Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS), First Impression

CCD Resurgence - First impression images with the highly acknowledged Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 (RS) mounted on a 14.2MP CCD Sony Alpha DSLR-A350.

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

First impression images with the Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS), a legend of its time, a classic known for its excellent sharpness and 1:1 magnification capability. Despite its production run that ended more than 30 years ago, the lens is still a hot spot today with digital photo enthusiasts enamored of its dual-purpose design as the first autofocus 100mm macro lens capable of 1:1 (life-size) magnification, and a portrait/short-telephoto lens with beautiful subject separation.

The lens, introduced in 1993, is the second of the series, with the original AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, the first autofocus 100mm macro lens capable of 1:1 (life-size) magnification, launched in 1986, the RS, and follow-up Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro D (with ADI metering) in 2000, and the Sony AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro in 2006.

The RS (re-Styled) version is a refresh of the original, with a new barrel design featuring an enlarged rubber focus ring, a focus range limiter (to reduce excessive focus hunting), and a focus hold button (to lock focus on a subject), useful when using continuous autofocus (AF-C). ADI metering allows the lens aperture to be automatically adjusted by the camera based on the lighting conditions.

Designed with an 8-element, 8-group floating element with rounded blades which was maintained throughout the production series, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.352 meters, measures 71mm in diameter and 98mm in length (approximately 119mm fully extended), accepts 55mm filters, and packs a rather hefty (compared to current lightweights) weight between 505 and 519 grams across the series.

The lens is highly acknowledged for its excellent sharpness, even when shot wide open at f/2.8, and is said to be capable of maintaining excellent sharpness across the aperture range. Ideal applications for the lens include life-size close-ups or used as a short telephoto lens for heads and shoulder portraits, wildlife, landscape elements, sports, and candid street photography from non-intrusive distances.

On the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, the AF 100mm f/2.8 is equivalent to a 150mm medium telephoto lens on a 35mm full frame camera, a versatile focal length excellent for capturing images with a shallow depth of field and subject isolation. At 150mm, a macro lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio is perfect for detailed close-up shots of insects, flowers, and other small subjects.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

A snug fit, though a bit heady at 1.2+ kg combined weight, the camera/lens kit is a pleasure to use. For handheld manual focus close-ups with the lens at its closest focusing distance, the camera can be cupped in the hand with the thumb and index finger conveniently distanced over the focus ring. At the other end, shooting with the camera held at arm's length, with the camera set to Live View, is equally fun and exciting.

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8

CCD Resurgence: First impression square cut close-ups with the 1985 Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8 on a 14MP CCD Sony DSLR-A350.

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

The Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8, a prime for cameras fitted with Minolta AF and Sony α mounts, is one lens you must have if you are after its highly acclaimed and recommended sharpness, and image quality legendary of the 'Minolta Colors.' The lens was released by Minolta in 1985 with the launch of the Maxxum 7000 (7000 AF in Europe and α-7000 in Japan), Minolta's first integrated AF 35mm SLR film camera.

The compact and lightweight lens is constructed with a plastic exterior housing and metal internals, has 8 elements in 8 groups, 7 aperture blades, and a minimum focusing distance of 250mm. It is 44mm long, weighs 215 grams, takes 55mm filters, and delivers sharp images with good color rendition.

On the Sony DSLR-A350, which has a 1.5x APS-C cropped sensor, the lens is equivalent to a 35mm (36.48mm, to be exact) lens on a full-frame camera. This focal length is very versatile and highly recommended for street and travel photography, architecture and urban landscape, food and low-light photography, documentary portraiture, and general use.

The AF 24mm and the A350 have the same Minolta AF/Sony α lens mount fitting, so the lens is a seamless fit on the digital body. It's almost like the best of two worlds: the age difference between the lens and the camera does not make a difference.

