Over the last six years, I have used my 50mm lenses many times. Oddly, this AF 50mm f/1.4 has gone unused for reasons unknown. Thus, it is the subject of the first Fab 50s post. My expectation is that, when all has been said and done, there will not be much variation in image quality among the 50s. However, the quality of the images from my 70+ years old LTM 50mm lenses has been a pleasant surprise. While they are not tack-sharp wide open, they produce beautiful images with excellent color, so I have no problem grabbing one on the way out the door.
Fab 50s posts are not intended to be exhaustive reviews. I’m simply having fun pairing lenses and cameras while getting a feel for their relative performance. In keeping with my original intent, no more than 10 images, and usually fewer, will accompany each post.
Since I introduced the idea of the Fab 50s posts in December, a Sony A7 II has wormed its way into my heart, so I’ll be using it along with film cameras for these posts. Using the Sony, I may try sharpness tests, something that proved more trouble than it was worth when using film. Using the Sony, I can get multiple shots, review and choose, then move on. Film shots take a couple of weeks, at best, between image capture and film scans.
Market View
The Minolta AF 50mm f/1.4 usually sells for over $100.00. Rarely have I seen prices in the 60-75.00 range. The 50mm f/1.7 is priced much lower, usually, in the $25-35.00 range.
History
The first version of the AF 50mm f/1.4 was released with the Minolta first AF camera, the Minolta Maxxum 7000, in 1985. It underwent minor changes in 1998, but optically, it has remained the same.
Specs
Aperture: f/1.4 – f/22
Optics: 7 elements in 6 groups
MFD: 17.7 inches (450mm)
Weight: 8.29oz (235g)
Dyxum Rating: 4.60/5
Field Notes
Since every lens maker knows that the 50mm FL is an essential one, it’s rare to find a bad 50mm lens. Wide-open sharpness and bokeh are where the differences between lenses might show up. I happened to shoot a single frame at f/1.4 while testing my newly arrived Sony A7 II and got the image seen here. WordPress scaled the image, so it is somewhat softer than the original. Count me pleased.
For the last couple of years, I’ve taken a Minolta-AF-C on outings, which has made me very comfortable with the 35mm FL. Often, I also take a telephoto (100mm f/2.5) or a mid-range zoom (AF 28-105, AF 35-105mm, or MD 28-85mm). As a result, I rarely shoot exclusively at 50mm. Doing Fab 50s shots has forced me to think purely in 50mm, and at times it’s mildly annoying. For instance, when doing flower images, I like to isolate one or two flowers to fill the frame. This is much easier at FLs of 100mm and above. On the other hand, when I want more context in an image, a 50mm lens makes it harder—space to backup is not guaranteed. Going forward, when my goal is shooting for a Fab 50s post, I will take the Minolta AF-C and a 100 or 135mm lens as well. That way, I won’t pass up interesting scenes because I cannot capture at 50mm what I want to convey.
Images
Color images are Kodacolor 100 taken with a Maxxum 70. Ultrafine Xtreme 100 and a Maxxum 7 were used for black-and-white. Two of the B&W images (cars, bench) were unintentionally shot at -1.5 exposure compensation, but developed normally. I decided to use them anyway.
Summary
The Minolta AF 50mm f/1.4 works as expected with good color rendition. At f/1.4, it is sharper than expected with pleasant bokeh. On both the Maxxum 70 and Maxxum 7, autofocusing was quick and accurate. It performed beautifully when matched with the Sony A7 II 24 MP sensor. You are looking at a bargain if you see a good working copy for $100.00 or less.
