Minolta 50mm 1.7 - What's All The Fuss About?

[@MarkHoltze]

Winter Wonderland Walking with this lens, a drone and my phone. The experience shooting with this lens on the first photowalk of 2021 has earned it a special place in my SLR lens loving heart. *49mm filter thread, not 45, no clue why I said 45mm*

[@blake.crosby]

Or why you said 1.8 in the intro, but it's a f/1.7 ;)

[@MarkHoltze]

@@blake.crosby i had this conversation with Paul lol. The XL1 intro was never meant to be part of it, it was after recording bull shit, in the end i liked that version better than my regular intro so made the call. I mention 1.7 a few seconds after the intro, throughout the video and in the title so figured story/performance in this case would trump continuity. I also state 45mm filter thread instead of 49, but that's because i'm a totally FKN idiot and have no excuse for missing that shit. If paid professionals in feature films can get things wrong sometimes, me getting paid pennies on the hours can get them wrong sometimes too lol. Won't ever happen again, it's eating me up inside, thanks for throwing acid on it Crosby, what are old friends for right lol. (all good, just to be clear) :)

[@blake.crosby]

@@MarkHoltze Yeah all good, I'm just being a dick 😝(more engagement on youtube never hurts, right? )

[@MarkHoltze]

@@blake.crosby dude i expect you to find the flaws, it's ALL good. It means. you're paying attention, because I wasn't (at the 45mm filter thread part) lol. Like i said the 1.8 was a concession for performance and shortly after reconciled by the appropriate. What i should have done was cut in 1.7 from a previous take, but found the delivery was too different....a la simpsons Homer SWEET SWEET CAN

[@MarkHoltze]

Not trying hard to be funny, I’m not a KZbinr. I just so happen to make videos on vintage lenses and have fun doing it. Good luck with your search, hope you find what you’re looking for

[@newfoundmass]

Minolta lenses are my favorite vintage lenses. You really can't beat their value, as other mounts have exploded in price while MD lenses have largely stayed the same. Rokkor 4 Life!

[@mumtazkhan9042]

Building a set is tough. 85mm, 24mm are now very expensive. If you find a decent quality 24mm - 35mm constant zoom or the 35mm - 70mm constant zoom, buy it. They are compact, sharp and par-focal.

[@segzeeman7356]

@@mumtazkhan9042 the 24mm has always been pricey. I paid about $250 CDN for it about 4-5 years ago.

[@mumtazkhan9042]

@@segzeeman7356 Got mine from a charity shop, for £20. Also picked up a Kiron 24mm f2 for the same price. Now they only sell camera gear on eBay.

[@AlbertKarhuFilms]

@@mumtazkhan9042 just bought a MD 35-70mm macro f3.5. For 40euros, almost brand new condition. Absolutely fabulous piece of glass.

[@therealchickentender]

Hexanon though. :)

[@cdafrance9141]

Hi Mark, thanks for sharing these thoughts and experience. And to tell that play in the editing, the shots, and all that makes even more pleasant ! Thanks !

[@MarkHoltze]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@cdafrance9141]

Hi Mark, since I dicovered your videos, I always watch your new comming ones with close attention. I purchased an A7 just for the purpose of being able shoot the way I used to do with a film camera. And the first lense a friend had borowed me to try out on my MarkIII, (the canon, I mean), to sit on the A7 has been the 55 1.8 M42 by our beloved Japanese manufacturing company, which immediately revealed it's magic - at least to my eye ( I have two but use only one) - and there it was !!! Hooked up , and so pleasingly !!! So, therefor, all your experiments, points of view (...), and work you're sharing are kind of a blessing. Thank you ! You help me building up ideas, maybe also because I was already experimenting similar ideas over 30 years ago with a film camera, maybe 40... I'm almost the age of the lenses.... E Mmmmm. I was about to say a word... Never mind (I am starting do do though) It is a rich adventure, this one that helps us getting all that light in our eyes and mind !!!! What is magic all about, if not using a couple of, maybe cheap, but very thoughtfull tricks. Cheers !

[@garrett5517]

this is the third and last version of the minolta 50mm 1.7 md, that was released in the early to mid 80's. Minolta was making their A-mount lenses during the 90's

[@MarkHoltze]

Yes, definitely why I want to try the older ones. Apparently based on serial this one physically was produced in 90/91 before the full transition occurred. Hard to really pin point it, it’s still a millennial lens 😂

[@garrett5517]

@@MarkHoltze wow, must be a good sign this lens was actually being manufactured that long! Minolta lenses are super underrated

[@MarkHoltze]

Agreed!

[@marcr8968]

@@MarkHoltze Minolta was the first company to successfully market an auto focusing slr (screw type adopted by many) in 1985 with the Maxxum 7000 and a series of AF lenses and AF mount that was eventually used by Sony in dslr's when they purchased Minolta. MD lenses date back to the seventies and pretty well died out with the introduction of of the Maxxum Af lenses (called Dynax in Europe). The MD version of the 50mm f1.7 was introduced in 1985 as an AF lens for the new Maxxum 7000.

