Minolta  AF 35-70 F4  reviews

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: lewick   review date: February-06-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

sony 17-70 kit lens
sigma 90mm macro

price paid:

40 usd (used

positive:

cheap cheap cheap ($40)
sharp at all aperatures and great color. minimal distortion at wide end. metal lens mount.

negative:

needs to have expanded zoom range for more versatility. macro switch is necessary for macro shooting. noticeable distortion on wide end.

comment:

this lens does take great photos. I use it on my a100 and my 700 bodies. The zoom range is narrow, which kind of cripples its use, creatively speaking. Otherwise, the colors, sharpness and presence that this lens creates works for me. Physically it's the right size and can be nicely used for street photography. this lens is not on par with the sigma 90mm macro-much sharper shots, but dose make me think i should sell the kit lens. Great lens at embarrassingly low cost. I rate it smack dab between the dedicated macro and the kit lens.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: wesleysa   review date: January-24-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

kit lens directly

price paid:

$50

positive:

Very capable

negative:

flare?

comment:

I've found this to be a great lens on my a200, enjoy its macro function a great deal more than I thought I would.

But as a general purpose lens as well its great, very small and light (nearly as small as my 50mm prime).

I've had it 3 weeks and its only come off my camera once, it continues to suprise me, I haven't found the bokeh to be as bad as some have said. Flare is much more distinct than my other lenses though.

I wish the filter ring was 55mm, but I'm sure the guys at Minolta had other things on their minds in 1985. Good things as well apparently as this is a wonderful piece of kit.

At a good price don't miss out on this one.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: madecov   review date: December-27-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 35-70 f3.5-4.5
Minolta 24-85 f3.5-4.5
Minolta 28-85 f3.5-4.5
Minolta 28-135
Minolta 35-105
Tamron 17-50 f2.8

price paid:

$40.00 USD

positive:

Small, solid build,Great color reproduction. Very sharp even on edges, fixed aperture value

negative:

Range on APS-C sensor, loud af. Minimum focus distance outside of macro mode is long

comment:

Small and unobtrusive. Fixed aperture is a plus. Much better build than the other 35-70 though image quality on both lenses is similar, the f4.0 version is a solid build with metal lens mount. My copy has relatively loud af but it is a bit quieter than the 3.5-4.5 version. Image sharpness is impressive even on the edges if stopped down one stop.

Color reproduction is consistent with other Minolta lenses.
Image quality on my copy appears to be just slightly sharper than my Minolta 28-85 & 24-85 but on par with my 35-105 (I think I have an exceptional copy). Overall if you find one for a reasonable price there's no reason not have one.

I just picked up a second copy of this lens in better condition. It is really a sharp lens even in the corners.

My philosophy is any lens under $50.00 (US) is worth buying and playing with. You might just be surprised, I'll even spring for a bit more if the lens has better build

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: eccles   review date: December-08-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70
Sony 55-200
Minolta 28-105

price paid:

£102 UK with beercan

positive:

Small but very well built.
Useful "macro" function.
Sharp.
Good colours.
Cheap.

negative:

Maximum aperture.
Zoom range a bit limited on crop sensor.
Sample variation?

comment:

I picked up one of these about 18 months ago and although it was in beautiful condition I wasn't overly enthusiastic about its IQ. Colours were nice but it was a little soft through the range. I sold it for a song
But I bought another recently as part of an old outfit including a beercan and this one is optically much better. Although it's not G glass, it's still pleasantly sharp wide open with very nice colours and contrast. Good bokeh isn't particularly easy to achieve due to the relatively small f4 maximum aperture but OOF areas are still nice and smooth.
Lacking the range of the Sony kit lens, but it also lacks a lot of the CA as well so much less correctional PP work is needed to turn out a good photo from it.
One slight concern is that I encountered sample variation between the first and second copies that I got, but they're going at such cheap prices on ebay it's worth chancing a few pounds to get a good copy.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: alphahim   review date: December-07-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

MAF 50 F1.7
MAF 35-105 F3.5-4.5
MAF 35-70 F3.5-4.5
MAF 28 F2.8
MAF 70-210 F4
Sigma 18-70 2.8
Tamron 17-50 2.8

price paid:

35 GBP (used)

positive:

Sharp, sharp and sharp
Nice macro
great colour and contrast
no distortion
almost like a prime
fast AF
no distortion

negative:

limited range
flare sometime

comment:

A little old gem. After it had arrived, I had to clean it up, but now it is almost like new.

I use it a lot for portraits inside.
It is a bit limited in range, but one of my sharpest lenses ever.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: teodesson   review date: December-07-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70mm kit lens
16-80mm CZ
Minolta 35-105 Old

price paid:

S$190

positive:

compact, metal build

negative:

range, not wide

comment:

Cheap and a nice upgrade for kit lens. Definitely better than kit lens, but I found range is a problem for me.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: DarkScribe   review date: December-04-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-85 F3.5-4.5, Minolta 28-105 F3.5-4.5, Minolta 28-135 F4-4.5, Minolta 35-70 F3.5-4.5, Minolta 35-105 F3.5-4.5 (both versions)

price paid:

Kit lens on 7000

positive:

One of the most useful lenses in a digital photographer's bag. On a crop sensor it makes a really good portrait lens. It is sharp from F4 on and has good bokeh and great Minolta colour.

negative:

None as long as you add a third party (much larger and wider lens hood).

comment:

A lens that is a pleasure to use - hard to take a bad shot with it. Small, beautifully made, sharp, fast focusing and ideal for portraits on a crop body. Useful for street photography (and has a functional macro).

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: silviajdm   review date: November-29-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 50 f1.7

price paid:

$56

positive:

Warm Minolta Colors
Sharp @ f4
Fast Focusing

negative:

Unusual zoom range
Loud focusing
Small filter size

comment:

While some lenses are being repaired I decided to pick this lens up as a backup and I did make the right decision. The colors are warm and the sharpness is spot on, it may even be slightly better than my prime 50. 35mm on full frame is great!

If your looking for a cheap budget lens with decent results this is one of them. Sony needs to remake this but with a bigger filter....similar to the Canon 17-40 f4L

sharpness: 3,5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: nitrosyl   review date: October-25-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

- Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6
- Minolta 50mm f/1.7
- Minolta 70-210mm f/4 (beercan)

price paid:

package deal

positive:

- small & light
- constant, usable f/4
- decent build

negative:

- limited focal length, obviously
- chromatic aberration
- not flare-resistant

comment:

I owned this lens for a short while and used it on my A200. It is very small and light, fits nicely in my pocket. IQ seems to be better than the Sony 18-70mm kit lens but the range is obviously its limiting factor.

f/4 is usable but chromatic aberration is evident at this aperture setting, stopping down helps though. Its color & build are similar to the good old Minolta 50mm f/1.7 which I got together in a package deal.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: JeremyT   review date: October-23-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

- 50mm f1.7 (orig)
- KM 28-75 f/2.8

price paid:

In lot

positive:

- Costs next to nothing
- Tiny
- Light
- Sharp

negative:

- Odd range on APS/C

comment:

I got this lens in a lot, so I can't really give it an exact price. Call it 15 USD. Going rate is $50-$70 if you buy it standalone, but with some patience you can almost surely find it even cheaper attached to a Maxxum 7000.

It looks plenty sharp to me wide open, even pixel peeping. I don't see any reason to stop down for IQ on my A200, which is good since f/4 isn't all that fast. Colors match the other Minolta lenses of this era.

After using it a bit more I have noticed some minor CA wide open. Not much to worry about.

