The UW Rokkor 18mm f/9.5 is a prime fisheye lens produced by Minolta for Minolta SR-mount single lens reflex cameras, introduced in 1966 as the system's first fisheye lens. It is a full-frame fisheye lens with a 180° viewing angle across the diagonal, and was replaced when the Minolta Fish-Eye Rokkor 16mm f/2.8 lens was released in 1969.
 With hood mounted | |
| Maker | Minolta |
|---|---|
| Technical data | |
| Focal length | 18mm |
| Aperture (max/min) | f/9.5-f/22 |
| Close focus distance | fixed |
| Construction | 7 elements in 5 groups |
| Features | |
| Ultrasonic motor |  No |
| Macro capable | No |
| Unique features | Fisheye |
| Physical | |
| Max. length | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Diameter | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Weight | 230 g (8.1 oz) |
| Filter diameter | Rear |
| Accessories | |
| Lens hood | Bayonet Flower |
| Angle of view | |
| Diagonal | 180° |
| History | |
| Introduction | 1966 |
| Discontinuation | 1969 |
| Successor | Fish-Eye Rokkor 16mm f/2.8 |
Design and history
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Unlike most contemporary fisheye lenses from other camera manufacturers, the UW Rokkor-PG did not require the reflex mirror to be locked up, so the SLR viewfinder could be used. It is a fixed-focus, manual diaphragm lens; the only control on the lens is the aperture, which may be set between f/9.5 and 22. The flower hood is mounted via the same internal quarter-turn bayonet used to secure the front lens cap.
In 1968, the suggested retail price was US$159.50 (equivalent to $1,397 in 2023), including case.[1]
Due to the extreme angle of view, the front of the lens does not have a mount for filters; threaded filters attach to the rear of the lens. The lens was provided with UV and yellow (Y48) filters.[2] Later, a red filter was available separately.[1] Although corporate literature describes it as a 6-element, 4-group lens, the suffix (-PG) indicates it is a 7-element, 5-group lens, meaning the filter is considered part of the optical design.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Price List: Minolta Photographic Equipment" (PDF). Minolta. February 1968. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b "The Minolta SR System: Rokkor Interchangeable Lenses" (PDF). Minolta. 1967. Retrieved 23 July 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
External links
edit- "Minolta UW Rokkor-PG 18mm, 1:9,5". The Fish List.
- Hands, Antony. "18mm f/9.5 u/w rokkor". The Rokkor Files.
- Lohmann, Dennis (2014). "Minolta SR Lens Test: UW ROKKOR 18mm 1:9.5". Minolta.eazypix.de.
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