[@marc.ristau]

The 50mm f1.7 and 135mm f2.8 are my two of favorite lenses. There is something about them that always draw me back to them. Also really cheap depending on the version. You can get them for 70€-90€ combined in great conditions.

[@paulfujita6344]

The XL1 footage is TAAAAAASTY and a hell of an addition. Respect.

[@MarkHoltze]

capturing it....a pain lol. I don't miss those days that's for sure.

[@henrysteadman963]

Superb episode Mr H, especially interesting to hear the historical aspects about Minolta, and of course the footage and photo samples are typically sublime. As I eatch your videos I marvel at how much work and style you put into them, truly brilliant. Diamond geezer!

[@jonnyhush]

Nice video, I have a Minolta 58mm 1.4 from 1960s paired with my Sony a6300, colour tones are the most unique I’ve seen out of a lens, my go to for portraits, and fun for landscapes. Happy your trying Minoltas!

[@michelangelotorres_filmmaker]

For its price, this lens is quite good. I think a Minolta Rokkor set could be useful if you want a backup set or simply to try something different, maybe for a personal/passion project or for a street filmmaking session

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks for the tips! I have to be careful because that slope is slippery lol. I think you're right though! Thanks Mate!

[@Belodunum]

The quality of your videos is amazing. I'm not an expert in the subject, but I'm enjoying every single video. They are pleasing to the eye, informative, funny and a font of inspiration. Keep it up your great work please! Greetings from Italy.

[@MarkHoltze]

thanks mate!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I’m going to be super interested on what you make of this. I had this lens on my first camera, a Minolta X300 back in ‘86 and I bought a copy mint for £40 and I’ve been very pleased with it on a modern FF mirrorless. The focus throw is just right and is super smooth... I think my version had time travelled well, still in its box!

[@MarkHoltze]

Focus throw on this one is perfect too.

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

@@MarkHoltze yes the Throw is spot on making focusing easy

[@AB-lx2zj]

everyone with a mirrorless camera should one day try out one of the orginal nifty fifties from the 80s-90s (canon fd, minolta md, etc). It's quite spectacular how those lenses perform especially stopped down and at infinity focus. Even on 42MP they perform well in terms of sharpness.

[@MarkHoltze]

I concur!!!

[@MarkHoltze]

Who ever thought canon would look so good on a Sony ;)

[@QuietOC]

The Minolta 50mm F1.7 debuted in 1973. The last AF version was released in 1990. The plain MD version you have is from 1981.

[@djchips]

Finally some Minolta love! Minolta was my gateway drug into vintage lenses, their rendering was always very unique and pleasant. I'm not surprised the Zeiss outperformed the Minolta in sharpness and aberration correction, the Zeiss has one more corrective glass element at the rear compared to the Minolta.

[@CarlosMartinezxFulLxArsenaLx]

I know right? Same. I got the Maxxum 50mm 1.7 and the Maxxum 70-210mm and I absolutely love them.

[@acecreates]

Lol gateway drug to vintage glass

[@rodrrico]

It never ceases to amaze me how many 'old' lenses still look outstanding today. Another excellent video as always! I hope you and your family are well. Loving the regular videos you're pumping out. Boom!

[@MarkHoltze]

How did I miss this. So sorry mate. We are all doing well! How are you guys doing? Summer sweet and the living easy?

[@DD-1971]

Thank you for putting a little time into the content and the editing process instead of pooping out a video every other day. It pops out. Some people notice......and you were able to use the xl1 dinosaur in a very creative way.

[@MarkHoltze]

Such a relic, 😆. Thanks for the kind words mate.

[@alchemist_x79]

I personally think the Minota held up very well against the Contax/Zeiss, but I may be biased. I was crazy excited for this review, because I kinda have a "thing" for old Minolta lenses. I have the 50 f/1.4 Rokkor-X version and I still haven't purchased a modern 50mm lens because of it, because I think it's that good. No AF is a drag, but I mostly shoot landscape anyway. If you ever want to do a review on a Minolta telephoto lens, I could lend you my relatively rare Rokkor-x 200mm f/2.8. That lens is a tank, and a sheer joy to use!

[@sceneincharlotte8192]

Great video! I’ve been collecting these old Minolta lenses for my cameras and I’m more than happy! I just ordered this lens and can’t wait to use it. Thanks for the video!

[@MarkHoltze]

My pleasure mate! Glad you enjoyed it. Which one is your fav?

[@anffray]

woah I did not expect such entertainment as I was just looking for info on this lens, this might be by far the best lens review I have ever watched. Complete, detailed, interesting and neat.

[@MarkHoltze]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Super entertaining Mark! Appreciate your efforts in creating a fact based assessment on each of your vintage lens reviews.

