Lens Comparisons – Wars

Canon S 50mm 1:1.4 I vs Canon S 50mm 1:1.5 vs Canon S 50mm 1:1.8 vs Chiyoda Kogaku 50mm 1:1.8 vs Chiyoko 50mm 1:2.0 vs Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 – comparison

Minolta and Canon 50mm LTM lenses comparison:

  • Canon S 50mm 1:1.4 I
  • Canon S 50mm 1:1.5 Serenar
  •  Canon S 50mm 1:1.8 Serenar
  • Chiyoda Kogaku 50mm 1:1.8 Super Rokkor (Minolta)
  • Chiyoko 50mm 1:2.0 Super Rokkor (Minolta)
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 MD III

This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. An element changed – the result changed.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 24mm 1:2.8 vs MD VFC 24mm 1:2.8 – comparison

Minolta MD 24mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MD 24mm 1:2
  • Minolta MD VFC 24mm 1:2.8

VFC lenses are rare and not common guests in comparisons, so, the article probably may be interesting not for photographers only but for researches too.

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

Tested lenses reviews:

Minolta MD 24mm 1:2 Minolta MD VFC 24mm 1:2.8
Serial: 3115101 8001416
Optical Condition: Near Mint Near Mint
Mechanical Condition: Near Mint Near Mint
Cosmetic Condition: Near Mint Near Mint

Test description

  • Camera Sony A7II (24mpx, full frame) – RAW (ARW), tripod, A-mode, ISO 100, WB fixed, SteadyShot OFF, manual focus correction for every shot
  • Targets (buildings) – fixed by gravity power on the distances in more than 200 meters
  • ARW post-processing – Capture One, default settings, 100% crops 300×200 px
  • Field curvature control on Minolta MD VFC 24mm f/2.8 is set in the center position because with any other settings for this scene the corners will be out of DOF.
  • Sunlight changed during the session

Minolta MD 24mm lenses comparison – sharpness/resolution

Scene preview

Test results

Minolta MD 24mm lenses comparison – conclusion

Both lenses – Minolta MD VFC 24mm F2.8 and Minolta MD  24mm F2.8 – work almost similar at the center and middle. But in corners the non-VFC version shows a much better result – it becomes ready for landscapes on F5.6 or even maybe on F4 and it is totally sharpened over the whole frame at F8. But the older and much more expensive VFS can’t approach full sharpness over the frame even at diapason up to F16. The newer optical design of New-MD 24mm 1:2.8 has won by IQ. Anyway, the price of VFC looks reasonable at least because of the fact that only two lenses in the Universe have existed with this ability (Variable Field Curvature) and both of them – Minolta.

By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.2 vs MD 50mm 1:1.4 vs MD 50mm 1:1.7 vs MD 50mm 1:2.0 vs MD 50mm 1:3.5 – comparison

Minolta MD 50mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.2 MD III
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 MD III
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.7 MD III
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:2.0 MD III
  • Minolta MD Macro 50mm 1:3.5 MD III

This is a battle without losers. All 50mm Minolta lenses are balanced in terms of technical capabilities and price. Therefore, this comparison was made rather out of curiosity, no matter what lens you take for photography – the result will be the best.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 35mm 1:1.8 vs MD 35mm 1:2.8 vs Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.8 ZA – comparison

Minolta MD and Sony 35mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:1.8 MD III
  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:2.8 MD III
  • Sony Carl Zeiss FE 35mm 1:2.8 ZA

I could never make a choice on one of the two lenses – New MD 35/1.8 or New MD 35/2.8. To be honest, this comparison does not help either – they are both the best.
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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.0 vs MD 28mm 1:2.8(7×7) vs MD 28mm 1:2.8(5×5) vs MD 28mm 1:3.5 – comparison (v1)

Minolta MD 28mm lenses comparison:

  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.0 MD III
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 (7 elements 7 groups) MD III
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 (5 elements 5 groups) MD III
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:3.5 MD III

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By Tony, ago