Minolta Rokkor

1. Overview

The Minolta Rokkor 50mm is a Japanese photographic lens from the early 1960s, adapted by Ancient Optics in GL-rehousing for film set use. As a spherical vintage lens with a T1.9 aperture, it belongs to the growing category of re-housed small-format optics that are sought after for their optical characteristics—not for technical perfection.

2. Characteristics

Flare behavior according to CINEFLARES datasheet:

• Types: Spherical Spot, Caustic
• Colors: Blue, Amber, Green
• Intensity: Strong

Linked Pattern Entries:

• spherical-spot
• caustic-flare

3. Creative Use

The Rokkor 50mm is used when an image is intended to appear organic: soft focus fall-off at wide apertures, strong spherical spots, and caustic flares in blue, amber, and green when backlit or with point light sources. The flare intensity is pronounced—this is not a look that is added in post-production, but one that is created during shooting and requires corresponding coordination with the gaffer. Typical for indie productions seeking an analog feel without an anamorphic budget; usually available through specialized vintage rental houses, less commonly in the standard fleet of large studios. At 1.5 kg in its rehousing, it is within the normal working range but is not a lightweight for gimbal or Steadicam use.

4. Specs Overview

5. Status Tracker

• [x] Datasheet extracted (DOM-direct, 2026-04-20)
• [ ] Overview formulated
• [ ] Creative use researched
• [ ] AI-Illu or manufacturer photo (with attribution)
• [ ] Translations (9 languages)
• [ ] Import via import-lexikon.mjs