The compact size and cheap price really make this a winner, even though the zoom range is limited to portraiture on APS-C.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: tommyrider   review date: October-06-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

cz 16-80
50/1.7
24/2.8
35-105/4-4.5
28-135/4-4.5

positive:

Constant F4
Small & compact
Colors
Above than average contrast
Usable Macro feature
Sharp wide open.
FF
Incredible value for the money

negative:

Minumun Focus distance.
Noisy
Strange range on aps-c

comment:

Beautiful little piece of glass.Nice walkaroud lens.
Even its not designed for aps-c, 35-70 its very enjoyable to use .For its price it deserves atention.
I really like this lens .And shurely its hard to find an AF lens in this IQ league at its price in any mount.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: tomiZG   review date: October-03-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

T 17-50 2.8
T 28-75 2.8
Min 35-80 4.5-5.6
Min 28-100 3.5-5.6
Min 35-105 beercan series
Min 70-210 beercan herself

price paid:

37 €

positive:

- beercan colors and sharpness
- small and light
- macro switch
- FF
- cheap

negative:

- range
- old, comes probably with oily blades!
- old AF of course

comment:

This is a nice little beercan. Unfortunately, like the big 70-210 one it arrived with smeary blades (E-Bay!). But the blades close completely fine til f8 and this is the aperture I shoot with mostly anyway (wide open til f8).

The sharpness is amazing, it's on par with my T17-50 and T28-75, around f4.5-5.6. Colors are really nice, and I guess this is the reason why the beercan generation is still adored.

The range is not really great, but if you don't shoot in dark rooms and don't need shallow DOF it's an interesting alternative to do portraits for instance.

Looking forward to using it on the FF I still need to buy!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: michaelg   review date: October-02-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

M50/1.7
S105/2.8 Macro
M135/2.8
T19-35/3.5-4.5
M24-50/4
M35-105/3.5_4.5
Beercan
Big beercan

price paid:

US $80

positive:

Sharp
Fastfocus
Constant f/4
Small
Light

negative:

49mm filter
MFD

comment:

Only just got it. Bought it from KEH & waiting 4 weeks for delivery to Indonesia is hard lol.
Seems to be sharp at f/4 & razor sharp by f/5. Very fast focus.
MFD is very long but has great colour & contrast.
Will do the Macro AF crack tomorrow.
Great for protraits.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: REVENGE   review date: October-01-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

AF 50mm F2.8 Macro
Sony 18-70 kitlens

price paid:

25 USD (Used)

positive:

Fairly sharp at all focal lengths
Good build quality
Useful macro toggle
Good color rendition

negative:

Mediocre flare control
Poor equivalent coverage for APS-C
No AF in macro mode (hackable)

comment:

What a classic all-rounder this lens is! It's small, light, built well, produces good images, and downright cheap. The coverage area is a little limited for APS-C shots, but it's still acceptable for most situations. Macro mode is useful if you don't have or don't want to switch to a macro lens. Performing the AF hack for macro mode is highly recommended.

Overall, this is probably the cheapest and most logical upgrade to your Sony kitlens. 10 MP+ Alphas are seriously limited by the wide kitlens, getting this lens will remove that limiting factor.

Note: you may also be interested in getting some of the other 1980s F4 lenses. They are all, in general, very good and inexpensive lenses.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: mystainsane   review date: September-23-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

35 USD

positive:

Nice small and compact. Good quality build. Pictures come out nice.

negative:

None.

comment:

This is a lense that usually stays on my camera unless I put on the beercan.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 4 

user: derScheuch   review date: September-21-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

- 50mm f/1.7
- CZ 16-80

price paid:

40€

positive:

- sharp in center even if wide open
- small
- lightweight
-

negative:

- not sharp in the corners on fullframe even if stopped down
- near focus distance
-heavy distortion at 35mm

comment:

for the price a great lense. I use it quite often as my walkaround zoom lense on my fullframe body and if you avoid the weaknesses of the lense you can make quite good pictures with it.
Even wide open the center is really sharp.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: Domba   review date: September-20-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70 f3,5 - 5,6

price paid:

50 USD (used)

positive:

Short
Metal Body
Has a distance scale
Sharp
Minolta Colors
Quick in focusing

negative:

Flare
Focus in macro mode

comment:

If used wihtout lens hood flare almost all time.

When switched to macro mode only manual focus

Except that 2 things the lens is perfefeect for me. I mostly use it like portrait lens my A200 and i like it.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: JWG   review date: September-16-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-80 f3.5-5.6D
Sigma 28-200 f3.5-5.6 DL Macro
Minolta 50mm f1.7
Minolta 35-105 f3.5-4.5 RS
Minolta 70-210 f4.5-5.6

price paid:

20 GBP

positive:

Colour
Sharpness
Build
Cost
Distance Scale

negative:

Macro accessibility (not easy to focus lens manually)
Occasional poor bokeh

comment:

If I had to keep only one lens it would be this one. Bought 6 months ago and it has hardly left my camera.

The closest zoom to the sharpness of a prime. But it is the colour that makes this a standout lens. I can instantly recognise which shots were taken with this lens - prints have a feel that no other lens I've used can give. Tones are "beautiful".

I guess it is only the focal length on APS crop that keeps the price of these down.

F4 is fairly slow but a small sacrifice. If I need a low-light lens I'd use my 50mm prime. It is still fairly easy to seperate subject from background - though occasionally polygonal bokeh are distracting.

I've never had any issue with flare but do generally use a simple collapsible rubber hood.

I can't imagine ever buying another lens that could give as much pleasure.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: megrim   review date: August-30-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta AF 28-85

price paid:

30 Euro

positive:

- Short
- Metal Body
- Has a distance scale
- Sharp
- Minolta Colors

negative:

- Limited range definitely on an APS-C sensor
- Bokeh it has none!

comment:

A rather legendary lens and with reason. The short range limits it's use and on an APS-C camera the range isn't the most useful. Look beyond that and you have a sharp, well build lens giving you that special Minolta quality to your pictures.

The bokeh is a bit rough as the blades aren't rounded. But you get good colors, a full range F4 fitting nice between the expensive F2,8 and the not so expensive F5,6.

Good sturdy build and no troubles like creep or having that on certain points the barrel turns heavier. The filter will turn with the focusing so that limits use of polarization filters.

The flare is an issue though and the cap on it doesn't helps. Hold your hand above it :)

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: startowa13   review date: August-20-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

CZ 24-70
CZ 16-80

price paid:

40 USD (used)

positive:

Small
Sharp
Macro AF after the hack
Constant F stop

negative:

35-70 range

comment:

This lens is a gem! After hacking the Macro from MF to AF this lens is a great walk around lens. Light, super sharp at F8, no flare and CHEAP! It's also great on either on my A700 and Minolta 70 (Dynax 60).

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: shendra   review date: August-19-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 35-105mm
Minolta 28-80mm
SAL 18-70mm
Minolta 28-85mm

price paid:

120

positive:

light
small
affordable
quick in focusing

negative:

comment:

I was not sure upon the lens at the beginning, then last Sunday, decided to test the lens. I am amazed with the focusing during daylight, fast and smooth, as well as the sharpness and colour saturation. I did not expect that this lens will produce such a nice picture.

Overall, I am happy with the lens.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: zeroone   review date: August-19-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Zeiss CZ 16-35mm, Minolta 34-50f4, Minolta 50mm f1.4, Minolta 28-85 3.5-4.5, Minolta 50 mm f3.5 macro

price paid:

110 AUS (second han

positive:

Stunning image quality at all focal lengths, very compact, really nice build quality.

negative:

Curvature distortion at the wide end

comment:

Being a professional photographer I have had a fair array of lenses and camera, this lens is a standout, it is the most underrated lens I have come across. I bought it as a walk around and it ended up earning its keep!

I have tested all 9 of my Minolta lenses, with over 1600 test images covering every aspect of lens performance, this one creams all of them except the 50 mm f 3.5 macro and there is so little difference it is hardly worth mentioning.

The 35-70 is a very consistent performer from sample of sample, all three that have passed through my hands have been near identical in performance aspects.

it will probably upset a few but this lens actually outperforms the 50 mm f1.4, wipes the floor with the 28-85 f3.5-4.5 and actually bests the Zeiss 16-35 mm at the 35 mm setting (the Zeiss is extraordinary from 28 mm down). It should be noted that 35 mm is definitely its poorest focal length and it is substantially better at 40 mm

The only downers are barrel distortion at the 35 mm setting and less than perfect flare control, (but still pretty good). By limiting the focal length to 35-70 it is obvious that optimisation was much easier.

But wait there is more...the thing works a treat with +1 or 2 close up filters and its macro performance is excellent overall. It has zero CA and minimal light fall off.

