Minolta AF 50mm F3.5 Macro A-mount lens review by Phil Wood
 Phil Wood#44284 date: May-8-2019 | |
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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: | Sony - AF DT 30 F2.8 Macro SAM Minolta - AF 50 F2.8 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: | 55 GBP |
| positive: | Sharp, light, 1:2 macro. |
| negative: | Only 1:2, f3.5, plastic build. |
| comment: | This lens was produced as a low cost alternative to the 50mm f2.8 RS 1:1 macro - and Minolta made a very good job of it. This is a very capable macro lens, the smaller aperture is of little consequence and most macro shots don't need more than 1:2 - when it was released the cost saving on its more expensive stablemate made it an attractive choice. However, it has developed a reputation of near perfection, and now sells for as much or more than the f2.8 macros - which is insane. Yes its a very good lens, but the first f2.8 is as sharp, better built, has a wider aperture, and has 1:1 capability. The second generation RS has all of the above and a focus limiter, the Min D/Sony add ADI capability. I have four Minolta 50mms and this is my least favourite, least used - not because it is a bad lens, just that the others do what they do better that it can do and there is nothing it can do that none of the others can. The f1.4 & f1.7 aren't as sharp wide open - but they open a lot wider, the f2.8 is as sharp, has 1:1 macro and simply feels so much better (I seriously like that lens). Compared to my other macros: The Sony DT 30mm is even more plasticky, APS-C only, and it's 1:1 involves getting so close that it gets silly - the f3.5 wins. The Sigma 70mm seems better built, but you always worry a little about what's inside a Sigma in terms of gear stripping, it too requires absurdly close work for full magnification - f3.5 wins. The Sigma 90mm is very nice, a solid compact lens that is very reminiscent of the Min 50mm f2.8 somehow I don't worry about its innards. Like the f3.5 it is 1:2 only, but at a nice stand-off,the f3.5 just edges it on sharpness. I think I'll call it a draw. The Min 100mm f2.8 D is the best macro lens I have experience of and a very fine short tele / portait lens. I love it, the f3.5 loses this one. You can, of course, also use it as a 50mm prime, it just doesn't make much sense to do so if you have so many alternatives. I really wanted to like this lens more than I do and it really is a very nice, very capable lens, but I just don't feel the love. |
; 24MPrating summary
- total reviews: 63
- sharpness: 4.93
- color: 4.95
- build: 4.60
- distortion: 4.94
- flare control: 4.68
- overall: 4.82