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

Malina DZ#11200 date: Jun-18-2013
sharpness: 3 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 2 overall: 3.2	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:	Tamron 17-50/2.8
price paid:	380 USD (used)
positive:	Great general use WA-zoom lens; Minolta colors; Light weight; Low lateral CA; Good print quality up to 20"x30"
negative:	Average to poor AF accuracy (back focusing at 17mm, front focusing at 35mm); MF corrections often required. Very weak corners at 17mm F2.8-5.6 Difficult to correct in post mustache distortion. Would not use 17-20mm for architecture with straight lines. Catches flares at all focal lengths with the hood on. Watch the lens position toward the sun with this lens.
comment:	Sharpness is rather poor compared to Tamron 17-50/2.8 this KM lens replaced but bokeh is much smoother on Sony a100. I have no regrets switching to KM17-35 since I needed a WA zoom lens for a FF body. In spite of its poor overall rating, I still can make this lens produce desired images from F6.7-F13. You can download DNG image files taken with a850 for personal review from here: http://goo.gl/KCmQv