Frankly I use it like a 50 mm fixed with a bit of framing flexibility either side.
The 70-210 beercan beats it at 70 mm due to having sharper edge definition, however this would be more than acceptable and probably preferable for portraits. (No surprise here though the 70-210 is at its sharpest between 70-105mm).

What more can I say, this lens should be bring much higher prices on Ebay, it is probably better than almost all other lenses on offer in this focal length short of the Zeiss 24-70. If you own an A900 Buy a good one before the word gets out and even for APSC users it is a good choice as a standard to portrait lens which could actually be used wide open.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: nickepic   review date: July-26-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 75-300 F4.5-5.6 New
Sony DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6

price paid:

Free

positive:

Compact
Sharp
Durable Build
Macro works great after doing the "hack" described below

negative:

Range on APS-C
Minimum focus distance when not in macro mode

comment:

I use this lens the most even though the range on my a300.
It also works great for macro shots, especially after doing the "hack" described at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/durango99/426237448/

You can look at some of my photos taken with this lens at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickepic/tags/minolta3570f4/

Also some product photos of the lens at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickepic/tags/minoltaaf3570f4/

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: czosnek112   review date: July-24-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Kitlens
Tamron 55-200 f/4-5.6
Helios 44m-2
Helios 44m-6 MultiCoated

price paid:

300 PLN almost mint

positive:

Good sharpness for price.
Nice colors
Great bokeh
Macro mode

negative:

Minimal focus distance

comment:

I bought this nice lens on allegro and I am pretty surprised by the IQ offered by this lens. It can't even be compared to Kitlens. Some people say that the range is odd on aps-c - It isn't truth - Great for macro, 3/4 portraits and streets. If you have little money, you can buy sharp lens (even razor sharp at f/8).

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: OptiX   review date: July-07-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70 kit
Sony 18-250mm

price paid:

30 USD (used)

positive:

Sharp Images
Nice color rendition
Fast AF
Usable Macro mode
Size, Weight & Price

negative:

Range
Flare

comment:

This lens rapidly replaced Sony 18-250 as the main lens on my A200. the AF is quick and accurate and the colors are amazing.

My copy is sharp at f4 and razor sharp from f5.6
I hacked the macro function (http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12549) and now have AF in macro mode.

Considering the price it is a good complement to 70-210/f4.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: OisinP   review date: June-02-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

24-105mm

price paid:

30 GBP

positive:

Sharpness
Colour
Portrait range on APS-C

negative:

comment:

Really good value example of Minolta colour and sharpness. Good portrait range on APS-C size sensor.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: skyhook78   review date: May-26-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony Kit 18-70mm f3.5-5.6
Sony Kit 75-300mm f4.5-5.6
Minolta 50mm f1.7

price paid:

$A 160 (used)

positive:

Good upgrade on kit lens
Colour is great
Macro mode is handy

negative:

AF can be hard in low light
Macro is MF
Some Flare in bright light
Small hood

comment:

A nice upgrade on the kit lens (except at the wide angle), the macro mode is also quite nice. Outdoor portraits have been successful with this lens (although can flare, and lens hood isn't particularly useful).

Recommended as an upgrade to the 18-70mm for most use.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: RonnieJ.   review date: May-24-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KM kit lens 18-70
Minolta AF28-85

price paid:

20-30 USD

positive:

Excellent sharpness
Build quality
Color
Inexpensive

negative:

Flare (to be expected with lens originally designed for film)

comment:

I got this lens in a grab bag of items including a Beercan, a Minolta AF 28-85 and data back for a Minolta 7(?), purchase price $110. The 35-70 has proven to be one of my favorite lenses due to it's sharpness and color. An absolutely amazing little lens in spite of it's limited range. Flare is controllable when stopped down.
I highly recommend picking one up!!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: dsoulsticec   review date: May-21-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 100mm Macro F2.8
Minolta 28-135mm F4.0-4.5 XX's Crossed
Minolta 135mm F2.8
Minolta 70-210mm F4.0
Minolta 50mm F1.7
Minolta 100-200mm F4.5
Minolta 35-105mm F3.5-4.5
Minolta 28-85mm F3.5-4.5
Minolta 35-70mm F4.0
Sigma 35-135mm 3.5-4.5
Minolta 100-300mm APO F4.5-5.6
Sony 18-70mm F3.5-5.6

price paid:

75 USD (used)

positive:

negative:

comment:

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Intransit   review date: May-04-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70 kit lens

price paid:

£40 with 7000 slr

positive:

Excellent quality
Nice controlled colour
Sharp & fast enough for me

negative:

Did not get one sooner!

comment:

Used on my Sony a200 this is the 1st lens that as shown what the camera is capable of.
Range is good in my opinion and usefull around town as a snapping lens as you will get great high quality pictures with very little effort.
CA is not apparent on my lens at any zoom setting.
I did the macro auto focus hack and it works even better for close up work now.
Get one, put it on the camera, Use it & you'll love it!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Blair7   review date: May-03-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 50 1.7
Tamron 17-50 2.8
Minolta 35-105

price paid:

$78 w 9000 & brcan

positive:

compact, light and rugged
sharpness

negative:

close focus, limited range

comment:

Nice little lens, I acquired this one with a 9000 and a Beercan. I had another that I got with my Maxxum 7 (off ebay) but I passed it on to my niece when I gave her my 7000.

I will use this as a walkaround on a film camera (9000, 7000i or 7). I don't have to worry about damaging it.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Vancouver   review date: April-29-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

40 CAD (like new)

positive:

light and small
Sharp
Cheap
Strong build
Easy to find
Macro mode

negative:

Zoom range is sad on A300
F4 is a challenge is low light

comment:

The range is odd on non-full frame. But if you look for a decent walkaround. This is the one. At its range, it is much better than the sony 18-70 kit. It also allow you to switch to macro. I dont use macro much but it is a plus. If you can get it for less than 50-70 CAD$. Why not?

I recently found a chinese version of dyxum. Their sample pictures of this lens are amezing. Check out at http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=349607

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: berlin steve   review date: April-09-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony DT 3.5-5.6/18-70, Minolta:Beercan 70-210mm f4, 35-70mm f4, 50mm f1.7, 135mm f2.8 Minolta 28-135, Tokina 28-70 2.8 AT-X, Tokina SD 70-210

price paid:

eur 16.05 with 5000

positive:

small and handy. Nice colours/sharpness. Good price

AF Macro Fix easy to do

negative:

range is limited. Bokeh

comment:

If it hadn't had been for the forum, I'd still have been happily using the Sony kit 18-70 lens blissfully unaware of other much better lenses that I now own. I may have also bought some lemons had I not taken the reviewers' advice first.

This lens is good, and lightweight. It has a limited range compared with "modern zooms" but I picked this up for a song when buying a beercan on ebay, so it was basically a bit of fun for leftover "beer money" from the same seller. I don't think I'd have bought one if it were going for more money, but I have not been disappointed.

I'll be putting the Minolta 5000 body and 2800 AF flash, thrown in with my EUR 16.05 investment, on Ebay soon. Nothing wrong with them, but I don't need them. I guess that really makes it cheaper than I really paid.

If I was having to go out and knew I wouldn't need the wide angle range, I'd probably just leave the Minolta 35-70 on as regular lens just for the quality edge on the photos. However with the added range of 18-35 that the Minolta lacks mean that versatility wins. As a result the Sony kit lens is more often on than off, although the Minolta is really a tad nicer.

The Minolta has the edge across the 35-70 range over the kit lens in terms of general picture quality.

My tip... if you want to find out about what other reviewers mean by those nice typical Minolta colours, and are strapped for cash then you can pick these up for very little cash. You'll not be disappointed.

