Unsung Minolta Zooms
Apr 26, 2019 18:17:27 #
There are a couple of lenses that I have discovered that are dirt cheap and yet superior in every category. If you are using the A mount lenses for your Sony SLR or Translucent mirror cameras, you might want to give the two lenses some thought. Both are optical gems that sell on EBay for low prices. The first is the 35-70mm Minolta F3.5- F4.5. Ths one sells for $7.50 to $15.00. The second is the 80-200mm F4.5-f5.6. It also sells for very little. Both show very little C.A. and are sharp throughout the zoom range. Both weigh little due to the plastic construction but seem tough enough for most photographic ventures.
Apr 26, 2019 19:14:14 #
From my experience, the Minolta 35-70mm is an okay lens, about equal to most other 35-70mm lenses from the 1980's and 90's. Yes, it is quite light. I have one on my Minolta Maxxum 7000i camera.
Apr 26, 2019 21:35:27 #
Apr 27, 2019 09:46:06 #
I have a bunch of old Minolta lenses that I use for studio work (mainly food and jewelry) on an A6000. I have a metal tilt mount adapter bought for $12 on Ali Express years ago. Also use some old Pentax lenses that way.
Apr 27, 2019 10:16:50 #
Purchased many Minolta Maxxum slr cameras and AF lenses off E-bay to use on my Sony a-55 SLT. Like new cameras and lenses at dirt cheap prices for great lenses compared to Sony Pro series lenses at $$$ prices. Auto focus works great and zooms are sharp along with the prime lenses with wide open f stops. Also useable on my Olympus OM-D camera with peek focusing and a manual adapter. The best of both worlds film and digital.
Apr 27, 2019 10:41:05 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
Love those old Minolta lenses: I have an entire shelf in my photo armoire and a nice aluminum camera case devoted to my many Minolta lenses. I still shoot with my Sony A-bodies, and still have an old 7000 that still works (but I haven't shot a roll of film in a long time). Beercan, big beercan, many wide to short to long zooms and a couple primes and I have adapters so I can shoot them manual on my Nikon bodies. They hold up very well up with my current 20MP Sony and 24MP Nikon sensors, though I suppose they might fall a little short to the heavy MP pixel peepers, but make great photos, nice colors, great bokeh, and since they were well built, they still work like new. I have very little money tied up in them (mostly used E-bay, old camera shops, thrift stores, Pawn Shops, etc.) and I still look for good copies of ones I don't have, but would like to have. Love my old Minoltas!!!! For those with the right bodies they are one of the greatest bargains in photography. I hope Sony will give us a least another good body or two before they drop support for A-mount.
Apr 27, 2019 10:51:22 #
Apr 27, 2019 11:28:22 #
Streets wrote:
There are a couple of lenses that I have discovere... (show quote)
I have those two plus a 50 1.7 and the 70-210 for my Maxxum 7000, gen 1.
Have served me well but now looking to get a DSLR or MILC. Time to come state-of-the-art.
Apr 27, 2019 11:59:16 #
GeneS
Loc: Glendale,AZ
I use the Minolta 100-300mm D lens more than my 70-300mm G SSM lens. It is smaller and lighter than the G lens. Has the digital lens coatings. Was the design used to make the G lens.
Yes it makes more noise than the SSM because it is direct driven, but has the full 7 pins connection for full functions on the new cameras. Just make sure you get the D model of the 100-300mm.
Compare the pictures, they are as good as the G
Yes it makes more noise than the SSM because it is direct driven, but has the full 7 pins connection for full functions on the new cameras. Just make sure you get the D model of the 100-300mm.
Compare the pictures, they are as good as the G
Apr 27, 2019 13:12:42 #
Minolta made good AF lenses. I like the "Beercan" (70-210mm) and the "mini-beercan" (35-70mm). However, for my FE camera I prefer Sony G or GM glass. I have the LA-EA 3 and 4 adaptors and will use Minolta AF lenses at times.
Apr 27, 2019 13:58:23 #
Streets wrote:
There are a couple of lenses that I have discovere... (show quote)
Great value and great ol' glass! I have the following Minolta lenses I use with LA-EA4 & 2 adapters on a Sony A7S and A7R II. All of them also work well with a 1.4x Teleconverter.
Minolta AF 16mm F/2.8 Fish-Eye Lens
Minolta AF 18-55mm f3.5-5.6
Minolta AF 24mm f/2.8
Minolta AF 28mm f/2.8
Minolta AF Macro 28-135mm f/4-f/4.5
Minolta AF 50mm f/1.4
Minolta AF Macro 100mm f/2.8
Minolta AF 100-300mm f/4.5-f/5.6
Minolta AF 135mm f/2.8
Minolta AF 500mm f/8 Reflex 'The only autofocus reflex lens ever produced
Minolta made excellent lenses!!
I think I'll take a look at the 35-70mm...
bwa
Apr 27, 2019 15:02:03 #
drobvit wrote:
I have those two plus a 50 1.7 and the 70-210 for my Maxxum 7000, gen 1.
Have served me well but now looking to get a DSLR or MILC. Time to come state-of-the-art.
Have served me well but now looking to get a DSLR or MILC. Time to come state-of-the-art.
Best choice of the current Sony line-up, Rob - in APS-C designs, is the alpha a77 II (about a grand.)
If your preference is for FF, the older a99 can still be picked up for roughly the same price (used.)
They both have 24MP sensors, IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) and Digital Zoom.
The newer a99 II has 5-axis Image Stabilization, and runs about $3200, new.
All of these will accept all Minolta a-mount lenses, without any need for adapters ...
Apr 27, 2019 22:18:21 #
I have the 35-70mm...great lens.
Also the 35-105 macro ... sharp as a tack. (just have to get the one with the tight rib grips, the other later model is soft).
Minolta made all of their lenses in house..... from the glass to the casings, to the coatings.
They had some of the best quality control in the world.
Also the 35-105 macro ... sharp as a tack. (just have to get the one with the tight rib grips, the other later model is soft).
Minolta made all of their lenses in house..... from the glass to the casings, to the coatings.
They had some of the best quality control in the world.
Apr 27, 2019 23:03:44 #
I use the Minolta 24-105 lens on my Sony A7II with the LA EA-4 adaptor. It's simply a fantastic lens; exceedingly sharp with great colors and in near mint condition and paid $90.00 for it. It is better than any other lens in this range.
Apr 28, 2019 01:32:47 #
blackhorse 1-7 wrote:
I use the Minolta 24-105 lens on my Sony A7II with the LA EA-4 adaptor. It's simply a fantastic lens; exceedingly sharp with great colors and in near mint condition and paid $90.00 for it. It is better than any other lens in this range.
I use the 16-105 DT on my Sony a77 II … it's also a fantastic lens, and is quite sharp, and has terrific color!!
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