Minolta 50mm f/1.7 Lens — Specs, Reviews, Used Prices

Minolta 50mm f/1.7 Lens

Get notified when one lists.

We'll text or email you the moment a Minolta 50mm f/1.7 is listed on GearFocus.

Have a Minolta 50mm f/1.7 sitting in your bag?

You'd be the first listing for this model.
Serious buyers are already watching — list yours in minutes.

Sell your Minolta 50mm f/1.7 on GearFocus

Lens Overview — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

The Minolta 50mm f/1.7 is a classic prime lens built for the Minolta SR mount, covering a full-frame image circle and sitting comfortably in the standard focal length range. With a maximum aperture of f/1.7, it offers strong low-light capability and meaningful subject separation for a 50mm prime. Weighing just 230g, it is a compact and lightweight option that handles easily whether mounted on a vintage SLR body or adapted for use on a mirrorless system via a third-party adapter.

Focus is entirely manual, which suits photographers who prefer deliberate, tactile control over their focus point — a common preference among film shooters and vintage lens enthusiasts alike. The 49mm filter thread is a common size, making it straightforward to pair with filters from most manufacturers without needing step-up rings. As a full-frame lens on the Minolta SR camera system, it delivers a natural field of view well-suited to everyday photography, from environmental portraits to street work.

There is no image stabilization, which is expected for a lens of this era and type. For collectors, adapted shooters, or anyone building out a manual-focus kit, this Minolta 50mm f/1.7 represents a practical and characterful standard prime.

Key Features — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

50mm f/1.7 Prime: A fast standard prime offering strong low-light capability and subject separation without the bulk of larger aperture lenses.

Minolta SR Mount: Designed for the Minolta SR mount system, compatible with a wide range of vintage Minolta SLR bodies and adaptable to modern mirrorless cameras via third-party adapters.

Full-Frame Coverage: Covers a full-frame image circle, delivering a natural 50mm field of view on compatible SLR bodies.

Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus operation with a tactile focus ring suited to deliberate shooting on film SLRs or adapted mirrorless setups.

Lightweight Build: At 230g, this lens is compact and easy to carry, keeping your overall kit light whether shooting film or using an adapter.

49mm Filter Thread: A common filter thread size that works with widely available filters from most manufacturers without requiring step-up rings.

Lens Specifications — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

Minolta 50mm f/1.7 full specifications
Spec	Detail
Use Cases	Portrait, Street, Creative Effects
Lens Type	Prime
Format	Full Frame
Zoom/Prime	Prime
Focal Length	50mm
Maximum Aperture	f/1.7
Camera System	SLR
Lens Mount	Minolta SR
Autofocus	No
Focus Type	Manual
Image Stabilization	None
Filter Thread	49mm
Weight	230g

Description — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

The Minolta 50mm f/1.7 is a prime lens built for the Minolta SR mount camera system, covering a full-frame image circle at a standard focal length of 50mm. Its maximum aperture of f/1.7 gives photographers room to work in lower light and to shape depth of field when the situation calls for it. Focusing is manual, putting full control in the photographer's hands — a quality appreciated by those who shoot deliberately and methodically.

The lens weighs a manageable 230g, keeping the overall kit light and unobtrusive. A 49mm filter thread means compatibility with a wide range of readily available filters. There is no image stabilization, consistent with the lens's vintage SLR origins.

Whether used natively on a compatible Minolta SR mount SLR or adapted for use on a modern camera body, this 50mm f/1.7 offers a compact, lightweight standard prime option for manual-focus shooters.

Pros — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

✓Wide maximum aperture of f/1.7 provides strong performance in low-light conditions
✓Full-frame coverage makes it compatible with a broad range of SLR bodies using the Minolta SR mount
✓Lightweight at just 230g, contributing to a compact and easy-to-carry kit
✓49mm filter thread is a widely available size, simplifying filter selection
✓Manual focus operation suits deliberate shooting styles and vintage SLR use

Cons — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability, which may not suit all shooting scenarios
✗No image stabilization, meaning steady technique or fast shutter speeds are needed in lower light
✗Minolta SR mount limits native compatibility to older SLR bodies; modern use requires a third-party adapter
✗Single focal length with no zoom range may require repositioning where a zoom would not

Videos — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

Minolta 50mm 1.7 - What's All The Fuss About? — Mark Holtze

Frequently Asked Questions — Minolta 50mm f/1.7

What camera mount does this lens use?+

This lens uses the Minolta SR mount. It is designed for SLR cameras built around that system. Adapters are available from third-party manufacturers if you wish to use it on a different camera platform.

Does this lens support autofocus?+

No — this lens is manual focus only. There is no autofocus mechanism. Focusing is done entirely by hand using the focus ring.

What filter size does this lens accept?+

The filter thread diameter is 49mm. This is a common size found across many filter brands and product lines.

Is this lens compatible with full-frame cameras?+

Yes, the lens is specified as a full-frame format lens, meaning it is designed to cover a full-frame image circle. Native use requires a camera with a Minolta SR mount.

How heavy is this lens?+

The lens weighs 230g, making it a lightweight option in the standard prime category.

Does this lens have image stabilization?+

No, image stabilization is listed as none. This is typical for manual-focus prime lenses of this type.

Similar to Minolta 50mm f/1.7

Loading similar products...