Quantaray 500mm f8 Mirror
Most Quantaray lenses were made by Sigma and some were made by Tamron and Tokina. This lens performs like a Sigma Mirror lens. It is reasonably sharp if you can hold it steady. It has the typical ringed bokeh we see from mirror lenses. Contrast is surprisingly high. While it is not a Zeiss or even a Tamron in quality, it is still far better than any of the off-brands flooding the market.




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Minolta Auto Rokkor 58mm f1.4 PF
Filter Size:
Lens mount:
Aperture Range:
Close Focus:
Macro Ratio
Year Introduced:
Tested with...
55mm
Minolta SR
f1.4- 16
.6 meters
n/a
1961
n/a

This lens is an early, single-coated version of the popular MC Rokkor PF 58mm f1.4. This particular model has a stop down lever at the base of the lens. It is all metal and glass and does weigh more than the average standard prime. Aperture clicks in full stops. There are 8 aperture blades which form a near circular diaphragm. Because of this 8 blade design the bokeh from this lens is quite pleasing. The focus ring on my copy is a bit tight because it needs a re-lube. The focus throw is quite long at 3/4 of a turn. Close focus is a reasonable 2 feet.
I tested it on my Eos M3. It is a bit front heavy. Focusing is a slow process with the tight ring but I can safely say that it is more difficult to focus than its MC Rokkor descendant.
At f1.4 it is soft. F2 tightens up enough to notice and f4 produces sharp imaages. I suspect that it will perform better on a full frame body.
Contrast is quite high above f1.4. In fact, many shooters will choose to reduce contrast in post processing.
Color rendition is cool but separation is good. Saturation is accurate.
Bokeh is very smooth wide open and quite good at smaller apertures, too. Typical of Minolta, bokeh fringing is apparent but minor wide open and disappears quickly as you stop down.
Fringing and dispersion is noticeeble at f1.4. Bokeh fringing is also noticeable wide open.
Pics shot with this lens do have a wonderful character and a dreamy feel even when they are not tack sharp. This is an excellent portrait lens.

ISO 1600 - f2

ISO 400 - f2

ISO 400 - f4

ISO 1600 - f4

ISO 400 - f2 - 100% crop

ISO 400 - f4

ISO 1600 - f4

ISO 400 - f1.4

ISO 400 - f1.4

ISO 1600 - f2

bokeh fringe - f1.4 - click to view

ISO 400 - f2.8

bokeh fringe reduced - f2 - click to view

ISO 1600 - f2

bokeh fringe gone - f2.8 - click to view