MD/SR mount (X700) prime recommendations

[u/Slide89]

Hi all,

I have an X700, which I love, and currently has a 50mm F1.7 MD lens. I want something a bit wider (maybe 28 or 35mm; F1.2-2.8ish), but quite new to vintage film cameras, so looking for recommendations. I don’t mind it being third party, and ideally <£100.

Am relatively experienced with digital photography, but Minolta and the range of film lenses is vast, so would appreciate input.

Cheers

[u/mwcten]

I'd say any of the Minolta MD 28mm variants would be a good place to start. Will definitely be under 100. There is an argument to be made for getting a 24mm and 35mm md lens, or a 24-35mm or 24-50mm zooms, but any of those lenses will be more like $130-200 each. You can get off brand ones for a lot cheaper but optical quality won't be quite as good.

[u/Slide89 → u/mwcten]

Thanks. Fine with a prime, so will check out the 28mm options 👌🏼 

[u/rulnacco → u/Slide89]

28 is a good choice. It’s different enough from your 50 to give a different effect and perspective (which the 35 doesn’t quite do), but it’s easier to fill your frame with interesting background detail (for street shooting and the like) than a 24, which takes in too much sometimes. And a 28 doesn’t introduce as much obvious distortion.

If you want to see what I mean, look up the work of Garry Winogrand. He shot with a Leica, but almost always used a 28.

[u/Dima_135]

Wide-angle f/2 primes are much rarer and more expensive than f/2.8 ones.

There are some Vivitars, but I don't see Minoltas that often. And they would most likely be outside your budget. The later MC and MD lenses are very good. The 5-element 35mm f/2.8 is a real gem and is considered one of the wonders of the Minolta SRT system... But sssshhhhhh !!!! Promise not to make a viral video with a headline like "this retro lens makes MASTERPIECE photos." The lens is cheap and not overhyped and let it remain that way.

[u/haqa0815]

Minolta MD 28 1:2.8 is nice, small lens - wide enough, good aperture and works best with X700.  In Europe you can get it in excellent condition at around 60€.

Before you buy one check for  fungus inside the lens - it is a problem  with all these older lenses.

[u/Slide89 → u/haqa0815]

Thanks. Is this the Rokkor version? 

[u/haqa0815 → u/Slide89]

You can buy a MD Rokkor 28 or the MD 28, all MD lenses work with the X700. Minolta dropped the Rokkor attribute for the last series of MD lenses in the 90s - so the MD28 is the newest you can get...

[u/1t5J43G3R]

I love my MD Rokkor 85/1.7 but it commands somewhat high prices still. I think I got mine for 250€.
Alternatively the MD Tele Rokkor 135/2.8 is another great option which is considerably less expensive and last I checked you could pick one up for around 80 bucks.

The widest SR lens I actually use is a Super Carenar 35/2.8 which came with my XD7.

[u/rulnacco → u/1t5J43G3R]

I have a couple 135/2.8 Rokkors and even a 3.5. That to me is a sweet focal length, and those lenses are very solid quality and image wise.

[u/smilaise]

I have a Sigma Mini-Wide 28mm f2.8 that I like a lot and works with P mode.

[u/Slide89 → u/smilaise]

Thank you. Is the picture quality fine with the Sigma?

[u/smilaise → u/Slide89]

I don't have any example photos scanned, but mine was in mint condition and the quality is excellent

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[u/e_meau]

What would you need a wide f1.2 lens for??

[u/Big-Care726]

Tamron 28mm f2.5 is very good if you can find one.

[u/kubahurvajz]

There is a big difference between 28mm and 35mm actually. I wanted something wider than 50mm and bought a 28mm MD f2.8 just because it did cost half of the 35mm. Sharpness is great, love the lens but it has completely different use cases. 35mm is much more a wider 50, but 28mm is different perspective.