Minolta AF 135mm F2.8 A-mount lens review by awa54

reviewer#44057 date: May-9-2018
sharpness: 5
color: 5
build: 5
distortion: 4
flare control: 4
overall: 4.6
tested on:
  • film camera:Film camera
  • APS-C: 6MP6 MP; 10MP10 MP; 12MP12 MP; 14MP14 MP; 16MP16 MP; 20MP20 MP; 24MP24 MP
  • full frame: 12MP12 MP; 24MP24 MP; 36MP36 MP; 42MP42 MP; 61MP61 MP
ownership:I own this lens
compared to:Min 100 f2.8 macro RS
Min 100-200 f4.5
Min 28-135 f4-4.5
price paid:135USD
positive:sharp
compact
typical Minolta image feel
no linear distortion
no vignetting, even on FF
negative:C/A and PF
hood could be deeper
so-so MFD
comment:4 distortion because of chromatic aberation (since linear distortion is non-existant). Probably deserves a 3.5 for flare control, but then any vintage lens is likely to flare when shot straight into bright light.

It's been said before; this is a sharp, lightweight, easy handling short tele, thats shortcomings are limited to C/A when shot wide open, bokeh C/A, moderate purple fringe on hot highlights and contrast reduction with the occasional colored blob when shooting into a very bright scene.

The bokeh isn't the best, but isn't bad either and it's easy to forgive the failings because images made under conditions that don't exacerbate the C/A or flare issues look fantastic.


rating summary

lens image
  • total reviews: 139
  • sharpness: 4.69
  • color: 4.92
  • build: 4.65
  • distortion: 4.91
  • flare control: 4.44
  • overall: 4.72
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