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mastertrinity
22-09-2009, 17:15
im looking for a 50mm lens for my sony and my first idea was the minolta f1.7 however for a similiar price on ebay i can get the new sony f1.8.

which is worth getting, the minolta or the sony?
Anorakus
22-09-2009, 18:38
f/1.7?? :thinking:
ianmarsh
22-09-2009, 19:05
I had a Minolta 1.7 (on a Sony a700). Lovely lens and could be got for £60. As Sony have sold more bodies the price has risen though. I didn't like the Sony build as much as the Minolta one but doubt there is much between the two IQ wise. Minolta lenses were supposed to have risher colours than the newer Sony equivalents but in my experience sample variation was at least as big as the difference between makes.
robmiller
23-09-2009, 14:02
f/1.7?? :thinking:

It's half a stop down from f/1.4, just as f/1.8 is two thirds of a stop down from f/1.4.
springtide
23-09-2009, 15:30
im looking for a 50mm lens for my sony and my first idea was the minolta f1.7 however for a similiar price on ebay i can get the new sony f1.8.

Which is worth getting, the minolta or the sony?

Good question... I was very pleases with the IQ of my 50/1.7 - but the main thing I didn't like was the bokeh aperture shape in the highlights - the 1.7 doesn't have a 'circular aperture' as far as I could tell. I think the 1.8 (from what I've read) has more pleasing bokeh.

As for build, I would assume the older f1.7 would be much better (think the 1.8 has a plastic mount). The f1.7 is also FF - if that matters.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either lens TBH, as they are not that much money (I say - buy both, and keep the one you prefer!)
mastertrinity
23-09-2009, 15:41
for that price i could but the sony f1.4 lol
springtide
23-09-2009, 15:59
for that price i could but the sony f1.4 lol

There are no laws saying you can't sell one of them after you've tested them both LOL [and if you buy smartly, you'll not loose any money]

I would just pick up the one you can get your hands on first at the cheapest price, and let fate decide.
mastertrinity
24-09-2009, 15:59
i checked a discussion on flickr and it said the 50mm f1.8 is much better because of SAM af, advanced optics coatings and its fine tuned for the alpha.
mastertrinity
26-09-2009, 09:33
i dont have enough to get both lenses, and so its an ultimate decision.

i dont think i will be going FF because of the expense and im only a student. i dont need the lens to last a lifetime, only a few years until i can get a job and buy to sony f1.4.

now i can get a sony 50mm f1.8 off ebay for £103 and i can get a minolta 50mm f1.7 i can get for £80.

any more help.