Minolta AF 17-35mm F2.8-4 D A-mount lens review by Guy

Guy#10256 date: May-31-2012
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3	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:	On APS-C - KM 18-70 - ZA 16-80 On FF - Sigma 24/2.8 - 28-75/2.8
price paid:	350 EUR (new)
positive:	+ cheap + good WA on FF + good IQ + good flare resistance
negative:	- the hood is useless
comment:	This lens is really good for the money. On FF the wide angle is remarkable. This is my second most used lens for event photography, just after the 28-75. Surprisingly it has pretty good flare resistance. I do a lot of outside shooting with sun in the frame at full wide angle and there are only a couple ghots/flares, but nothing drastic. Very pleased with the IQ this lens provides stopped down to F/5.6 - F/8, although I regulary use it at F/11 - F/16 if the sun is out. The distortion is there, but this is expected from this lens. It's a shame that SONY did not re-badge this Tamron lens again. With an SSM or new generation SAM motor this would be a good entry level FF WA.