| Sony AF Macro 50 mm f/2.8 lens (third version) | |
| Maker | Minolta, Sony |
|---|---|
| Lens mount(s) | Minolta / Sony A-mount |
| Part number | SAL-50M28 |
| Technical data | |
| Type | Prime |
| Focus drive | screwdrive |
| Focal length | 50 mm |
| Image format | 135 film (24×36mm) |
| Aperture (max/min) | f/2.8–32 |
| Close focus distance | 0.2 m (0.65 ft) |
| Max. magnification | 1:1 |
| Diaphragm blades | 7 blades |
| Construction | 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Features | |
| Manual focus override | no |
| Ultrasonic motor | no |
| Weather-sealing | no |
| Lens-based stabilization | no |
| Application | Macro |
| Physical | |
| Min. length | 59 mm (2+5⁄16 in) |
| Diameter | 68 mm (2+11⁄16 in) |
| Weight | 292 g (10+5⁄16 oz) |
| Filter diameter | 55 mm |
| Accessories | |
| Lens hood | Lens hood |
| Case | Lens case or pouch |
| Angle of view | |
| Diagonal | 47° |
| History | |
| Introduction | 1985 |
| Discontinuation | 2022 |
| Retail info | |
| MSRP | 599 USD (as of 2015) |
| References | |
| [1] | |
Originally produced by Minolta , and later produced by Sony , the AF Macro 50mm f/2.8 is a macro prime photographic lens compatible with cameras using the Minolta A-mount and Sony A-mount lens mounts.
The 50mm f/2.8 was one of the lenses introduced with the Maxxum 7000 in 1985. [2] It later was updated in a second version with an identical optical design and restyled cosmetics, which added a focus hold button. A third version was released in 2001 with a larger rubber focus ring and an 8-pin electronic interface for use with "D" series flashes and bodies; this was subsequently adopted and re-released by Sony after it acquired the camera division of Konica Minolta in 2006.
Lens Spec | Minolta AF Macro 50 mm f/2.8 | Minolta AF Macro 50 mm f/2.8 (restyled) | Minolta AF Macro 50 mm f/2.8 D | Sony AF Macro 50 mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model no. | SAL-50M28 | ||||
| Year | 1985 | 1993 | 2001 | 2006 | |
| Focal length | 50 mm | ||||
| Aperture | f/2.8–32, 7-blade | ||||
| Const. | Ele. | 7 | |||
| Grp. | 6 | ||||
| ADI | |||||
| Focus | Min. | 0.65 ft (0.2 m) | 0.66 ft (0.2 m) | ||
| Limiter | |||||
| AF stop | |||||
| Dims. | Dia. | 68 mm (2+11⁄16 in) | 70 mm (2+3⁄4 in) | 71 mm (2+13⁄16 in) | |
| Len. | 59 mm (2+5⁄16 in) | 60 mm (2+3⁄8 in) | |||
| Wgt. | 292 g (10+5⁄16 oz) | 324 g (11+7⁄16 oz) | 290 g (10+3⁄8 oz) | 290 g (10.4 oz) | |
| Filter (mm) | 55 | ||||
| Refs. | [3] | [4] | [1] [5] [6] | ||
The optical design for the 50mm f/2.8 macro lens was credited to Sho Tokumaru, [8] featuring a "double floating" element design, which incorporated zoom lens technology to move three groups independently at slightly different rates during focusing to improve lens performance over a wide range of focusing distances. [7]