Minolta AF 100-400mm F4.5-6.7 APO A-mount lens review by sarapata1

sarapata1#3045 date: Dec-6-2007
sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 3 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.4	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I used to own this lens
compared to:	AF 100-300 F4.5-5.6 APO Beercan
price paid:	Ł300 (used)
positive:	nice range rich colours smooth focus and zoom rings pleasant bokeh
negative:	for better sharpness necessary to stop down the build quality is not that impressive - my outer barrel (the zooming one) is quite loose and is wobbling
comment:	best results when stopped down, optimal at F11.0, for 400mm even F16.0 my copy actually shows the minimal aperture numbers 4.5-6.3 as follows (it says on the barrel 4.5-6.7, but my 5D displays the minimal aperture no. as F6.3!): F4.5 100-125mm F5.0 125-140mm F5.6 140-190mm F6.3 190-400mm the sharpness is best at the focal lengths between 150-300mm if you do not need that long end 400mm, the 100-300mm APO is a better choice IMHO, is smaller, lighter and a bit faster in general I do not regret I have bought this lens, even I have some reservations - I had an option to go with this one or Sigma 135-400mm, but I liked Minolta much more :-) just do not expect the image quality, sharpness and the build quality of G lenses and you will be happy with this telephoto zoom lens