G-ROKKOR 28mm (L39)

Converting a TC-1 lens to an L39

A review and Photo example of the MINOLTA G ROKKOR 28mm F3.5.

Gallery

The sample photo were taken with the HEXAR-RF and Unknown film

The sample photo were taken with the LEICA M8.2.

Review

Overview
Usability
Add info

1．Overview

The Minolta G Rokkor 28mm F3.5 is a lens for rangefinder cameras with a Leica L39 screw mount.

This lens was designed for the high-end compact camera TC-1, and was released in a limited run of 2,000 units with the same lens configuration but with a Leica L39 screw mount.

The lens barrel is beautiful with a silver exterior, and the hood is the same color. When the hood is removed, the lens is compact, measuring just 20mm in total length. It comes in a luxurious package with a nameplate as shown in the photo, and the cap at the end of the hood is screw-on and made of the same material as the lens, with the MINOLTA logo. The rear cap of the L39 screw also has a special, elaborate design.

The diaphragm blades of the compact camera TC-1, on which this lens was based, were interchangeable circular plates, but this L-mount version has been replaced with a conventional diaphragm consisting of 9 or so blades, which is convenient for normal use.
For MINOLTA, this is their first lens for Leica rangefinder cameras in a long time since they released M-mount lenses for the Leitz Minolta CL / Minolta CLE.

The minimum focusing distance of this lens is 0.8m, but I have seen articles state that it is 0.45m, but this is probably being confused with the minimum focusing distance of the TC-1 compact camera.

2．Usage

This is a lens that I often used with film cameras, and as you can see in the photo, it looks very good when attached to a ZEISS IKON or MINOLTA CLE, and it makes you want to take pictures. When using it with a film camera, if you take vignetting into consideration when creating your image, you won’t notice any flaws. I no longer have either of these systems, but I think just having it makes me smile.

For digital cameras, I used it with the Leica M8.2 with an APS-H size sensor, and as you can see in the photo example, the cropping is exquisite, and the vignetting and color cast, which are noticeable as flaws on the Leica M9 with a 35mm full-size sensor, are not noticeable, making it an easy-to-use lens.

Even with a 35mm full-size sensor, I think that color cast will be improved with the α7s and new types of sensors, but vignetting is a characteristic of the lens and there is nothing that can be done about it. There are cameras that automatically correct vignetting, but that is a big help.

This lens has no bonding surface, so it is a blessing for an old lens that you don’t have to worry about balsam cut. The RICOH GR 28mm (and the wider GR 21mm), which has the same angle of view, has a fair chance of showing cloudiness due to peeling of the balsam adhesive surface.

3．Add Info.

This lens was released in 1998, but new lenses were available in camera shops until around 2005. It was an idyllic time when even limited edition items did not sell out quickly, and a dozen years ago time flowed differently from today’s busy days with scalpers.

As a comparison of personal experience, I wish I had used the TC-1 as well, but I was satisfied with the GR1, a compact camera with a focal length of 28mm, so time passed without me using the TC-1.

The GR28mm, released at the same time, is thought to be made of brass and is heavy at 180g, but this one is made of aluminum and is quite lightweight at 110g.

Specification

Items	ELMARIT 5th early	KM HEXANON	M ROKKOR 28	G ROKKOR 28	GR 28
Focal length(mm)	28	28	28	28	28
Max aperture	2.8	2.8	2.8	3.5	2.8
Min aperture	22	22	22	22	16
Lens Construction	8 elements in 6 groups	8 elements in 7 groups	7 elements in 5 groups	5 elements in 5 groups	7 elements in 4 groups
Aperture blade	10	10	10	9	10
Min distance(m)	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.7
Lens length(mm)	30	40.4	35.5	19.5	23
Max diameter(mm)	52	52	51	51	49.5
Filter Size(mm)	39	46	40.5	40.5	40.5
Lens hood	Square type,hooked	Round, Slotted, Screwed	Dedicated bayonet	Trumpet type, screw-in	Trumpet type, screw-in
Weight(g)	180	230	135	110	180
Release date	2006	1999	1981	1998.9	1997
Production numbers	–	–	–	2000	3000
Price(Yen/No-tax)	–	¥113,000	–	¥110,000	¥98,000