Update: I can only recommend the Macro fix to get AF on those close ups. I haven't used this lens that much as I since added better lenses across the range, but the Macro AF fix opens up another reason to use (and keep) this really not bad lens.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: prjohn58   review date: March-09-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70 kit lens
Tamron 55-200
sony 100-300 f4.5-5.6

price paid:

10 GBP

positive:

A nice compact lens
Macro mode

negative:

Limited range
Poor light performance due to f4

comment:

I like this lens,far better than kit lens, usefull for hiking. However the range can be limiting and as its an f4 has limits in poor lighting.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Happy Hour   review date: February-27-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 35-105
M 35-70 3.5-4.5
Allot of other lenses in it's range

positive:

Color
Sharpness
build quality

negative:

minimum focusing distance
no AF when switched to macro

comment:

I think I've owned this lens since 1986, can't say anything bad about this lens except for it's large minimum focusing distance it makes it almost useless on a asp-c sensor. FF it gave me many years as my walk around lens! I would still have this on my camera the majority of the time if the MFD was shorter but the range on a cropped sensor makes it useless in spaces like a house taking snapshots of the family ect.ect. which is what I used this lens for on film! Keeping it around for when I get the A900 maybe it will be my favorite lens again.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: benedetti   review date: February-26-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

50 1.7
35-70 3.5 - 4.5
35-105
24-50

price paid:

50€ mint used

positive:

replace the prime with the advantage of a small zoom.
incredible quality.

negative:

none

comment:

Hardly bigger than the 50 prime. Could be anything else but it is as it is and it's almost perfect. I fell in love with it and managed to find a mint gem with case for 50€. I also have the 35-70 3.5 - 4.5, it's also excellent and can be found for 20€ but I prefer this one by far. I have a large collection of primes and zooms including G's but it is still one of my prefered lenses. I agree with those who prefer a wider range that the 35-105 is also excellent and under rated (usually almost free) and remind the curious that this lens has a fantastic smaller brother the forgotten 24-50 as good as this one but more difficult to find!

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: DonSergio   review date: February-17-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

24-105
16-80
50/1.4
18-70

positive:

Light weight
Good colors

negative:

small range
CA in corners
Useless for me on APS-C

comment:

I have small experience with this small legendary lens. It's good enougth. It's better in sharpness and colors than kit lens: 18-70. But range is too short for me. I prefer 50 mm fix (50/1.7 ~ same cost) or better 50/1.4 or great travel zoom (24-105 or 16-80\16-105).
On APS-C this lens is practically useless for me. No wide range. Partrait distance ok, but bokeh is worse. Colors is nice. There are many used lens have trubles in diafragm mechanism. (tested copy have no trubles)

So, it's not lens for me.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: superx2won   review date: January-29-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

T17-50/2.8
M50/1.7

positive:

Sharp and light weight
cheap , cheap, cheap
Fast AF

negative:

1m minimum focus distance
strange FOV on 1.5x crop factor dSLR.

comment:

I get this len in a packaged deal.
I love this lens, this len deliver it required result in outdoor perfectly without flash. In indoor, it will only work great with external flash.

for it price tag vs the quality delivered, i have no complaint on this lens. When this len stop down to f5.6, the result is marveleous. Love it.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: dca1213   review date: January-14-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 17-80
Minolta 70-210 "Beercan"
Minolta 35-105
Minolta 28mm f2.8 prime

price paid:

35USD Usd

positive:

SHARP
Great Colors and Contrast
Light weight

negative:

Range

comment:

This little gem is one of my favorites, the IQ is always stunning, almost 3D like. I really can not find any fault with this lens other then the focal length range on my Sony A200. But it still seems to be on that body more often then others. The 35-105mm is close in sharpness but wide open in my opinion the 35-70 is better stop it down a tad and it rivals a prime. I have not seen lens flare (I use a hood) or CA with this lens.

These can be had cheap on the used market and I would highly recommend this lens to any one. I have also used this lens quite often in the macro mode, tack sharp.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Ome_Joop   review date: January-08-09  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-135 F4-4.5
Minolta 35-105 F3.5-4.5
Minolta 35-80 F4-5.6 II
Sony 18-70mm kitlens

price paid:

30 Euro

positive:

Cheap

negative:

Lens Hood
No AF Macro

comment:

Macro can be modified to AF (wich is good altough most peolpe use manual macro).
It's zoom range is not it's best assets and i think my plastic 35-80 F4-5.6 II is sharper and is probably even cheaper!
For some reason the screw mount for the filters is partially broken (fortunatly i can still add a filter and the useless lenshood).
It's absolutly not a bad lens and it produces nice images with good color but I guess I only wanted this to have one too and not for the need of it!


The mod:
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12549&PN=1

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: jdsin   review date: December-23-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony DT 18-70
Sigma 70-210 APO
Minolta 50mm 1.7

price paid:

£40 off ebay

positive:

Very Sharp. Light, compact.
Very good build quality.
Good Macro function with manual focus.
Cheap

negative:

limited zoom range
Fiddly lens hood.

comment:

This is a great lens every Sony Alpha owner should get their hands on one of these.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: haris72   review date: December-17-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

positive:

size,price(now),built quality,colours,sharpnes

negative:

range

comment:

I bought this lens used 18 ago years with a dynax 7000i and I still use it!I now have a dynax 7 and varius other lenses but this little fellow is still my main lens.18 years of hard use and hundreds or thousands of rolls.From the alps to sahara.I still cant believe that this little lens could be that sharp and with so nice colours.Buy a good one now.Size does not always matter.I have tried canon and nikkor lenses and they don't compare.So much distortion at their ends!My photos looked like eggs!

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: warpspasm   review date: December-16-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 50mm 1.7
Minolta 35-105mm
Sony 18-70mm kit
Sony 50-210mm kit
Tamron 24-135mm

positive:

Very sharp
Beautiful bokeh
Great build
Constant f4
Very inexpensive

negative:

Could be wider

comment:

If it wasn't for my Minolta 35-105mm, this would probably be my favorite lens. I just love the way it feels and the pictures it produces. They are incredibly cheap and plentiful at the moment, so there is no reason not to snatch one up to give it a try. The range isn't great for an all purpose walkabout lens, but for most uses you find that it works just fine. Just use your feet to zoom out if you need to.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Dynaton-DK   review date: December-05-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta AF28-135 F4-4.5
Minolta AF24-105D F3.5-4.5
Minolta AF28-85 F3.5-4.5
Minolta AF35-105N F3.5-4.5
Sigma AF17-70 DC F2.8-4.5
Sigma AF18-200 DC F3.5-6.3

positive:

Nice "feel" in pictures
Constant F4
Macro

negative:

Week construction regardless of nice build
Prices going upwards

comment:

The positive thing about this lens is that the "feel" of the pictures comes out very nice - with saturated colors and contrast that makes an impression of sharper images (even thoug this lens is a little overrated in regard to sharpness).

It's not as sharp as the better Minolta lenses, but who cares - because the way the pictures come out they have a sharp "feeling".

Compared to other used Minolta lenses I have found that this one seems to be sensitive to get oily apertures, so be carefull when buying a sample. (However, one of my previous samples of this lens only worked fully open - and still the pictures came out very nice with an attractive "feeling".)
It could of cause just be a matter of these lenses being really old and then it's somewhat fair that they do not have very long life spans anymore. The "beercan" design and build exterior of the lens is excellent (and deserves a 4,5 rating, but as I've had two with aparture problems, I cannot rate this lens better than 3 in regard to build).

Never the less, a great performer with "feeling".

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: MidniteBlue   review date: November-27-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 50/1.7 - Sony 50/1.4 - Minolta 70-210 F4 - Tokina 19-35 - Sony SAL70300G - Sigma 70-210 APO 3.5/4.5 APO - Minolta 20/F2.8

price paid:

au$225

positive:

This is one of the consistently best performing lenses I have ever used. It is sharp at all apertures, great color, beautifully engineered. Made like a Swiss watch.

negative:

Can't give it a REALISTIC fault.

comment:

This is a lens that hardly ever fails to give an incredibly sharp picture. Even a very quick street shot with little time for framing will show every pore in the skin and every eyelash in sharp detail when pixel-peeping. It is as good as my Sony 1.4 for sharpness, just not quite as good in very low light, but more versatile with the 35-70 zoom. I just love it.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: perslucht   review date: November-25-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6

price paid:

30 €

positive:

Sharpness
Colours
Size

negative:

Small focus ring
Range on APS-C
No wide angle
Lens hood is a little fragile
Manual focus in Macro mode

comment:

This lens is a lot sharper than the Sony DT 18-70mm.
Sharpest on f/5!