[@MarkHoltze]

It’s just a nice bit that adds a little Spice to These otherwise forgotten relics 😂

[@chosenideahandle]

I didn't realize the MD Rokkor-x was so different. Mine is metal and made in 1977-78, with a 55mm filter thread. I shot with the same lens in high school photography class. My dad bought it with his XG7 the year it came out, for our family vacation to Hawaii (1979). My sister has that lens and camera now. I did my college photography with it, and she did her program at Ryerson with it. Now my niece is learning with it. I bought a XG7 just as some nostalgia a year ago for the shelf ($60), and it came with a mint Rokkor-X 50mm 1.7. I'm using it once and awhile now on my Sony FX30.

[@EmusicFrench]

Hi Mark, I love your videos, editing, b-roll and reviews of vintage lenses. Where can we see more of your professional video work?

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks mate, i guess imdb.com my name will give you some productions i've worked on. Hard to say where those live indefinitely, networks and their airdates etc.

[@samsen3965]

You did very wise not to pronounce that original Minolta's name but LOVED the history told here. My take: Great lens for price. Sharpness and contrast, wide open, is a tad below Zeiss but to me the bokeh is far better with Minolta. The sadest part, Sony bought Minolta to kill it! and wished we still had their innovative productions. Though the clip is old but my first time watching it and loved it. Please never stop producing your great clips and hope you can put hand on most of the vintage and may be rare lenses out there that deserve an ingenious photographer to explore and present them to us. HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR and many many returns of the day and the year my friend.

[@Riccardo_Mori]

Some fantastic shots in the snow-covered forest, Mark! I got this lens a few years ago, it came together with a banged-up Minolta SRT-101, and I've started using it on digital cameras only recently. I like it a lot. It looks like a solid all-round performer. -Cheers, Rick

[@charliejones3936]

These videos are so well done!

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks Charlie

[@churchaudiolife]

I just sold this exact lens for $30 on Kijiji. I prefer all my other 50's, takumar 55, mamiya/sekor, zeiss jena tessar. But it was one of my first lenses and enjoyed it for awhile. Great review like always!

[@thebeardedgeordiephotography]

Thanks to following your channel I’ve built a modest collection of vintage lenses and now I’m even trying Astro with some of them! I have used an old Optomax 135mm on a tracker and shot the Orion Nebula with great success for a first time try at Astro!

[@MarkHoltze]

PROPER astro setup mate, I'd love to look into that. Got some nice shots of Neowise back in June, plus Jupiter and it's moons, but would love to get a Nebula.

[@thebeardedgeordiephotography]

@@MarkHoltze Orion is your easiest target, even without a tracker you can shoot your super Takumar 50mm 1.4 with your Sony A7Sii and use an intervalometer to set up a couple of hundred shots at 7 or 8 seconds long (see how long you can go without star trailing) then stack the images in sequator on pc

[@AfoteyAnnum]

What a way to ring in 2021! Nice find, this lens. Definitely ordering!

[@MarkHoltze]

Got lucky with the weather too, it's been over cast and kind of mild the last two weeks. Yesterday the actual SUN came out for a bit lol. I was hoping to get some sunny samples, but i waited and waited and it just never popped from behind the clouds.

[@AfoteyAnnum]

@@MarkHoltze all good. What you presented looks awesome anyway LOLZ

[@theanimeroom9492]

I use a Minolta 50mm 1.7 on my Canon M50, i actually picked it up after watching your videos and learning about vintage to mirrorless. I picked up the lens for $40 and I must say, it produces some of the best photo's i've ever taken. Due to the crop factor on the canon it makes it a 80mm, but man it's fantastic. Solid video and I forgot to hit the subscribe button in the past (doing so now).

[@MarkHoltze]

People forget how good these lenses are. I see more people making excuses for its lack or “sharpness” but even when I’ve compared them to modern lenses thr differences don’t not come close to justifying the cost delta. They’re not as easy to use as you can’t rely on auto focus but that’s on the photographer, not the lens.

[@theanimeroom9492]

@@MarkHoltze oh 1000% ! The cost of lenses can easily deter anyone from wanting to get into photography/videography, but the cost of vintage lenses with adapters makes it a perfect opportunity with a unique style. Not to mention you can find them easily on any garage sale sites like fb marketplace. Keep up the fantastic work man!

[@FrankthamanTV]

Hi what adapter did you buy ? I can’t didn’t the right one. Please help

[@CosmicDog]

Great review man! So cool to see how far that lens has traveled. Glad it was a good experience! Made my weekend! Cheers!

[@studiotrejo3047]

Awesome review, this is one of my. favorite lenses. Loved the History part of Minolta and great editing on that- like seeing a secret file on Godzilla or something.

[@JaredTremper]

Amongst my Minolta collection I have the MD 50mm F2, which I understand has the same optics as the 50mm F1.7. It’s quite good, as is the 45mm F2. Keep up the good work here!

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks Jared, you have the 45 and 50?

[@JaredTremper]

@@MarkHoltze yes, both. I love the 45 especially. On the A7R2 it seems to have quite a lot of resolving power for such a small lens.

