Minolta 50mm f1.7 vs 50mm f1.4

[wenzheng]

Hello fellow snappers, this question might be brought up a few times but I just hope to get user opinions on the two lens. I was set to get f1.7 until i saw the price of f1.4 was only slight above (50% more) which give me second thoughts. Is the extra 50% worth it?

[Rashkae]

Been discussed heavily before. The 1.7 is a great budget lens, but the optics of the 1.4, from the quality of glass to sharpness, is superior.

If I get a 1.4 and a 1.7 and set them both at 2.8, the 1.4 will still be sharper.

[kelvint81]

50% extra cost depends on your wallet.
for me i bought the f1.7 due to price/performance ratio.

[navlem]

the F1.4 version is well worth the price, its sharper than the 1.7 at any of its similar aperture.

At F1.4 its slightly soft but becomes very sharp at F2 onwards, personally the softness at f1.4 seems good for portraits Does a good job softening the skin without use of photoshop.

[Oberon]

A friend of mine has the Minolta 50mm f1.7 while I have the Sony 50mm f1.4.

He tried my 50mm f1.4 and was impressed by the pix produced until he heard about how much the lens cost.

I guess it is indeed a price/performance ratio issue.

[pipo999]

funny, it's more like you have the money or you don't ..

[navlem]

MTF Chart for Minolta 50mm F1.7


MTF Chart for Sony 50mm F1.4

[wenzheng]

Thanks all for the input. Actually i was comparing to minolta f1.4.. but anyway... more important to me is the harshness of bokeh... is the f1.4 much pleasant than f1.7 for the money paid?

[navlem]

Originally Posted by wenzheng Thanks all for the input. Actually i was comparing to minolta f1.4.. but anyway... more important to me is the harshness of bokeh... is the f1.4 much pleasant than f1.7 for the money paid?

Sony F1.4 and Minolta F1.4 is the same, its just rebranded. It also has an added function for ADI flashes, otherwise its totally identical.

You get better bokeh than the 1.7 due to its 7 curved aperture blade vs. 7 straight blade construction, but you will get sharper images across the entire range as well. It is also has the more preferable 8 pin type arrangement (vs. the older 5 pin style on the 50mm f1.7) that gives the camera more information for flash usage. Otherwise both are comparable in weight and dimension and focusing speed.

[Getz10]

Sony F1.4 is the remake of Minolta F1.4 RS which somemore do have some differences in terms of IQ & construction. The original Minolta F1.4 had filter size of 49, build-in hood and difference focusing ring material. IQ wise base on personal perference would be the RS for me anytime, be it F1.7 or F1.4

However if u r able to find a sharp copy of the F1.7 RS, it's already good enough.
Minolta prime lens bokeh had always been creamy and smooth.....if this the area for the change, there's plenty of lens out there tat could match/beat 50mm F1.4 and still fall around the same price range

Have some hands-on tryout......end of the day, data r just figures and sharpness differ between lenses

[nt9449]

Sorry to hijack this thread a bit.

I need the experts here to advise me whether is there big difference in IQ comparing the old Minolta 50F1.4 and Sony 50F1.4.

When it comes to Minolta lenses, people in forums, esp Dyxum always say excellent colours and "Minolta colours"...

Does it mean the colours are more vibrant than other brands/3rd party or even Sony ones?

I observe Minolta lenses (same for 50mm F1.4/F1.7) has some magenta hue to it whereas Sony ones have greenish hue.

Will that make a huge difference in the colour rendition?

Which will you recommend to buy since Sony version (new) is just about 100+ more expensive than the Minolta (old)...???

[Rashkae]

If you can get the RS minolta as compred to the original 1986 minolta, it's very close to the Sony.

You're correct that the hue is a bit different. From what i can tell, Sony optimized the filters for digital, minolta optimized them for film. Both are great though.

[wenzheng]

Originally Posted by Getz10 Sony F1.4 is the remake of Minolta F1.4 RS which somemore do have some differences in terms of IQ & construction. The original Minolta F1.4 had filter size of 49, build-in hood and difference focusing ring material. IQ wise base on personal perference would be the RS for me anytime, be it F1.7 or F1.4 However if u r able to find a sharp copy of the F1.7 RS, it's already good enough. Minolta prime lens bokeh had always been creamy and smooth.....if this the area for the change, there's plenty of lens out there tat could match/beat 50mm F1.4 and still fall around the same price range Have some hands-on tryout......end of the day, data r just figures and sharpness differ between lenses

Thanks. I think I will try the 1.7 first and maybe upgrade if there is a need. Btw, is there any optical difference between 1.7 RS and 1.7 original?

[wenzheng]

think i found a good comparison..for f1.7
http://boren.sent.com/photography/ar.../index_en.html

[jaqian]

Originally Posted by Rashkae If you can get the RS minolta as compred to the original 1986 minolta, it's very close to the Sony.

Whats the difference? What does RS stand for?

I have Minolta AF F1.7 50mm, how can I find out if it is RS or original?

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by jaqian Whats the difference? What does RS stand for? I have Minolta AF F1.7 50mm, how can I find out if it is RS or original?

Check the lens listings on Dyxum.com

It describes the difference too:



http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=18

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=17

[jaqian]

Thanks Rashkae, looks like I have the original. Is the serial number on the camera the same as the production code?

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by jaqian Thanks Rashkae, looks like I have the original. Is the serial number on the camera the same as the production code?

On the lens you mean? Well, is yours the metal body, ribbed plastic focusing ring one?

The cosmetic differences are pretty obvious...

[wenzheng]

found 2 other links which might be useful for others who are comparing these 50mm lenses in the future...
http://snapstill.blogspot.com/2008/0...-50mm-f17.html
http://snapstill.blogspot.com/2008/0...tion-50mm.html

[Exposure]

Originally Posted by navlem MTF Chart for Minolta 50mm F1.7 MTF Chart for Sony 50mm F1.4

good info ! thanks..