Minolta Fish-Eye Rokkor 16mm f/2.8
 Original (1969) version, MC Fish-Eye Rokkor-OK with scalloped metal focusing ring | |
| Maker | Minolta |
|---|---|
| Technical data | |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| Aperture (max/min) | f/2.8-f/16 |
| Close focus distance | 0.25–0.3 m (0.82–0.98 ft) |
| Construction | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Features | |
| Ultrasonic motor |  No |
| Macro capable | No |
| Unique features | Fisheye |
| Physical | |
| Max. length | 43–63.5 mm (1.7–2.5 in) |
| Diameter | 64.5–73 mm (2.5–2.9 in) |
| Weight | 256–445 g (9.0–15.7 oz) |
| Filter diameter | Integrated |
| Accessories | |
| Lens hood | Integrated Flower |
| Angle of view | |
| Diagonal | 180° |
| History | |
| Introduction | 1969 |
| Predecessor | UW Rokkor 18mm f/9.5 |
| Successor | AF Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8 |
The Fish-Eye Rokkor 16mm f/2.8 is a prime fisheye lens produced by Minolta for Minolta SR-mount single lens reflex cameras, introduced in 1969 to replace an earlier fisheye lens, the UW Rokkor 18mm f/9.5. It is a full-frame fisheye lens with a 180° viewing angle across the diagonal.
This lens was licensed by Leitz and released for Leica R mount cameras as the Leica Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8; it also was released as an autofocus lens for Minolta A-mount system cameras.
Design and history
Minolta updated the design several times during the course of production:[1]
- 1969: MC Fish-Eye Rokkor-OK 16mm f/2.8
- 1973: MC Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) OK 16mm f/2.8
- 1977: MD Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) 16mm f/2.8
- 1978: MD Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) 16mm f/2.8
- 1980: MD Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) 16mm f/2.8
- 1981: MD Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8
The original design, by Toshinobu Ogura,[2] used 11 elements in 8 groups, as designated by the -OK suffix. Lenses sold in the United States starting in 1973 were given Rokkor-X branding. Most of the updates since the original release were cosmetic, aside from the 1980 update, which changed the design to 10 elements in 7 groups and reduced the size and weight,[1] designed by Mitsuaki Horimoto.[3]
The 11e/8g Ogura design was licensed by Leitz and assembled by Minolta for Leica R-mount cameras; the Fisheye-Elmarit-R was released in 1974 and continued in production until 2001.[4] When the Minolta A-mount system was released in 1985, the 11e/8g Ogura design was revived as an autofocus lens, the Minolta AF Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8 (1986). Production of this lens continued after the A-mount system was purchased by Sony.[5]
Due to the extreme angle of view, the front of the lens does not have a mount for filters; four filters for black-and-white and color photography are built in and selected by a rotating dial near the front on the body of the lens. Filter selection varies by the lens design. The 1969 version includes normal/UV (1A), orange (O56), yellow (Y48), and cooling (80B) filters.
Model Spec | MC Fish-Eye Rokkor-OK 16mm f/2.8[6]: IV-45 | MC Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) OK 16mm f/2.8 | MD Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) 16mm f/2.8 | MD Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) 16mm f/2.8 | MD Fish-Eye Rokkor(-X) 16mm f/2.8 | MD Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1969 | 1973 | 1977 | 1978 | 1980 | 1981 | |
| Construction | Diagram | .svg.png) | .svg.png) | ||||
| Elements | 11 | 10 | |||||
| Groups | 8 | 7 | |||||
| Aperture | f/2.8–16 | f/2.8–22 | |||||
| Min. focus | 0.3 m (11.8 in) | 0.25 m (9.8 in) | |||||
| Metering features | Meter coupling (MC) tab |  Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum diaphragm (MD) tab |  No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Aperture lock | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | |
| Dimensions | Diam. | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 70.6 mm (2.8 in) | 64.5 mm (2.5 in) | |||
| Length | 63.5 mm (2.5 in) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | |||||
| Weight | 445 g (15.7 oz) | 440 g (16 oz) | 265 g (9.3 oz) | ||||
| Filters | 1A (Normal) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| R60 (Red) | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| O56 (Orange) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Y48 (Yellow) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | |
| Y52 (Yellow) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| B12 (Blue) | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 80B (Cooling) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
See also
References
- ^ a b "Minolta SR Lens Index". minolta.eazypix.de. April 24, 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ US Patent 3589798A, Toshinobu Ogura, "Wide-angle lens system with corrected lateral aberration", published 29 June 1971, assigned to Minolta Camera KK
- ^ US Patent 4412726A, Mitsuaki Horimoto, "Fish eye lens system", published November 1, 1983, assigned to Minolta Camera KK
- ^ "Leica Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f2.8". The Fish List. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "Minolta AF 16mm F2.8 Fish-Eye". The Fish List. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Joseph D. (1972). Minolta System Handbook (PDF). Amphoto – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
External links
- "Minolta MC Fish-Eye Rokkor-X OK 16mm f/2.8". The Fish List.
- "Minolta MD Fish-Eye Rokkor-X 16mm f/2.8 (MD II b)". The Fish List.