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Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7

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Minolta 50mm f/1.7
MakerMinolta
Technical data
TypePrime
Focal length50mm
Aperture (max/min)f/1.7 - f/22
Close focus distance45 cm
Max. magnification1:6.67
Diaphragm blades7 blades, straight
Construction6 elements in 5 groups
Features
Ultrasonic motorNo No
Lens-based stabilizationNo No
Macro capableNo No
Physical
Max. length46 mm
Diameter65.5 mm
Weight182 g
Filter diameter49 mm
History
Introduction1985
Rear view of Minolta AF lens showing the port for the external autofocus drive

The Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7 is a discontinued lens with autofocus that was produced by Minolta for A-mount single lens reflex cameras from 1985[1] through 2006. It is still in use today by users of digital and film SLRs from Minolta (later Konica-Minolta) and Sony. The relatively large maximum aperture (f/1.7) allows the photographer to take shots indoors even when operating at ISO 100 - 200.

History

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The 50 mm f/1.7 is one of the original 12 Minolta autofocus lenses introduced with the Maxxum / Dynax 7000 in 1985.[2] Early versions sold in the United States under the Maxxum brand used a logo that featured crossed "X" letters; these were discontinued and replaced with a more conventional logo after Exxon filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Minolta.[3] This relatively fast normal lens uses a typical double Gauss design.

"Restyled" variant (after 1990), with rubber focus ring

The lens received cosmetic updates in the early 1990s, which can be identified by the rubber-coated focus ring, but the optical design remained unchanged. Unlike many other Minolta lenses that remained in production through the late 1990s, this lens never was updated with an encoder to report focusing distance to the camera body for the Advance Distance Integration (ADI) flash exposure system.

Minolta merged with Konica to form Konica Minolta in 2004, and the restyled lens remained in production until the Konica Minolta camera division was acquired by Sony in 2006.[4] Sony did not re-release the 50 mm f/1.7 as a Sony A-mount lens, releasing a similar 50 mm f/1.8 lens (SAL-50F18) for APS-C sensor DLRs instead in 2009.[5][6]

Minolta / Konica Minolta AF 50 mm f/1.7
Lens
Spec
Minolta AF 50 mm f/1.7 Minolta AF 50 mm f/1.7 (restyled)
Model no.
Year 1985 1990
Focal length 50 mm
Aperture f/1.7–22, 7-blade
Const. Ele. 6
Grp. 5
ADI No
Focus Min. 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Limiter No
AF stop No
Dims. Dia. 67 mm (2+5⁄8 in)
Len. 40 mm (1+9⁄16 in)
Wgt. 170 g (6 oz)
Filter (mm) 49
Refs. [4][7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7 2550-100 lens for Sony Alpha - Minolta camera mount
  2. ^ Schwalberg, Bob (March 1985). "A Dozen New Maxxum AF Lenses Include Five Zooms and A Fast APO Tele". Popular Photography. Vol. 92, no. 3. Los Angeles: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. p. 112. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Exxon and Minolta settle logo suit". UPI Archives. March 1, 1985. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Maxxum System Accessories". Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. September 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Sony unveils four new lenses". Digital Photography Review. May 18, 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  6. ^ "DT 50 mm F1.8 SAM". Sony. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015.
  7. ^ "Maxxum Lenses". Konica Minolta USA. Archived from the original on March 25, 2005.
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