LAST MODEL Minolta CE 50mm f2.8 Enlarging & Macro lens - ANY FILM or DIGITAL SLR

Description

Here is a GREAT lens for just about ANY enlarger -- as well as a MACRO lens for just about any camera -- FILM OR DIGITAL!
Most people are well aware of Minolta's film cameras and Rokkor lenses, but few are aware of the plethora of darkroom gear that Minolta produced, from enlargers, to analyzers, to enlarging lenses -- see second photo.
Starting in the 1950's, Minolta produced around two dozen enlarging lenses covering all of the various film formats of their cameras, from subminiature (16mm film) to medium format (120 film). They produced different enlarging lenses in these focal lengths:
25mm
30mm
50mm
75mm
80mm
105mm
A few of these enlarging lenses are really the same lens, just with different names on them – due to changes in Minolta's company name, the market in which the lens was sold, and how Minolta chose to label their lenses. Their enlarging lenses can be found with these various labels:
E·ROKKOR
CHIYOKO ROKKOR
CHIYOKO E. ROKKOR
MINOLTA E. ROKKOR
MINOLTA C.E. ROKKOR-X
MINOLTA C.E. ROKKOR
MINOLTA C.E LENS
Their final series of enlarging lenses was initially labeled MINOLTA C.E. ROKKOR-X in the US market.  The “C.E.” stands for “Color Enlarging” for which they were designed – with their six element construction and multi-layer lens-coating.  Elsewhere, these lenses were simply labeled as MINOLTA C.E. ROKKOR.  Later, when Minolta decided to drop the ROKKOR name from all of their lenses, all of their enlarging lenses were simply labeled MINOLTA C.E LENS. But they were all the exact same lenses in optical design, features, size, weight, etc.!
There are several features that set these Minolta C.E. enlarging lenses apart from other enlarging lenses (see photos):
They all have a six-element design, created for the best color correction in color enlarging -- but they are perfect for B&W work as well.
They have an over-sized design for easier use in the dark -- and a large, rubberized aperture ring.
They incorporate dual, over-sized, f-stop scales -- one on each side of the lens for quick, easy placement on the enlarger.
Both f-stop scales are internally illuminated -- for easy f-stop selection on any lensboard.
The aperture ring has an f-stop over-ride feature -- perfect for use with a color analyzer or on-easel exposure meter.
An illuminated red ring appears around the lens -- to indicate when the lens is set in f-stop over-ride mode.
Minolta's exclusive Achromatic multi-coated optics -- Minolta was the first to create multi-coating in 1958.
Minolta's enlarging lenses can be used on just about ANY enlarger -- not just those made by Minolta!
This Minolta C.E. 50mm f2.8 lens actually has TWO uses.  First, as an enlarging lens for film formats about the 35mm size -- from Tessina, Robot and half-frame, to full-frame 35mm, and others, such as 126 Instamatic.
The lens features click stops on each full f-stop.  It has a SIX-element, FIVE-group, Gauss-variant design with f-stops to f22.  It's optimum magnification is 15X but it is perfectly at home with other magnifications.
It weighs 5.6 ounces (160 grams), diameter is 55mm, length is 42mm.  It's mounting thread is 39mm -- Leica thread.
While this lens was designed for enlarging work it also makes, like most enlarging lenses, a perfect macro/micro lens and can be used on any size film or digital camera with interchangeable lenses – from subminature / pocketable to large format sheet / panel cameras. Depending on your setup and the amount of extension that you have available, you can go from about 1:1 life size to about 30 times life size -- or higher!  But like all lenses, it is best to stop down to about f8 during the exposure for the best possible resolution.  You might want to stop down even more to get more depth of field -- which is pretty darn thin at high magnifications.
But in order to use this lens as a micro or macro lens you will need a couple of things.  First, you will need a means of creating extension between the lens and your camera body.  This can be a bellows or a set of extension tubes -- or both!  If your camera has a TTL (Through the Lens) meter, like most do, it will do the necessary exposure correction for you -- or you can do it yourself.  Secondly, you will also need a Leica adapter to place this lens on your extension device.  Just about every camera company made Leica adapters -- so you can put this lens on a Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Konica, Panasonic, whatever -- even a Phoenix (see last two pictures).  It shows a Minolta C.E. lens on a Minolta bellows on a 35mm SLR (not included) -- with a bellows and simple adapter (not included).  Last, you will need two small pieces of opaque tape -- to place over the lens' two "light pipes" -- unless you happen to be using this lens on a Minolta camera, AND happen to have the impossible-to-find Minolta C.E. adapter.  This is a special Leica adapter with two panels that cover these "light pipes".  These need to be covered to prevent stray light from entering the camera through the "light pipes" during the exposure. Look at the photo that shows the back of the lens, and you can clearly see the two "light pipes".  Simply temporarily cover these with pieces of opaque tape and you won't have any problems!
FYI, RAF CAMERA makes an inexpensive adapter to mount ANY of Minolta's C.E. enlarging lenses REVERSED.  This adapter is NOT INCLUDED, but they are listed by RAF CAMERA on EBAY!!!
This lens, up for auction -- is a NEW Minolta C.E. 50mm f2.8 lens.  It is the EXACT same 80mm f5.6 lens as those marked "C.E. Rokkor", or "C.E. Rokkor-X" -- but it was made AFTER the ROKKOR name was dropped by Minolta -- so this is the last, final, and NEWEST version!!!
It has only been used to test its functionality.  I checked it out for cleanliness and complete operation.  It looks and acts perfectly.
The glass is like new -- no dust, fungus, separation, scratches, etc.  Please examine the pictures for more detail. No scratches of any sort on the body.  The f-stop ring turns like new.  No oil on the diaphragm.  The detents are perfect and snap into place easily in the dark.
It comes in the original box with the original instruction sheet and warranty card.  This not only covers the 50mm model, but the 30mm and 80mm models, as well.
It does NOT come with a lensboard or 39mm jam nut / locking ring. Minolta never provided these since the buyer might not need them.
So with this lens, you are really getting TWO lenses in one -- a great enlarging lens for the 35mm film formats.  IN ADDITION, you get a fabulous macro/micro lens for superb details of tiny subjects for film or digital cameras of ANY format.
If you have a problem or question, please contact me directly FIRST -- BEFORE CONTACTING EBAY.
NO RESERVE.  NO HANDLING FEES.  Returns HAPPILY accepted for ANY reason.
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