Minolta AF 100mm F2.8 Macro A-mount lens review by AlphaMan

AlphaMan#6961 date: Feb-24-2010
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:	Minolta 135/2.8 Tamron 90/2.8 Minolta 50/2.8
price paid:	Ł135 (used)
positive:	VERY sharp solid construction 1:1 macro
negative:	Heavy by modern standards AF a little slow (perfectly usable)
comment:	I bought this lens because it was at a good price, thinking that I could sell it (without a loss) if I didn't like it. I had a Tamron 90 macro at the time and when I compared the two, I thought the Minolta was sharper (so the Tamron was sold). It hunts a bit when using the AF for macro but probably not much different to the Tamron. Manual focus is usually better for macro anyway. It also doubles up as a very sharp portrait lens. My copy is pin sharp wide open (count every eyelash), so it's a young persons portrait lens and needs a softar for the older or vain amongst us!