Minolta AF 50mm F2.8 Macro A-mount lens reviews
 Ebbelboiz#44437 date: Dec-14-2019 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | - Minolta 50mm f1.4 |
| price paid: | €130 (used) |
| positive: | - incredibly sharp for its age - has a minimum focal disctance of about 2cm - can be used as a low light lens for indoor photography |
| negative: | - autofocus a little inaccurate at times |
| comment: | This lens is one of my all time favorites when it comes to sharpness. Its macro capabilities are great but it's also very usable for portraits and low light photography. |
| Miranda F#44320 date: Jun-15-2019 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 272E Min 50mm f1.7 Sony 50mm f1.8 Sony 30mm f2.8 macro A few other MF 50mm lenses, eg Zeiss tessar f2.8, Pentacon f1.8, Miranda f1.8/f1.9/f2 Lots of AF zooms. |
| price paid: | £60 |
| positive: | solid construction, great range. Sharp!!! Sunstars! |
| negative: | Focus ring rather narrow No focus limiter - if it goes the wrong way it can take an age to refocus. Not the lightest 50mm, noticeable on E-mount. Optimised more for macro use than distant views? |
| comment: | What can one say? A classic lens. I've given up on FF A-mount (except film), and on APS-C the 50 is very useful. The classic 90mm FL is more useful for butterflies (and insects with a TC) due to the working distance, but the 50mm is much better for those clifftop views with small flowers in the foreground and some waves behind. I tend to use reversed lenses for extreme macro, but as you'd expect this one stays sharp in the near macro region and does a fairly nice job for portraits too, though there is an argument for a softer lens for that dreamy look. Still a brilliantly sharp lens in macro even on the A7Rii, though you need to keep the shutter speed high if you're going to pixel-peep. |
| Phil Wood#44301 date: May-19-2019 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony - AF DT 30 F2.8 Macro SAM Minolta - AF 50 F2.8 Macro RS Sony 50mm f2.8 macro Minolta - AF 50 F3.5 Macro Sigma - 70 F2.8 EX DG Macro Sigma - 90 F2.8 Macro Minolta - AF 100 F2.8 Macro D Minolta AF 50mm F1.4 Minolta - AF 50 F1.7 Sony - AF DT 50 F1.8 SAM |
| price paid: | 68 GBP |
| positive: | Stunningly good: sharp, solid as a tank, 1:1 macro. |
| negative: | No focus limiter, no focus hold button. No bayonet or clip on hood option. |
| comment: | I really, really, like this lens, the only macro in my collection that I would rate more highly is the Minolta AF 100mm f2.8 Macro D - I just prefer the longer focal length and greater stand-off from the subject at 1:1. However, this 50mm is often better for handheld macro as camera shake is less of a problem. It is as sharp as you will ever need a lens to be, extreme pixel peeping is required to distinguish it from the 100mm or the Minolta AF f3.5 Macro which are also superb. It has the superb Minolta colours one expects from the company's 1980s glass and the incredibly solid metal/glass build of that era. With larger lenses this build quality can be seen as a negative owing to it weight, but the difference between this 1985 design (310g) and the updated 2006 Sony variant is only 15g - the 1993 RS update actually added 5g. Distortion in unnoticeable and flare control is what you would expect from a good 1985 lens - not up to modern standards, but you can still get good contre-jour shots with a bit of care. Of course this lens is intended for use close up, it's raison d'etre is macro, but it is also a very capable standard lens. It is in this role that it misses a decent hood option, I don't like screw in hoods! Focusing speed is typical for Minolta's screw drive prime lenses, pretty good, but not great. Like many macros it extends a long way in macro - not perfect, but not a problem if you are used to it. A focus limiter would make sense and was added in the RS update, shame it wasn't included originally. The RS update also added a focus hold button - not as important as the focus limiter but very nice to have these days when digital bodies allow one to assign the function of one's choice to it. In comparison to my alternative macro lenses (see list above) it outshines (IMO) all but the 100mm D and, at current ebay prices, is a no-brainer bang for the buck purchase if you are looking for your first macro. In comparison to my non-macro 50mm primes it is a 'horses for courses' decision - they are all good lenses. If you want detail pick the macro, if you want minimal DOF, bokeh or low light performance the Minolta AF 50mm