A history of Sony Alpha - Minolta AF 85 mm f/1.4 G D versus Sony Zeiss Planar T* 85 mm f/1.4
1. Introduction
If we look at the current offer of Sony lenses and compare it to the instruments Minolta used to sell to its customers we’ll find just one lens which firstly, has the same parameters and secondly is a contemporary version or a slightly modified model of an older construction. We speak here of a Sony Zeiss Planar T* 85 mm f/1.4, which can be confronted with a Minolta AF 85 mm f/1.4 G D.
The first version of a Minolta lens with 1.4/85 parameters, sporting an autofocus mechanism was presented in 1987. It didn’t have the “G” letter in its name yet as that letter was introduced only in the new version of the lens in 1993. After the next seven years the lens underwent another makeover, particularly visible in its appearance – the new lens got more curves than the older one. Exactly that version happened to fall into our hands. We know that the lens was manufactured after 2000. The Sony Zeiss Planar T* 85 mm f/1.4 was launched just after the Sony’s takeover of the Konica – Minolta’s photographic division. Both lenses are more or less about five years apart when it comes to the production date. As they are a real match for each other, we are very curious about this duel’s result.
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The lenses for the tests were lent courtesy of Mr. Mirosław „Mitech” Bajkowski and the Sony Poland company - we would like to thank them very much for their kindness.
Information about our review method can be read in our article “How do we test lenses?"
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