I use it as my standard lens on my Sony A200.

I 'hacked' the macro function, now I also have AF in macro mode!
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12549

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: awa54   review date: November-15-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 18-70 "kit lens"
Minolta 100-200 f4.5
Tokina 19-35 f3.5-4.5

price paid:

$50 used

positive:

sharp
perfect color rendition
smooth boke
just a bit bigger than a prime
perfect range for portraiture on an APS sensor

negative:

somewhat long minimum focus distance
limited zoom range on APS
macro limit switch can be awkward

comment:

This lens spends a lot of time on my 5D, it isn't quite wide enough to be a true all-arounder, but for distant subjects and portrait shooting it is hard to beat without resorting to primes. The tonality of images made with this lens is amazing, for a super compact zoom with macro capability this was a real bargain. Did I mention the smooooth boke transition? Everyone should have one of these!

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: fergiet   review date: November-10-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Kit 18-70mm

price paid:

£36 (used)

positive:

Small
Light
Macro
Sharp
Price

negative:

Manual focus in macro mode

comment:

My first lens ! Impressed with sharpness. Light weight and build. Cheap as chips but a very nice lens on my A200. Macro mode is handy.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: edhoku   review date: November-09-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 35-70 (RS?)
Tamron 28-70
Sigma 28-70
Sony 18-70

price paid:

US$100

positive:

Small and Light
Metal Build is amazing and strong
Sharp, sharp, sharp
macro
Fast AF

negative:

manual and 1/4 macro
AF a bit slow for night shoot

comment:

I first used this with my 5D and is amaze by the quailty and sharpness it offer. Focus is instant and accurate for bright day condition. I always bring it for my outdoor landscape/macro shoot as it is light and small.

Works just as well with my current Sony A350.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: fmajor   review date: November-03-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta Rokkor Lenses (many)
Minolta 50mm f1.7
Minolta 28-85mm f3.5-f4.5
Minolta 70-210mm f4 "Beercan"

price paid:

$35

positive:

Excellent color
Reasonable sharpness
Good contrast
Excellent build quality
Size

negative:

Insufficiently wide
Limited Focal Range on APS-C
Small Manual Focus ring
Useless OEM Sunshade

comment:

EDIT: 18Nov2008 I sold this lens three months ago. It is a very good lens, but due to the limitations i noted above and a desire for a higher quality walk-around lens i couldn't, in good conscience, keep it simply for the sake of having it. I'm confident the buyer will put it to better use than me and the lens will provide them excellent results.

INITIAL REVIEW:
This diminuitive lens was very nice to use - sharp enough, nice bokeh, and legendary "Minolta Colors". It was very easy to carry around and a nice compliment to the f4 70-210mm Minolta Original "Beercan". All things a lens is supposed to do this one did quite well.

However for me, the death-knell for this lens was its' very limited focal range - primarily due to an insufficient width on my 7D's APS-C sensor. Otherwise i may have kept it b/c it did perform quite well.

My copy was not any more or less sharp than my 28-85mm f3.5-4.5. So with the extra 7mm on the wide end and additional 15mm on the tele, the 28-85mm has remained my primary walk-around lens (for the time being).

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: revdocjim   review date: November-01-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Well, that's the thing... I don't have anything in this range so...

price paid:

15 USD

positive:

Price
Size
Build
IQ
Did I mention "price"

negative:

Came without a hood...

comment:

Yes, I list the range as a positive. I have a hole between my 17-50 and my 80-200 so this little guy is the perfect filler on a budget! I can't see spending all the extra money on a CZ16-80 just for the extra 30mm, especially at the cost of losing the fast max aperture. But for $15 I'll try anything and it turns out, this one is the ticket for me!

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: algernon   review date: October-25-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

70-210/4 (beercan)

price paid:

64 USD (used)

positive:

Minolta colors
Decent sharpness @f/4
Macro switch
Small size (almost as small as 50/1.7)
Price

negative:

CA
A bit of "wobbling" when zoomed out @35mm
Focus ring too slim

comment:

Got this lens couple of weeks ago and I'm pleased with it. By pure chance, I got a "crossed X" sample which I found to be identical with a "normal" one so, if you're not a collector, don't forge extra cash for nothing.
Very good sharpness stopped down, decent @f/4. Colors are great and the bokeh is pleasing for my taste (YMMV). Build is quite good, except for the fact that it has a bit of wobbling @35mm. CA is to be expected on a 20+ years lens, especially on 12MP - with a bit of care and stopped down, it ceases to be an issue. Focal range on APS-C isn't that great, but this really depends on your style of shooting. I just love the macro switch, although the magnification is only 1:4. With a 49mm thread, a polarizer won't put a hole in your pockets :) but it's going to be a bit hard to use since the front element rotates when focusing.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Dave2006   review date: October-14-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

£18

positive:

Build quality

negative:

comment:

A really super lens for the money, does most things well, I like it in particular for group portrait shots.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: 5thElefant   review date: October-03-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70 Sony kit lens
28-80 Minolta xi
28-105 Tamron

price paid:

£20

positive:

Results,
Size

negative:

Limited range

comment:

It was cheap so I thought I'd try it but realistically never use it as 35-70 isn't that useful.

It turns out 35-70 is pretty handy and this lens refuses to take bad photos. It hasn't come off the camera since I got it.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Smiffy   review date: September-27-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70 kit
Sigma 17-70 f2.8 DC MACRO
Minolta 50mm f1.7

positive:

Lightweight
Sharp
Fast
Sharp
Did I mention sharp?

negative:

Limited range

comment:

This wasn't a lens I was actively looking for, but it was bundled with a beercan I have recently purchased.
Thought I would just give it a try and fired off a few shots, just a few snaps of the family indoors.
WOW!! The sharpness has blown me away...easily on a par with my new Sigma 17-70 (which gets rave reviews itself) if not slightly better. Haven't had a chance to use the macro function yet, but my initial impressions are very positive. As others have mentioned, the range is a little limiting but I can see this lens spending a lot of time on my A200.
For the same price as a few beers, I have got myself one awesome little lens. Recommended piece of glass, if you can live with the limited focal range.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Derek   review date: September-12-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 35-70 f3.5-4.5

price paid:

£10 (with Min. 7000)

positive:

Sharp
Colour
Build

negative:

Nothing

comment:

Super lens for the price.
Get one if you can. Don't be put off by the limited zoom range.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Glyn R   review date: August-12-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 24mm f 2.8
Minolta 50mm f 1.7
Sigma 10-20mm EX DG

positive:

Very neat and quick to focus the build quality is excellent
Macro focusing is quite easy.

negative:

Only manual focus in macro

comment:

I bought this a cheaper way of getting a medium view on APS-C. It is a very good lens I am surprised the price remains so low compared with other short zooms. I can't help comparing it with my 24mm f 2.8 which is an oustanding lens if I didn't own this lens I would have given it 5 for build quality.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: wahgongzai   review date: August-11-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 18-70
Minolta 28-85

positive:

Sharp
cheap
fast AF
build (really tough like tank)

negative:

Not true macro

comment:

I love this lens so much that I own 4 copies of it. Very compact,light but very tough (solid construction). AF is instant under good daylight condition. F4 for me is ok, try F8 or smaller and be amaze with the sharpness for this lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Joseph   review date: July-06-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KM 18-70
KM 28-75
Beercan

price paid:

about $100 USD

positive:

Compact, great build, macro capability, sharp, bokeh, colors

negative:

Nothing that I have

comment:

Like the other reviewers here, I really like this lens. It's become a favorite, especially for macro. It's light and compact, decent range, very sharp with great colors. Lots of them at a good price. I recommend it. I gave high ratings for distortion and flare control, but I'm not really sure about those, as I haven't "tested" them, nor have I experienced any problem.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: LECHER   review date: July-05-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

35-80 Min NS

price paid:

30 USD (used)

positive:

Light weight
Heavy
Sharp
Soft
Bokeh
Colors

negative:

Not today

comment:

Freeking excellent little Bugger. Has always been a go-to lens in a party situation. Portrait lens quality for such a little guy. I love to stop down to 8 and take ocean animal shots and the Macro is not that bad for a 1:4 veiw.

