Minolta AF 100mm F2 A-mount lens review by wross

wross#3527 date: Apr-28-2008
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	50mm/1.7 28-135/4-4.5 35-105mm/3.5-4.5 (original) 70-210/4 200mm/2.8
price paid:	690 USD
positive:	Sharpness Bokeh Color
negative:	Price
comment:	Believe every good thing you read about this lens. I've never used a sharper lens. It may soften up just a fraction when it's wide open, but it's only very slight, and still it's sharper than just about anything else would be when stopped down. The bokeh unbeatable. You'll start dreaming up shots for the bokeh, and then looking for a subject to compliment the bokeh! Color is classic early Minolta: rich, saturated... "Minolta color". My list of "compared to" lenses are the ones I own or have recently owned, and feel are top performers. The 200/2.8 is the only one on the list that compares equally to the 100/2 in terms of sharpness and color, and not quite as well on bokeh. The price is painful, but it does vary greatly. More than a few are selling over $1000 USD right now, but you can still find them in the $700 with patience. Is it worth $700? Any lens is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. If I had to keep only one lens, this would be the one.