Minolta MD W.Rokkor-X 28mm f/2.8, Sunrise

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a legacy Minolta MD W.Rokkor-X 28mm f/2.8, a classic vintage wide-angle prime known for its compact build and sharp center performance, a standard normal 56mm full-frame equivalent on the Olympus PEN E-P5.

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Being the occasional early riser, I do take the opportunity to look out across to the park at the break of the sun, occasionally with a camera in hand. This is one of those days, and for the shots, the Olympus PEN E-P5 was fitted with a vintage Minolta MD W.Rokkor-X 28mm f/2.8.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Minolta MD W.Rokkor-X 28mm f/2.8

Lumax Gold Star 200mm f/4, In Black and White

Cameras and Lenses: Crisp and clear images with a legacy Lumax Gold Star 200mm f/4, a vintage manual telephoto lens from the era of classic mechanical film cameras, a 400mm full-frame equivalent on the Olympus PEN E-P5.

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The lens was a surprise find; I had no prior idea or knowledge about its presence or make. It came through the mail out of a job-lot sale. Big and bulky, the lens, it seems, is made by Sankor, is a preset with an M42 mount, weighs in at a hefty 670 grams, and has many blades, which I have yet to count.

When it came, the Lumax Gold Star 200mm f/4 was less than perfect, though; it has a few tufts of fungal growth within its inner elements, but surprisingly, it is virtually dust-free. An interesting bonus to me was the built-in tripod mount on a rotating ring, which makes it convenient for me to mount on the E-P5 via an M42 mount adapter.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Lumax Gold Star 200mm f/4

Minolta MC Celtic 135mm f/2.8, Square Cuts

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a vintage Minolta MC Celtic 135mm f/2.8, a heavyweight legacy manual-focus prime known for its solid all-metal mechanical quality and creamy bokeh, a 270mm full-frame telephoto equivalent on an Olympus PEN E-P5.

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My first impression test was with a Minolta MC Celtic 135mm f/2.8, the later version (1992-97) with a built-in lens hood. A bit sad though, cause the lens came with a spot of minor fungal infection within its lens elements.

Regrets aside, I was more than surprised at the image quality as captured, tripod-mounted, on the Pen E-P5. All shots were taken at 1:2.8. The lens is heavyweight, all-glass, and metal, weighing in at 575 grams; it has top-notch mechanical quality, takes 55mm filters, and comes with a minimum focusing distance of 1.5 meters.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Minolta MC Celtic 135mm f/2.8

HMD Nokia 3.1, A Morning Show

Mobile Photography: An early morning show, with images from an HMD Nokia 3.1, an Android One entry-level budget smartphone with a 5.2-inch HD+ display, and a compact body.

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One of those days when I was out and about early...

HMD Nokia 3.1

Minolta MD Celtic 28mm f/2.8, Take I

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a legacy Minolta MD Celtic 28mm f/2.8, a vintage wide-angle prime praised for its center sharpness, lightweight build, and vibrant color rendering, an entry-level alternative to the premium Rokkor lenses, Take I.

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My first take with the Minolta MC Celtic 28mm f/2.8. Looks like a great performer despite the rap that the Celtic series is the cheaper alternative to the Rokkor and Rokkor-X lines.

Olympus PEN E-P5, Minolta MD Celtic 28mm f/2.8