Another contemporary, the Olympus Zuikos have shown a proclivity for longevity issues.

And while the products in question are neither new nor novel, theyre essential and seem almost tailor-made to the mirrorless machine.

These modern, mirror-less marvels provide a perfect platform for the stylish and technically masterful lenses of yesteryear.

But with so many brands and models stretching back more than fifty years, which is the lens to choose Especially in the standard 50mm focal length, the sheer quantity of available glass can be pretty overwhelming.

Its Minoltas MD 50mm f1.4, and if youve been looking for the best legacy fifty available today, you may have met your match.

In those, weve delved into the history of the brand (inclduing their start as the Japanese-German camera shop ), their operating ethos, and the companys former and continued relevance.

For those already familiar with Minolta or for those who just want the dirt on the lens in question, lets get to it.

Minolta lenses are known for being solid, and the 501.4 does not disappoint.

While lenses from other brands might feel loose, fragile, or squeak and rattle when squeezed, the Minolta does not.

Were the nameplate removed, one could be forgiven for thinking it a German lens (Minolta did, in fact, design and build lenses for Leica).

It weighs a healthy 235g, putting it right in the middle of the pack when compared to other 50mm lenses, but its compact in a way that many of its contemporaries simply arent.

Measuring only 40mm in length and 64mm in diameter, it gives Olympus lenses a run for their money.

Filter threads are 49mm in the later models, 55mm in earlier 501.4s.

Compromises in truly bulletproof build quality are few, though the aperture ring is one such compromise.

In later models its made of plastic, while in earlier versions its aluminum.

Still, the plastic ring of this MD version is strong and durable, though admittedly not as nice (or heavy) as its metal predecessor.

The aperture ring clicks nicely into its detents with deliberate precision, making viewless aperture adjustments easily trackable.

The focus ring spins smoothly with a perfectly weighted fluidity, with just enough resistance to enable pinpoint precise focusing with classic cameras and with new electronic viewfinders.

Focus touch is further aided by a diamond-patterned rubber grip that stands up well against the test of time.

Weve not encountered any MD or Rokkor lenses in which the focus rings rubber has degraded.

Though that brands lenses perform great optically, theyre a bit too fragile for our liking.

With their over-reliance on plastic, they often feel hollow and loose, with spongey focus throws and jittery aperture rings.

Olympus 50Mm F1.4