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Archive 2010 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Steve Spencer
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p.5 #1 · p.5 #1 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Hi Katie,

See this comparison at the Rokkor files:

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/85mm%20Page%201.htm

They do perform in a slightly different way and depending on your shooting style you might prefer one over the other.

Jul 19, 2011 at 03:21 PM

KatieInTexas
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p.5 #2 · p.5 #2 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

So ... MD is sharper and has better contrast, but MC has better bokeh?

Jul 19, 2011 at 04:03 PM

sebboh
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p.5 #3 · p.5 #3 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

KatieInTexas wrote:
Question:

Is there any reason to get the MC version over the MD version of the 85 1.7? Both are the 55mm version and have the dampled focus. Isn't the MD version newer?

if you like metal focus rings, they're only available in early MC versions.

Jul 19, 2011 at 04:58 PM

KatieInTexas
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p.5 #4 · p.5 #4 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Don't care about the focus ring as long as it works. Which should I get

I plan to use it on not only my NEX5, but my Canon EOS 1v film body as well.

Jul 19, 2011 at 09:24 PM

sebboh
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p.5 #5 · p.5 #5 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

KatieInTexas wrote:
Don't care about the focus ring as long as it works. Which should I get

I plan to use it on not only my NEX5, but my Canon EOS 1v film body as well.

don't look at me, i've never got one because i can never find one for under $400 (and i'm so happy with my rokinon). the MD probably has better coatings and the older MCs probably have some yellowing (radioactive), but otherwise i suspect the differences aren't that big.

Jul 19, 2011 at 10:11 PM

debuggerus
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p.5 #6 · p.5 #6 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Katie,
Just get whatever one you can find cheaper. The MD Rokkor 85/1.7 is harder to find and usually fetches higher price.
Just like Sebboh suspected, in my experience, the difference is so small. I don't have a preference.

There also is the excellent MD 85/2 which is much smaller than the 85/1.7s and should match well with the NEX.

Jul 20, 2011 at 09:18 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.5 #7 · p.5 #7 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Like the Rokkor files review suggests if you want an all purpose lens I would get the 85 f/2 (it is smaller and cheaper and bit sharper than the MD 85 f/1.7), but if you want it primarily for portraits I would get the MC 85 f/1.7 for its look and bokeh. You really can't go wrong with any of them, however.

Jul 20, 2011 at 10:11 AM

KatieInTexas
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p.5 #8 · p.5 #8 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Thanks for the info Nixland!

I went ahead and got the MD version ... figured if I don't like it, I can sell it and go with the technically easier to find MC version. By the way, KEH has them (several) for under $400.

Jul 20, 2011 at 11:37 AM

sebboh
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p.5 #9 · p.5 #9 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

KatieInTexas wrote:
By the way, KEH has them (several) for under $400.

yeah, i've been watching keh for a while, most of those started out at $399 if i recall correctly. i'm not in any rush.

Jul 20, 2011 at 01:06 PM

LeadyGonzales
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p.5 #10 · p.5 #10 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

i have MC 85mm 1.7 and it is actually my most loved lens, strong pop effect and simply great atmosphere on the pictures.

here at f/1.7:

- L.


	http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5958462727_d00660494a_b.jpg

on 5D MarkII

Jul 20, 2011 at 04:12 PM

debuggerus
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p.5 #11 · p.5 #11 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

MD 85mm f2 by debuggerus, on Flickr

Aug 05, 2011 at 11:47 AM

LeadyGonzales
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p.5 #12 · p.5 #12 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread


	http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6032468833_25fe62ac65_b.jpg

Aug 11, 2011 at 01:34 PM

debuggerus
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p.5 #13 · p.5 #13 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

A nice and rare lens, nixland!

Aug 31, 2011 at 09:36 PM

sebboh
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p.5 #14 · p.5 #14 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

debuggerus wrote:
A nice and rare lens, nixland!

+1

very jealous, i've never even seen one for sale.

Aug 31, 2011 at 09:48 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.5 #15 · p.5 #15 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

sebboh wrote:
+1

very jealous, i've never even seen one for sale.

+2

I looked faithfully for one for a year and could not find one for sale.

Aug 31, 2011 at 09:58 PM

nixland
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p.5 #16 · p.5 #16 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Previously I was after the Rokkor 135/2 too, but abandoned it due to it's rareness and that I decided not to explore MF lenses more than FL 100-105mm, and just concentrate on 50-105mm. Besides, I already got Zeiss Jena 135/3.5 (cheap, small lens but has great performance specially for travelling light) and Zeiss 135/2.8 C/Y (sharp, good microcontrast though sometimes it's PF is annoying

) and 135L for sports and portrait.

But, I still can not get ride of my curiosity about this legendary Minolta lens.

Looking at the very good result of the Rokkor 100/2 which is an old lens, I assume that, as newer lens, MD 135/2 will be a very very good lens.

Aug 31, 2011 at 10:41 PM

nixland
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p.5 #17 · p.5 #17 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

@sebboh: By the way I like the gorgeous rendering and bokeh of your 135/2.8 in the first page. Just curios to know what is the character differences with Zeiss 135/2.8 C/Y ?

Sep 01, 2011 at 12:07 AM

sebboh
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p.5 #18 · p.5 #18 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

nixland wrote:
@sebboh: By the way I like the gorgeous rendering and bokeh of your 135/2.8 in the first page. Just curios to know what is the character differences with Zeiss 135/2.8 C/Y ?

couldn't say for sure, i've never shot with the zeiss. i would guess the zeiss has more microcontrast, global contrast, and CA just from my experience with rokkors and zeiss lenses in general. the 135/2.8 has a similar drawing style to the other MC and early MD lenses i've shot with (28/2, 50/1.4, and 58/1.2). i really should use the lens more, it's just not a comfortable angle of view for me.

Sep 01, 2011 at 12:22 AM

nixland
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p.5 #19 · p.5 #19 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

sebboh wrote:
couldn't say for sure, i've never shot with the zeiss. i would guess the zeiss has more microcontrast, global contrast, and CA just from my experience with rokkors and zeiss lenses in general. the 135/2.8 has a similar drawing style to the other MC and early MD lenses i've shot with (28/2, 50/1.4, and 58/1.2). i really should use the lens more, it's just not a comfortable angle of view for me.

Thanks for sharing the info.

I like the Rokkor character more and more since I had the MC 85/1.7 and the recent MC 100/2. Color, contrast and specially bokeh are amazing. Like finding diamonds from the past

Sep 01, 2011 at 12:49 AM

nixland
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p.5 #20 · p.5 #20 · ROKKOR Telephoto Image Thread

Now I am curious about the Rokkor 100/2.5.

According to this site, there are 5 version of 100/2.5.

1968: MC Tele Rokkor-PF 100/2,5 -> replaced 100/2
1973: MC Tele Rokkor-X PF 100/2,5
1976: MC Tele Rokkor-X 100/2,5 -> new design, focus closer, smaller, one less element
1977: MD Tele Rokkor-X 100/2,5 -> MD update
1981: MD 100/2,5 -> smaller, built-in hood

Any of you have experiences with all these lens? What is the rendering differences between them?

Sep 03, 2011 at 01:56 AM

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