f1.4 is the one to go for, if flare control or CA is an issue and you are happy sticking to APS-C the Sony DT 50mm f1.8 makes some sense. If budget is all important the Minolta AF 50mm f1.7 won't let you down. Update: Having procured a Minolta - AF 50 F2.8 Macro RS I have another macro that I would rate more highly than this original version - purely for the additional flexibility offered by the focus limiter and preview buttons on the RS. The original is easier to find and, usually, a bit cheaper - and it's still a great lens. Update Ape '25 - just to note that I have added the Sony version of this splendid lens to my collection, The Sony (and the Minolta D version) add a focus clutch to the package - meaning that the focus ring no longer rotates during AF, which, in turn, means that the ring can be considerably bigger and better positioned. It is, of course, added mechanical complexity that probably impacts on its long term reliability, but the wider focus ring is really nice to have for the manual focusing that is so often needed in macro work. |
| biggame#38886 date: Jun-25-2017 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony DT 50mm f/2.8 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Compact size , sharpness both as macro and portrait. No lens hood required due to the funnel shape and the glass is not in the front of the lens. |
| negative: | It hunts in low light conditions and the sound from the AF engine doesn't sound to exclusive to be honest. In good light conditions fully open it produces sharp and crisp images with good color rendition. |
| comment: | Picked up a sample from the Norwegian used marked for 80 USD (with an analoge Minolta Dynax 7i included. which ended up on the shelves). For that price of a good macro/portrait lens what could be wrong? |
| Pirate#34754 date: Jan-13-2017 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma AF 105/2.8 EX + EX DG Macro MIN50M28RS Macro MIN50M35 Macro Tamron 272EM / 272ES Cosina/Vivitar AF 100/3.5 MC Macro |
| price paid: | £55.20 (used) |
| positive: | Solid build quality Ultra sharp image quality (IQ) Buttery smooth bokeh Ergonomic design Classic Minolta colour rendition Selectable magnification scale |
| negative: | Nothing that hasn't already been addressed by the RS version. 5-pins (should have 8) |
| comment: | Where do you start? It's a phenomenally good bit of kit and delivers superb quality results in spades. It's been very well constructed and the optical quality of this lens is phenomenally good, though for me it's not conducive for live macro subjects and it may well be too short for portraiture, but that's just a personal opinion. The nearest of all the other 50mm macro lenses that produce similar results are both the MIN50M28RS and MIN50F35 but they differ due to their construction, but I don't know if the RS has different optics to this version. The colours, bokeh, sharpness and overall solid construction and build quality is first class and it's one of the best dedicated macro lenses from the extensive Minolta back-catalogue. This is definitely one lens I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a top 50mm macro and isn't bothered about the focal length, though any of the Minolta 50mm Macro lenses would be a great choice even as a standard prime. |
| michalm2#16317 date: Jul-16-2015 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50/1.7 Minolta 28/2.8 Sigma 30/1.4 |
| price paid: | 180 EUR |
| positive: | colors bokeh speed focus limiter weight |
| negative: | missing |
| comment: | I really love this lens for macro and portraits. It is razorsharp wide open and had very nice bokeh. I will really buy it again. |
| bennygsr#11469 date: Nov-11-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 70-210 beercan, 18-250 with macro, 28-135 macro setting |
| price paid: | A$250.00 approx |
| positive: | Colour and sharpness are unbelievable on my sample- even at 2.8mm |
| negative: | flare control is not perfect, and focus, as expected is slow - but this is not what i bought it for! |
| comment: | I love this lens, and use it occasionally still for portraiture as well as macro. The colours are the best of probably any lens I own! |
| milan33#11447 date: Nov-7-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | MAF 50 3.5, MAF 50 1.4, MAF 50 1,7, SAL 50 1.8 |
| price paid: | ex.130 EUR (used) |
| positive: | Very sharp Macro lens from f.2.8, full scale from 1:1 to others, well metal build, great for macro flora pictures, and also portraits, good working in low light, not heavy, worth every EUR I have paid for. |
