Rokkor 58mm f/1.2

Technical Details

The lens features a 6-element, 4-group construction with a 49mm front filter diameter. The aperture blades operate in 6 steps from f/1.2 to f/16, with extremely shallow depth of field at wide open apertures – at a distance of 2 meters, it's only 8 centimeters. The lens measures 64mm in length and 70mm in diameter. The optical design is based on a modified Double Gauss design, specifically optimized for extreme speed.

History & Development

Minolta introduced the Rokkor 58mm f/1.2 in 1962 as a flagship lens for the new SR system. It was created as a direct response to Canon's 58mm f/1.2 and was intended to showcase Minolta's technical expertise in lens manufacturing. In 1966, a revised version with improved multi-coating (MC Rokkor) followed, and in 1973, the MD version for the expanded metering system. Production ended in 1985 with the introduction of the autofocus system.

Practical Use in Film

Cinematographer Haskell Wexler used adapted Rokkor lenses for available light scenes in "Medium Cool" (1969), as they allowed for manageable shutter speeds even in extreme low light. The 58mm focal length sits between the standard 50mm and portrait 85mm, producing a natural perspective without wide-angle distortion. At wide open apertures, it creates a characteristic bokeh with a slight swirl effect at the image edges. The lens is particularly suitable for night shots and intimate scenes where the shallow depth of field is used for subject isolation.

Comparison & Alternatives

Compared to the contemporary Canon 58mm f/1.2, the Rokkor offers sharper rendering even at wide open apertures, but with less creamy bokeh. Modern alternatives like the Voigtländer Nokton 58mm f/1.4 achieve similar speed with better correction but lack the characteristic vintage look. For digital productions, Rokkor lenses are often adapted to Sony E-mount or Canon EF, with focus peaking facilitating manual focusing.