Rokkor

Rokkor was a brand name used for all Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō and later Minolta lenses between 1940 and 1980,[1] including a few, which were marketed and sold by other companies like Leica. The name was derived from the name of Rokkō (六甲山), a 932 metre (3058') high mountain, which could be seen from the company's glass-making and optics factory at Mukogawa near Osaka, Japan.[1] The company's founder Kazuo Tashima wanted the name to symbolize the high quality in optics.[1]

Some Minolta Rokkor tele photo lenses
Minolta SR-T 303 camera with MC Rokkor-PG 50 mm 1:1.4 lens.

Overview

The first lens to carry the Rokkor designation was a 200mm f/4.5 lens that came with the hand-holdable aerial camera Chiyoda SK-100 in 1940.[1] After the Rokkor name was dropped and no longer engraved in new lenses after 1980/1981,[1] the Rokkor name resurfaced two times. As was revealed not before 2006, the Rokkor name was still used internally for prototypes of a never released SR-mount Minolta MD Apo Tele Rokkor 300mm f/2.8 manual-focus lens in the early 1980s,[2] a lens design, which later saw life as the A-mount Minolta AF Apo Tele 300mm f/2.8 G in 1985, a non-Rokkor auto-focus lens. The Rokkor name was also resurrected for a short time between 1996 and 1998 for the Minolta G-Rokkor 28mm f/3.5 lens. As the only officially released auto-focus Rokkor ever, this lens was incorporated into the Minolta TC-1 135 film compact camera.[1] To celebrate Minolta's 70th anniversary in 1998, the same optics were also used in the Minolta TC-1 Limited as well as in a Leica thread-mount version of the lens in a limited production run of 2000 units for the Japanese market only.

When the brand was still used by Minolta, there were also printed Minolta magazines named "ROKKOR" in Austria and Japan.[1]

The brand was so well respected among photographers that some customers asked for "Rokkor cameras"[1] and questioned the origin of the lenses when the first Minolta lenses without the Rokkor designation hit the market between 1977 and 1980.[1] Many continued to call at least the manual-focus Minolta SR-mount lenses "Rokkors" long after the name was dropped. Even decades later, when Sony took over the A-mount auto-focus SLR system from Konica Minolta in 2006, for which no Rokkor lenses were ever produced, there were (unsuccessful) petitions to reintroduce the old Rokkor brand. There are now even totally unrelated pseudo-brands named Rokunar and Rokinon trying to capitalize on the power of Minolta's brand.

Rokkor suffix coding (pre-1975)[3]
Groups[4]Elements
T (trēs)3 C 3
Q (quattuor)4 D 4
P (penta)5 E 5
H (hexa)6 F 6
S (septem)7 G 7
O (octō)8 H 8
N (novem)9 I 9
— J 10
K 11
L 11

For some while in the 1960s and 1970s SR-mount SLR lenses manufactured for the North American market were engraved with Rokkor-X rather than just Rokkor (as was used in the rest of the world) in order to improve trackability and dry out the gray market. Although some buyers from the USA and Europe each associated either the Rokkor-X or the non-X-ed Rokkor designation with a higher quality, respectively, both types of lenses were built to exactly the same specifications and quality standards in the factory. They differed only in their name plate.[3] In the 1980s and 1990s, Minolta used a similar scheme for A-mount lenses, which were labelled Maxxum AF in the USA and Canada (where the A-mount camera bodies were labelled Maxxum) and just AF elsewhere (including in those regions otherwise using the Dynax and α labels for the cameras).

Until around 1975, the Rokkor (or Rokkor-X) name was followed by a two-letter combination indicating the optical formula of the lens. The first letter stood for the number of groups, while the second letter indicated the number of elements; for example, a Rokkor-QF was a six element lens with four groups.[1][3]

Specialist types of Rokkor lenses
  • E.Rokkor - lenses for enlargers with Leica thread-mount
  • C.E.Rokkor/C.E.Rokkor-X - lenses for color enlargers[1] with Leica thread-mount
  • F.Rokkor - for fax machines or copiers?
  • R.Rokkor - for microfiche / repro systems?
  • W.Rokkor/W.Rokkor-X - Wide-angle lenses with SR-mount
  • UW.Rokkor - Ultra-wide angle lenses with SR-mount
  • P-Rokkor - slide projection lenses[1]
  • G-Rokkor - a combination of Minolta's "G" (gold) designation for high-end lenses and the Rokkor brand, the only lens to carry this designation is the Minolta G-Rokkor 28mm f/3.5 in the TC-1 as well as with Leica thread-mount
  • M-Rokkor - lenses for the Minolta/Leica M-mount

Super Rokkor, Boen Rokkor, Fish-Eye Rokkor, VFC Rokkor, Shift CA Rokkor, Varisoft Rokkor, Bellows Micro Rokkor, Micro Rokkor, Bellows Macro Rokkor, Macro Rokkor, Tele Rokkor, RF Rokkor, Zoom Rokkor, Rokkor-TC, Rokkor-TD, TV Zoom Rokkor.

