Minolta AF 100-400mm F4.5-6.7 APO A-mount lens review by maricontis

maricontis#10224 date: May-19-2012
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP24MP36MP42MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	tamron 55-200, minolta 100mm macro D, minolta 500mm f/8
price paid:	missing
positive:	size and weight focal range f/6.3 to wide end!
negative:	quite rare
comment:	I go often trekking on Alps. I bought this lens (matsuyiastore on ebay) because it seemed a good compromise between size and focal range (and affordability), and soon was amazed about unexpected performance, assuming it is a non-G lens. Colours overall (I am not keen in postprocessing). AF may be slightly inaccurate, but it is a blade even above 350mm, if you adjust it manually. So I give 4,5 to sharpness. I do not complain about lack of tripod mount because I seldom carry a tripod, but obviously you need natural supports (rocks, trees, knees etc) and the result is scratching the lens hood. Zoom creeps quickly but that would be easily fixable if you'd need it. However I give 5 to build because if it was a bulky metal it would double its weigh, and I hadn't buy it!