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Abbreviations

Model history (3)

Specification

Sources of data

• Minolta SRT cameras and systems.
• Minolta lenses: vision for the creative photographer booklet.
• Minolta Corporation Photographic Division 1981/1982 Catalog (March 1981).
• A guide to the Minolta SLR system of creative photography 803E-M1.

Manufacturer description #1

This extreme fisheye lens produces a proportional circular image approximately 23mm in diameter within the 24x36mm film frame. The dramatic images attainable with this lens allow the creative photographer unusual scope in achieving visual impact, while the lens' equidistant projection formula also suits it for use in technical applications that demand full 180° field coverage, such as surveillance, meteorology and astronomy.

The 7.5mm MD Fisheye Rokkor-X features Minolta's patented Achromatic coating, automatic diaphragm operation and couples to the through-the-lens metering systems of Minolta single lens reflex cameras. Image control on the focusing screen is retained. Any one of six built-in filters may be selected by turning a click-stopped control ring on the lens barrel. Focus is fixed at 4 feet; however, at the maximum aperture of f/4, depth of field extends from 19 5/8 inches to infinity.

Manufacturer description #2

This fully automatic lens offers a dramatic 23mm-diameter 180° circular image of the world, and in the hands of a skillful photographer becomes a tool of unusual and interesting capability. The lens may be used with the through-the-lens viewing system of any Minolta 35mm single lens reflex; it does not require a special viewfinder nor must the mirror be locked up prior to mounting. Its image size, while varying directly with the viewing angle, has minimal shrinkage away from the center since the lens projection formula is of the equidistant type. This Rokkor-X gives optimum sharpness from center to edges, thanks to the use of extremely high- and low-index optical glasses. At f/4 it is one of the fastest of all fisheyes; at just 360 grams, it is one of the lightest. There are six built-in filters - including three for color film and one for fluorescent light. There are many uses for a lens of this extraordinary angle of view. Most common are scientific, surveillance, meteorologic and astronomic. More general uses are for commercial and pictorial photography.

Typical characteristics of fisheye lenses

• Extreme angle of view (at least 180° diagonally);
• Circular types (the image circle of the lens is inscribed in the image frame) or diagonal types (cover the entire image frame);
• Usually of equidistant projection type, with the distance from the picture center to any given point always proportional to the angle from the optical axis to that point;
• Huge barrel distortion;
• Short closest focusing distance (0.20 - 0.30m with 35mm full-frame prime lenses);
• Very large depth of field, eliminating the need for autofocus or precise manual focusing;
• Due to the extreme angle of view and convex front element, front filters cannot be used;
• Often equipped with a filter turret with swivel-mounted filters;
• Often come with a small, built-in petal-shaped lens hood.

From the editor

When the lens was introduced in 1977, it was equipped with the following built-in filters: 1A, FLD, Y52, R60, 80B, 85, however, already in 1978, the set was changed to Normal, FLD, Y52, R60, B12, A12.

The focus is fixed at 1.2m covering 0.5m to infinity at full aperture.

Other fisheye lenses in the Minolta SR system

Lenses with similar focal length