MC Tele Rokkor-X 200mm f3.5
Technical data
Angle of view: 12 degrees
Min. focus distance: 2,4m
Filter thread: 62mm
Diaphgram: f3.5 - f22
Weight: 777 g.
My personal experiences
I bought this lens from a member of the original Minolta Mailing list from the USA. It is a rather common lens in the states, but in Finland I have seen it for sale only once. The lens dates back to the late 1960's as an early MC lens with metal focusing ring, and mine is the last version this lens has been available, a late MC Rokkor without the two-letter code or stop-down lever (actually mine is Rokkor-X, because it has been originally bought from the USA). It was replaced by the 200mm f4, which was available shortly as an MC lens, before the MD era started. The infamous MD Tele Rokkor 200mm f2.8 appeared somewhat later - although this lens can be seen as it's predecessor, there was an era, when the f4 version was fastest 200mm Rokkor available.This is rather big and heavy lens, with an oddball filter thread in Minolta lens lineup - 62mm, which is a Nikon standard size. It is rather unpractical, because you use a lens of this focal length a lot with filters, especially the polarizer, and you cannot use the Minolta standard filters, 55mm with 200mm f4 and f4.5 and 72mm with f2.8 versions. This lens requires an adapter ring for a 72mm filter, or then a filter set of its own. The lens has a build-in hood and no tripod collar, which is not required - the lens is not that heavy.
A
small butterfly
Minolta XD-7
MC Tele Rokkor-X 200mm f3.5
Nikon 6T close-up lens
Kodachrome 64
Left: 1/250 sec. at f5.6
Right: 1/500 sec. at f3.5
24.6.2000 Virojoki, Finland
There is one advantage in the 62mm filter size: The Nikon 5T and 6T close-up lenses fit easily into this lens. I've used it with the 6T, which gives almost 1:1 image size, and I think it is a bit too strong for this lens. The image quality stays rather high, I took comparison shots from an old wooden wall with the 200/3.5+6T-combination and 100mm f3.5 Macro Rokkor with 1:1 -adapter (=50mm extension tube), using the same magnification with both. There was a difference, of course, but it wasn't a major one - the image taken with the close-up lens was very useable. The 5T gives less magnification, more free working distance and obviously a better image quality, but I haven't tested it yet.
The lens itself is a typical Rokkor telephoto from the 1960's. Not very sharp, if compared to best telephotos of this length with low-dispersion glass, but very sharp if compared to the similar lenses of its era, good colour rendition and pleasant bokeh, very useful when stopped down. It is also somewhat flare-prone. The mechanical quality is great, as you could expect. I have never used this lens with any tele converter, so I cannot comment how it works with them. Basically it reguires the old 200-L or the newer 300-S, but I would try the 300-L also, if it just fits - test at your own risk!
Would I recommend this lens? No. I would rather get the f4 version: It has the Minolta standard 55mm filter thread, it is muchs lighter, has obviously better optical quality, and is also avialable as MD Tele Rokkor, working with the shutter priority of the XD's. You can easily use the Nikon close-up lenses with it, too, by using an adapter, or then use the Minolta close-up lenses, which, however, are not intended for telephotos longer than 135mm. Another way is to use a 70-210mm f4 or 75-200mm f4.5 zoom. If you really need the speed, the Tamron SP 180mm f2.5 LD IF or the MD Tele Rokkor 200mm f2.8 is the way to go. However, I don't think this lens is a dog - I'm very pleased with the results I get with it, and have no plans to sell mine. It just tends to be too expensive compared to the real value it has. The f4 version is usually a lot better buy. But if you collect old Minolta gear, then you need this one!
Many photographers find the 200mm a useful focal length with multiple
uses. It is said to be the longest of the short lenses, and at the same
time, the shortest of the long lenses. I have never found it very useful
- sometimes this focal length is required, bbut I think it is too short
(the MD 300mm f4.5 IF is a lot longer and weights only a bit more), and
at the same time much heavier than the 100 or 135mm lenses without adding
enough focal length. I carried it in my 24-50-100 macro-200 - 300/4.5 setup,
but it was the first one to drop out. Nowadays I use it as a long lens
with the 24 - 35 - 85 - 135 - 200 and 24 - 50 - 100 macro - 200 setups,
and it is the longest Minolta lens I have. But I don't shoot much wildlife
with my Minoltas any more, so it is enough.
Great tit (Parus major) is busy!
Minolta X-700
MC Tele Rokkor-X 200m f3.5
IR-1 remote release
Kodachrome 64
1/90 sec at f3.5
12.7.2000
Virolahti, Finland