Cogitech, Congratulations - you just outbid me on the last second, with recent 58 1.2 ebay auction . Concerning older and newer version of that lense - Recently i have picked up Minolta XD-7 with Rokkor 58 1.2 and there is yellow cast (UV rays can help to cure that problem) from the lense and here it is small comparison between two versions http://www.rokkorclub.com/board/bbs/board.php?bo_table=siyou&wr_id=39971&page=9
With digital camera it is not a big deal, since you could adjust white balance, but anyway i am looking for a newer version
I'm with Anden, it's too cryptic for me :/
I mean, i don't see any anywhere, how is the age important, of course i saw (here) two people bid over one i didn't see.....
Hmm.. I know where I could get either copy.. I wonder how this would work with a 1DmkIII?
All of the examples I've seen so far have immensely impressed me.
On my mkIII it'll be a 75mm though, kind of odd FL hehe.
Oh and perhaps I'm dense too but I didn't quite get the read between the lines thing. I clearly saw a difference in the website posted. But there are so many versions!
So far I've found:
MC-Rokkor PG (old version w/ silver mount)
MC-Rokkor X (newer version as in your write up)
MC-Rokkor PG (newer lens style)
So which is the best to get? The newest one? being the X?
This lens will NOT clear the mirror at infinity on 1DMKIII ( unless you shave it of course )
X version is the best. There are still 2 version of X. One comes with newer (light magenta color ) coating. The older coating is a little yellowish which it was designed for black and white photography.
According to my experience and research, the "X" version is neither the newest nor the best. The "X" is simply a "later" version that was marketed in America only. Identical lenses of this vintage were marketed in Europe with no "X" in the name.
Based on the many samples I have tested, there is no reason to buy a "later" version or an "X" version.
In Paul's classification tables, #2 and #3 is essentially same, so are #4 and #5.
It is because Rokkor-X version is export model since 1973 (late rubber focus grip),
which has Yellow one (for North America and Asia) and White one (for Europe),
though different colour naming is not clearly known why.
. Concerning older and newer version of that lense - Recently i have picked up Minolta XD-7 with Rokkor 58 1.2 and there is yellow cast (UV rays can help to cure that problem) from the lense and here it is small comparison between two versions 
