minolta 50 1.7 'horrid bokeh'...nonsense!

No, it's not horrible, certainly not the way the Helios 44-2 is (that thing could serve as a case study on what good bokeh is *not*), but going from there to claiming the 50/1.7 is a better lens than the Sony pair... no, just don't.

Personally though, I think 'good' bokeh is highly overrated; 'poor' bokeh can be distracting, sure, but it also adds some character to a lens' drawing in a way that can be quite pleasing when used correctly. Unless it's the Helios 44-2, in which case you're screwed. Why yes, I do have a personal vendetta against that old POS, why do you ask?

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