Yashica ML 28mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 – 5 elements 5 groups – comparison

Published by Tony on 2021-07-232021-07-23

Yashica ML 28mm F/2.8 vs Minolta MD 28mm F/2.8 5×5 – comparison

• Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 (MD III, New-MD)
• Contax/Yashica ML 28mm 1:2.8 (C/Y)

Both of these lenses are quite suitable for those looking for an inexpensive wide-angle. But the price quite accurately reflects their capabilities – they cope with their tasks, although they are not something outstanding from the point of view of optics. They are somewhere in the middle of the evolution of 28mm lenses – there are many sharper ones, but there are also many much weaker models.

This comparison is correct only for conditions and equipment used for tests. Test results can differ if any element is changed.

Tested lenses reviews

Yashica ML 28mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 – 5 elements 5 groups – comparison – sharpness/resolution

Long-distance test description

• Camera Sony A7II (24mpx, full frame) – RAW (ARW), tripod, A-mode, ISO 100, WB fixed, SteadyShot OFF, manual focus correction for every shot
• Targets (buildings) – fixed by gravity power on the distances in more than 200 meters
• ARW post-processing – Capture One, default settings, 100% crops 300×200 px

Scene preview

Test results

Short-distance test description

• Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
• Distance: 1.7m
• Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
• The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
• RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px

Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper)

Scene preview

Test results

Yashica ML 28mm 1:2.8 vs Minolta MD 28mm 1:2.8 – 5 elements 5 groups – comparison – final conclusion

At close range, it is almost impossible to detect a visual difference. As for infinity, Minolta has an advantage on the F8. For wide-angle lenses, which are often used for landscape photography, and where sharpness in corners is required, this can be useful. Yes, we can say that when choosing a lens that will be used mainly on F8 – Minolta won. But at all other apertures, both lenses work pretty much the same, so Minolta’s victory is not very important. Better to say, that when choosing between these lenses, it is better to should not pay attention to the sharpness – it is easier to consider it the same.