| negative: | None. |
| comment: | Very sharp Macro lens, full scale from 1:1 to others, great for portaits. Every photographer wish. The sharpest 50mm i used already. In Summertime, almost everytime in my bag. |
| tekwizard#11199 date: Jun-18-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 60 F2 Di II Minolta 50 F1.4 Zeiss Tessar 45 F2.8 |
| price paid: | 140€ (used) |
| positive: | Sharp Minolta Colours Build Size Price |
| negative: | object distance at 1:1 |
| comment: | The lens is very sharp and very affordable. I prefer it over the Tamron 60 F2 for macro work as it has better contrast and I prefer the slightly more vibrant Minolta colours. Auto focus of both lenses is comparable but the Minolta hunts much less. |
| Milan33m#11165 date: May-31-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | MAF 50 3,5, MAF 50 1,4 and MAF 50 1,7 |
| price paid: | 135 EUR (used) |
| positive: | Extremly sharp! Very useful every scale Macro lens. All metal Prime build, |
| negative: | Discontihued, a bit rare, a bit expensive! |
| comment: | Mine best Macro Lens. Best liked, very often on body. Great for flowers and otrher small objects,. Good for portraits, indoor photography, as lowest light is 2.8 fixed focus. Very versatile lens, worth of every cent. A must have in experienced Minolta-Sony user! |
| joestealthmode#11110 date: May-14-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 85mm f/1.4 ZA 24mm f/2 SSM ZA |
| price paid: | $150 USD (used) |
| positive: | Sharp!! Beautiful colors Stands the test of time |
| negative: | Slow motor 1-1 is dangerously close to glass Lens extends weird |
| comment: | Picked up a very good copy of this lens on eBay. Let me tell you, this is a very sharp lens. I was peeping pixels on a shot I took and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The 1-1 magnification is hard to achieve without help from a steady subject and a tripod or remote (or both). If you put a filter on the lens, you're an inch or so away from hitting the glass. It is sharp in the center wide open and once stopped to f/4 you're peeping corners if your depth of field is right. The lens is very small, in fact, it is my smallest lens. I find it easier to hold steady than my other lenses, which is an asset with Macro work. I get decent results at 1/10s I would be nervous to shoot with my 85mm f/1.4 or even my 24mm f/2 that slow. The colors this lenses reproduces are on par with my best color lens, which is the 24mm f/2 SSM ZA. I would venture to this lens has the edge. The motor is slow as molasses. I have to use DMF or Manual focus with peaking on the A77/A99. This lens is ancient. It has stood the test of time. It is good for portraits and macros. A bargain if you find one in excellent shape for under $200. |
| karinaeija#10934 date: Feb-21-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 100mm F2.8 |
| price paid: | 185 euro |
| positive: | Amazingly sharp well build good price compared to the new sony macro lens beautiful colors 1:1 macro |
| negative: | This lens has nothing negative |
| comment: | This was the first real macro lens i bought and wow it just blew me away. What a fantastic lens, so incredibly sharp and even when the seller told me it was 28 years old it looks new. It is my all time favorite, maybe the negative part is that it made all my other lenses look less good. Later on i managed to find the Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro too but i have to say i think the 50mm is a bit sharper and still my favorite. Ofcourse the 100mm is more useable for insects and also incredibly sharp. Last week i found a second 50mm one in a secondhand store,it was in an old bag with camera gear. That one i got for 50 euro's so if you keep your eyes open you can find them out there for a good price. I am glad to have a spare because it is just a fantastic lens. |
| OG903#10789 date: Dec-17-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | sony 50mm 1.8 tamron 90mm macro |
| price paid: | 180 usd |
| positive: | sharp, very sharp |
| negative: | mmm... |
| comment: | really enjoying this lens, reignited my passion for 50mm. good for portraits too. actually for all types of shots! i like to use manual mode, and peaking feature in the a65 really helps with accuracy. as good as my tammy 90mm macro. metal body feels like it would last another 20 yrs!!! |
| streets#10717 date: Nov-21-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50mm f1.7 |
| price paid: | 200 USD (used) |
