What’s Your Preference?

jack russell · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 01:41 AM

Guys, i have the chance to check out and perhaps buy a minolta 50mm fixed lens.. evidently it's the 50mm f1.7 that came with the 7000? not sure of all that,but if anyone has a clue on what it may be, how nice it may be and what a decent offer for it should be i'd appreciate .. I plan on testing it on my new a500 .. thoughts or comments? thanks!

DonSchap · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 08:19 AM

This particular lens is one of the most common Minolta lenses ever made. The price, about 3 years ago, was around $50, if it was in reasonably good shape, with no fungus, dings or scratches. Today's price is about double that for that kind of condition.

Compared to the just about any other lens of this kind, this one is one of the best. The construction is solid and metal. Many have lasted the test of time for nearly 25 years. Personally, I think that is just remarkable.

The less common version is the f/1.4 lens. It offers a 1/2 f-stop more of light and if you can snag one of these, consider yourself blessed. Its price is substantially more ... $250-295 and it is probably worth it.

The SONY AF 50mm f/1.4 ($369) performs slightly better than the Minolta one, in regards to contrast, but the difference really requires some inspection. Personally, it is a wash.

The new SONY AF 50mm f/1.8 DT is just for the APS-C cameras (non-a850/a900) and is quite a bit less of a build-quality. Obviously, at only $150 new ... you can figure that out for yourself.

jack russell · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 09:39 PM

Thanks Don! ... this whole fungus thing, is it quite evident if there, does it look like mold?

DonSchap · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack russell

Thanks Don! ... this whole fungus thing, is it quite evident if there, does it look like mold?

It kind of is a stringy looking growth across the lens elements. It requires complete dis-assembly of the lens and that is tedious, if you have never done it ... or it is at least $80 at the lens service depot.

lens fungus.jpg
(click on this image)

jack russell · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2010, 06:57 PM

Got it Don! a bunch of shots have me impressed already .. the DoF is outstanding .. the first is one of a few I shot off today, the last 3 are to show you the lens itself .. $65 bucks and done .. I think it was a deal .. thanks for your assistance .. Ian

DonSchap · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2010, 08:09 PM

This is one very versatile lens and you should have a lot of fun with it.

I know it would be awesome to have a zoom capable of f/1.4 imagery, but they tend to get way out of hand, trying to achieve that awesome aperture.

Perhaps, one day, a manufacture will take a crack at one. I rather doubt it will be SONY. They tend to play it very safe.

You also might look into getting a "circular" polarizing filter (<- click on this for one of the better ones) for it. ø49mm is cheap enough to buy, but a good with coatings will offer the best results in almost any situation. The CP filter will bring out your skies and define the clouds nicely, as you rotate it and eliminate haze and unwanted reflections.

Remember to take the polarizing filter OFF when indoors, as it tends to reduce the available lighting by 0.7-1.4 f/stops ... and rarely adds anything to the image.

So, good luck with your new lens and get shooting.

summernc22 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 10:14 PM

I was looking at the photos of your lens, and you have a rare lens there. It's actually a collectors item. The crossed double xx's were only made for a short time. It had something to do with infringing on Exxon's logo, so they stopped making the crossed X's designs. I have the 50mm f/1.4 Those lenses are now going for up to $200, and I'm sure yours is too. Just thought I would let you know that you have a nice piece of glass there, and to give you a little back ground info.

jack russell · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summernc22

I was looking at the photos of your lens, and you have a rare lens there. It's actually a collectors item. The crossed double xx's were only made for a short time. It had something to do with infringing on Exxon's logo, so they stopped making the crossed X's designs. I have the 50mm f/1.4 Those lenses are now going for up to $200, and I'm sure yours is too. Just thought I would let you know that you have a nice piece of glass there, and to give you a little back ground info.

Wow, interesting news .. thanks so much! (Do I address you as Summer?) .. Ian

summernc22 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack russell

Wow, interesting news .. thanks so much! (Do I address you as Summer?) .. Ian

Well my name is Summer... so yeah that's fine!

That's my dry humor. Either people think I'm snobby, funny or just don't get it. Oh well...

I'm glad I could help you out. If you have any questions let me know. I've been shooting with a Sony for a while and I just found out about all the stuff you can get from Minolta to go with it over the summer. So I'm still learning, but I'm happy to share any knowledge that I have.