While it’s heartening to see that many photo enthusiasts are continuing the popularity of using vintage manual focus lenses on their mirrorless and DSLR cameras, talking about what is available and favored, and the image qualities rendered, enthusiasts do tend to miss out on the lesser-known, or the underrated and unloved. This is where enthusiasts will lose out the most.
One such lens that is well into this category is the Minolta MC Celtic 135mm 1:2.8 short telephoto prime, launched by Minolta in 1980. Borne out of the Minolta Celtic series, and sold only in the US, the series is the cheaper alternative to the Rokkor and Rokkor-X lines. Much like what Nikon did with their Series E lenses, and Pentax with their non-SMC Takumar A's, Minolta did the same to keep prices down.
The Minolta MC Celtic 135mm 1:2.8, by itself, is an impressive performer, solidly built, has 6 6-blade iris, a minimum focus distance of 1.5 meters, weighs 535 grams, and comes with a built-in lens hood. The unit I tested was still in superb near-mint condition, has a very smooth focusing ring, snappy aperture stops, and a hood that is glide-smooth, properly aligned, and holds with a snap, nothing adverse to what you might find on the Net.
The other addition I had to make to my inventory, due to the weight of the lens, was the MD-M4/3 lens adapter with a tripod mount, which makes the weight of the camera and lens better distributed when mounted on the tripos.
Early Images
Lens Availability
The Minolta MC Celtic 135mm 1:2.8, with its younger and lighter (@ 385 grams) iteration, the Minolta MD Celtic 135mm 1:2.8, is easily available at the auctions, and it should not cost too much for one with a bargain price.
With the right lens adapter to fit your camera, you will probably end up enjoying the images as much as I do.
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