Minolta AF 85mm f/1.4G (D) vs. older version

[dothesteve]

<p>I'm awaiting an A99 and haven't been able to find much comparing the D lens with older, plain-old-AF version. There is a well-known blogger who says optics are same, but that D lens claims better distance encoding. My question is, does the newer lens warrant a roughly $300 price difference? I should note that super-fast focus isn't a priority for me (don't do sporting events), but low-light performance is (I like combining bars and photography).</p>

[james_f6]

<p>Does it warrant a $300 price difference, I would probably say 'no'<br>

I like my Bokeh, and I would suggest from my experience that the later version is more pleasing to my eyes.<br>

All that said, if you can even pick up the 85mm 1.4 'non G' lens, then you won't be disappointed, because honestly, sure a G lens would be nice, but the non G version is also a remarkable lens.<br>

I assume you are talking about Ken Rockwell Blog? Jack of all camera's master of nothing camera Blogger lol.<br>

He is a Nikon man, he should stay away from Minolta/Sony.</p>

[dothesteve]

<p>Thanks for the response, James. Uh, you may or may not be right about that, uh, blogger being the one I'm talking about.</p>

<p>You like your bokeh (I assume on the G lens). Do you like the AF accuracy? </p>

[james_f6]

<p>Honestly in many of the older lenses, the AF seems fine to me, they do at times appear to stick. But that seems to be with all my old lenses, and in any case we are talking fractions of seconds on the rare occasion.</p>

[timb196]

I have one of the older Minolta 85mm. It is just a glorious lens. Next to my Zeiss 135mm, it has the most pronounced 3d effect of all my lenses.

 

If I didn't have this lens, then I would go for one of the later models but since there is very little (if any) difference in optical quality IMO, I see no need!.

 

As far as I know, there is very little difference in the optical configuration (perhaps with the singular exception of the Zeiss). They may have tweaked the coatings somewhat with the later Minolta/Sony version.

Tim

[dothesteve]

<p>Tim, yes, the Zeiss tests a fair amount better. I suspect I am like a lot of guys whose first camera was a Minolta SRT and are looking for a certain 'comfort level' with older glass. I hope to post some pix soon, taken with an NEX C3 with 58mm Rokkor ƒ1.4....</p>

[timb196]

<p>Stephen:<br>

The Zeiss may test a lot better but in real world stuff, while there is a difference, I'm not sure it is that pronounced over the Minolta 85mm.<br>

Now the 135mm is on another planet. I am a big Zeiss fan coming over from Hassies and I will probably get the 50mm sometime in the near future but the 85mm has not driven me that way<br>

-Tim</p>