Skip to main content

Lens · prime

Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4

Minolta · from 1977

Discontinued35mm

Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4: 7 elements in 6 groups, 6 aperture blades, 0.45m minimum focus, 49mm filter thread, 235g.

Focal length
50mm
Max aperture
f/1.4
Mount
Minolta MD
Format
35mm
Elements / groups
7 / 6

Known for

  • Portraits
  • Adapting to mirrorless

Considerations

  • Some softness wide open
  • System discontinued
  • Manual focus and aperture (MD/MC bayonet; SLR lens)

Optical characteristics

Silverlog's editorial rating: our own judgement, not measured data.

Sharpness (wide)3, level 3 of 5
Sharpness (stopped)5, level 5 of 5
Contrast4, level 4 of 5
Flare resistance4, level 4 of 5
CA control3, level 3 of 5
Vignetting control3, level 3 of 5
Distortion control4, level 4 of 5

Bokeh: Smooth, pleasant hexagonal

Rendering: Warm, organic

Colour: Warm, slightly yellow

Silverlog's editorial rating, 1 to 5; five is best. Not lab-measured.

Versions

MD Rokkor / Rokkor-X (MD I)

1977

55mm filter, 7 elements in 5 groups, 245 g; 'MD ROKKOR' engraving (Rokkor-X in North America)

Same optics as the MC Rokkor-PG 50mm f/1.4

MD Rokkor / Rokkor-X (MD II, early)

1978

55mm filter, 7 elements in 5 groups, focal length moved after aperture on front ring

MD Rokkor / Rokkor-X (MD II, late)

1979

49mm filter, 7 elements in 6 groups, 220 g

New, smaller optical design

MD (MD III, 'New MD')

1981

Plain 'MD' engraving without Rokkor name, minimum-aperture lock, 49mm filter, 235 g

Same 7/6 design as the late MD II

Three optical designs: the MD Rokkor of 1977 kept the 55mm-filter, 7-element/5-group formula; from 1979 a smaller 49mm-filter, 7-element/6-group design was used, carried over into the plain MD of 1981.

Common issues

  • Aperture oil contamination
  • Focus ring wear

Buying guide

Check for sticky aperture. Check aperture blade operation and focus smoothness, and inspect the glass for haze, fungus or cleaning marks.

Specifications

MountMinolta MD
Focal Length50mm
Max Aperturef/1.4
Min Aperturef/16
Aperture Blades6
Min Focus0.45m
Filter Size49mm
Weight235g

Optical design

FormulaDouble Gauss
Elements7
Groups6
CoatingSRC (Minolta)

Pricing

Typical used price
£60 - £120
Mint
~£150

Indicative, no dated source.