Minolta MD 85mm f2 - Another Sample

Driving is back -- NEX-5N & Minolta MD 85mm f2

The reason I have not used this lens much, is due to the very stiff focusing ring.  To gear addicts like me, properly calibrated, and well maintained equipment is a big factor in enjoying the picture taking process.  Sticky, stiff, choppy focusing is a real downer.  You feel it every time you take a picture.  This, however, does not stop me from liking this fabulous lens.  In some ways, the smaller size and lighter weight makes up for the 1/3 stop of light loss to my other favourite portrait lens - the Minolta MC-Rokkor 85mm f1.7.  Probably for this reason, the 85mm f2 is very popular portrait lens choice.

Minolta MC-Rokkor 85mm f1.7 Bokeh Sample

Creamy Bokeh -- NEX-5N & Minolta MC-Rokkor 85mm f1.7. Click for larger.

Many people like the 75mm-100mm focal length, because this medium telephoto is perfect for portraiture, and as a portrait lens, they usually have very nicely rendered out of focus backgrounds, or bokeh.  My experience with these lenses is that pretty much all of them produce nice bokeb at wider aperture, and render pictures very pleasing to the eye.

Still haven't done a comparison between the Minolta MC-Rokkor 85mm f1.7, and the MD 85mm f2.  From the handling point of view, I prefer the 85mm f1.7, because it's so well made and feels nice in the hand.  True, it's much heavier and bigger than the MD 85mm f2.  Hopefully I will get a chance to do a simple comparo this week.

Minolta MD 85mm f2 -- First Impression

Rise Up -- NEX-5N & Minolta MD 85mm f2

Got this Minolta MD 85mm f2 along with the RF Rokkor 250mm f5.6 mirror lens.  Compared to the MC-Rokkor 85mm f1.7, this lens is much smaller and half as heavy.  Very compact with a 49mm filter size but of course is a 1/3 stop slower than the f1.7 sibling.  Unfortunately, the focusing ring is a tad too tight, making it hard to adjust fine focus.  It's usable but annoying.  It needs to be adjusted.

As with most Minolta manual focus lenses, the image quality does not disappoint.  I haven't really gotten any really bad MD/MC primes yet. Practically all of the old Minolta lenses (no zoom) I have tried are excellent.  Many people like this better than the MC-Rokkor 85mm f1.7 due to its smaller size/lighter weight.  To me, I still prefer the all metal f1.7 version, not to mention the 1/3 stop of extra light coming into the sensor.  Perhaps, one day, I will find some time to do a comparison of these two very desirable lenses.