Very cheap to get ahold of these days and there seems to be alot of them, as it was a kit lens for the Maxxum 7000's.

The way you use it will designate how much sharpness you will have and how much softness you can add. I have found this little BeerPony to be a very forgiving addition to my lens lineup and do take advantage of the control it allows you to make.

Get one soon......

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: bosteve   review date: June-14-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Only type like this i have

price paid:

40 USD used, ebay

positive:

Fast and light!

negative:

none

comment:

This is a great flexible lens. I am amazed at how my Sony Alpha works with speed on it. Very convenient lens. Examples of my pics using are at my site.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: KonicaA3   review date: May-27-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Kit lens (18-70)
Sigma (18-125)

price paid:

$40 USD (used)

positive:

Build Quality
Light Weight
Fixed minimum f stop
Sharpness
Price

negative:

Limited range
Macro will not AF only MF with confirm

comment:

I have the crossed XX version, but doubt that it matters, except to collectors. This is a super walk around lens that is quite sharp and has those splendid Maxxum colors. The front element turns when focusing so using a CPL is a challenge. A worthy addition to anyone's arsenal.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: petesidewalk   review date: May-13-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

K/M 75-300 Big Beercan
K/M 35-70 4
Sony 18-70 Kit Lens
K/M 50 1.7
K/M 70-210 4.5-5.6
K/M 70-210 4 Beercan
K/M 28 2.8
K/M 28-80xi
K/M 28-135 4-4.5
K/M 35-70 3.5-4.5
Tamron 200-400 5.6 LD NEW
Sigma 75-200 2.8-3.5
K/M 80-200 2.8 HS G
Sigma 75-200 2.8-3.5

price paid:

14.00(used)

positive:

Sharpness
Build
Bokeh
Macro
Light
Compact

negative:

range

comment:

Little beercan. Good portrait lens, sharp wide open, sharper stopped down. Pretty quick AF. Mathmatically covers the ideal range for portraiture of a sensor in the A100 (~55.6mm). I like it's ability to reproduce color much better than the washed out 18-70 Sony included with my camera. Great lens. It is a little prone to flare, it was a steall, though.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: lomitamike   review date: April-27-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

kit lens
28-75D
70-210/4

price paid:

US $40

positive:

About as sharp as a zoom can get. Small, Minolta colors, cheap.

negative:

flare, limited range.

comment:

If your a fan of the 70-210 f4 then you should be a fan of this lens. It just continues from 70 down to 35mm. All the qualities of the beercan are inherent in this lens.

It's size makes me feel like I've got a prime on and with it's very limited range it makes you take nearly the same approach as shooting with a prime.

No it's not quite as sharp as a 35, 50, or 85 prime but for a inexpensive, small, light lens it's hard to beat it's price to quality ratio.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: al tent   review date: April-26-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 50/1.7

price paid:

$60USD

positive:

Boken. Especally with the Macro.

negative:

Nothing. I come back to this lens time and time again.

comment:

I, on the other hand, like the parameters of this lens. The 50...105 is where I shoot a lot of the time. I really like the boken and sharpness on the macro. I can get within 12 inches, sometimes 10, and the colors I am getting are really good. Manual focusing is fun!
I am using this as my walkaround. I like small zoom lengths they are zoom primes. I still use the 50/1.7 for low light and studio portraits, but there is something about this lens that keeps it on my camera.
10/16/08
I'm way down the road with this lens now. The boken on this jewel makes me love photography all over again every time I look at the immages. Not too many lenses can make me say that. I take this lens around to former sites and shoot it all again! There is a lens for a time in every persons life. Good fortune to you!

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: karchon   review date: April-23-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-85mm f3.5-4.5
Minolta 35-105mm f4
Sony DT 18-70mm
Minolta 50mm f1.7

price paid:

32 USD (mint-)

positive:

-Super Sharp when stopped down
-beautiful colors
-Bokeh

negative:

-Like everyone said, range : /

comment:

This lens, I rarely used. I have labeled it as a Macro only lens for some product shots. (But i also have my 50mm so it gets even less play time).
Its a great lens and have no qualms with it as far as IQ goes, but the range is impractical. Its a nice lightweight lens. I will definitely keep it as it is a prime example of a quality lens.

Sharpness really comes through at f6.3 through the entire range. Its not as sharp as the 35-105 but a little sharper than the 28-85. I'm beginning to think my copy of the 28-85 isn't a good one. :(

This lens is great and feel its under rated (but still impractical).

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Wedge   review date: April-21-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70mm sony dt
200-400 Tamron 5.6
50mm 1.7 minolta

price paid:

100 Aud

positive:

Constant F4
Sharp!
Built like a BrickS@#t house
Cheap!
Much better images than my kit 18-70 dt
Has those great minolta colors!

negative:

35-70 range not the best on my a100

comment:

Recently this has been the Lens which i have kept on my Camera while flying and it has produced some great shots which are in the forum. the 35-70 range is a bit hard to use at times but for the price and the quality of both images and the actual product i cant complain!

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Oleg_K.   review date: February-25-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KIT 18-70\3.5-5.6
Tamron 17-50\2.8
Minolta 50\1.7
beercan

price paid:

$54 incl. shipping

positive:

size
constant f4
minolta style colours
contrast

negative:

inconvenient 35-70mm :(
slow (f4)

comment:

good sharp lens but incovenient range on crop

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Somebody   review date: February-11-08  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

50/1.7
18-70 kit
Beercan

price paid:

Part of a package

positive:

Build
Sharpness
Bokeh
Macro switch (it's fun!)

negative:

Range on APS-C
CA on bright things

comment:

I really like this one at the moment so I better rate it before I have sold it and been spoiled by better things in a different price range. Basically it's super sharp, even at f4. You really can count the hairs on things. Sharpness is easily on par with its bigger brother the beercan and often seems close or the same as 50/1.7.

Colors are nice, the classical Minolta colors I guess. But sometimes they do seem to get a certain tint that's not quite there and on bright things CA can be obvious. Still, it looks good overall. But for the price an excellent walkaround for someone who wants to ease into the classical Minolta glass.

And yeah, I like the 'macro' switch - pretty handy for product shots.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: D-Schap   review date: December-24-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

SONY 50mm f/1.4
Minolta 50mm f/1.4
TAMRON 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II
TAMRON 17-50mm f/2.8 Di-II

price paid:

$75

positive:

Acts like 52-105mm on an APS-C sensor

negative:

Scale isn't quite accurate ... compared to fixed length PRIMES

comment:

This lens was my "grab and go" for film and digital until I got the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and the 17-50mm f/2.8 (digital-only). It currently sits with the film camera systems ... and was a terrific small lens for the better part of seven years.

While not as modern, it can hold its own with a good, sharp image. If you can't pop for the current round of lenses, this is a great filler until you can. The MACRO feature is a definite plus, when its all you have with you.

When it indicates 50mm on its marked range scale, it actually is around 45mm, so while not as extreme as the 18-250mm can be, focal length accuracy is not its strong point.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Minolta Head   review date: December-18-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 17-35mm (D)
Minolta 28-70 (D)
Minolta 50mm 1.7
Tamron 24-135mm
Minolta 28-105mm
Minolta 28-135mm
Minolta 100-200mm
Minolta 75-300mm

price paid:

£17.00 (Used)

positive:

Light
Sharp
Nice Bokeh
Compact

negative:

Awkward Hood
Filter Rotates
Macro in Manual
Not a great focal range

comment:

Dinky lightweight lens that is a joy to use, has typical Minolta colour/bokeh and is nice and sharp. The 49mm filter size means filters and fittings are less expensive to buy.

Well worth the £17.00 I paid for it..