| positive: | Sharp at all stops Color Price 1:1 macro |
| negative: | Not a thing |
| comment: | When I took my first shots, I thought I had a new improved camera. What amazing sharpness! I hate to take it off the camera because none of my other lenses can match it. Macro shots at 1:1.5 with flash are amazing and 100% lit. |
| JBM12G#10642 date: Nov-3-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 18-70 Kit Tamron 70-300 LD Macro |
| price paid: | 180 USD |
| positive: | Very very sharp Nice bokeh Good build quality 1:1 magnification Great color |
| negative: | Small focus ring Slow AF |
| comment: | This is the first real lens that I bought for my a200. It is very sharp, even at F2.8. 1:1 magnification opens up a whole new world of macro photography. The focal length on APS-C makes it pretty nice for macro photography while still being able to used as a general purpose lens. The bokeh is very nice , but I don't really have any good lenses to compare it too. The build quality is nice and solid, but I gave it a 4 for it's small focus ring. I recommend that anyone looking to try macro photography pick up this lens. |
| berlin steve#10588 date: Oct-14-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | KM 50 1.7 & 1.4 Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro |
| price paid: | EUR 188 |
| positive: | sharp great Minolta colours |
| negative: | slow focus (although what do you expect from a macro?) |
| comment: | I had a sharp older Sigma 50mm macro which is nearest to compare to. This had compatibility problems on SLT- and had horribly noisy gears and very slow focusing. The Minolta macro is like a swiss watch in comparison. It may not focus fast, but which macros do? Focus is smooth in MF and AF without the noise of the Sigma, The Sigma was also tack sharp- but lacked the KM colours, so came across pretty cold. The Minolta 50 is a gem to use and has a justified reputation. If you don't need macro, then the 50 1.7 or 1.4 is better all rounder- but if you want sharp, and don't need the fast focus of the other faster 50mm lenses, then this one wins on all round IQ. |
| milav#10367 date: Jul-8-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 50 1.8 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Excellent sharp Macro 1:1 Color, bokeh, contrast F 2.8 Build |
| negative: | Slow focus |
| comment: | Highly reccommended! Must have this lens! This is perfect lens for macro and portrait. |
| mattsonylover#10055 date: Mar-23-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50mm f1.7 Sigma 18-125mm Sigma 75-200mm f2.8-3.5 Minolta 70-210mm f4 sigma 400mm sony 18-55mm |
| price paid: | £60 |
| positive: | Sharp 1:1 Macro f2.8 solid build |
| negative: | stiff focus though it can be repaired easily |
| comment: | highly recommended !! worth every penny, very sharp, and lovely colour. the stiff focus issue is well known problem with this lens, however, if you have the skills, its easy to fix and bring it back to life. when you try it first time, you would be surprised for the meaning of 1:1, no zoom lens would give you such a magnification and of course such amazing pictures. I think its must have lens in your bag. Update: Now after using this lens for a while, I wish that I have bought it long time ago !!! its really a great piece of kit and its really highly recommended for anyone, must have lens ! |
| dinadan#9972 date: Feb-24-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 50mm f1.4 |
| price paid: | 135 EUR (used) |
| positive: | sharp at all apertures, beautiful colours |
| negative: | flare |
| comment: | I got this lens in mint condition from Ebay. After a few shots i think this nice lens will replace my Sony 50mm f1.4. It it much sharper, Macro is incredible. For portraits f2.8 already has nice DOF. |
| jakubh70#9737 date: Jan-1-2012 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 16-105 |
| price paid: | 240 EUR |
| positive: | Excellent sharpness, color, contrast and bokeh |
| negative: | Flare, ghosting appears |
| comment: | This lens is exceptional and almost perfect macro. Maybe even more useful for APS-C sensor than on 35mm. The only issues are low usability when shooting directly into the sun - horrible flare appears, and when there is a large light area in the frame it can cause ghosting effect (similar to this of 50/1,4 lens). This lens is really worth buying for general purpose, portrait, and nature macro shots, but mind that it's not the best lens for product shots on plain white background. |
