I can confidently say that of all the lenses I have tested so far, this is the only one that beats the Konica Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm F4.5-5.6. There are many options, but this is definitely my favorite.
We have all been in the scenario where we had the opportunity to take the perfect photo but didn’t have the equipment. The camera plays an important role in taking better photos, but if the lens can’t do its job, it all goes to waste.
That is why we always recommend that beginners have a selection of lenses that they can use for different situations. I know for a fact that once you start buying lenses, you fall down the rabbit hole, i.e., you cannot and will not stop buying new lenses.
We already know that newer, modern lenses have outstanding quality. For example, the autofocus system, the image stabilizer, and the overall sharpness and quality of the photos are all very good. However, there is something interesting about the lenses used in film cameras in the past.
There were many different players at the time. One of the main manufacturers of cameras and lenses was Minolta. This company still produces cameras and lenses under the Konica Minolta umbrella, but their former models were truly invaluable.
These lenses have an interesting character to their bodies, and each photographer has a different style that he or she wants to achieve, and different things that he or she effectively wants from a lens.
Best Minolta Lenses
Table of Contents
Today, we’ll look at a guide to getting the best out of your Minolta lenses. We’ll cover both models designed for film cameras and the latest models, what you need to know before buying a new lens, and much more. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look.
Best Minolta Lenses | Comparison Table 2022
Top Quality | 5 Star Pick | Great Prices
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minolta 50mm f1.7 AF Lens | Minolta | Check Price | |
| Konica Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SLR Lens Maxxum SLR Cameras | Minolta | Check Price | |
| MINOLTA AF28-85MM F3.5-4.5 | Minolta | Check Price | |
| Minolta Maxxum AF 100-200mm f/4.5 TELE lens for Minolta Maxxum Dynax SLR/DSLR cameras and Sony Alpha A-mount DSLR cameras | Minolta | Check Price | |
| Minolta MD Rokkor Rokkor 45 mm 45mm 1:2 | Minolta | Check Price | |
| Konica Minolta AF 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens for the Maxxum 5D & 7D Digital SLR Camera | Minolta | Check Price | |
| Minolta MD 50mm 1:1.7 Made In Japan Minolta Mount Lens | Minolta | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Minolta Lenses | 2022 Products Overview
1. Minolta 50mm f1.7 AF Best Lenses
- Accepts 49mm filters, Fits Sony/Minolta A-mount SLR, SLT and DSLR cameras (Does NOT fit Sony E-mount Mirrorless cameras, such as Alpha A5000/5100 series, A6000/6100 series, NEX series, or A7 series or A9 series).
- The Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7(N) is one of the old standard fix-focal lenses by Minolta. Obviously it is a discontinued item now because Sony took over Minoltas photo department back in early 2006. The lens has no real equivalent in the current Sony line-up.
- Sony decided to keep the 50mm f/1.4 only but this lens is fairly expensive which is why used AF 50mm f/1.7 are fairly popular over at eBay or 2nd hand dealers. On APS-C DSLRs such as the Sony Alpha 100 (used for testing) its field of view is equivalent 75mm so it behaves more like a basic portrait lens here.
2. Konica Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm
- For use with Minolta Maxxum Autofocus SLR cameras
- Focus and exposure data flow from lens ROM integrated circuit to cameras central processing unit
- Support Minoltas ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) flash metering
- Wide focusing ring for comfort and better control
- Focus hold button for easy operation
4. Minolta Maxxum AF 100-200mm f/4.5
- elements/group: 8/7; aperture blades: 7; minimum focus distance: 1900 mm; filter rotate when focusing: Yes; filter rotate when zooming: No
- max. magnification: 1/8.3; focus design: front;
- min. length: 94.5 mm; max. length: 132 mm;
- filter diameter: 49, front mm; hood: clip-on, round
- max. aperture: 4.5; min. aperture: 22; focal range: 100 - 200 mm
5. Minolta MD Rokkor 45 mm 45mm 1:2
- Passend für Minolta MD Modelle analog, manueller Focus.
- Its spec sheet is pretty standard for the MD Rokkor-X lenses that would come to be Minolta’s final manual focus lens lineup in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. With a maximum aperture of F/2, it’s relatively quick while falling a bit short of “fast prime” status.
- At only 1.6 inches long and weighing 4.4 ounces, this lens is small. Really small. And while it’s not quite a pancake lens, that hasn’t stopped most people from bunching it with this minuscule class of lenses.
- And if you happen to be a tourist, like I frequently am, it’s hard to not take this lens with you. I’ve taken the 45mm to five different countries and chosen it many times over arguably better lenses.
6. Konica Minolta AF 28-75mm
- AF mount; wide-angle zoom lens
- Aspherical lenses; anomalous dispersion glass
- This Minolta 28mm f2.8lens is quite unique for its appearance. Though it looks very cute and small, it does quite a lot of neat things. Photo quality is outstanding due to the fact that it has an eye like us. Very useful lens for low-light pictures and sharp tact pictures from a strong/rugged body
- f2.8 maximum aperture
- 16 elements in 14 groups
7. Minolta MD 50mm 1:2
- Minolta lenses are known for being solid, and the 50/1.4 does not disappoint. It’s a hearty lens that feels delightfully hefty. While lenses from other brands might feel loose, fragile, or squeak and rattle when squeezed, the Minolta does not. It feels tight, compact, and strong.
