The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 11/14/19

Minolta X-700, Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2

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The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 11/13/19

Minolta X-700, Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2

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The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 11/12/19

Minolta X-700, Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2

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Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2, Almost The Perfect Normal

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, analog diary, image making with a Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2, the almost 'perfect' normal prime lens.

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One of the accepted definitions of the 'perfect' normal lens for a 35mm full-frame camera, a lens that reproduces a field of view that appears natural to a human observer, is based on the diagonal of the film frame, which measures 43.3mm.

A lens unique to the interpretation of this definition is the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45 mm, 1:2.0, a very compact lens with a focal length that is very close to the measured distance. Introduced in 1978, and only available as an MDII version, this lens is a rare case as Minolta normally replicated and made the lenses available over their camera version releases.

Not quite a true pancake, the lens is a blend of a plastic body and a 6-element and 5-group glass. It measures 30.5 mm in length and weighs 125 grams, comes with 5 aperture blades, a minimum aperture of F16, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.6 meters.

Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2

With a large open aperture of 1:2, the lens is also a potentially good bokeh lens, and with its compact size, it makes the lens a worthwhile consideration for the street shooter, fashion, or lifestyle photographer, simply as a lowlight lens or one to get good background separation with.

Minolta X-700, Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2

At most times, unnoticed and grossly underrated except by gig lens connoisseurs, the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2 is more than the sum of its parts. Images are exceptionally sharp, with good mid-tone contrast and accurate color reproduction. It is lightweight both on the wallet and in the camera bag, and whichever Minolta body it is found attached to, it is the go-to lens.

Olympus H.Zuiko OM 24mm f/2.8, Cropped Close-Ups

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a legacy Olympus H.Zuiko OM 24mm f/2.8, a compact vintage wide-angle prime known for its robust metal build, sharp optics, and close-focus capability, a 48mm full-frame equivalent on the Olympus PEN E-P5.

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Compared to the ultra-wide Olympus Zuiko OM 21mm F3.5, the 24mm f/2.8 has a 10° narrower angle of view and is considered the widest of wide angles. Lenses at these focal lengths tend to have a strong rendition of the perspective when used in the context of the surroundings. For cropped close-ups, however, this is not necessarily something you have to delve too deeply into.

Mounted on the 2x crop-sensor MFT (Micro Four Thirds) digital camera, a 24mm lens will give you the 35mm full-frame equivalent focal length of 48mm, close enough to that of a 50mm focal length lens, which is considered the standard for a 35mm full-frame camera.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Olympus H.Zuiko OM 24mm f/2.8

The H.Zuiko OM 24mm f/2.8, as used in this assignment, is the earlier version of the series, 8 elements in 7 groups construction with floating elements design, weighs 180 grams and focuses down to 0.25 meters. The floating element design incorporates an automatic close-focus correction mechanism that counters possible aberrations while keeping the excellent optical performance of the lens intact.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Olympus H.Zuiko OM 24mm f/2.8

Shooting with the lens wide open, i.e., at its widest aperture, is shooting with a very narrow DoF (depth of field). Getting the perfect focal point in the composition you are looking at, as in the case of these sample images, may take a bit more time and experience to master. And, of course, I need the same.