Lens Comparisons – Wars

Carl Zeiss 45mm 1:2.8 C/Y vs Minolta Rokkor MD 45mm 1:2.0 – comparison

45mm lenses comparison – Carl Zeiss 45mm 1:2.8 C/Y vs Minolta Rokkor MD 45mm 1:2.0

At the first glance, both lenses are enough similar but it is not true. There is nothing similar except focal distance and country of origin (Japan), lenses have different mounts, optical designs, sizes, years of production.

The lens for the test was provided by Egor Nikolaev (Егор Николаев) – many thanks and greetings.
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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 35-70mm 1:3.5 No Macro vs Macro Zooms New-MD – comparison

Minolta MD 35-70mm 1:3.5 comparison – No Macro vs Macro

  • Minolta MD 35-70mm 1:3.5 Zoom No Macro (New-MD, MD III)
  • Minolta MD 35-70mm 1:3.5Zoom  Macro (New-MD, MD III)

In this world, there are many stories about dragons, mermaids and that the versions of Minolta with and without macro have a different IQ. Or maybe these are not fairy tales. Need to check. (more…)

By Tony, ago

Carl Zeiss CY vs Minolta MD – 28mm lenses – comparison

Carl Zeiss vs Minolta 28mm lenses comparison:
  • Carl Zeiss Distagon 28mm 1:2.8 CY (AE)
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.0 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 7el7gr (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:3.5 (MD III)

This article was made specifically for this Carl Zeiss because Minolta 28mm lenses have already been enough studied and the site contains a lot of materials about them.

Carl Zeiss Distagon 28mm 1:2.8 (AE) for the test was provided by Egor Nikolaev (Егор Николаев) – many thanks.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor QF 50mm 1:3.5 Macro vs MD 50mm 1:3.5 Macro – comparison

Minolta SR 50mm macro lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MC Macro Rokkor QF 50mm 1:3.5 (Hills&Valleys/Knurled, MCII)
  • Minolta MD Macro 50mm 1:3.5 (New-MD, MDIII)

This is yet another battle between the generations. But I want to say in advance – regardless of the test result, in macro photography, both the lenses fully cope with their tasks because of closed apertures in this style of photography. Differences can be found at an infinite distance, but it will not affect the choice of the photographer. (more…)

By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor 28mm 1:3.5 vs MC 28mm 1:2.5 vs MC 28mm1:3.5 vs MD 28mm 1:3.5 – comparison

Minolta SR 28mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MC Rokkor SG 28mm 1:3.5 (MC I) aka Minolta MC W Rokkor-SG 1:3.5 f=28mm
  • Minolta MC Rokkor SI 28mm 1:2.5 (MC II) aka Minolta MC W Rokkor-SI 1:2.5 f=28mm
  • Minolta MC Rokkor SG 28mm 1:3.5 (MC II) aka Minolta MC W Rokkor-SG 1:3.5 f=28mm
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:3.5 (MD III) aka Minolta New-MD 35mm f/1.8

This is a battle of not expensive Minolta wide lenses – 28mm focal distance with quite slow apertures is on the ring. LensWorks has another one battle dedicated to the New-MD lens generation and it seems that this comparison between fighters from MC era can extend an understanding of how this focal distance was covered by Minolta.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor HH 35mm 1:1.8 vs MC Rokkor HG 35mm 1:2.8 vs MD 35mm 1:1.8 – comparison

Minolta SR 35mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MC Rokkor HH 35mm 1:1.8 (MC II) aka Minolta MC W.Rokkor HH 35mm f/1.8
  • Minolta MC Rokkor HG 35mm 1:2.8 (MC II) aka Minolta MC W.Rokkor HG 35mm f/2.8
  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:1.8 (MD III) aka Minolta New-MD 35mm f/1.8

A very important test for me personally, and I think for many other photographers – 35mm focal distance is an over-demanded and a good understanding of “who’s the best” can help to make a correct choice of a lens.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MC Rokkor PG 58mm 1:1.2 vs MC Rokkor PF 58mm 1:1.4 – comparison

Minolta SR 58mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MC Rokkor PG 58mm 1:1.2 (MC II)
  • Minolta MC Rokkor PF 58mm 1:1.4 (MC II)

Comparison of lenses Minolta MC Rokkor PG 58mm 1:1.2, Minolta MC Rokkor PF 58mm 1:1.4

I love both lenses, each for a different reason, but this is a rare case when it is not possible to say something like “one of the lenses is a little worse, but a gap isn’t so big to think about it“. No. Here we see a total victory of the faster version.

This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. Test results can differ if any element is changed

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 vs MD 100mm 1:4.0 Macro – comparison

Minolta MD 35mm lenses – Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 vs MD 100mm 1:4.0 Macro – comparison:

  • Minolta MD Macro 100mm 1:4.0 (MD III, New-MD)
  • Minolta MD 100mm 1:2.5 (MD III, New-MD)

Both these lenses are from the “must-have” category, for different tasks of course – the macro and the telephoto, so, there is no need to choose one of these two – lenses aren’t competitors. The comparison has been performed just because of curiosity.

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By Tony, ago