Legacy Lenses 12 - Minolta MD 135 F2, maybe the best 135 ever made.

This lens is a true monster. Large, heavy (725g) and built to last.

It dates from 1981 and it's very rare, maybe one of the rarest Minolta MD lenses. The optical formula is 6e/5g and it takes 72mm filters. It also has a built-in, retractable, metal lens hood.

Its performance is truly flawless, even wide open from corner to corner with incredible resolution at the center. Very low coma and astigmatism at F2.0 and a controllable CA.

I tested it with the Sony A7-II and A7-III. In my opinion, no modern lens  can match it for the same cost.

This is a fantastic lens for astrophotography. Too bad I can't use it with my Pentax KP... 

The only thing I want to suggest is to triple check for the 4th and 5th elements that are cemented together as a group. Be sure that this group has no fogging. If the lens has any signs of fog/haze on this particular group, avoid it.


Pros:

- Top notch optics

- Built to last

- Easy to service

- Bokeh master


Cons:

- Heavy

- Rare

- Expensive


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