- Were the nameplate removed, one could be forgiven for thinking it a German lens (Minolta did, in fact, design and build lenses for Leica). It weighs a healthy 235g, putting it right in the middle of the pack when compared to other 50mm lenses, but it’s compact in a way that many of its contemporaries simply aren’t.
- Close focus distance is great for a 50mm, at 1.5 ft. This allows for excellent subject isolation in up-close shooting, excellent bokeh, and makes the lens a natural at product photography.
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What You Need to Know Before Buying a Minolta Lens
This guide was written specifically for those who are purchasing new or old Minolta lenses. You must be very careful with new lenses, as they have properties that can make them better or worse for your needs.
There are many factors and things to consider before purchasing a Minolta lens, which I am going to try to explain briefly. So let’s get started.
Main and Zoom Lenses
There are two general types of lenses: single focus lenses and zoom lenses. There are many different types of lenses, including wide-angle, standard, macro, telephoto, etc. Today we will focus on zoom lenses and prime lenses.
Prime lenses are fixed focal length lenses and are a great choice if you want the best quality. These lenses are very sharp and perform well in low light situations. This is because there are no moving parts inside the lens, making them ideal for these needs, but they are less versatile for different applications and focal lengths.
This is where zoom lenses come into play, with a range of focal lengths that can be manipulated and an optical zoom function that can capture more distant objects with higher image quality. While sharpness and image quality may not be as good as the basic models, they are still quite good, and in terms of versatility, they are unbeatable.
Focal length
Focal length is another important factor in the lens you consider. Simply put, the focal length of a lens is the distance from the center of the lens to the sensor when the subject is in focus.
It is simply measured in millimeters, and the lower the value, the wider the picture. Conversely, the higher the value, the greater the zoom of the scene.
There are a variety of Minolta lenses, but most have focal lengths between 30mm and 50mm, and of course there are lenses with different numbers.
Note that lenses with shorter focal lengths focus on a wider area of the screen, and the larger the number, the narrower the field of view or focus. The aperture of the lens is also a factor, but not as large.
Coating
The coating and quality of Minolta lenses is another important factor to consider before purchasing. A variety of materials are used to coat Minolta lenses, many of which are of higher quality.
One of the most common coatings is magnesium fluoride. Some lenses also use advanced multi-coating materials to reduce common problems such as ghosting and flare.
These problems are common to most digital cameras. Less well known is that the coatings improve color balance throughout the zoom range of the lens.
Compatibility
This is a very interesting question, because if the lens is not compatible with the camera, it cannot be used at all, thus influencing the choice. Fortunately, adapters exist that are compatible with a wide variety of lenses and cameras.
However, one thing should be noted. Older film lenses will not function properly with DSLRs, especially if you choose an APS-C format sensor. This is because all adapters use the same sensor for both lenses. In fact, all adapters use optics to adapt the lens to the camera sensor. However, these degrade the image quality and do not give satisfactory results.
Mirrorless cameras are a good match for these old lenses, and the Sony a7 series with full-size sensors is the best choice, with very good overall results. This is due to Sony’s acquisition of Minolta and the use of its A-mount in the new Alpha series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Minolta 28mm f/2.8 lens be used with Sony A-mount cameras?
Yes, the Sony A-mount system is compatible with the Minolta Maxxum lens line. You will be able to use the lenses and focus without any problems. The problem is finding a Minolta Maxxum mount camera system.
Can Minolta Maxxum lenses be used on Sony E-mount systems?
In order to use Minolta Maxxum series lenses with a Sony E-mount camera, you will need an adapter. Adapters are easily available and will cost a few dollars at most. Sony makes several such adapters that maintain aperture and auto-exposure controls. There are also third-party adapters available, but not all of them will give you the full functionality of the lens on an electronic mount camera.
Can I use Minolta Maxxum lenses with Canon/Nikon cameras?
They are not compatible because they have different mounts. Therefore, only Maxxum lenses cannot be used with Canon/Nikon cameras. However, there are adapters available to mount Minolta’s Maxxum lenses on Canon/Nikon cameras. Just as there are usually adapters to attach other lenses to incompatible mounts.
Are Maxxum and Dynax the same mount system?
Yes, they are. Minolta’s A-mount system was labeled Maxxum in North America when it was first released. When it was launched in Europe, it was called Dynax. Interestingly, it was known by another name, a combination of alphanumeric characters, before it was later renamed Dynax.
Are Minolta’s A-mount and Sony’s A-mount the same?
Yes, they are. Sony acquired Minolta (Konica Minolta) in 2006, and decided to continue using the A-mount and its name, integrating it into their product line. The result was the new Sony Alpha, or Amount, used for SLT (Single Lens Translucent) digital cameras. It uses Single Fixed Mirror Technology. This mount is still used today on many Sony DSLT cameras, including the very popular Sony Alpha a99 II.
Here are some of the most important points to consider when buying a rangefinder camera.
Verdict.
Whether you are looking for a lens from Minolta’s latest model or are interested in a retro model from the 80s, Minolta is sure to satisfy your needs. We have explained our selection of Minolta lenses so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
When purchasing an old lens, be sure to buy from a reliable dealer and check for defects that may render the lens unusable, as well as the quality of the construction. We also have a “Top Picks section” where you can find safe options that have proven to be excellent performers. Have fun with your new lenses.
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