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Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

Started Dec 17, 2019 | Discussions
Buttons252
Buttons252 Senior Member • Posts: 1,641
Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

This is my 2nd or 3rd 50mm F1.7. I actually stick around minolta because of my affliction for the Beercan 70-210 F4. Anyrate, i have a need for a 35 or 50mm focal length ideally a fast lens (i dont need to shoot wide open, but id like it to be properly sharp by F2.8).

Anyway, my previous copies of the f1.7 never "wowed" me. However, this one seems even worse. This was one of my better shots, manually focused on the eyes. Seems very soft to me. Looking closer, it looks a tiny bit sharper on the board instead of her face. maybe i slightly missed

Stopped down past F5.6 it seems quite sharp though -- which is little use to me. If i just have a bad copy, i might buy another otherwise is there something better for me to use ? 35mm F2? or 50mm F1.4 ?

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Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony a7 IV Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Samyang 135mm F1.8 AF Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
QuietOC
QuietOC Veteran Member • Posts: 6,838
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

Minolta 50's vary quite a bit as far as sharpness. The best copies are pretty sharp wide-open.

The Tamron SP 35mm and 45mm primes are fairly affordable options if you want something sharp at F1.8.

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Pentax Q7 Sony a7R IV NEX-5T Sony a77 II Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM +104 more
sybersitizen Forum Pro • Posts: 24,269
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4
2

Buttons252 wrote:

i have a need for a 35 or 50mm focal length ideally a fast lens (i dont need to shoot wide open, but id like it to be properly sharp by F2.8).

You could try the Sony 35/1.8 or 50/1.8. They're optically good, they're inexpensive, and because they're much newer they haven't passed through as many hands as the Minoltas.

Buttons252
OP Buttons252 Senior Member • Posts: 1,641
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

Thats an idea.  I was trying to stick with Minolta because my father gave me his old minolta film body and lenses, i find some satisfaction using them.  I may get another A100 so i dont have to use lens adapters.  Its not fast, but what about the secret handshake lens? never tried one of them...

The rig

 Buttons252's gear list:Buttons252's gear list
Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony a7 IV Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Samyang 135mm F1.8 AF Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
sybersitizen Forum Pro • Posts: 24,269
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

Buttons252 wrote:

..., but what about the secret handshake lens? never tried one of them...

I assume that's the 28-135. There are people who like it a lot. Some of the internal bits can be vulnerable to shock, though, so treat it gently if you get one.

Hike Pics
Hike Pics Senior Member • Posts: 2,917
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

I have all the "Beer Can" types but not a Secret Handshake lens. Why was it called that?

Buttons252
OP Buttons252 Senior Member • Posts: 1,641
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

I don't know what to believe. Kurt Munger wrote "The Minolta AF 28-135mm lens is described in various internet chat rooms as the "secret handshake" lens, because long ago, a couple of idiots got suckered into believing Minolta produced this lens, and sold it at cost as a "thank you" to the loyal Minolta customers of the day."

On one hand its ludicrous but Its almost believable since they are now out of the photography business...

 Buttons252's gear list:Buttons252's gear list
Sigma DP1 Merrill Sony a7 IV Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Samyang 135mm F1.8 AF Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
QuietOC
QuietOC Veteran Member • Posts: 6,838
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

The Minolta 28-135 at 50mm is not better than the primes. The 28-135 is more like the Sony-Zeiss lenses than other Minoltas. It is a nice old zoom if rather heavy, but is smaller and lighter than the Sony FE 28-135 F4 G OSS.

FWIW: the Minolta 28-105 is really good at 50mm.

 QuietOC's gear list:QuietOC's gear list
Pentax Q7 Sony a7R IV NEX-5T Sony a77 II Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM +104 more
bharathmsk Regular Member • Posts: 190
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

QuietOC wrote:

Minolta 50's vary quite a bit as far as sharpness. The best copies are pretty sharp wide-open.

The Tamron SP 35mm and 45mm primes are fairly affordable options if you want something sharp at F1.8.

@QuietOC, I am looking for a 35mm myself. The 50mm I ended up with has some serious issues (decentered + very soft). I am looking for one to use with an X570 film camera. Could you recommend a few 35mm alternatives to the relatively expensive MD 35mm f/2.8 for use with the X570?

Thanks in advance!

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Canon EOS 550D Olympus OM-D E-M10 III Canon EOS R Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS +9 more
QuietOC
QuietOC Veteran Member • Posts: 6,838
Re: Minolta 50mm F1.7 vs F1.4

bharathmsk wrote:

QuietOC wrote:

Minolta 50's vary quite a bit as far as sharpness. The best copies are pretty sharp wide-open.

The Tamron SP 35mm and 45mm primes are fairly affordable options if you want something sharp at F1.8.

@QuietOC, I am looking for a 35mm myself. The 50mm I ended up with has some serious issues (decentered + very soft). I am looking for one to use with an X570 film camera. Could you recommend a few 35mm alternatives to the relatively expensive MD 35mm f/2.8 for use with the X570?

I am selling a sharp Vivitar 35mm F2.8 that would work.

 QuietOC's gear list:QuietOC's gear list
Pentax Q7 Sony a7R IV NEX-5T Sony a77 II Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM +104 more
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