The Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Re-Styled), introduced in 1993, was an update to the original Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro, the world's first autofocus macro lens, introduced in 1985. The updated version shares the same 7 elements in 6 groups with 7 aperture blades and a metal mount as the original, updated with a rubber focusing grip, ABS plastic focusing barrel, a circular aperture, a Focus Range limiter, and a Focus Hold button. While the Focus Range limiter helps manage the long focus travel of macro lenses, preventing hunting and prolonging focus time, the Focus Hold button may be redundant when the camera is set to AF-S (Single-shot AF) mode.
Like the original 50mm Macro lens, the RS copy is also etched with a magnification scale on the focusing ring, indicating the magnification of the image as the camera is moved closer to the subject. As the lens focuses continuously from infinity to 1:1 life-size, the front element extends out to almost the same extent as the AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro at 1:1. The lens is compatible with all Sony DT and Minolta Alpha series cameras. Minolta also introduced the 'Minolta AF 50mm F2.8 Macro D' version of the lens in 2001.
On the Sony DSLR-A350, the lens is equivalent to a 75mm prime, a focal length highly recommended for portraiture, where good subject-background separation is essential. The lens is acknowledged for its sharpness, color rendition, and solid build quality. To expand the repertoire of lenses available for the Alpha bodies, Sony rebadged a dozen A-mount Minolta AF lenses, added a few of their own, and introduced a couple of teleconverters for use on the Sony Alpha DSLRs when they acquired the brand.
A later update to the Macro AF series that enthusiasts clamour about is the Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro. The lens, introduced in 1995 with RS body livery, has a smaller maximum aperture at f/3.5 and maximum image magnification at 1:2. The lens has the reputation of being, according to some, slightly better than the 2.8s when it comes to image sharpness.
Early Images
These early images were shot with the Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Micro (RS) mounted on a Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, with the camera mounted on a tripod, 'Live View' enabled for shooting close to the lens's maximum magnification, and the screen tilted to ward off extraneous light. The session was a delightful and enjoyable experience.
Though the camera and lens combo was slightly on the heavy (when compared to today's lighter weight of camera and lenses) side when handheld, tipping the kitchen scale at 994 grams (with the lens and battery installed), the camera's compact size and comfortable fit does away with the feel of weight, engrossing your with the pleasure of framing, and focusing of the subject matter instead.
The robustly built camera, Sony's top-tier consumer SLR for 2008, with its high resolution 14.2MP CCD sensor, is an element by itself - fast, accurate, and superfluously easy to work with. Exposure controls are right at your fingertips, and functions are logically laid out or conveniently accessed.
On Dxyum, the lens enjoys an Overall rating (out of 5) of 4.79, with Sharpness at 4.90, Color at 4.85, Build at 4.65, Distortion at 5.00, and Flare Control at 4.54. The lens takes 55mm filters, measures 60 - 106mm fully extended, and weighs 315 grams.
End Note
For the CCD enthusiast, what might be the right choice for you is the Sony DSLR-A350, with its body-integrated Super SteadyShot image stabilization that works with all lenses mounted to the camera body, Live View mode, Bionz image processing engine, enhanced D-Range Optimiser, and the high resolution 14.2MP CCD sensor, which all add up to the camera's highly acclaimed performance.
The Minolta AF 50mm 1:2.8 Macro, either in the original or RS versions, is a choice that can be used interchangeably on other Minolta AF or Sony DT lenses on A-mount Minolta and Sony Alpha bodies, or, if you are still a film photography enthusiast, on vintage 35mm SLR Minolta AF film cameras. The lenses are easily available on auction listings and in used brick-and-mortar stores, at fair enough prices without costing you an arm or a leg.
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