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: Jeroen   review date: November-16-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

24-85 F3.5-4.5
28-135 F4-4.5
24 F2.8
Sigma 70-300 Apo Macro

price paid:

45 euro

positive:

cheap
sharp
compact

negative:

zoom range

comment:

Can make good pictures. Great (light) travel lens. Sold it because range was to short for me.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: pschoone   review date: October-31-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

CZ16-80, 24/2.8, 28-85/3.5-4.5, 35-80/4-5.6, 35-105/3.5-4.5

price paid:

?? (kit lens 7000)

positive:

Very sharp; Compact

negative:

Small zoom range

comment:

This was the kit lens I got with my Minolta 7000 in the mid eighties. What a performance for a kit lens! I now list as drawback its limited zoom range, only 2x, but that is probably why it was so sharp and had such great colours. I don’t have it anymore. Camera and lens got stolen from my home. I still mremember the lens when I look at the large posters in my house, shot in 1989 in Thailand, and razor sharp.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: Yaouank   review date: October-26-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

135 f2.8
24-85 f3.5-4.5 RS
50 f1.7 RS
28-75 f2.8
24 f2.8

price paid:

0 (given)

positive:

Sharpness
Build
Macro switch
Compact
Bokeh

negative:

Flare
Zoom range
Slow AF

comment:

This lens was given to me when I bought my first minolta camera 3 years ago (I know I am young!)
I soon have bought 24-85 zoom, as well as 50 and 135 primes...
I was surprised with the quality of this lens, being sharper than the 24-85.
The bokeh is nice also.
Very good old Minolta build.
Very useful macro switch.
Sold 50€ last week...

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: erix   review date: October-16-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

kit 18-70
28-85/3.5-4.5
24-85/3.5-4.5
70-210/4
tamron 28-200 XR

price paid:

50$ (used)

positive:

Sharp wide open
minolta colors
bokeh
built like beercan, but doesn't look like a tank :)

negative:

Range

comment:

Little brother of beercan.
Used it a lot on film, but range is too limiting on APS. Keeping it for full frame Sony :)

Good sharpness, can be used wide open without noticable degradation in IQ. Good contrast, classic colors.

Similar to 28-85/3.5-4.5 but sharper at wide apertures.
Small and light - same size as 28/2.8
Good 1/4 macro at 70mm.

Sharpest zoom in my collection.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: finnt   review date: September-17-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

35-70/3,5-4,5

price paid:

40 Euro (used)

positive:

Very nice colors. OK build. Sharp

negative:

Manual "Macro" mode

comment:

I like the colors on this one. The focal range is not very useful on APS-C.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: yellowballoon   review date: September-03-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

28-80 xi zoom f4-5.6
70-210 f4 beercan

positive:

Oh so well built.
Very Light.
Nice Macro mode.
F4 throughout the range is a plus.
Brilliant optics.

negative:

Manual focus ring is too small.

comment:

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: ricardovaste   review date: September-01-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

minolta 28-80
minolta 24-105
minolta 50mm f/1.7
rokkor 50mm f/1.7

price paid:

30 GBP

positive:

Very compact
Light
Small 49mm filters
Great bokeh
Old minolta colours :)
Very Sharp
1:4 maco reproduction

negative:

Awful minimum focusing distance in AF or at 35mm
Rotating front element
Slow AF
Small manual focus ring
Range not great
Contrast not as high as you'd want
Flare can be hard to avoid

comment:

I bought this lens to replace the kit lens that came with my dynax5. It was a worthy replacement, despite taking time to convince me of its quality. It is far better than the kit lens in my opinion. Its bokeh is like a prime - *excellent*. It is very compact, and matches up excellently with the dynax5. Some call it a slow 50mm lens, because its that sharp. I can only comment on that to a certain extent though... I've had a photos printed at 12"x8" from this lens shot at f/8 that are *razor sharp*. Recorded on a good slide film. I've never had the need to go over that enlargement, but i believe it could go beyond that and still keep quite sharp. But at 12"x8" and f/8 - you cant get better in terms of sharpness and bokeh is *very* good here also. But in terms of detail, an image needs to have good contrast, as well as sharpness. This is where the lens is let down. Apparently there is a plastic element that doesnt take the minolta coating as well as the glass elements in the lens, which causes a lower contrast, and also is responsible for the flare issue (which isnt massive, but can often be present). Of course, this isnt a problem if you develope and have scanned at hi. res., where you can alter the contrast on PS. But i dont, so my lens is now not in use and will soon be sold. Its good if you want a compact zoom to carry around but want little comprimise in IQ. But for me, there were lenses out there that could meet or exceed its IQ and have a *far* greater range - ie; the 24-105mm. But this lens is still in its own league. The results are quite remarkable really, considering its a simple 5 element zoom. The only 35-70mm 5 element zoom ever made. You can make you own conclusions from my review, but i would still recomment this lens to anyone, film or digial user :).

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Dinostrich   review date: July-26-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

24-105 3.5/4.5 D
28-80 3.5/5.6 D
70-210 4 beercan
75-300 4.5-5.6 D

price paid:

£19

positive:

Good old fashioned build
Minolta colour quality
All round good lens
Constant f4

negative:

Limited range
Bit slow

comment:

This is a good quality lens with all the usual Minolta attributes.
The macro function ( manual operation ) is an interesting add on but at 1:4 somewhat limited.
The real question with this lens is "what is it for" ? It has limited range as a zoom - not wide @ 35 and not really portrait @ 70 ( ignoring the digi cr@p factor ).
By using a 50mm 1.4/1.7 and zooming with your feet you get a lot of improvements.
At the price they are you do get "value for money" if it is what you want.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Mike Torello   review date: July-01-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta AF 24/2.8
Minolta AF 28/2.0
Minolta AF 70-210/4

price paid:

3500 RUR used

positive:

- Picture at whole
- Bokeh
- Sharp
- Macro
- Contrast

negative:

- HiSharp, bokeh and macro from F11
- 1m minimum AF distance

comment:

This lens is good for portrait and landscape both, but needs a stop down, so I have some problems with motion and AF misses. The prime for walkaround with 52-105mm on Digital.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: killerdude   review date: May-17-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

- Sony DT 18-70mm F/3,5-5,6

price paid:

29 EUR (used)

positive:

- AF-speed
- Sharpness
- F/4 throughout zoomrange
- Macro-option

negative:

- Very small focusring, virtually unusable when the lenshood is fixed backwards on the lens.
- Don't like the lens-cap

comment:

I bought the lens via Internet. This is my first Minolta-lens.
The lens is still in very good shape: fast AF, good and smooth zoom(r)ing, no scratches etc.
Compared to my Sony Alpha 100's kit-lens, the picture-quality is very good, sharper and somewhat nicer color-saturation than the kit-lens.
I don't like the lens-cap, Sony's lenscaps are a bit more userfriendly.
The only real downside is that the lens has no wide-picture-capability on an APS-C-camera (otherwise this lens would be my standard-lens). But hey, at 29 euro no-one should be complaining.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: gvknight   review date: May-08-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

£14

positive:

cheap small great sharpness, macro mode

negative:

odd range on digital

comment:

an absolute star of a lens, use it with some MF extension tubes for a superb macro set up or on my 700si as perfect walkabout. Makes a nice short telephoto on 5d 50-105 approx

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 3 

build: 3 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 3 

user: sooner   review date: April-29-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

M 18-70, M 28-85, M 35-105, M 50- f/1.7, Sigma 28-200

positive:

Excellent resolution at f/8 across the field of view. Great size. Nice macro.

negative:

Its limited range - but, probably adequate for 70% of my photos.

comment:

I have tested this lens, and those listed above, using the Koren, 2003, (5mm) test charts to determine the resolution based on MTF-50.
The following information is based on results from two of the sine-wave, test, strips; one horizontal near the center of the frame, and the other, diagonal, very close to the corner of the frame. The tests were made with a KM5D, hand held, image stabilization “on”, ISO 100, in bright sunlight so that the shutter speed was quick enough to satisfy the reciprocal of the focal length criterion. Results: (focal length/f-stop/lines per inch on an 8” x 12” print at center/ditto-at corner). (70/8/139/92), (70/4.0/103/59), (35/8/170/59), (35/4.0/165/78) My understanding of photo resolution quality is: >150 lpi=excellent, >110 lpi=very good, >80 lpi=good. I believe the corner results represent a pretty severe test since the test strip extended radially, and the region of interest was very near the corner. More details on this and other lenses can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/royanddee/lens_test_results_mtf50.htm

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Mauricio   review date: April-27-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

