Minolta's early ultra-wide reflex prime — the 18mm f/9.5 UW Rokkor-PG, a scarce 1950s specialist.
The Minolta UW Rokkor-PG 18mm f/9.5 is an ultra-wide manual-focus lens for Minolta SLR bodies, dating from the earliest era of the Rokkor line at the end of the 1950s. UW denotes its ultra-wide angle of view, and it sat at the extreme wide end of the range at a time when few makers offered focal lengths this short for reflex cameras. It was a specialist tool rather than a general-purpose optic.
Optically this is a manual-focus wide-angle lens with a focal length of 18mm and a modest maximum aperture of f/9.5, which was typical of very early ultra-wide reflex designs where a small maximum aperture kept the optical formula manageable. The PG designation in Minolta's coding indicates the element and group arrangement. Beyond the focal length and aperture, verifiable construction data for this specific early sample is limited, so figures such as filter thread and weight are not stated here.
With an 18mm angle of view the lens captures a very broad field, suiting expansive landscapes, architectural interiors and confined spaces where a photographer needs to include a wide sweep. The small maximum aperture means it is best used in good light or on a tripod, and its rendering reflects the coating technology of its period rather than modern multi-coated glass.
On the used market this is a scarce early Rokkor and is bought mainly by Minolta collectors rather than everyday shooters. Because of its age, inspect carefully for internal haze, fungus and separation, check the aperture blades for oil, and confirm the focus helicoid turns smoothly. Coating wear is common on lenses of this vintage, so examine the front and rear elements under a strong light before purchase.