Carl Zeiss 85mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 – comparison

85mm lenses comparison – Carl Zeiss 85mm 1:2.8 Sonnar T* Contax/Yashica vs Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0

The IQ of both lenses are well known among photographers, but there is not a good head-to-head comparison in the network (or I can’t find it). This gap should be covered.

The Carl Zeiss lens for the test was provided by Egor Nikolaev (Егор Николаев) – many thanks and greetings.
(more…)

Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 two copies comparison – LensRomantic

Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 two copies comparison (New-MD, MD III)

The description of a LensRomantic test is here. These comparisons are for collectors or tech-enthusiasts. Photographers may go directly to a lens review.

Minolta New-MD 85mm F2.0 is the well known and one of the famous 85mm lenses in the humans history.

The hull of Copy #1 displays a lot of signs of using, but surprisingly the optical part stayed like new. Anyway, I have to say that this lens was reassembled at least two times – firstly by one of the previous owners, and later by me with the purpose to remove the result of the first disassembling.

(more…)

Chiyoko 85mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 85mm f/2.0 – comparison

Ciyoko 85mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 – or, in other words – Super Rokkor and MD III – one of the first versus one of the best. Not a battle actually, better to call it friendly match. It is clear in advance that the more modern MD version will win but it isn’t a problem because these two lenses are absolutely different – mount, age, speed, materials, logo – everything is different, except for two points: both are Minolta and both are 85mm.

(more…)

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom vs MD 28mm 1:3.5 vs MD 35mm 1:2.8 vs MD 50mm 1:1.4 vs MD 85mm 1:2.0 – comparison

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.8 Zoom comparison with prime lenses:

  • Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.8 Zoom Macro (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 28mm 1:3.5 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 35mm 1:2.8 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.4 (MD III)
  • Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 (MD III)

One of the best zooms from pre-AF era is going to fight against famous primes on the most used focal distances. Yes, that primes are powerful, so a victory of zoom looks impossible but it will be cool even if it will show at least a close level of sharpness. (more…)

Minolta MD 35-135mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom vs. MD 35mm 1:2.8, MD 50mm 1:2.0, MD 85mm 1:2.0, MD 135mm 1:2.8

Minolta MD 35-135mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom vs primes comparison.

    • Minolta MD 35-135mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom (MD III)
    • Minolta MD 35mm 1:2.8 (MD III)
    • Minolta MD 50mm 1:2.0 (MD III)
    • Minolta MD 85mm 1:2.0 (MD III)
    • Minolta MD 135mm 1:2.8 (MD III)

The results of the zoom look good enough, but it wasn’t an easy fight.

(more…)