[@dougd2723]

Wikipedia has the Minolta 1.7/50 design as a Double-Gauss. My copy came attached to a bellows for macro. It revealed something interesting in the "0" found in the lower left corner 20 on the twenty dollar bill.

[@MrAllstar]

This is one of my favourite vintage lenses, just sharp enough wide open to be useable and a very nice focus feel.

[@MarkHoltze]

So glad to finally be able to test one. On a bit of a Minolta kick now lol.

[@Needacreate]

One small thing that doesn't take anything away from your enjoyable and informative video. The MD 50mm F1.7 was introduced as early as 1981, making it a typical Eighties lens. In fact my first-ever camera, a Minolta X-700, which I got in late 1983, came with this lens.

[@ScottPC]

Exactly what I was going to say. Definitely a lot older than said.

[@MarkHoltze]

The lens would be made over the course of a number of years. The one I have based on the serial was made at the advised timeline. Not the first ever. It’s accurate based on the specific lens I’m using; not the invention of said lens with that optical formula. Introduction of a lens doesn’t mean all of them are made that year. Hence serial numbers. I should have made that more clear in the video. ✊

[@MarkHoltze]

Yes the kens was introduced at the time, but versions of the lens would be made for a number of years after. Based on my research on serial numbers the lens I’m using in the review is slated for the given year. I should have made that more clear. I was referring to the physical/specific lens in hand, not in general. ✊

[@Needacreate]

@@MarkHoltze No need to sweat it, Mark. Release year vs. actual-copy production year. If the lens rocks, and we as photographers are skilled enough to make it sing, those data become totally academic. I fondly remember the MD 50mm F1.7 being a solid performer on film, a great learning tool when I started my photographic journey, and giving me the first photographs that I was proud of at the time. But, then again, it should be kind of a challenge to find a nifty fifty from the era that doesn't potentially do great images, even by today's standards.

[@MarkHoltze]

@Needacreate totally! Just giving some context! Loads of these lenses still perform wonderfully. ✊

[@Sparky.07]

I got one, and I love it! Thanks for the review.

[@MarkHoltze]

My pleasure mate! Glad you’re feelings on it echo mine! :)

[@IntrovertAmateur]

I’m such a sucker for the history part of your Videos - it’s so epic edited!!🤩 Amazing vintage lens review as always Mark! 👍 Since you now tested a bunch of 50mm Vintage lenses from different price categories, would be interesting to see a comparison video and what your favourite 50mm vintage lens would be today 🤗

[@MarkHoltze]

I think so too, I need charts though, it's so hard to frame up the same shot for each lens to match everything for a proper comparison. I can talk for days about user experience, but to show optical differences I think that will need to be the way. Real world examples plus the scientific ones.

[@MarcoAries]

Man, every video you post is better than the previous, every time there's something different and new. I know I sound like a fanboy and, heck, maybe I am, but you keep inspiring me to create more and better content! So, just, thank you!

[@damiendehorn6350]

Marco! Love your recent review of the Pentax M 135m. Please Please, say you've got more Pentax reviews to come.

[@Hitchelfitkyle]

Outstanding comparison! Thank you for the excellent content Mark!!

[@mute754]

Hey nice video guy! Loved this.

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks mate. Minolta made me do it!

[@Lexington101]

I still have my Minolta Rokkor 50mm 1.7 lens I used in college in the 80's . I'm debating getting it cine-modded.

[@MarkHoltze]

I've got a set on loan coming by soon(ish). They're still a good price but i suspect as FD's, Contax, Leica prices continue to rise, these will become the new rage! DO IT! ;)

[@Lexington101]

@@MarkHoltze I see you're going to be doing some work with Media Division. Those guys are brilliant, great work, and a great sense of humor.

[@JohnDoe-lg2rg]

always a superb review man

[@trevorwarner6196]

Thank you. I've owned the mc Rokkor f1.7 back in the 70's and found the lens delivered what you just described. I still own the F1.4 Contax Zeiss planar and I'm still impresses with the character images that I am able to capture with the Zeiss. I should consider getting another 50mm Rokkor perhaps this time an f1.4

[@MarkHoltze]

Maybe the 58 1.2? That is a magic lens

[@vincentdiggins5191]

Great review, I guess I should get mine on the camera and take some shots. Minolta lenses are incredible bargains. They have beautiful color and the subjects have incredible pop. Thanks

[@MarkHoltze]

Definitly! Take her for a spin, see how you like it :)

[@manuelmannymoreno1070]

I have been shooting with Minolta lenses and I must admit, I’m in love with the older all metal MC lenses. Btw in case most didn’t know this, Minolta is the vintage/retro roots of Sony.

[@manuelmannymoreno1070]

@Mike Zielinski must be why I have been in love with Minolta for so long

[@MarkHoltze]

MC’s are the best!

