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

robert.pierrick#9340 date: Aug-16-2011
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.7	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP24MP36MP42MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	100-300 xi 100-300 APO
price paid:	320 euros
positive:	Fast focusing on A33. Beautyfull bokeh at f6.3. Steady shot work fine with it, its possible to take very accurate pictures at f6.3, 1/100 sec without any tripod .
negative:	Double weight than the 100-300 xi. Zoom ring hard to rotate with the small A33.
comment:	Best sharpness at 360 mm and f11 on a tripod. With the SLT A33, and without a tripod, it's possible to take descent pictures at 360 mm above 1/30 s with the maximum aperture (f6.3). Excellent shots beyond 1/100 s. No purple fringe comparativly to the Xi zoom but sharpest than the Xi at F6.3 and F8. It seems also sharpest than 100-300 APO, but then main difference is its weight : twice the 100-300 Apo.