List of Rokkor lenses for 35mm cameras
Interchangeable Rokkor lenses for 35mm SLR cameras[5]
FL
(mm)		ApertureName SR[lower-alpha 1]MC[lower-alpha 2]MD[lower-alpha 3] Construction Focus Notes
EleGrp
Fisheye lenses
7.5f/4–22Fish-eye Rokkor NoYesYes 128 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) circular fisheye lens
16f/2.8–16Fish-eye Rokkor-OK NoYesYes 118 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) "full-frame" (diagonal) fisheye lens
18f/9.5–22UV Rokkor-PG YesNoNo 75 fixed "full-frame" (diagonal) fisheye lens
Ultra wide angle lenses
17f/4–16W Rokkor NoYesYes 129 0.25 m (9.8 in) Retrofocus design
20f/2.8–22W Rokkor NoNoYes 109 0.25 m (9.8 in) Retrofocus design with floating element
21f/2.8–16W Rokkor-NL NoYesNo 129 0.25 m (9.8 in) Retrofocus design
21f/4–16W Rokkor-QH YesNoNo 84 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) symmetric lens, requires mirror lock-up
21f/4.5–16W Rokkor-PI YesNoNo 95 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) symmetric lens, requires mirror lock-up
Wide angle lenses
24f/2.8-16W Rokkor NoYesYes 97 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
24f/2.8-16W Rokkor VFC NoYesYes 97 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
28f/2–16W Rokkor NoYesYes 109 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
28f/2.5–16W Rokkor-SI NoYesNo 97 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) Retrofocus design
28f/2.8–16W Rokkor NoYesYes 77 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
28f/3.5–16W Rokkor-SG YesYesNo 77 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
28f/3.5–16W Rokkor-PE NoYesYes 55 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
35f/1.8–16W Rokkor-HH NoYesYes 86 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
35f/2.8–16W Rokkor-HG YesYesNo 76 0.4 m (1 ft 4 in) Retrofocus design
35f/2.8–16W Rokkor NoYesYes 55 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design
35f/2.8–22Shift CA Rokkor NoYesYes 97 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) Retrofocus design, includes variable field curvature control (VFC)
35f/4–22W Rokkor-QE YesNoNo 54 0.4 m (1 ft 4 in) Retrofocus design
Normal lenses
45f/2.8–16Rokkor-TD YesNoNo 43 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in)
50f/1.2–16Rokkor NoNoYes 76 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)
50f/1.4–16Rokkor NoYesYes 75 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
50f/1.4–16Rokkor NoNoYes 76 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)
50f/1.7–16Rokkor-PF NoYesYes 65 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
50f/1.7–16Rokkor NoNoYes 65 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)
50f/2–16Rokkor NoYesYes 65 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
50f/3.5–22Macro Rokkor-QF YesYesYes 64 0.23 m (9.1 in)
53f/2–16Rokkor-PF YesNoNo 65 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
55f/1.7–16/22Rokkor-PF NoYesNo 65 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) multiple versions with different minimum aperture
55f/1.9–16Rokkor NoYesNo 65 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)
55f/1.8–16/22Rokkor-PF YesNoNo 65 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) multiple versions with different minimum aperture
55f/2–16/22Rokkor-PF YesNoNo 65 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) multiple versions with different minimum aperture
58f/1.2–16Rokkor-PG NoYesNo 75 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in)
58f/1.4–16Rokkor-PF YesYesNo 65 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in)
Portrait lenses
85f/1.7–22Tele Rokkor-PF NoYesNo 65 1 m (3 ft 3 in)
85f/2–22Rokkor NoNoYes 65 0.85 m (2 ft 9 in)
85f/2.8–16Varisoft Rokkor NoNoYes 65 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in)
100f/2–22Tele Rokkor-PF YesYesNo 65 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
100f/2.5–22Tele Rokkor-PF NoYesNo 65 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
100f/2.5–22Tele Rokkor-PE NoYesYes 55 1 m (3 ft 3 in)
100f/3.5–22Tele Rokkor-QE YesYesNo 54 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
100f/3.5–22Macro Rokkor-QE NoYesYes 54 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)
100f/4–32Macro Rokkor NoNoYes 54 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in)
100f/4–22Tele Rokkor-TC YesNoNo 33 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) preset aperture
135f/2–22Rokkor NoNoYes 65 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
135f/2.8–22Tele Rokkor-PF YesYesNo 65 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
135f/2.8–22Tele Rokkor-PG YesNoNo 75 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
135f/2.8–22Tele Rokkor-QD NoYesYes 44 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
135f/2.8–22Rokkor NoNoYes 55 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
135f/3.5–22Tele Rokkor-QD NoYesYes 44 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
135f/3.5–22Rokkor NoNoYes 55 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
135f/4–22Tele Rokkor-TC YesNoNo 33 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) preset aperture
Telephoto lenses
180f/2.5–22Tele Rokkor-PF YesNoNo 65 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) preset aperture
200f/2.8–32Rokkor NoNoYes 55 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
200f/3.5–22Tele Rokkor-QF YesYesNo 64 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
