?
Nice, simple review. Minolta Rokkor lenses, like Konica Hexanons, don't get the attention they certainly deserve. I especially like those Fuji Natura shots - I thought that, being ISO 1600, it would show much more grain, but it rendered beautifully.
My favourite portrait lenses in similar focal length are Asahi Super Multi Coated Takumar 85mm F/1.8 (unfortunately rather rare & expensive today, also radioactive, like a lot of SMC Takumars) and Carl Zeiss/Rollei HFT Sonnar 85mm F/2.8 (underrated, very compact gem, and not as expensive as its equivalent for Contax).
Bartek Lipski Thanks for your kind feedback. The Fuji Natura 1600 surprised me as well. I was advised to shoot it at ISO 800 which I did in this case and really liked the results I got out of it.
Thanks also for your lens recommendations. I think Greg owns the mentioned Asahi and that I’ve tried it before. But I will take another look. The Carl Zeiss sounds quite promising, too. :)
Bartek Lipski hi Bartes. I am trying to deside between this Minolte 1.7 and the Takumat 85 1.8. Cant make up my mind... Trying to choose the one that makes the most beautifull vintage/retro style portraits. Have you tried both - and what would you recommend? I have a Takumar 50 mm 1.4 on its way, but also need a 85 mm. Thanks in advance :-)
I have not tried Minolta yet, but as you can see in this video, it's definitely a capable lens. SMC Takumar 85 has 8 aperture blades, so its bokeh might be a little less "busy". It's slightly radioactive, but there's no noticable health risk involved in normal use. Takumar is easier to adapt to other cameras, including modern digital like Canon EOS or Pentax DSLRs with a simple adapter, while Minolta is adaptable only to modern mirrorless cameras. Speaking of use in other cameras - SMC Takumars have some additional bits for open-aperture metering with Spotmatic F/ES line of cameras, which is handy, but might cause problems when mounted on few other M42 screwmount cameras, like Zenit, Mamiya TL/DTL or Fujica ST. As for performance, it is truly wonderful lens.
Bartek Lipski great info. Thanks Bartek
One of my favorite lenses is my Speed Graphics 1927 Zeiss Tessar, its absolutely amazing such a good lens. I struck a gold mine when I found it because you dont often find lenses that are that old. I wouldnt trade it for anything it outshoots lenses that are quite literally 50+ years newer.
Super, Rokkor 85mm.
Wonder how it compares to the Viltrox 85 f1.8
I would say that I don't even think for switching that piece of glass to any modern lens. This rokkor has something I've been searching for a couple of years playing with vintage lenses...
Hello is there a difference between the 85mm mc 1.7 & the 85mm mc 1.7 pf?
Nothing different, they are the same.
The letters after the name "Rokkor" designate the optical formula (frist letter is the number of groups, second letter is the number of elements), so in this case a "Rokkor-PF" has 6 elements in 5 groups. For exemple the 50mm f/1.4 Rokkor-PG has 7 elements in 5 groups. You can also have "Rokkor-X" printed in yellow for the lenses sold on US market. More infos on Rokkor lenses => www.rokkorfiles.com/Lens%20History.html
All 85mm f/1.7 MC share the same 6/5 formula regardless their designation, but the latest version (with rubber waffle focusing ring) have probably a better coating. Actually only the rare 85mm f/1.7 MD does have a slightly different formula, they have been produced only one year before been superceded by the 85mm f/2 MD.
François THAÏLANDE thank you for taking the time.
Amazing photos!!! Do you know the Takumar 85 mm 1.8? If so, how do you think it compares to this Minolta? Try to find the “best” vintage style portrait lense -)
Gos wo Thanks so much for your kind comment and your interest. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried the Takumar and therefore can’t compare the two lenses. Sorry!
Analog Insights thanks for answering :-)
Gos wo The best? That’s certainly a rabbit hold I’d never take. Nikon, Canon, Minolta, or Olympus? I mean so many choices. I’d say chose a system, then read reviews on that particular lens and its characteristics. Then buy.
I believe that lens is to Mk 2 from 1970 which is 460g. It’s the Rokkor-X version which is the Mk 3 from 1973 which weighs 455g with the later coating technology you’re thinking of.
Have done more research and I was wrong. It is the MC Mk 3. 😂
Good job. Where's Jules?
Caffeine High He’ll be in at least one of the next videos again. :)
I have never heard of it, it looks really interesting though.
OK, I just checked and it is quite expensive :/
This review certainly doesn't help the price :) I have a dirt cheap SR-T 101 coming my way, now with 58mm f/1.4 but I would like to try this one too. Good idea for Christmas gift.
Jan Tichavský Your MC Rokkor 58mm f1.4 will also give you beautiful results too! Don’t be so quick at wanting a new lens just yet. Unless you have disposable income then by all means. But I had great results with my 58mm f1.4. Great beautiful standard length portrait lens.
This lens is quite sharp. but my copy has a weird color. strong blue. MD iii 85mm f2 better.
I own this lens. It is a great lens but it seems like you sharpened the eyes on light room. The lens is not very sharp.
paristhecure2 Thanks for your comment. I certainly didn’t do that. As mentioned in the video, stopping down just a little bit already increases the sharpness significantly. Shot wide open, it is not a very sharp lens. :)
Um
Q. Does anyone actually ever "Shoot" with the lens full open?
With ASA 400 speed film and the ability to "push" during processing to asa 800 or even 1600, who would ever need to?
In my own career, shooting several thousand frames a year, I can't recall even averaging one or two PER YEAR!
Plus, no matter who made your "fast" lens, they never performed at their best when full open!
Just a thought.........
this is on film!? the images look ridiculous!!
Yes, of course. Thanks. :)