[@MarkHoltze]

Just finished testing the 21 and 200 MC’s

[@manuelmannymoreno1070]

@@MarkHoltze I do like the multi coating from the MD lenses but something about that metal housing and the older optics that just “visually resonates”

[@MarkHoltze]

Totally agreed. They’re wonderful lenses though. Still great value.

[@jamesrodgers3664]

Excellent vid. I have a soft spot for Minolta, as the X700 was a big purchase or me in ‘85. The 50mm F2 kit lens it came with is now living on my Fuji mirrorless. I’ve got a few other lenses including the Fuji kit, but the Minolta looks so freakin’ good on it.

[@MarkHoltze]

I'm considering a little fuji upgrade for my pocket shooter, the Sii is getting a little long in the tooth and I have the S1H....the Fuji I would use entirely with my SLR lenses. you're right though, these lenses look SO good on those cameras :)

[@PaulStrople]

Yes!!! Minolta has totally been my gateway drug! (just got this lens, along with a 24mm and a 200mm a few days ago.... and then i stumble across this video haha Perfect!)

[@MarkHoltze]

I've got a loaner set coming soon, all cinema modded so can't wait to test out the full Rokkor set!

[@nunofranca7805]

Great Video as usual !! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MarkHoltze]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@imabigsandwich1292]

YOOOO I OWN THE EXACT SAME WIDE ANGLE ADAPTER THAT IS ON THE XL1! I mounted it to various mirrorless/dslr lenses and found that if your lens have a close enough focusing distance it can create some very distinct and funky look, especially when you are at 50mm or above, I highly recommend you to get a step down ring to mount it on your sigma 24-70, super funky look that makes it look almost like a lens baby.

[@TheRedStarman]

I bought that lens for my intro to photography class back in February of last year. I took all of 30 photos with it, and since my nearest photo lab is 40 miles away (and the campus lab has stayed shut since March 13, 2020), those pictures remain undeveloped. At least it was cheap!

[@MarkHoltze]

:( that's painful, if you have a digital camera it might be an interesting performance test to see how the lens performs on a digital sensor vs film.

[@robbydevillez4635]

Would love to see Minolta MD vs Pentax Takumar comparison video. Love your work!

[@AndrewCox]

Enjoyed the Minolta history. I bought one of these attached to a Minolta X500 back in the day. Loved that camera and still have it. I more recently tried this 50mm on a Samsung NX1 and it was pretty awful, but after seeing your results I'm wondering if the adapter was at fault. I have an S5 arriving tomorrow so I think I may get an MD to L-mount adaptor and give the Rokkor another go.

Always fun to watch your videos. I own an MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4 which is also a very very good lens. A lot of snow in Montreal as well ;-)

[@fishwigy]

I got the 70s version of this lens. Contrasty and sharp, it has a nice character.

[@jackshanlin415]

As usual great video!! I don’t know about other people but I’d love to see a video about the XL1

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks mate. Planned as all this use of it is to re familiarize myself with it :)

[@photojoseph]

Fun as always! I’d love to see some more content on wider and longer vintage lenses. There’s so many 50mm options out there… how about some more eBay gem 35mm, 85mm, and so-on options? By the way I got the DJI 3D Focus system… it came Thursday. Shot a video about it and will hopefully release that on Monday. It’s pretty amazing. Not perfect… but it’s amazing.

[@MarkHoltze]

50's are just so.....affordable....but ya 35 for sure, it's my fav focal length. I got my takumar 35 and now the contax carl Zeiss 35 1.4 so looking at doing a bit of a comparison there. The tak is $135 the Zeiss goes for $900 so fun way to see the two even though it's not quite an apples to apples comparison. F/2 vs F/1.4, but the concessions I think might be where it gets spiced up a bit. Can't wait to see that mate, notifications ON. I was busy buying a Mir 28mm F/3.5 and 20mm F/3.5 for eventual re-housings lol....but wanted to do a video on the photo style of those bodies first. 85's are amazing, but tough to organize a people shoot as we're in full lockdown here in Toronto area and the 85 is such a portrait lens, to not have people/models in it would be painful lol. I have quite a few of those I'd love to compare as well, Tak, Zeiss and Jupiter. Looking forward to your 3D focus system video mate.

[@photojoseph]

@@MarkHoltze I’d love to see those 35s compared for sure! Totally get it on portraits / 85mm. This first video on the 3-D focus is a “1st look“, but I’m trying to organize a proper shoot with it. The musician a shot for my ATEM Mini Pro ISO video wants me to shoot a music video for her, so if the timing works that’s where I’ll do it.

[@MarkHoltze]

Sweet, figured it would be a first look, hard to test in such a short time. But looking forward to it regardless.

[@photojoseph]

@@MarkHoltze the 3D Focus video is up 😊

[@MarkHoltze]

I’m on it NOW!!!

[@ReimannPembroke]

I love your videos Mark! I have a set of vintage Russian Lenses that I use as my “Cinema Lens Kit” hopefully I’ll be doing plenty of videos with and about them!

