Minolta Rokkor 13.5cm f4 for Leica Screw Mount

Before Leica’s partnership with Minolta for the M Mount CL and associated lenses, Minolta made cameras that were essentially a copy of a Leica IIIc / IIIf.  These “35 series” cameras were made between 1947 and 1958. They also made a series of Leica Screw Mount lenses for this camera, including the Tele-Rokkor 13.5cm f4 that I have.   

My copy is a very early as it only has a four digit serial number, and it is marked “Chiyoko”, an amalgam of CHIYOda KOgaku, the name of the company.  Interestingly it has the original lens cap which is marked “Minolta”.  The other give away that this lens is early is the fact that it has a maximum aperture of f4.  This lens became an f4.5 in the mid 1950’s.

Compared to the pre-war Leica 13.5cm f4.5 Hektor I also have, the Minolta is much more compact (by a little over 30mm) and it is 1/3 stop faster.  However it has a much further minimum focus distance (8ft vs 5ft on the Leica) and 10 aperture blades vs approx 15 on the Leica.  Overall image quality isn’t too dis-similar, the Leica flares more, however image quality on the Minolta is better further away, but not as good near minimum focus distance. 

Speaking of minimum focus distance, to me, that’s the big let down on this lens.  Eight feet is too far away for most portraits, and it is close to useless indoors.   However, for a 60 year old lens, it is still capable of producing nice images on the NEX.