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REVIEWS:  Manufacturers:  Konica Minolta:  35mm Primes:
AF 50mm f/1.4 Maxxum

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Konica Minolta AF 50mm f/1.4 Maxxum


 
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Rating
Reviewed by: 

NYRoadnRail

( Expert)

Review Date
August 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
3 votes

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Review 1 of 20

Price Paid:  $140.00 from eBay

Summary:

Purchased my 50mm f/1.4 used on eBay, as an impulse purchase, as an upgrade for my 50mm f/1.7. I am very impressed with focusing speed, lack of noise thereof, and sharpness. The increased low light versatility (which is what I purchased it for) is remarkable. I intermittantly use it coupled with a 2x Teleconverter for 100mm f/2.8, and am impressed with results there as well. I recommend this lens to any Minolta AF body purchaser, as an alternative prior to purchasing the standard f/1.7 varient. Spend the extra money... get the added versatility.. In my opinion, Minolta should add the "G" suffix to this lens, and include it in their 35mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, and 200mm f/2.8 G lens line up.

Strengths:

Low light capabilities, fast quiet focusing, durable for everyday use.

Weaknesses:

Price (new or used) - There is no shortage of these lenses on eBay or in camera stores' used equipment departments... so why the continued hefty price? There appears to be more supply than demand.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 50mm f/1.7

Customer Service:

none needed at time of this review



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Rating
Reviewed by: William B
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
July 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

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Review 2 of 20

Price Paid:  $399.00 from Henry's Toronto

Summary:

The 50 is, and will always be my favorite lens. I love the sharpness of primes over zooms. I would recommend buying this lens. Here's why....

Strengths:

Incredibly fast, sharp, small, and lightweight. And really fast focusing (on my Maxxum 7)! New rubberized focusing ring is wide and well dampened. A big difference from my f/1.7 back-up lens. Unlike a lot of Nikon lenses, this one comes with a supplied new(er) bayonet lens hood. Filter diameter is 55mm. Nice job, Minolta! Way to go.

Weaknesses:

Price. This one was $399 at Henry's (and it was on sale!). My older f/1.7 was $125 at Henry's too. Big price difference for an extra half a stop!

Similar Products Used:

50mm f/1.7 with 49mm filter diameter.

Customer Service:

Not for this lens.



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Rating
Reviewed by: Canuck935
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
April 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

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Review 3 of 20

Price Paid:  $90.00 from North County Camera

Summary:

I first came across the 50 1.4 and 1.7 on ebay, and upon looking up the excellent reviews I decided to buy one. I found both the 1.4 and 1.7 at a local camera store, both were the older models. They weren't asking that much more for the 1.4 than the 1.7 so I bought it. It is the nicest lens I own. After seeing photos taken with this lens I am no longer satisfied with my cheap Sigma 28-80 and I'm looking to replace that now with the 24-105 D lens.

Strengths:

Fast, Sharp. Overall excellent optical quality.

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-80(POS), Minolta 75-300, Minolta 28-80(another POS)

Customer Service:

N/A



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Rating
Reviewed by: Christin
 (Expert)

Review Date
February 9, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

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Review 4 of 20

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:

This is my main lens. What can I say about it? the sharpness, contrast and image quality in general is superb! It is small and lightweight, fast and very useful.

Strengths:

Image quality is great! Very fast optics (f/1.4)

Weaknesses:

fair performance at wide open and F2.0

Similar Products Used:

Contax 50mm F1.4 and F1.7

Customer Service:

None



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Rating
Reviewed by: jayrdk
 (Expert)

Review Date
July 14, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.57 of 5,
7 votes

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Review 5 of 20

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:

I own the old version (49mm filter). Optically great: contrast, sharpness, no vignetting, no distortion. Color neutral. f/1.4 is "unusable": too soft, but from f/2 on the lens is more then OK. I also owned the 50/1.7 for a while and compared them on sharpness: from f/1.7 to f/4 the 50/1.4 is the better lens, from f5.6 there is no difference in sharpness. So no doubts about this: the 50/1.4 is the better choice.

Strengths:

- f/1.4 gives a bright viewfinder - lightweight lens - allround lens - price - lens hood build in - no flare problems despite the f/1.4

Weaknesses:

- 1.4 is "unusable" - build-in lens hood should be a lot bigger to be serious.

Similar Products Used:

- Leica Summicron R 50/2.0 - Minolta AF 50/1.7

Customer Service:

Not needed



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