Minolta AF 200mm F2.8 G APO HS A-mount lens review by JimD
 JimD#16333 date: Aug-10-2015 | |
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| sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 28-135mm F4-4.5, Minolta 35-105mm F3.5-4.5, Minolta 100-200mm F4.5, Minolta 75-300mm F4.5-5.6, Sony 18-250 F3.5-6.3., Vivitar Series 1 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | R7000 (+/- $700) |
| positive: | Size, sharpness, ease of use. |
| negative: | I haven't found anything yet |
| comment: | First point: I haven't had it long, but I have used it in varied conditions: over water with high contrast, outdoor portrait, outdoor floral close-up, and indoors. Second point: this is my first venture into fixed length beyond 50mm, and all the comparison lenses are zooms- definitely comparing apples with oranges. Having said that, there are some decent lenses there, but the white lenses' IQ is noticeably better than most of them, and particularly the Vivitar, which shouldn't even be on the same page (except that it's also painted white!). Colours are Minolta, i.e. not much different to some of the other lenses, but it's the sharpness that sets it apart. CA has been raised by some reviewers, but I couldn't elicit any fringing on a series of yacht shots which certainly would have given me some purple edges on the 75-300mm, and maybe even on my Sony 18-250mm. Talking of which, I'm really going to miss that range, but I have a feeling that I'm going to have to be a lot more active; the Sony will be giving up quite a lot of camera time to the new kid (OK, the old kid) on the block! I don't know if I am lucky, but while my copy has certainly been used quite a bit and shows some wear- a few small scuffs, and some shiny aluminium showing, particularly on the chequered hood grip, there is no sign of the flaking or peeling that other reviewers have experienced. One final comment: I thought I had cured my lens lust, but it was only in remission. It is very rare to find one of these on auction here in SA, so I had to jump in. But how do you hide a white lens from your wife? |
rating summary
- total reviews: 81
- sharpness: 4.96
- color: 4.98
- build: 4.80
- distortion: 4.95
- flare control: 4.88
- overall: 4.91