[@MarkHoltze]

I just ordered the Mir 28 and 20 off ebay ;) when those come in, expect reviews lol. Ultimately going to have those re-housed, but want to first test them in their photo form.

[@ReimannPembroke]

@@MarkHoltze I’ll be very curious to see those!

[@joseacarrasm]

I had this lens and was a good one. I can recommend it to anyone. 👍

[@MarkHoltze]

The FUSS is warranted I would say ;)

[@cuthalion4281]

I found a Minolta X-370 with one of these on it for $10 at a thrift store. Haven't used it yet, but it feels quite nice, so I'm looking forward to it. If I want to use it on my DSLR, I'll have to get a converter to Nikon F mount.

[@jlcolton127]

Awesome was usual.

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks Jonathan!

[@PhotoViking]

Really cool production / editing as usual 😎. You edit like a pro, but wait, you are a pro! 😁 The Minolta 50/1,7 is pretty good for its price but I prefer the Zeiss 50/1,7 in every situation. One lens that really blew me away recently was the Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135/3,5 M42. Not especially expensive at all but really, really amazing. Btw, love the ”historylessons”, makes it even more interesting 👍

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks mate, yes those Jena's you can't go wrong with those.

[@tristanbautista9705]

I’ve been planning on building a set of these, they’re affordable, good quality, and they’re literally everywhere. I got a Contax Zeiss 50/1.7 shortly before people started buying them up for cinema modding leading the price to slowly but steadily rise, and now as a small time videographer essentially crippled into being a hobbyist by the pandemic, I can’t afford to drop upwards of $200 per lens. But if I look hard enough I could probably build an extended Minolta MD set from the local 2nd hand market in my country for the price of one CZ 50/1.4 😆

[@MarkHoltze]

I’ve got a Minolta loaner set coming my way, they’re all modded, they look pretty great! Get on that mate! I got the 50 1.7 for $65 Canadian, I just sold it for 185 usd. Great lens but I use the 1.4 more. Contax are a great set for sure but as you said, very well known now so their market value is quite inflated. Minolta’s I suspect will get more attention as prices continue to rise on contax, Leica Rs and FD’s...although I don’t see why FD’s are so high, they’re alright but the mount is a bit of a pain.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

I've played with this lens back in the day, and I'm pretty sure it's the same optical formula like earlier MC variant which I still own, just with added features, better coating and slightly different design...

[@MarkHoltze]

Same design, just multi coating added and different build material in some areas I THINK. I was reading up a lot on the variants.

[@Carboxylated]

So much info in this video. Well done. Going to look for more lenses from the 90s as they have good Chromatic Aberration control combined with s-log would create that elegant edge look IMO....after grading and correction adjustments of course. Keep it up man 👍🏻

[@MarkHoltze]

agreed, only issue i don't love about 90's lenses....plastic over metal lol. But coatings are more evolved for sure.

[@ohshowproductionsllc]

Hi Mark, great review as always, would love to see some video samples of what this lens can do, perhaps another video? Thanks.

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks Tony, the winter snowing stuff was all shot with that lens. The trees etc, I could definitely do more with it thats for sure. Thanks!

[@markscott4059]

Love this lens. I always go back to this lens over my takumars.... only use it for photos and my version is really sharp... prefers it over my Minolta md 50mm 1.4

[@MarkHoltze]

I just got a whole set of Rokkor's on loan, 21 to 200 all modded for video, they're something special that's for sure. Going to be doing something with them moving forward, but just so many lenses lol.

[@markscott4059]

@@MarkHoltze do you have the 35mm? I had the 35mm 1.8 and did not produce the same image as my 28mm and 50mm. Maybe just my copy?

[@ryanbeer5262]

You mean you can actually go out and shoot in less than ideal conditions w/o weather seals;-)Nice video, appreciated the brief history lesson!

[@MarkHoltze]

Yup, you just need to come prepared. Protect the lens when not shooting and bring a towel to constantly wipe. This is the way.

[@bloomylicious]

@@MarkHoltze *mandolorian theme intensifies*

[@ryanbeer5262]

@@MarkHoltze shower cap & chamois cloth in a zip lock takes up no space in the bag. 1st thing I did after watching this was google that tasty Minolta 35

[@STANDRDUSER]

I accidentally came across this video, I checked my X700 Pelican Case, and I chuckled at the fact that I have an MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7. Eventually, I’ll get my hands on a Full Frame and use these lens once more.

[@MarkHoltze]

That’s awesome! They work okay on asp-c as well, but yes shine in full light on FF

[@STANDRDUSER]

@@MarkHoltze I have a Sigma SD Quattro H, if only Sigma made Minolta MD Adapters, I’d be using them. Fortunately though, M42 Lenses are equally wonderful

[@lucianoorlievsky5164]

Made me want to take my copy and shoot something. Nice job!

