Minolta AF 50mm F1.7 A-mount lens review by spada

spada#4515 date: Dec-9-2008
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.5	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6
price paid:	$81 USD (used)
positive:	Good bokeh Good portrait lens Fast enough for indoor low ISO shooting, and even faster when ISO is bumped
negative:	Focusing with A900 hunts indoors sometimes Colors seem a little flat, and I had to bump the contrast on the camera up a notch.
comment:	It's a great overall lens for someone learning photography like I am. It teaches you a lot about focusing correctly, and controlling the DOF. This lens can keep a pretty shallow depth of field even when stopped down to f5 or smaller. Definitely different than the kit lens at 50mm. I have been having a lot of fun with the lens, and can't wait to take some outdoor photos when the weather gets better here in Michigan I have now taken a few shots with the A850 and this lens, and WOW, it really comes to life in terms of sharpness and details captured. My numbers have been revised now that I have used this with the A700 and A850. I have no desire for a 50/1.4 lens at this time. The perfect tradeoff between bokeh and sharpness is at f/2.2, if you want it to be VERY sharp, then stopping down to f/2.8 will get you that.