Dear Dan,
the 50mm Marco is not that difficult to find for an acceptable price. The MC Rokkor (i.e. the oldest
version around) is generally a lot less expensive than the latest plain MD version. I think however
that the old version is under-valued, as I don't think there would be a difference in performance.
The optical construction is the same (according to all the experts), there is only a slight improvement
in the coatings of the newer lens. I doubt, that this matters. Especially for this lens, that got a
so deeply recessed front lens. Moreover the construction of the optical elements is very compact.
There don't exist much chance for some irradiation to get reflected inside the lens, as everything
is that tiny.
What is a plus point for the older version is the superior build quality - the newest version contains
a lot of plastics. The difference is immediately showing in the operation when You got the chance
to try out both a new and an old one.
It is possible to get a resonable priced MC Rokkor 3.5/50 from Ebay - here in Switzerland (where
I work) it is however easier to get one from the second hand dealers. I think it were easy to find
one for 75$ - well, I paided about 30 for that, but that was due to bad pictures/low positive
feedback/low Minolta manual focus prices here - and due to systematic scanning. I place lots of
bids, and usually don't get the stuff. I place high bids, when I really want something - but here
I already got similar lenses, so I gambled a bit.
The 1.7/85 is way more difficult to find for an acceptable price. The lens is not seldom, but at least
in the German Ebay it rarely sells for less than 100.-€ (exept lenses with stuck apertures, which
still might cost more than 50.-€, which is way too much). The prices n the Swiss Ebay are similar,
as Swiss sellers usually ship to Germany, and a lot of Germans scan the Swiss Ebay as well.
I got it however from Ricardo, which is the second Swiss auction portal. Bigger than Ebay in
Switzerland, but rarely known outside. And a lot of sellers here, are reluctant to ship their stuff
outside Switzerland. This is the place I bought this fancy 6.3/600 Apo some time ago. I couldn't
afford the same lens on German Ebay (last one there sold for 2'000.-€!!).
The performance of the 1.7/85 is a somewhat critical point, however. It is said to have only very
low contrast and only limited sharpness when operated open (F/1.7..F/2.8). When stopped down
(F/5.6+) the lens gets contrasty and very sharp.
Another item is its high susceptibility to flare. It does not work well in harsh backlight. The lens
shade should always be used (which is no big issue, as Minolta gave a solid metal lens shade
with every on these lenses, therefore You virtually always got one with every of these lenses).
So for portrait work, this is an extremely desirable lens - I don't got a M42 camera so far, but
I presume the Jupiter-9 (might be attached to a Minolta by a M42 adaptor as well) would do quite
similar to the 1.7/85 Minolta glass. I don't know, whether the J-9 will match up there, too.
This is just a speculation so far. But judging from the photos taken with the J-9 I saw so far,
I gave the recommendation towards the J-9 a few time. I will shurely hunt down a J-9 sooner
or later, and then do a comparison...
When one needs a general purpose short tele, this tiny MD 2/85 is however better than the 1.7/85.
It is sharp even when operated wide open (a Leica 90mm Apo will be sharper, but as sharpness
is not everything, I think, I still were right recommending that Minolta lens). It is robust aganst
flare (the lens shade for the 2/85 is much more difficult to find here). The only nit is the 49mm
filter thread. And it doesn't look half as impressive as that 1.7/85. Btw, the 1.7/85 (and the 1.2/58)
are here called "Glasskugel" [something like: ball of glass]
.
Best regards
Peter
.
