Pirate77's reviews

  • Konica Minolta 300mm f/2.8 APO G AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Build Quality IQ/Sharpness Colours/Bokeh, Fast AF Speed, 2x Focus Hold Buttons, Focus Range Limiter
    Tripod mount leg too close to body (non removable), A shade slower with a TC fitted, Cover to manual adjustment ring easily opened

    My findings and comments are based from use on a full frame 24MP Sony Alpha A850. I hope this review gives potential buyers a greater insight based on my findings and as you'll see, comparisons to others lenses I've owned have been made as well as the positives and negatives (my opinion only).

    Comments:

    It's already been said before; what a superb lens, but it oozes quality. My copy came supplied with 5 rear drop-in filters, rear cap, front hood, lens strap, alloy lens box, front CLR filter and original box.

    This lens is everything you could hope for in a fast prime. Light enough to hand-hold (though a monopod/tripod support would be recommended and hand holding will require a certain degree of arm strength), the hood is not too long when fitted to a FF body to cause any vignetting and images are tack sharp with superb colours and buttery smooth bokeh.

    An absolute 'must have' or the Mk 1 APO version. If your funds are limited I would recommend the Sigma AF 100-300/4 EX DG (IF) APO, but this Minolta prime lens just makes most others look lame by comparison in all departments.

    Difficult to write a formal review as the image results it gives speak for themselves. So, if you're in need of arguably one of, if not THE best of the 300/2.8 tele/primes and you have the funds, it's a 'no brainer' . . . go get one.

    reviewed June 13th, 2012 (purchased for $1,755)
  • Konica Minolta 50mm f/1.4 AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Lightweight : Ultra sharp image quality (IQ) : Excellent construction : Buttery smooth bokeh : Ergonomic design : Classic Minolta colour rendition : Best in it's class
    Nothing I can think of (yet)

    Where do you start? It's a phenomenally good bit of kit and delivers superb quality results in spades. Like the MIN50F17RS, the body is built from high grade plastic and has a very nice ribbed rubber focus ring, though this lens had a lens hood.

    The nearest of all the 50mm prime lenses that produces similar results are both the MIN50F28 and MIN50F35 Macro lenses which make for a much better option to the standard metal/glass kit model.

    I've never used or owned this lens model before and I can now understand what all the hype is about unlike some other models I can think of.

    The colours, bokeh, sharpness and overall construction is first class and it's also very ergonomically designed. Coupled with it being lightweight, it's one of THE BEST lenses from the extensive Minolta back-catalogue and IMO, is best in it's class, though the SAL-50F14 is it's replacement model which I've not used so I cannot make any direct comparisons.

    This is definitely one lens I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a top 50mm prime, though either of the Minolta 50mm Macro lenses would also be a great choice.

    reviewed March 17th, 2016 (purchased for $151)