I just scooped this up on eBay from a seller in British Columbia, and I am quite jiggled (notwithstanding the fact that the price negotiated was substantially less than being sought) 300mm f4.5 MC Tele Rokkor-X 6 Elements in 6 Groups Automatic Angle of view 8 degrees 4.5m f22 Filter size 72mm Dimensions 81x200mm Weight 1150g The MC 300/4.5 (6-in-6) was built from from January 1969 through mid 1978 was about 80mm diameter x 199.5mm long and weighed 1155-1175g. These versions included from the 300/4.5 MC Rokkor-HF thru MC Rokkor-X to the first version 300/4.5 MD Rokkor-X. All these versions had the rotating tripod mount and a stop down switch. Described as: "This lens was bought a year ago from a camera collector. It appears to have never been used. Glass, hood, lens barrel, caps, and aperture ring are all in pristine condition. There is no trace of oil or fog inside the lens. It comes with matching leather case and both caps." When I receive the lens I will update this thread with images taken from it. Pictures of the Monster
What is your impression of the images from the Minolta 300mm? I've been watching for a Konica 300mm but they are scarce and expensive. The Minolta could be good alternative if its optics are up to snuff.
For the price it is tough to beat. Chromatic aberration is a problem but can be dealt with in PP. There are much sharper, more contrasty lenses out there at ten to twenty times the price, and I have a couple of them.... A good example is the Olympus Zuiko 300m Top Pro 2.8.... at $5-7000 per unit (I have its baby brother, the 150/2 and an Oly 2X Doubler, together paid $1750 very lightly used). I paid $125 for the Minolta. I'll throw up some photos later this summer... my adapter was sold with a couple of lenses, and need to replace it.... a plan I have as I own several Rokkors that I want to test out on the GH2 this year. Bokeh D
I have a late MC Rokkor 300/4.5, also the version with the tripod mount. I agree with the assessment above, sharpness is OK, CA is clearly visible and contrast is rather low (tested on a GH2). I picked it up for € 40 which is not too much, the generally low prices reflect its rather limited useability.
I have the MD internal focus version. Corner resolution was improved in this version. Not really important in m43 ofcourse... Ed Kowalczyk