| JimmyMelbourne#9582 date: Nov-12-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 50 1.4 Tamron 17-50 2.8 |
| price paid: | 180 CHF |
| positive: | Sharp as hell Beautiful colours Excellent portraits Typical minolta build - solid as a rock |
| negative: | Slow to focus, but not a big deal considering it is macro |
| comment: | This lens is a real surprise. I bought it o take macro photos of my newborn son, and I have to say I am blown away by its macro capabilities. It also doubles well as a portrait lens. It is light, portable, and very versatile. I am very happy I chose the minolta rather than paying more money for macro lenses I do not really need. If you are on a budget and want quality, get this. |
| kevan#9410 date: Sep-12-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta beercan Manual macro lens on NEX Sony 30mm Macro f2.8 |
| price paid: | 200 |
| positive: | Razor sharp. Great value. Works really well handheld |
| negative: | None |
| comment: | I love the creative opportunities this lens provides. I really like the length as I can handhold quite well while doing macros. |
| shidairyproduct#9279 date: Jul-30-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 50mm f/1.7 |
| price paid: | 275 (used) |
| positive: | Sharpest lens I've owned. Color is unmatched. |
| negative: | Hard to put it down and use another lens. |
| comment: | I bought this lens a couple of years ago before thanksgiving and it hasn't left my camera since. The short focus distance meant that, even as a 50mm lens, I can focus closer and take some very nice close up photos. It's built like a chunk of a tank. I baby it, but I don't doubt its ability to take a beating. If you were ever curious about what a macro lens would do for your photography, just try this one. A good copy is less than $300 nowadays. I loved it so much, I had to get another lens so that I could stop using this. That expression "when all you have is a hammer, everything else looks like a nail," totally applies to this lens. |
| chriseen#9056 date: May-26-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 35-70 mm f4 Babybeercan Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro Beercan Minolta 50mm f1.7 Beercan Minolta 50mm f/1.4 Beercan Minolta 75-300mm f4,5-5,6 Beercan Tamron SP 90 Macro Minolta 28-135 f4.0-4.5 Beercan Minolta 80-200mm f2.8 Beercan( black) Sigma 70-300 DL Macro Super Sony kitlens 18-70 |
| price paid: | 260 euro (like new) |
| positive: | - Sharp, sharp, Very sharp! Razor Sharp !! -Typical Minolta Colors’ - Good contrast - Creamy, Smooth Bokeh -good depth of field at all distances, -nice Bokeh -Very nice contrast -Low weight - Build quality is superb - Virtually no distortion - Sharpest lens I own, Sharper than my Tamron 90(just) - Versatile - At Full Frame becomes 75mm - Almost zero light falloff on APS-C -Good dual purpose lens if you don't faster the F2.8 -Workable f2.8 1:1 max magnification - The performance is excellent - Sharpest lens I've ever owned, even wide open. - hard to destroy - images have - a very good depth and definition |
| negative: | euhhh, what ? none ! |
| comment: | Bought second hand from a friend, I'm very impressed with the example I have. It was completely cleaned before I bought it.(refurbished) The image quality and sharpness is amazing. This lens is very nicely built and the optics are first rate. I liked how it felt and the build of it was pretty solid . The weight and portable size make it a great travel lens. Great value and utility, and not just for macro work. On APS-C sensors it becomes a small tele (75mm equivalent). This is by far the sharpest lens I've used, it's noticeably sharper than the 50mm 1.7 . At 2.8 1:1 and no flash, DOF is razor thin, but what's in focus will be razor sharp. Sharpness is excellent in all F-stops, colours are what you except from a minolta lens, just deep and lovely . It's quality is unmatched, a fantastic lens, this lens is sharp, sharp, very sharp. Thit I told that I adore this lens . Highly recommended! If you can buy a good copy, just get one!!! Prices rising quickly . |
| derekw#8997 date: May-8-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro Minolta 50mm f1.7 |
| price paid: | 179 GBP like new |
| positive: | Very sharp! Typical Minolta Colour Weight |
| negative: | None to speak of |
| comment: | Very useful lens. Very very sharp and good for portraita. |
| Leo Ferro#8992 date: May-6-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta AF 50 MAcro RS |
| price paid: | 200 |
| positive: | missing |
