Legacy Lenses 13 - Minolta MD 135 F3.5 - Cheap and Razor Sharp

 

This lens is the proof that good stuff can be cheap and easy to find. The Minolta MD Tele Rokkor 135mm F3.5 was the budget telephoto lens for the Minolta SLRs, like the X700.

Not the best built from Minolta but feels sturdy and well-made, and it costs a fraction of the F2.0 and F2.8 versions. But it's a very solid performer with a very sharp frame from edge to edge even at maximum aperture.

The optical formula is 5e/5g and weighs only 285g making it one of the lightest 135mm ever.

Tested on the Sony A7-III and Panasonic GX85 with flying colors. This lens is on-par with the Zeiss Tele Tessar 135mm F4 and the Zeiss Sonnar 135mm F4.

Pros:

- Cheap

- Light

- Very sharp

Cons:

- Like all MD lenses, cannot be used in most DSLRs without that dreaded adapters with optical elements.

- Some flare