£15 (used)

positive:

Sharp
Constant f stop
Compact
Value for money

negative:

comment:

A solid well constructed lens. It's good to use immediately after newer KM/Sony optics - to appreciate its' handling and above all the results - sharpness and good colour rendition. No software needed to tweak the colour. It is quick focussing too. The Macro mode (CU rather than Macro) is very useable for frame filling flower shots. Fantastic for the price. Have it with you always, in your gadget bag or the glove box.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: jvc2000   review date: March-18-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 24-85 F3.5-4.5
Minolta 50 F1.7

price paid:

40 USD (old)

positive:

Sharp
Very compact size
Macro mode
Very Cheap

negative:

Odd Zoom Range for DSLR
1:4 Macro magnification

comment:

Actually i am quite satisfied with the lens because of its price, sharpness, macro mode, compact size. I have hacked the lens, so that AF is still available in Macro mode.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: wojtekk   review date: February-25-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Does not need comparison, as I am completely happy with it :)

price paid:

40 Euro (Used)

positive:

- fantastic quality considering price
- very good build quality
- size
- constant aperture

negative:

- the hood, or more precisely: the problems with removing the cap when hood is on.
- useless "macro" :)

comment:

This lens is a legend; cheap as hell, yet very sharp and contrasty even while wide opened. Gets very sharp around f8. I love it; I know that the range on digital (my 5D) is weird, but I use it a lot for everything - from reportage to portraits. It's a must-have in any KM owner bag. :)

Second-hand market is full of it; get one and use it. You won't be disappointed.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: nigelbrooks   review date: January-27-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

£15 (used)

positive:

Sharp
Legendary build quality
Useful Macro

negative:

That 'clippy' lens hood

comment:

I wasn't expecting too much for £15 / $29 but was very pleasantly surprised. This is a 'little lump' of a lens. Heavy due to all-metal construction and buid quality, at least on mine, is of 'legendary' Minolta standard.

Could make a good 'fair light' portraiture lens.

Useful Macro down to 300mm (12 ins.).

A good 'F4 all the way' complement to my beercan and bigcan.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: Innox   review date: January-01-07  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

50/1.7
70-210/4
18-70

positive:

Cheap
Good Colors
Good build
Macro mode

negative:

Bad range
Prone to flare

comment:

This lense is pretty similar to to the 18-70 in performance, but if I was to choose one, I'd choose the 18-70, it performs a little bit better, and has a MUCH better range.

It's sharp enough, the macro mode is nice, although only MF, but that's not really a problem.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 3 

user: CKsam   review date: December-22-06  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-85mm
Minolta 28-135mm
Minolta 50mm, f1.7
Minolta 28mm, f2.8

price paid:

Part of a bundle

positive:

Sharp with good colour rendition
Very compact
Nice revsible hood

negative:

Flare (esp dark objects on light backgrounds).

comment:

I have always been extremely happy with this lens. There's something satisfying about getting nice results with such a discrete lens. The zoom range is perfect on a film body for general photography and I've never felt it too restrictive. Perhaps not the best range for digital, but that's a matter of personal choice, I guess.

I own a couple of the more respected zooms covering this range, including then 28-135mm, but this is the one I always return to. On a recent trip to Ireland I took this and the 28mm f2.8 and couldn't tell which photo's were taken with which lens (up to focal length differences). Sharpness is very good and typical old Minolta colours.

If you can make the focal length work for you then I'd reccomend this lens without question. An overlooked lens!

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: ematsuda   review date: November-25-06  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KM 28-75mm 2.8
KM 18-70mm kit lens

price paid:

40 USD (used)

positive:

compact
sharp
build
price
fast AF
macro option
wide open performance

negative:

range
nothing else

comment:

This is one amazing performer for its price. It's not as fast as the 28-75mm but every bit as sharp stopped down to f5.6 or so and good to very good wide open. That's saying a lot since I consider the 28-75 very sharp. The only downfall to this lens is the range. 35mm on the wide end is too much for digital but usable on my 600si. It's very lightweight and will be included in my lightweight combo together with my Minolta 100-200mm for digital as well as for all film. Very happy with it as mine was used but in mint condition. It blows the kit lens out of the water but the 28-75mm still remains as my walkabout lens on my 7D.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Vader   review date: September-29-06  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

kit 18-70
70-210/4
24-85/3.5-4.5
24-50/4

positive:

Very sharp
size
well built
constant aperture

negative:

fully extended at wide angle
(that is a minor quibble)
wide end is too long on digtal
macro function is usable, but wierd. not a true macro

comment:

If this lens went down to 24 it would never come off my camera. It absolutely blew me away after I had been using my kit lens for the first month or so. I now have the 24-50/4, which I use most of the time (due to its nice quality and wider fov), but it still is a compromise in image quality compared to the 35-70/4. I consider this lens to be a perfect compliment to the 70-210/4 (and it gives up nothing in quality), but its wide end end is just too long on digital.

As far as IQ goes, this one is very impressive, especially for what you can get one of these for.

sharpness: 4,5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: polossatik   review date: September-06-06  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

minolta "Beercan" 70-210 f4
Tamron 28-200 f3.8-5.6 XR Di
minolta 28-100 f3.5 6.5 (D)

positive:

Good sharpness (seams like some or sharper then others) , nice range for indoor sport shooting on a digital. I find the macro very good.
constant f value, so you can work with the zoom in low light situations without worrying about shutter and aperture.
damn cheap.
LOT better then kit lens and even my tamron zoom

negative:

Not the fasted (f4).
AF hunts easely indoor.
focus ring to small to be usefull for MF
seams to have some flare and purper fringing issues when not stepped down.

comment:

Got this in a deal with a 9000 body and a beercan for 100 euro, was only interested in the beercan in fact, so anything else was just a bonus.
But i putted this little one on anyway, just to see.

Wow. Amased!

Oke, it's not a 2.8 or so, but this is really a rather decent lens, and certainly because they are not sought after and cheap!

But until i get a faster one, this is now my standard lens :)

edit: seen it was stolen, it's not my standard anymore

sharpness: 3 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 2 

user: Tsja   review date: May-31-06  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KM 50mm 1.7
KM 28-75 2.8
KM 17-35 2.8-4
Minolta 70-210 4

Olympus OM 28 3.5
Olympus OM 35 2.8
Olympus OM 50 1.8

positive:

Cheap
Constant aperture

negative:

Not an attractive range on a DSLR
Just 2x Zoomratio
Get's beaten by the kitlens
Close focusing distance of 1 meter
Bad macromode

comment:

It lacks sharpness, a usefull purpose or any attractive point... :( Got it in a package deal with a 7000 and a 70-210 f4.

For you DSLR get the kitlens, it's better...
Or a 50 1.7 if your into portraiture...
Or save a little for a 28-75 2.8...

Just don't buy this lense with money ;)

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: trondeh   review date: October-29-05  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70mm kit-lens and 50mm/f1.7

positive:

Inexpensive and surprisingly sharp from f5.6 to f11. Good colors!

negative:

Soft on f4 and some purple fringing seen on f4.

comment:

A really good lens for the price. Much sharper at 70mm than the kit-lens from f5.6 to f11. On f8 almost as sharp as the 50mm/f1.7. Good colors.

sharpness: 3,5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: brettania   review date: October-08-05  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

KM 28-75 f2.8 D

positive:

A good but not great lens that now sits in no-mans land in terms of focal length range but actually covers portraiture quite well.

negative:

Nothing specific, other than it is now showing its age.

comment:

A cheap second-hand starter lens for this who can't afford anything else. In this category would not disappoint. Remember that 35 with the crop factor gives an effective 50mm.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: ilyxa   review date: October-07-05  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Konica Minolta - AF 35-70 / 3.5-4.5

positive:

Cheap, good for it's price

negative:

Old, slow

comment:

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: GormGrymme   review date: July-17-05  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

positive:

still works like a charm after 17 years in service (I think that qualifies it as durable)
good portrait range on 7d
small and lightweight

negative:

old -> low resale/trade-in value

comment:

This lens may not have all the optimizations for digital (coatings, (D)-chip, etc.) but it still does its job well after so many years of service.