Minolta 50mm f1.4 or f1.7

[saf]

Hi Guys,

I have been looking at the Minolta 50mm prime because I would like to take advantage of the big aperture & low light benefits of the lense. What do you guys think is a reasonable price ($US even though I am in Australia) for one of these used in good condition ?

I'm just a bit wary of buying a used lense and if I get burnt I do not want to lose too much.

I also have my eye on the Sony 50mm f1.4. The cheapest I can pick one up for new is around $550 AUS which is not too bad but if I could get a Minolta used for a good price it would probably be my preferred option as money is at a premium at the moment :)

Thanks

[sparkie1263]

I have the 50mm 1.7 and it is a great lens. I got it off ebay for $100.00 well worth the price.

Frank

[DonSchap]

Some one got a great deal on my f/1.4!

I'm just saying ... :)

[bigw00dy]

I can only speak for the Minolta...I bought mine from ebay and paid $125.00 (including shipping) I am very happy with it and use it quite often considering I often take pictures of my kids inside.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3328767325_83b2151658.jpg
Camera: Sony DSLR-A100
Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture: f/2.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: +0.3 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire

Hope I helped!

[dr4gon]

550 AUD is like $100 over what is list price in the US.

I would suggest looking on ebay for a mint condition one for less.

[Bup]

Not to really add anything to the conversation, but I've never seen a piece of technology cheaper anywhere in Europe than in the U.S. Ebay from an american seller is possible, of course, but even when they do ship abroad you'll likely get hit by import tax anyway.

Europe isn't Australia but I can't believe tech prices aren't higher there than in the U.S.

So when Americans ever detail good deals in technology I put my hands over my eyes and quietly hum 'It's all about the money'. Which is, come to think of it, entirely the wrong thing to hum. Oh well.

:)

[laydros]

If you can find a good deal on the 50mm f/1.7 it is a great lens. I found one locally for a lot cheaper than they sell on ebay.

I have since switched to Canon, and expected their 50mm f/1.8 to be similar to the Minolta, but it isn't. The Canon 50/1.8 makes me want to upgrade to the f/1.4. The Minolta f/1.7 was a great lens, well built, and it took great pictures. If money is tight I don't think the f/1.4 is worth it over the f/1.7.

Just watch out for a stuck aperture. Sometimes the aperture gets oily and won't close down properly. I got lucky and had mine repaired for $40, but I think most places will charge much more.

[dr4gon]

If you can find a good deal on the 50mm f/1.7 it is a great lens. I found one locally for a lot cheaper than they sell on ebay.

I have since switched to Canon, and expected their 50mm f/1.8 to be similar to the Minolta, but it isn't. The Canon 50/1.8 makes me want to upgrade to the f/1.4. The Minolta f/1.7 was a great lens, well built, and it took great pictures. If money is tight I don't think the f/1.4 is worth it over the f/1.7.

Just watch out for a stuck aperture. Sometimes the aperture gets oily and won't close down properly. I got lucky and had mine repaired for $40, but I think most places will charge much more.

Yeah, the Minolta 50/1.7 is quite a gem. I think one thing the Canon lacks is in the aperture blades. It's got 5 blades, non-circular so the bokeh won't be as pretty and if you stop it down, things get quite pentagular (like my new word?). The new Sony 50/1.8 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665887588) does maintain a 7 blade circular aperture design and looks quite nice (very small too, being a DT lens).

[laydros]

I totally forgot about the new Sony. Get that one, totally worth the 20-30 extra to get a warranty, and digital coatings. It won't work on full frame, but it will probably sell for a decent price if you do go full frame.

[dr4gon]

I totally forgot about the new Sony. Get that one, totally worth the 20-30 extra to get a warranty, and digital coatings. It won't work on full frame, but it will probably sell for a decent price if you do go full frame.

You think the Minoltas (1.7) will drop in price? The old minolta 1.4 hasn't dropped too much. Pretty much selling as much as it would if it were in excellent mint condition, just marked down for being "used." When they were sold new, they were only going for $250, and they're about less than that now.

[laydros]

I don't expect the Minoltas to drop much. Too many people worry about going full frame. If you are buying a sub-$200 lens when a $300 version is available you probably aren't going to full frame any time soon. Still people think it is important. Also the Minolta 1.7 and 1.4 are proven "excellent" lenses. The new Sony is (apparently) a new design and people won't think of it as a proven good lens. It will be a good lens, but people will buy one for $150 after having the MinO 1.7 and expect it to be better, and get on forums and complain. And people will start hunting eBay for the old ones again.

The prices on the 1.7s are purely hype. Same problem on Canon, the older metal designed Mk I 50/1.8 sells for as much as $200. It is built a little better, but it is the same optics as the Mk II, which sells brand new with warranty for $90.

I'm with Don on this... if there is a modern version with similar quality for a similar price, go for it. Warranty and newer coatings are worth it.

[saf]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys - much appreciated

I didn't realise that there was a Sony 50mm f/1.8. I was looking at the Sony f/1.4 version.

Having a look at the Sony US website the f/1.4 retails at $369 US & the f/1.8 at $149 US.

The f/1.4 is full frame whilst the f/1.8 is a DT. Unless I can get the Minolta version for a bargain I think may stick with the Sony version. I kind of worry about buying used items without testing them.

[laydros]

Lenses tend to work well used, but unless you are planning to go FF in the very near future, I think the Sony 1.8 is the winner.

[dr4gon]

Lenses tend to work well used, but unless you are planning to go FF in the very near future, I think the Sony 1.8 is the winner.

Even still, it's only $150.

[Elisha]

Some one got a great deal on my f/1.4!

I'm just saying ... :)

yeah Don left the truck door open and i stole it!

[laydros]

yeah Don left the truck door open and i stole it!

Very nice. I'm jealous.

[saf]

yes I think the 1.8 is quite reasonably priced although if I did go FF in the future it would be great to be able to use existing lenses. I'll have a think about - thanks guys

[dr4gon]

You could still technically use it and the a900 would take pictures like an A700 (Cropped), but at that point might as well replace it with a "normal lens" (FF 50mm).

[saf]

Here are some sample pics of the 50mm 1.8. There are even some taken on the a900

http://www.lenstip.com/1714-news-Sony_DT_50_mm_f_1.8_SAM_-_sample_shots.html

[seanhoxx]

I have the Minolta 1.7 with a cpl and uv filter and a neat little neoprene bag, mint like cond. Approx. $130.00 including shipping. It is a true 'classic' lens, works very nice, and even to my untrained eye the colors are somehow 'different' from all my other glass, and I mean in a GOOD way LOL.

[DonSchap]

A true jewel it is, Sean.