Minolta's fast MC portrait tele — the 85mm f/1.7 MC Tele Rokkor-PF, a classic mid-60s portrait lens.
The Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PF 85mm f/1.7 is a fast short-telephoto manual-focus lens for Minolta reflex cameras from the MC generation of the mid-1960s. The Tele prefix marks its telephoto role and MC the meter-coupled series. As a fast 85mm it was Minolta's classic portrait lens of the era, a focal length long prized for flattering headshots.
This is a manual-focus short-telephoto lens with an 85mm focal length and a fast maximum aperture of f/1.7, from the meter-coupled MC line. The PF code encodes the element and group arrangement in Minolta's scheme. Only the focal length and aperture are affirmed; other construction figures are not confirmed here and are omitted.
The 85mm focal length is the archetypal portrait length, giving flattering compression and a comfortable working distance, while the fast f/1.7 aperture produces shallow depth of field and smooth background separation. It also serves well for low-light and general short-telephoto work, with the pleasing rendering associated with fast MC Rokkors.
On the used market this is a desirable MC portrait Rokkor sought by collectors and portrait shooters adapting vintage lenses. Given its age, inspect for haze, fungus and separation, confirm the aperture blades are clean and snappy, and check the focus helicoid runs smoothly. Examine the coatings for wear, and use an adapter for mirrorless mounting.