p.2 #2 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Nice photo and processing--as always.
I too missed my Mino 58/1.2 and found a cheap one of the forums and am happy to have it, even if I don't shoot it that often. I mainly is used on film nowadays--and makes a good video lens for my purposes and tastes.
@highdesertmesa@ Interesting to hear you say that--it's been my experience as well, but I just thought I was a bit lucky. Or unlucky with CY's.
I think it's a mix of how the lenses were made along with how they were used or not used, plus the market at the time I bought mine. Back a few years ago, it was easy to find a nearly unused Minolta lens in the original box. But all the good Zeiss C/Y lenses had been gobbled up by cine people thanks to this thread:
Add to that the fact that many Zeiss C/Y lenses were prone to developing haze and/or balsam separation. Even mint appearing C/Y lenses in the original box would often have haze, and the eBay sellers would play dumb and offer discounts but finally a return if pressed. The Minolta lenses seem to be better built for lifespans measured in decades instead of years, but that's just my anecdotal opinion. That said, a Zeiss C/Y lens with a proper CLA is probably good for the next 50 years as well. It's just that it's not easy to find reputable CLA services that are good with the C/Y lenses.
p.2 #3 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
These images are good examples of why I've spent so much time looking for a solid copy of this lens. The more I think about looking for another, the more I dread it. I spent probably close to a year looking for the Pentax SMC 50/1.2 (which suffered a fatal mishap) and several months looking for the 58/1.2. Went through multiple copies and returns for each. Very frustrating.
There is someone local that has the Voigtlander 50/1.0 for sale for $700, which would not be too much more than what the Minolta or Pentax would cost me. It sounds too good to be true, but at least I'd be able to test it in person.
The 50/1 probably isn't going to give me a true vintage look, but f/1.0 could be a lot of fun. FWIW, I still have the Minolta MC 50 1.4 PG that I was planning to replace with the 1.2. I do like the colors and most of the character from that lens, but the bokeh is sometimes hit or miss, but when it misses, it really misses and tends to ruin the image. If I added the 50/1, maybe it would make sense to just keep both.
p.2 #4 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
MMP wrote:
These images are good examples of why I've spent so much time looking for a solid copy of this lens. The more I think about looking for another, the more I dread it. I spent probably close to a year looking for the Pentax SMC 50/1.2 (which suffered a fatal mishap) and several months looking for the 58/1.2. Went through multiple copies and returns for each. Very frustrating.
There is someone local that has the Voigtlander 50/1.0 for sale for $700, which would not be too much more than what the Minolta or Pentax would cost me. It sounds too good to be true, but at least I'd be able to test it in person.
The 50/1 probably isn't going to give me a true vintage look, but f/1.0 could be a lot of fun. FWIW, I still have the Minolta MC 50 1.4 PG that I was planning to replace with the 1.2. I do like the colors and most of the character from that lens, but the bokeh is sometimes hit or miss, but when it misses, it really misses and tends to ruin the image. If I added the 50/1, maybe it would make sense to just keep both....Show more →
Could the $700 Voigtlander be the older f/1.1?
You might try the Minolta 50 f/1.2 – it's right up there next to the 58 f/1.2 for character but might be easier to find.
p.2 #5 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
highdesertmesa wrote:
Could the $700 Voigtlander be the older f/1.1?
You might try the Minolta 50 f/1.2 – it's right up there next to the 58 f/1.2 for character but might be easier to find.
According to the images, it is indeed the f/1. Not sure why he's selling so cheap, but I guess I'm going to find out.
That Minolta 50 1.2 seemed quite difficult to come across as well. The 58 is so popular that there are probably just more of them circulating for sale, but you're right, it's certainly another option. I'd have to research it a bit more because I don't remember the details regarding the real differences between the 2.
p.2 #7 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
MMP wrote:
The 50/1 probably isn't going to give me a true vintage look, but f/1.0 could be a lot of fun. FWIW, I still have the Minolta MC 50 1.4 PG that I was planning to replace with the 1.2. I do like the colors and most of the character from that lens, but the bokeh is sometimes hit or miss, but when it misses, it really misses and tends to ruin the image. If I added the 50/1, maybe it would make sense to just keep both.
I never connected with the 50/1.4 and never tried the 50/1.2, but there's another MC Rokkor that is worth considering...one of the cheapest available: the 55/1.7
There's something special about this humble lens, which I got for about $40 maybe 5 years ago; it's more expensive now but still cheap. Phillip Reeve (of phillipreeve.net) loved it for a while and claimed it gave you 95% of the 58/1.2's performance at a tiny fraction of the size and weight. I disagree with the performance claim, having owned both lenses, but the 55/1.7 is another one I miss. Here are a few examples:
p.2 #8 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
The 50/1.7 is also a winner. I use it frequently
The 55/1.7 is great—nice bokeh and softer draw.
58/1.2
58/1.2
50/1.7
50/1.7
50/1.7
50/1.7
50/1.7
50/1.7
50/1.7
50/1.7
Jun 23, 2026 at 04:51 PM
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p.2 #9 · Minolta Rokkor MC 58mm f/1.2 - Baseline sharpness wide open
My son had his eigth grade graduation last night. Here are a couple pictures of him with the Minolta 58 f/1.2. By the way, I used this lens on the Shoten adapter with electronic contacts for Canon and the focus aids including eye recognition work wonderfully. I found that very nice for portraits.
Canon EOS R5m2Minolta MC Rokkor lens58mmf/1.21/400s100 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5m2Minolta MC Rokkor lens58mmf/1.21/320s100 ISO0.0 EV
