Minolta

Minolta holds a unique position in the history of rangefinder photography: it is the only Japanese manufacturer that Leitz (Leica) actively partnered with to co-develop a camera system. For the Leica M-mount community, Minolta is best known for the Leitz-Minolta partnership of the 1970s, which produced the Leica CL and later the Minolta CLE.

Minolta's "M-Rokkor" lenses are widely celebrated as the "gateway drugs" to the M-system. They offer genuine Leitz-approved optical performance and build quality at a fraction of the price of their German-branded counterparts. Additionally, the brand is famous for championing the 40mm focal length, a perspective that many rangefinder shooters prefer over the traditional 35mm or 50mm standards.

History

While Minolta (originally Chiyoda Kogaku) had a long history of producing LTM lenses in the 1950s, their most significant impact on the M-mount occurred in the 1970s and 80s.

The Leitz-Minolta Partnership (1972 to 1976)

Following the commercial failure of the Leica M5, Leitz was in financial trouble and needed a lower-cost, high-volume product to compete with Japanese SLRs. They entered a technology-sharing agreement with Minolta. The result was the Leica CL (Compact Leica), known in Japan as the Leitz Minolta CL.

• The Deal: Leitz designed the chassis and the 90mm lens; Minolta designed the electronics, the 40mm lens mechanicals, and manufactured the bodies in Japan. This collaboration saved Leitz during its darkest financial hour [[1]].

The CLE Era (1980 to 1985)

After Leitz discontinued the CL, Minolta continued development independently and released the Minolta CLE (Compact Leica Electronic) in 1980. This was the most advanced M-mount camera of its time, featuring the world's first TTL Flash Metering and Aperture Priority AE in an M-body—features Leica wouldn't introduce until the M7 in 2002. To support it, Minolta released a refreshed line of multi-coated M-Rokkor lenses.

The G-Rokkor Revival (1998)

To celebrate the brand's 70th anniversary, Minolta released a limited edition LTM (screw mount) version of the lens from their legendary TC-1 compact camera. This proved to be Minolta's final love letter to the rangefinder format before the company eventually merged with Konica [[3]].

Product Lines (M-Mount & Limited LTM)

Minolta's M-mount lenses are branded as M-Rokkor. They are generally divided into two generations: the CL version (single-coated, sloped cams) and the CLE version (multi-coated, traditional cams).

The 40mm Standard

Minolta established 40mm as a viable frame line standard, despite Leica never officially adopting it in their main M bodies.

• M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 (Gen 1 / CL): Visually identical to the Leica Summicron-C 40mm.
  • Filter Thread: Uses standard 40.5mm filters (unlike the Leica version, which used a bizarre Series 5.5 thread), making the Minolta version more practical for modern users.
  • Coating: Typically single-coated, offering lower contrast and a classic look.
• M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 (Gen 2 / CLE): Updated for the CLE camera.
  • Improvements: Features advanced Multi-Coating (indicated by green/purple reflections) for higher contrast and flare resistance. The cam mechanics were also standardized to match traditional M bodies perfectly.

The 28mm Wide Angle (The "White Spot" Lens)

• M-Rokkor 28mm f/2.8: Designed specifically for the CLE (which has 28mm framelines, unlike the CL).
  • Performance: A 7-element design that is incredibly compact and sharp, often compared favorably to the Elmarit-M.
  • The "Schneideritis" Issue: This lens is notorious for developing white spots on the black paint around the front element group. While usually cosmetic, severe cases can be accompanied by haze that degrades image quality. Buyers should always ask for a "flashlight test" before purchasing [[2]].

The 90mm Telephoto

• M-Rokkor 90mm f/4: A compact telephoto designed to pair with the CL/CLE.
  • Origin: The optical formula was designed by Leitz (Elmar-C), but later production runs were manufactured entirely by Minolta in Japan. It is one of the smallest 90mm lenses ever made.

The G-Rokkor (LTM Special)

• G-Rokkor 28mm f/3.5: A limited production lens (2,000 units) in Leica Thread Mount.
  • Design: Based on the lens from the Minolta TC-1. It creates a distinct high-contrast, high-vignette look that is beloved by street photographers.
  • Build: Titanium finish, incredibly small, and fully rangefinder coupled [[3]].

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mount	Leica M-Bayonet (M-Rokkor) or LTM (G-Rokkor)
Focus Coupling	Coupled. (0.8m minimum focus for M-Rokkors).
Framelines	40mm Lens: Brings up 50mm framelines on standard Leica M bodies. 28mm Lens: Brings up 35mm framelines on M bodies (requires modification to show 28mm lines).
Compatibility Myth	Leica historically claimed CL lenses had a different "slope" and wouldn't focus correctly on M cameras. This has been largely debunked; any variance is covered by depth of field at f/2 [[5]].
Filter Thread	40.5mm (Standard M-Rokkors)
Common Issues	White Spots (28mm f/2.8), Haze (90mm f/4 elements often fog up).

Why Photographers Choose Minolta

• The "Perfect" Standard: Many photographers find 35mm too wide and 50mm too tight. The 40mm M-Rokkor offers a perfect "natural eye" perspective that is hard to find in other brands.
• Bang for Buck: The M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 is widely considered the best value lens in the entire M-ecosystem, offering Summicron-level performance for often under $400.
• Compactness: The entire M-Rokkor line was designed for the compact CL/CLE bodies. They are significantly smaller and lighter than their brass Leica equivalents, making them ideal for travel.

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Sources

• [1] Leicaphilia (The Leitz-Minolta CL History): https://leicaphilia.com/the-leica-leitz-minolta-cl/
• [2] 35mmc (The 28mm White Spot Issue): https://www.35mmc.com/07/06/2019/minolta-28mm-2-8-m-rokkor-repair/
• [3] Japan Camera Hunter (G-Rokkor 28mm Profile): https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/03/minolta-g-rokkor-28mm-f3-5-ltm/
• [4] Ken Rockwell (Minolta CLE System): https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/cle.htm
• [5] Stephen Gandy (CameraQuest CL/CLE Guide): https://cameraquest.com/cle.htm