This lens is an SR mount lens designed for the Minolta manual focus SLR’s. The MD version was first introduced in 1977 and was preceded by an MC version in 1973. They all take 55mm screw in filter fittings with a 9 element 7 group design and an 84 degree angle of view. A later and last iteration of the lens was an 8 element 8 group 49mm filter thread design, introduced in 1981 and included more plastic parts.
The one I have, pictured above, is an MD model from around 1978 or so with improved lens coatings compared to the earlier versions. This lens incorporates a floating element design, and I am told this is the reason why it has excellent sharpness and detail. I’ve also found it to have no noticeable distortion
I use my Minolta 24mm f/2.8 lens on 3 cameras: A Minolta XD-7, and XD-s (same camera just has a dioptre) and the later Minolta X-700.
I’m saying straight off I like this lens. And why? Well for a few reasons I think. Firstly, as the ‘W’ in the name stands for wide. As such, the variation in depth of field that is possible with this lens enables a variety of shots. At small apertures, it’s possible to achieve images with objects in the immediate foreground and far distance in sharp focus. Wide open you can focus on something close up (min focus <0.3m) and throw the background out of focus with a really nice quality to it.
The second, and possibly main reason I’ve taken to this lens so much is just because I find it works so well for my kind of shooting. I shoot urban, architecture and countryside. I find the 24mm focal length just suits what I want to achieve, not only in terms of depth of field, but also because it allows me to shoot subjects in context. For example a flower, or a person, can be seen in the habitat within which they are set, yet the wider angle allows space for composition instead of it taking up the whole of the frame with the subject.
Over the last 12 months this has become my most used lens. If I’m taking a Minolta SLR out with me (which is quite often) then it’s always the 24mm lens that goes in my bag first. I’ve not done much shooting on digital with this lens but there’s plenty of adapters out there and I’m sure it would work very well. It’s quite compact too, so even with an adapter I don’t think it would get particularly bulky.
So far I’ve enlarged 35mm negatives from the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 up to around 8×12’’ and they look great, really detailed, and could easily go up another size or two with the right film.
In conclusion
I’d just say I would never be without one of these lenses. If you’re shooting manual Minolta SLR’s then if you don’t already have one, then you should certainly consider this lens!
Anyway here’s the 5 frames, two black and white, 2 colour negative and one colour slide, hope you enjoy them.
Twitter: @Stig_Ofthedump
Flickr: stig.ofthedump
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Nick Lyle on 5 Frames with the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 MD W.Rokkor – By Steven Starr
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Terry B on 5 Frames with the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 MD W.Rokkor – By Steven Starr
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Jack Johnson on 5 Frames with the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 MD W.Rokkor – By Steven Starr
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Daniel Castelli on 5 Frames with the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 MD W.Rokkor – By Steven Starr
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
I remember reading about the Leitz/Minolta collaboration not only in terms of the CL (I have a Leitz/Minolta, such a nice little camera w/the 40mm Minolta lens) but how Leitz adapted the Minolta designs for specific w/a lenses. It was a two-way street.
Your photos show that you know how to get the most from the lens; nicely done. I like the seaside shot, very graphic.
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Nicky on 5 Frames with the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 MD W.Rokkor – By Steven Starr
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Bent_Brent on 5 Frames with the Minolta 24mm f/2.8 MD W.Rokkor – By Steven Starr
Comment posted: 30/10/2018
Comment posted: 30/10/2018