Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm F1,4

[ForenSeil]

Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm F1,4

I have to review this lens, because I like it and seems to be no thead about it here. I use it since some days now and it's already one of my favourite lenses. Does its "light power" I used it mostly for partys. Poorly I have to admit that I don't have any other <F1,5 with similiar focal length to compare.

Here's my review:

Sharpness:
It already pretty usable sharp wide open, but it drastically improves to F2 and F2,8. After 5,6 sharpness seems to fall of again. In the centre it's slightly sharper than in the corners.

Colors/Contrast:
Colors are only OK. Contrast is low at F1,4 but already improves much when stoped down to F2. But also stopped down it seems to be not very good.

(sharpened a very little, F5,6)

Coma/Chromatic abberation:
Sometimes shows some significant at extreme contrast situations. But under ususal condition irrelvant.

Distortion:
Under field conditions nothing visible. Maybe slight barrel distortion!?

Vignetting:
Very low vignetting on 1,5x crop APS-C. Completly fades away if stoped down slightly.

(OOC, between F2 and F2,8 )

Flare Control:
Flare control is good. Contrast does not fall of much when even strong light falls into the glas. No nood neccessary in my opinion.

Bokeh:
Good and "silent" in most situations. But nothing special.

Haptics and Handling:
Both very good. Soft and precise focussing ring. Metal body. Nearly like a russian military lens .

I love this lens!


(OOC, F unknown, a little backfocus)


(OOC, F1,4 in tend without direct light source with elbow on ground; 1,3s exposure )


Are there any <F1,5 50mm to 60mm lenses which are significantly better?

Hope my english is ok for you

[poilu]

nice review & pics
on APS-C, performance after f5.6 fall because of diffraction, it is the same for every lens

[ForenSeil]

I have a cheap option to the Canon FD 50mm F1,4.

Is anbody here able to compare the two lenses? Which one is better?

[eddieitman]

Thank you for this post i have a Minolta F1.4 that i just received and am waiting for the adaptor so hope to add my findings soon

[dnas]