Monday, October 28, 2024

Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8, Square Cuts

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8
CCD Resurgence: First impression square cut close-ups with the 1985 Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8 on a 14MP CCD Sony DSLR-A350.
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The Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8, 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.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8
Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8

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.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8
Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8

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 any difference.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8
Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8

While the Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8 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 1:2.8
Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 24mm 1:2.8

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.



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