Minolta MD 24-50mm 1:4.0 Zoom vs MD 24mm 1:2.8, MD 28mm 1:2.8 (5×5), MD 35mm 1:2.8, MD 50mm 1:1.4 – comparison

Minolta MD 24-50mm 1:4.0 zoom vs primes comparison.

  • Minolta MD Zoom 24-50mm 1:4.0 (MD III)
  • MD 24mm 1:2.8 (MD III)
  • MD 28mm 1:2.8 (5×5) (MD III)
  • MD 35mm 1:2.8 (MD III)
  • MD 50mm 1:1.4 (MD III)

In most cases, top-rated fixed focal lenses are better than zooms, but it isn’t always true, and here is one of the exclusions.
(more…)

Minolta MD 24-35mm 1:3.5 Zoom vs MD 24mm 1:2.8, MD 28mm 1:2.8 (5×5), MD 35mm 1:2.8 – comparison

Minolta MD 24-35mm 1:3.5 Zoom vs primes comparison.

  • Minolta MD 24-35mm 1:3.5 Zoom (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 24mm 1:2.8 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 (5×5) (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:2.8 (MD III)

It is believed that the sharpness of prime lenses is better than that of the zooms… Mostly.

(more…)

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.

Minolta MD 24mm 1:2.8 – review

Minolta MD 24mm 1:2.8 vintage manual lens test and review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD III

Very popular lens, it stays on position close to legendary status. It has a great IQ and can give for owner everything which can be expected from 24mm fast prime. Independently of the camera.

Among all lenses Minolta, which have been tested on the site, New-MD 24 / 2.8 has brought more problems. Sometime after the first test and review, I managed to get another copy of the lens, and it turned out that it was noticeably sharper than the first. According to other materials on the Internet, I’m sure that this sharpness is more suitable for this model, and a new copy – the most correct.

I had to redo all the tests with 24mm lenses (including zoom lenses) on an infinite distance and this current article is on the list.
(“Romantic” test that shows the difference between the two copies Minolta New-MD 24 / 2.8 will be published soon. And, yes – it is the most significant difference in performance between the two lenses, Minolta, which has found to date. Moreover, this difference has a huge lead over the rest.)
On this page, you can read the already fixed version of the article with the most reliable data.
(more…)