| negative: | Nada. |
| comment: | missing |
| Argote#8793 date: Mar-15-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony DT 30mm f/2.8 Macro SAM Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM Minolta 50mm f/1.4 |
| price paid: | ~150 USD (used) |
| positive: | - Razor Sharp - Very decent build - Creamy Bokeh - Virtually no distortion |
| negative: | - Hunts on AF - Glossy finish does not match Sony camera styling |
| comment: | I bought this used for a very low price, my copy has stiff focus which strains the motor on my A200 a bit (and makes AF slower) so I'm not considering that in this review. The lens is very sharp even compared to the 50/1.4, it is also well built (nice weight) though I wish the focus ring was a bit wider and the glossy styling looks a bit out of place on my Sony body. The magnification scale is useful when using MF and overall it is nice to use for MF (my focus ring is stiff which helps with the precision). The working distance is OK and does enable you to light objects properly even near 1:1 reproduction, something that cannot be said about the Sony 30/2.8 Macro. Overall it is good optically and would recommend it, especially at a low price. I will update this as I use it more. |
| SChurchill#8407 date: Dec-16-2010 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron SP 90 Macro Sony 50mm F1.4 Minolta 50mm F1.7 |
| price paid: | 150 GBP |
| positive: | Sharpest lens I own, Sharper than my Tamron 90(just) Build quality is superb. Versatile Full Frame |
| negative: | No focus limiter Manual focus ring a bit small |
| comment: | I bought this lens because I had money burning a hole in my pocket and this turned up at the right time. Considering I already own a Tamron 90mm macro I wasn't sure I really needed it. I'm glad I did and I have found it incredibly sharp and versatile. I have now relegated the Sony 50 1.4 to low light work only as I use the 50mm macro instead. The build quality is superb and it saved this lens from destruction at least once since I've owned it. Within the first week of owning it, it fell out of my bag on to concrete and rolled and bounced down a steep hill for about 30 metres before I managed to catch up with it. After expecting the worst, the initial inspection showed that there was only a few flattened ridges on the focus ring and some minor scratching. Once attached to my a700 it proved to be functionally unharmed by the whole experience and with no impairment to IQ whatsoever. I love using on both the A700 and my film bodies, especially with ADOX pan 25 film. |
| Yugus#8170 date: Nov-3-2010 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | $250 CAD (Used) |
| positive: | Cheap for a 1:1 macro Very sharp Smooth bokeh Small+Lightweight No distortion Very little CA Almost zero light falloff on APS-C Good dual purpose lens if you don't need anything faster the F2.8 |
| negative: | No focus limiter on this model AF a little slow (As with all macros) |
| comment: | This is a very good multi purpose lens assuming you do not need anything faster then F2.8. There are very little issues with this lens as it has proven to be a very sharp lens with smooth bokeh even when used wide open. Even wide open this lens does not have a lot of issues, it does have a little CA wide open but not a lot, and doesn't suffer from any light falloff either on an APS-C sensor. Overall this is a great lens for the money and if you don't like to carry around 2 50mm lenses (such as the macro and the F1.7/F1.4) and do not need anything faster then F2.8 you might be better off with this as it can serve 2 purposes. |
| ghmcs#7829 date: Aug-19-2010 | |
|---|---|
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro |
| price paid: | $175 USD |
| positive: | excellent image quality in all respects, easy to carry |
| negative: | none |
| comment: | We have high expectations for a prime, macro lens and this lens does not disappoint. Image quality is as good as you can get, in all respects. It is of a size and weight that makes it easy to carry around and it's a good focal length for macro photographs of flowers. Would I like it better if it was f/2? For film, sure, but f/2.8 plus digital high ISO still makes this a good lens for low-light photography. This is a lens that I find myself reaching for more and more. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 72
- sharpness: 4.97
- color: 4.88
- build: 4.65
- distortion: 4.96
- flare control: 4.40
- overall: 4.77
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