Minolta AF 85mm F1.4 A-mount lens review by nitrosyl

nitrosyl#5138 date: Apr-2-2009
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP24MP36MP42MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	- Minolta 85mm f/1.4 G - Minolta 85mm f/1.4 G D - Sony Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*
price paid:	missing
positive:	- Optic quality - Well built
negative:	- Old (1st gen. Minolta AF lens) - Slow AF speed - No ADI (probably not a big deal)
comment:	Optically this lens is in the same league with the more modern 85 G and 85 G D lenses. Its build quality is top notch which is characteristic of a first generation Minolta AF lens. AF speed is a bit on the slow side but not a big problem shooting still portrait. Only issue (potentially) is its age (many used copies must be 15+ or even 20+ years old). So watch out for fungus/scratches when searching in 2nd hand market. UPDATE The Sony Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 is sharper at large aperture setting (1.4-2) and better built with an all-metal construction (even the hood and focus ring are metal).