[@MarkHoltze]

It’s like chicken soup for the soul 😆

[@powerlurker]

the bokeh on minolta's 50 1.7 is quite smooth, my early choice of vintage 50, now im more toward nikon's ais50 f2 ,for the depth of color

[@TomChamberlain]

If you can get your hands on the Minolta 58mm 1.4... That is a sweet lens too.

[@MarkHoltze]

I'm a sucker for a 58, a 1.4 58 would be nice too. Thanks for the suggestion Tom

[@royhobbs785]

@@MarkHoltze I have one and its terrific on apsc for portraits

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

Its from the 80's my Dad had the one without the switch. I also have the one with the switch. But the one you have might be from the 80's or 90's. Yours can be into P mode. Its a good lens but wide open the image is soft. But sometimes soft lens are nice for portraits. Todays lens are getting way to sharp for some peoples faces now. I took a photo with this lens and it got half a million views. I took it with my Olympus PEN E-PL1.

[@jekanyika]

I recently bought a Rokkor 50mm 1.4 for quite a good price due to a bit of mould. Unfortunately my efforts to clean it have hit a bit of a wall as I need a tiny Japanese screwdriver to take it apart. Hoping the 0.5mm one I have just ordered of eBay will do the trick.

[@UNLKYHNTR]

I just got a 50 1.4 for 20 bucksein mint condition and original packaging. I paired it with a 1/4 mist filter and I will never take it off my A7III again. Absolutely amazing lenses

[@MarkHoltze]

Perfect!!!!!

[@ÖÖlapz]

Iv had several minolta 50mm lenses Iv only kept MD rokkor f1.7 for some reason Dont remember why...

[@topicruben]

Gotta say only one thing: I loved it!!! Great video man. I couldn’t believe the price of that lens and the results (mostly with video)! Wow. Yes, I love my nifty 50!!! Thank you for leaving those Japanese names pristine 😂👍

[@MarkHoltze]

Thanks mate! I got lucky with this one for sure. Glad I held off though, something told me I needed to do a video with it and if I hadn’t of listened I would have missed this.

[@topicruben]

@@MarkHoltze glad you did it. The results speak for themselves 👍

[@painovoimaton]

In addition to the aperture ring, some internal parts of the New MD lenses are also plastic. All the 50mm New MD (Or "plain MD" or "MDIII") lenses are quite great, possibly the best being the f/1.4.

[@MarkHoltze]

wonder how much weight/cost it saved them.

[@painovoimaton]

@@MarkHoltze I guess it would have added up. However, it barely affects their build quality... As all Minolta lenses do, these feel really good too despite having like 3 platic parts instead of 2.

[@mumtazkhan9042]

@Mark Holtze Took one apart, the front bezel, appature ring and focus ring is hard plastic. The rest is metal, however the the lens groups are held together by plastic that cannot be disassembled for cleaning, so if there's fungus in-between then the whole lens is toast.

[@painovoimaton]

@@mumtazkhan9042 The fungus could still be killed with UV light though, right?

[@vikmanphotography7984]

I own the MD iii 50mm in 1.4, 1.7, and 2.0 The 1.7 seems like a decidedly lower quality lens and I really don't like how it looks. The 1.4 I just the most and isn't bad (I use it mostly on film- I still prefer my Canon nFD 50mm 1.4 but I like my XG-M film body) The 2.0 is imho the best rendering of the lenses but the weight savings are so minimal that I usually just carry the 1.4 with me.

[@Barbiroujameleddine]

Wonderful video like always .this is worth a comparison with the Pentax M 50mm f1.7...

[@GregCarrick]

Nice review. I have the Pentax 50mm f1.7 and it's also a wonderful lens

[@MarkHoltze]

Great lens!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

It looks pretty good! For the money you can't go wrong with it, but I prefer the Canon FD 50mm F1.8...it's damn close to the Summicron R 50mm for 10 times less money. Great video Mark, I enjoyed it as always!

[@MarkHoltze]

Ya the FD’s are a great price! You can’t go wrong with that lens either really.

[@piotrchmielewski4817]

Great vid as always. When this corona-madness is over you really need to come to Poland where you can test all my Soviet and East German lenses :-)

[@MarkHoltze]

🤤 that would be amazing mate!

[@120fps]

Nifty fifty that costs about $50 spotted!! Also mark, becuase this is from the 90’s does that make us all vintage too?! I’m asking mainly for Pete as he is the elder statesman now🤣 loved the video, the vintage lens files are just ace. Glad they’ve stayed.

[@MarkHoltze]

Oh we're vintage as F dude, at least Pete and I are....you might be a spring chicken yet ;)

[@120fps]

@@MarkHoltze hahaha I’m four years his junior... so I’m like the the coiled spring of chickens... I’m like the Minolta to his Carl Zeiss!!

[@lucacedrini]

Love those 2 cams!