200f/4–22Tele Rokkor NoYesYes 55 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
200f/4.5–22Tele Rokkor-PE NoYesNo 55 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
200f/5–22Tele Rokkor-QE YesNoNo 54 5.5 m (18 ft) preset aperture
250f/4–22Tele Rokkor-QF YesNoNo 64 3 m (9.8 ft) preset aperture
250f/5.6Rokkor RF NoNoYes 65 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) catadioptric
300f/4.5–32Tele Rokkor-TD YesNoNo 43 4.5 m (15 ft) preset aperture
300f/4.5–32Tele Rokkor-QD YesNoNo 44 4.5 m (15 ft) preset aperture
300f/4.5–22Tele Rokkor-HF NoYesNo 66 4.5 m (15 ft)
300f/4.5–32Rokkor NoNoYes 76 3 m (9.8 ft)
300f/5.6–32Tele Rokkor-QD YesNoNo 44 4.5 m (15 ft) preset aperture
300f/5.6–22Tele Rokkor-PE NoYesYes 55 4.5 m (15 ft)
400f/5.6–22APO Tele Rokkor-PE NoYesYes 76 5 m (16 ft)
500f/8RF Rokkor NoNoYes 65 4 m (13 ft) catadioptric
600f/5.6–45Tele Rokkor-TD YesNoNo 43 10 m (33 ft) preset aperture
600f/6.3–32APO Tele Rokkor NoNoYes 98 5 m (16 ft)
800f/8RF Rokkor NoYesYes 87 8 m (26 ft) catadioptric
1000f/6.3RF Rokkor YesYesNo 76 30 m (98 ft) catadioptric
1600f/11RF Rokkor NoYesNo 76 21 m (69 ft) catadioptric
1600f/11RF Rokkor NoNoYes 65 20 m (66 ft) catadioptric
Zoom lenses
24-35f/3.5–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1010 0.73 m (2 ft 5 in)
24-50f/4–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1311 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
28-70f/3.5(4.8)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 88 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) In partnership with Cosina
28-85f/3.5(4.5)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1310 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) In partnership with Tokina
35-70f/3.5–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 87 1 m (3 ft 3 in)
35-70f/3.5(4.8)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 77 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) In partnership with Cosina
35-105f/3.5(4.5)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1412 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) In partnership with Tokina
35-135f/3.5(4.5)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1412 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) In partnership with Tokina
40-80f/2.8–22Zoom Rokkor NoYesYes 1212 1 m (3 ft 3 in)
50-100f/3.5–16Zoom Rokkor YesNoNo 159 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
50-135f/3.5–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1210 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
70-210f/4–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 129 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in)
70-210f/4.5(5.6)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 129 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
70-300f/4.5(5.8)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 139 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) In partnership with Cosina
75-150f/4–32Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 128 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
75-200f/4.5–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1513 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
80-160f/3.5–22Zoom Rokkor YesNoNo 1510 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
80-200f/4.5–22Zoom Rokkor NoYesYes 1410 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
100-200f/5.6–22Zoom Rokkor YesYesYes 85 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
100-300f/5.6–32Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1310 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) In partnership with Tokina
100-300f/5.6(6.7)–22Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 108 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
100-500f/8–32Zoom Rokkor NoYesYes 1610 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
100-500f/8–32APO Tele Zoom Rokkor NoNoYes 1611 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
160-500f/8–22Zoom Rokkor YesNoNo 1611 4.5 m (15 ft)
Specialty (close-up) lenses
12.5f/2–16Bellows Micro Rokkor NoNoYes 44 —
25f/2.5–16Bellows Micro Rokkor NoNoYes 64 —
50f/3.5–32Auto Bellows Rokkor NoNoYes 33 —
100f/4–32Bellows Rokkor-TC NoYesYes 33 —
100f/4–32Auto Bellows Rokkor NoNoYes 54 —
135f/4–22Bellows Rokkor-TC YesNoNo 33 —
Notes
  1. Original line of lenses for Minolta SR mount
  2. Meter-Coupled mount, includes cosmetic variant "MC Rokkor-X", which moved to a rubber focusing ring instead of scalloped metal focusing rings.
  3. Adds minimum aperture signaling lever for shutter-priority autoexposure.

See also

References
  1. Scheibel, Anni Rita; Scheibel, Josef (1999). 70 Jahre Minolta Kameratechnik - Von der Nifcalette [sic] bis zur Dynax 9 (in German) (3rd ed.). Stuttgart: Verlag der H. Lindemanns Buchhandlung. ISBN 3-89506-191-3. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  2. Lohmann, Dennis (2006-07-01). "Minolta MD APO Tele Rokkor 300mm 1:2.8, Prototyp" (in German). Minolta-Forum. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  3. Hands, Antony (2006). "A brief history of Minolta lenses". Rokkor Files. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  4. As noted, a mixture of Latin numerals and Greek numerical prefixes to ensure a unique letter for each value.
  5. "Obiettivi Intercambiabili per reflex 24x36 Manualfocus". Massimo Scotti (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
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