The Minolta AF 50mm 1:2.8 Macro (Re-Styled), introduced in 1993, was an update to the original Minolta AF 50mm 1:2.8 Macro, the world's first autofocus macro lens, introduced in 1985. The updated version shares the same 7 elements in 6 groups with 7 aperture blades and metal mount as the original, updated with a rubber focusing grip, ABS plastic focusing barrel, a circular aperture, a Focus Range limiter, and a Focus Hold button. While the Focus Range limiter helps to manage the long focus travel of macro lenses from hunting and taking too long to regain focus, the Focus Hold button may just be redundant with the camera set to the AF-S (Single-shot AF) mode.
Like the original 50mm Macro lens, the RS copy is also etched with a magnification scale on the focusing ring, showing the magnification of the image as you move the camera closer to the subject, as the lens focuses continuously from infinity to 1:1 life-size, as the front element extends out almost as much as the 100mm macro at 1:1. The lens is compatible and can be used interchangeably on Sony DT and Minolta Alpha series cameras. Minolta also introduced the 'Minolta AF 50mm F2.8 Macro D' version of the lens in 2001.
On the Sony DSLR-A350, the lens is equivalent to a 75mm prime, a focal length highly recommended for portraiture, where good subject-background separation is essential. The lens is acknowledged for its sharpness, color rendition, and solid build quality. To add to the repertoire of lenses available for the Alpha bodies, Sony rebadged a dozen A-mount Minolta AF lenses, added a few of their own, and a couple of tele converters for use on the Sony Alpha DSLRs when they took over the brand.
On Dxyum, the lens enjoys an Overall rating (out of 5) of 4.79, with Sharpness @ 4.90, Color @ 4.85, Build @ 4.65, Distortion @ 5.00, Flare Control @ 4.54, and weighs 315 grams. The lens takes 55mm filters, and its body length is 60 - 106mm when fully extended.
Another update to the Minolta AF Macro series that enthusiasts clamor about is the Minolta AF 50mm 1:3.5 Macro. The lens, introduced in 1995 with RS body livery, has a smaller maximum aperture at f/3.5, and a maximum image magnification of 1:2. The lens has the rapport of being, according to some, slightly better than the 2.8's when it comes to image sharpness.
Early Images
Using the Sony DSLR-A350 mounted with the Minolta AF 50mm 1:2.8 Macro (RS) for these early image shoots, with the camera mounted on a tripod, the Live View function enabled when having to shoot close to the lens's maximum magnification, and the screen tilted to thwart away extraneous light, was delightfully satisfying and enjoyable.
Though the camera and lens combo was slightly on the heavy (when compared to today's lighter weight of camera and lenses) side when handheld, tipping the kitchen scale at 994 grams (with the lens and battery installed), the camera's compact size and comfortable fit does away with the feel of weight, engrossing your with the pleasure of framing, and focusing of the subject matter instead.
The robustly built camera, Sony's top-tier consumer SLR for 2008, with its high resolution 14.2MP CCD sensor, is an element by itself - fast, accurate, and superfluously easy to work with. Exposure controls are right at your fingertips and functions are logically laid out or conveniently accessed.
The images here were shot over a few sessions on aperture-priority mode with the lens aperture set to f/5.6 and tweaked on the desktop image editor with Auto Tone Correction (not all images), Tone Control, Brightness and Contrast, Sharpness and Blur, Unsharp Mask adjustments, and where appropriate, cropped to fit.
End Note
For the CCD enthusiast, what might be the right choice for you is the Sony DSLR-A350, with its body-integrated Super SteadyShot image stabilization that works with all lenses mounted to the camera body, Live View mode, Bionz image processing engine, enhanced D-Range Optimiser, and the high resolution 14.2MP CCD sensor, which all adds up to the camera's highly accoladed performance.
The Minolta AF 50mm 1:2.8 Macro, either in the original or RS versions, is a choice that can be used interchangeably on other Minolta AF or Sony DT lenses on A-mount Minolta and Sony Alpha bodies, or, if you are still a film photography enthusiast, on vintage 35mm SLR Minolta AF film cameras. The lenses are easily available on auction listings and in used brick-and-mortar stores, at fair enough prices without costing you an arm or a leg.
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