[@nathandavis5099]

I purchased this lens for ~$30 to go on an SRT 202 I've been playing with. It's a good lens across the board: sharpness, color, vignetting, CA. That said, there are other ~50mm lenses in my collection I prefer: Helios 44-2 (58mm f2 in m42), Chinon 55mm f1.4 (Tomioka design in m42), and even the very plastic Auto Chinon 50mm f1.9 (PK). I'd place the IQ as similar to my Ricoh Rikenon 50mm f2 P lens, albeit with higher build quality.

[@area4race]

Can you do a Video on how you did the Historypart of you Video 2:07

[@Infragelb]

Your production quality is off the charts again, wow! Still especially compared to the Meyer lenses, this one has less three-dimensional rendering and does not impress me too much. Thankfully that means I dont need another adapter and can stick to my Oreston 1.8 (pentacon) ;)

[@MarkHoltze]

the Meyer is amazing lens, so interesting. It's nice to be able to compare the shots between the two to see how different they are.

[@manuelxz]

Great video Mark! From what I see it's very similar to the a mount 50mm 1.7 I used to have that lens and I loved it, too bad I had to get rid of it :(

[@MarkHoltze]

a mount? Those sony alpha mounts before the E mount?

[@jonathanjones4566]

I dug my Minolta SR-t 101 out of the closet and checked and I've got the Rokkor PF 55mm f1.7

[@everillangel5037]

Oh man thank you. If you get the opportunity to do a review on more modern lenses you should totally do some a mount lenses. Would love to see those they apparently share a very similar mount to Minolta because Sony purchased them.

[@sclogse1]

I hope some day you do a little about your effects.

[@sundarAKintelart]

Nice... Try Minolta MD 45mm f2 too. A fine lens.... and 35-105mm...

[@MarkHoltze]

I'll check it out!

[@sundarAKintelart]

@@MarkHoltze ... You will be impressed..

[@terencemorrissey4413]

Mark shooting in the snow, where was your lens hood? Is it difficult to find vintage lenses with lens hoods included?

[@MarkHoltze]

I had a lens wipe I was using a lot lol. I don't know why I forgot my hood, but when I left it wasn't snowing at all. Didn't start until just after I got there.

[@xiaodu87]

Really cool review and as always a superb video worthwhile watching. Unfortunately Rokkor lenses do not fit on my K-70. The flange focal length is too short (as with most lensrs not desinged for PK or M42 Mount) :S

[@MarkHoltze]

That's a bummer, I guess the good news is just leaves you open to explore the other ones lol. Or it will be patiently waiting for the possibility you get a new camera ;)

[@xiaodu87]

@@MarkHoltze Actually I kinda like my Pentax K70 and there are still lenses to explore. For Christmas my brother got me an adapter for Nikon F (with additional glass element though) so I can explore some Nikon lenses. I especially like the look of the early lenses (Nippon Kogaku) which are more rare hiwever than those with m42 screwmount

[@Warren3carpentry]

I love your videos! Question for you, g85 or m50 for beginner youtuber? I've only had gopros thus far. Also what do you use for editing software?

[@MarkHoltze]

M50 i think, better auto focus. Some learning there from the GO Pro's which are just point and shoot, I edit with Premiere mostly, but Resolve is FREE and the free version is super powerful.

[@TruesideCz]

Minolta lenses have so nice color rendetiton in compare with Pentax an KMZ lenses...and any other vintage lenses. But it depends what look do you want...the MCII lenses have so much character and the MDIII are really clean lenses.

[@MarkHoltze]

Nicely said mate! Thanks!

[@TruesideCz]

@@MarkHoltze Thanks! I love these lenses...if you will need any help with the Minolta MCII series I have whole set from 24mm to 135mm and can provide you with some footage or sample photos if you need. :)

[@pupperemeritus9189]

Can we expect a series of videos using the testing charts of all your vintage lenses.

[@alexanderpedranti6278]

I figure you would likely know the most about this. I have a set of really nice Auto Mamiya Sekor SX for m 42 mount. I am looking for an adapter to use them with my EOS77D. I cant seems to find an adapter that works with the sekor sx lenses. The one i have wont let me move the aperture ring, because of the "lip" on the back of the lens. Do you know of any adapter for EF mount?

[@harukachan8434]

Im getting started to get into film photography. Right now, I’m considering between choosing minolta lens 50mm 1.7 and 55mm 1.8. Which one would you recommend?

[@MarkHoltze]

The 1.7 is good, I would go 1.4 if you can to give you a bit more of that extra speed.

[@harukachan8434]

@@MarkHoltzeI’m going to buy 50mm 1.7 lens. Thank you so much!

[@damiendehorn6350]

@@harukachan8434 try the Minolta md 50 f2 (third edition) optically the best. IMO almost as good as a 50 Summicron R if you don’t mind the plastic build.

[@MysterDaftGame]

I have one copy of that one on my X500 ! But sadly, on my dslr, it's mounted too far from the sensor and i can only focus as far as ~1 foot, so its my proxi macro lens 😅 but I still use it quite a lot!

[@jakelowes]

This lens is one of my faves!