Buying minolta dynax lenses

[tcct]

i'm new to this forum. have been using a dynax 600si body + the bundled (cheap cheap) 28 - 80 zoom lens. now finding the image quality quite unacceptable, esp. comparing to the canon eos system that i just started using not too long ago.

the problem: i've been unable to find any one who sell new 50mm/1.4 or 1.7 lens for my minolta, inc. cathay. does anyone know where i can get a prime lens in singapore? i really do not want to banish my minolta into the dark corner of my freezer ...

thanks in advance.

[alvin]

Yo! There is this shop called John 3:16 (I think thats the name) at Funan Centre. I ordered mine from them, less then a day.

HTHs!

BTW, welcome to the minolta subforum, and clubsnap in general =)

Alvin

[UY79]

Hi,

Saw one 50mm f1.7 sitting on the shelves in John 3:16 just yesterday. If you want to get a certain lense, just tell any shop and they will usually bring it in for you.

Cheers!

[tcct]

thanks for your help.

initially, i went to cathay @ marina square. the salesman told me that they don't regularly stock minolta lenses anymore, and suggested i switch system altogether.

will go to john3:16 to check out the lens.

one more question, is the 50mm/1.4 worth the extra $?

[alvin]

If I remember, the 1.4 costs nearly double the 1.7? Something like 340-360? It was like a year ago when I inquired, and I ended up getting the 1.7

You may wanna check the minolta lens thread, I remember people saying something on it. The minolta mailing list recently had some posts about the 1.4 too. Can't remember exactly what.... I've been using my minolta rangefinder (45mm/1.8)more often then using the slr with the 50mm/1.7 prime. Bad alvin!

[deslim27]

Originally Posted by tcct thanks for your help. initially, i went to cathay @ marina square. the salesman told me that they don't regularly stock minolta lenses anymore, and suggested i switch system altogether. will go to john3:16 to check out the lens. one more question, is the 50mm/1.4 worth the extra $?

Both lenses perform better from F2.0, best from F2.8. F1.4 has a much better built, wider focusing ring and with a proper hood. Optically, I can't tell much difference, but I suspect the F1.4 has better contrast.

[blurblock]

Well .... you can try alan photo ... they have quite a few lenses there ....

[tcct]

thanks to all. i've bought a 1.7 from john 3:16, and also tested it out. well ... compared to the eos300 kit lenses, the images seems to be less sharp and color less vibrant. just wondering if this is a minolta thing or is it less superior lens quality. still i think the 50mm is much much better than the kit 28-80.

p.s. shot most of my pics at f1.7 - 2 (left my 600si in program mode, mostly portraits, and it was 530 - 630pm at thee botanic gardens)
p.p.s. to do minolta some justice, my friend's very expensive nikon D lenses also don't seem to be that 'sharp' compared to canon.

[GENO]

hi

minolta lenses are not that bad, i wonder y people says that nikons n canons are better? to me they all about the same, it all depends on the user n what they are shooting at.

FAST lenses are of course better, when u want to blur the back ground or its a fast obect yr shooting, n in low light is a must.

nice of u to get the 50mm f1.7. did they sell it to u at $125-$130?
thats the price they gave me few months ago, but i got the 50mm f1.4 anyway.

[tcct]

$185 for the 50mm/1.7.

if you think i shoud've been given a better price ... don't tell me.

[deslim27]

Originally Posted by tcct $185 for the 50mm/1.7. if you think i shoud've been given a better price ... don't tell me.

I think this is the usual price.. don't worry.

Anyway, I don't think your result do justice for the lens. It may be cheap, but not lousy. If taking subject at close distance (1m - 2m) f1.7 - f2.0, will produce very shallow DOF but that is not blur. This lens perform best from f2.8 onwards.

Lastly, most manufactuers (except for handful of less unknown one) produce great and dog lenses.

[reactan]

Originally Posted by GENO hi minolta lenses are not that bad, i wonder y people says that nikons n canons are better? to me they all about the same, it all depends on the user n what they are shooting at. FAST lenses are of course better, when u want to blur the back ground or its a fast obect yr shooting, n in low light is a must. nice of u to get the 50mm f1.7. did they sell it to u at $125-$130? thats the price they gave me few months ago, but i got the 50mm f1.4 anyway.

where did you get this price? most places quotye me arond $180

[GENO]

IS THAT SO ,maybe , they knew i was not gona buy the 50mmf.17 anyway, becourse i ask for the 50mm 1.4 which i got from them at $320 i think.

if there someone else around that day w me , the price given to me could be wrong , so to buy it at that price will be a nice bargain.

got the lens just to shoot in dim lights. during BBQ.

[grado]

Are you sure the pics from the Canon kit lens are really sharper and more vibrant than the Minolta 50mm f1.7? There are many factors, like hand shake, proper exposure, proper focus, which film and developing lab that need to be considered. It is very easy to get the 50mm f1.7 appear blur due to the very possible shallow depth of field. I have never seen a kit lens from Nikon, Canon or Minolta that is better than any of their 50mm lens.

Originally Posted by tcct thanks to all. i've bought a 1.7 from john 3:16, and also tested it out. well ... compared to the eos300 kit lenses, the images seems to be less sharp and color less vibrant. just wondering if this is a minolta thing or is it less superior lens quality. still i think the 50mm is much much better than the kit 28-80. p.s. shot most of my pics at f1.7 - 2 (left my 600si in program mode, mostly portraits, and it was 530 - 630pm at thee botanic gardens) p.p.s. to do minolta some justice, my friend's very expensive nikon D lenses also don't seem to be that 'sharp' compared to canon.

[tcct]

bought it from john 3:16 @ funan centre. the guy there was super friendly.
planning to shoot another roll with the lens at f2.8 / above to see how. seems like that's the consensus anyway (see also photo.net's review of the minolta 50mm/1.7). comparing the canon and the minolta, i think the 600si body is much more user friendly (maybe i'm too used to it already). only downfall is that i sometimes forget to turn the dials back in to place, and end up with exposure bracketing / timer functions when i don't need them.

[alvin]

I've shot in low light at F1.7/30 with ilford 3200 film (@1600), quality is enough for my subject to request 10R print =)

Alvin

[yeocolin]

10R print will surely show up all the grains, with your film's ISO set so high. Nevertheless, grainy pictures have their own attractive points, which is why it was in vogue in the fashion photography several years ago. Care to show us this picture of yours? Its always good to see good pictures and learn from its strengths.

[alvin]

Thinking back, my example isn't a very good example yah? Like you said the grain - it doesn't help in showing us the true quality of the 50mm prime.

In anycase, I don't have it - it's on film, and the negatives & prints are with her. But if you want to see it (4r version), visit Tai Sing Corp, the ex-tamiya distributor. I believe the lady selling the HPI car kits will have it with her.

I don't know where she put the 10r version though... that thing is very grainy. Nice to look at from a distance though!

Alvin

[alvin]

Colin,
may I know what setup & film did you use for your 3rd wedding pics in your online album? I have been arrowed by my friend to take his rom pics, and it seems like I can't convince him to take on a professional

What's more my main zoom lens just died. Argh no time to go sigma for repairs

Alvin

[blurblock]

Originally Posted by alvin Colin, may I know what setup & film did you use for your 3rd wedding pics in your online album? I have been arrowed by my friend to take his rom pics, and it seems like I can't convince him to take on a professional What's more my main zoom lens just died. Argh no time to go sigma for repairs Alvin

Looks like taken from a normal 28-70 lens ......

You want to borrow one of my lens? If you do, when do you need it?