While the Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8 is one of the highlights of the A-mount Minolta AF series, the Sony DSLR-A350 is equally the highlight of the CCD-sensor digital SLR series introduced by Sony after they took over and rebranded the KonicaMinolta franchise.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8

A boon for CCD enthusiasts, the camera and lens are easily available on auction listings, even in brick-and-mortar stores, as low-end buys at prices for the asking.

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro

CCD Resurgence: First impression images with the Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro, a low-cost alternative to the Minolta AF 50mm 1:2.8 Macro.

<< Click on images for enlarged Lightbox display >>

The Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro, a very well-made lower-cost alternative to the Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro series lenses, was introduced by Minolta in 1995. This was a couple of years after the launch of the Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro RS (Re-Styled), which was introduced in 1993, while the initial iteration of the Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro itself was introduced in 1985.

Despite being produced with a smaller widest aperture, the lens is highly regarded, well-accoladed, and has a reputation for being near perfect. The lens enjoyed an overall rating of 4.82, with Sharpness @ 4.93, Color at 4.95, Build at 4.60, Distortion @ 4.94, and Flare Control @ 4.68 on Dxyum.

The lens, with 5 elements in 5 groups, 7 rounded aperture blades, and a metal mount, is sharp even at its widest. It comes with a maximum magnification of 1:2, measures 55mm in length, has a minimum focusing distance of 230mm, takes 55mm filters, and is lightweight at 240 grams.

While the f/3.5 maximum aperture may not account for a good bokeh run, the lens is equally capable and competent as a general-use lens for non-macro applications as well. The lens is easily available on auction listings, with prices that could even be slightly higher than its 2.8 sibling.

The A-mount lens is a perfect fit on the Sony DSLR-A350, which has a carry-over AF A-mount lens system from Minolta and can be used interchangeably with other Sony Alpha DSLR cameras. The A-mount system was introduced with the Minolta 7000 35mm AF SLR system, the first camera to feature both integrated autofocus (AF) and motorized film advance.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/3.5 Macro

The lenses, sold as Maxxum in the US and α in Japan, were rebranded and sold as Sony-based products when the KonicaMinolta Camera franchise was taken over by Sony. The range comprises 12 lenses, expanded with 6 new designs and 2 teleconverters. The 3.5 Macro, however, is not one of them and remains a Minolta AF exclusive.

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro

CCD Resurgence: First impression images with the Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro, on a Sony DSLR-A350

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

First impression close-ups with the A-mount Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro, the world's first autofocus macro lens, mounted on a Sony DSLR-A350. The lens, acknowledged sharpness, color rendition, and solid build quality, is completely compatible and can be used interchangeably with Sony DT and other Alpha series lenses on Alpha DSLR cameras.

Sony rebadged a dozen A-mount Minolta AF lenses, added a few of their own, and a couple of teleconverters for use on the Sony Alpha DSLRs when they bought into the brand.

The compact and well-built 7 elements in 6 groups with 7 aperture blades lens has a plastic exterior, a metal mount, and a metal focusing ring. The lens, Minolta's best dedicated macro lens, focuses continuously from infinity to 1:1 life-size.

On the Sony DSLR-A350, the lens is equivalent to a 75mm short tele, ideal for portrait photography. The focal length allows for good subject-background separation, the essence of aesthetically pleasing portraits. The colors on this first impression image look great, with bokeh and sharpness equally in tandem.

The 14.2MP CCD Sony DSLR-A350, introduced in 2008, has the AF system from the A700 and Eye-start AF (as in the A100 and A200) and a unique Live View system that allows photographers to preview and compose images in real-time on the camera's display or electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro

The camera also comes with a pop-up flash, an articulating LCD screen, an electronically controlled vertical traverse focal plane shutter with a speed range from 30 to 1/4000 seconds, plus B, 1200-zone evaluative metering, Dynamic Range Optimization, and Super SteadyShot with sensor-shift image stabilization. The ISO speed range is from 100 to 3,200.

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.