Minolta AF 24-105mm F3.5-4.5 D A-mount lens review by QuietOC
 QuietOC#29650 date: Aug-9-2016 | |
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| sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta AF 24-50 F4 Canon EF 24-85 USD Minolta AF 24-85/RS Minolta AF 24-105 D Sony FE 28-70 OSS Sony 28-75 F2.8 SAM Minolta AF 28-80 D Minolta AF 28-85 Minolta AF 28-100 D Sigma AF 28-105 F2.8-4 Canon EF 28-105 F3.5-4.5 USD II Minolta AF 28-105 F3.5-4.5/RS/Xi Minolta AF 28-135 F4-4.5 Minolta AF 35-70 F4 Minolta AF 35-80 II Minolta AF 35-105 F3.5-4.5/New Sigma AF 28-105 F2.8-4 Sigma AF 35-135 F3.5-4.5 |
| price paid: | 64 USD (used) |
| positive: | Fairly compact and light Center sharpness Internal focus 62 mm filter threads |
| negative: | Build: broken encoder, stretched zoom grip Gritty focus control Purple fringing at long end Heavy focus breathing |
| comment: | "JAPAN" This lens is slightly smaller than the 24-85 F3.5-4.5 but larger than the 35-105 F3.5-4.5 New or the 24-50 F4 and 35-70 F4 zooms. Fully retracted it is basically the same size as the 18-55 fully retracted. Of course zoomed out to 105 mm it is much longer than the 18-55 fully extended. But it is still shorter when fully extended than the 24-85. It has a petal hood very similar but somewhat smaller than the SH00005 on the 16-80. The large ALC-SH112 from the 55-300 will also mount on this lens. 24-105 mm zooms are moderate compromises. This last copy is much sharper in the center than the Minolta AF 24 F2.8 and 28 F2.8 primes and the other Minolta 24-x zooms. The corners though are better on the 24-85 and the much better on the primes. The minimum focus distance is larger than the 24-85. Overall performance is better than I expected. Edit: first copy was a very used looking with original hood and caps that came in the retail packaging. Both rubber grips were dirty and the zoom grip was stretched and loose (and was noted by the seller). The seller didn't note that the focal length encoder was broken but did refund me quickly. I purchased a second copy of this lens for $90 from another eBay seller. This one looks to be in better shape, but has much worse optical performance. The visible coma wide-open indicates a decentering issue. The focus ring was also stuck at infinity until I managed to loosen it up. I purchased a third copy for $64 from another eBay seller. This one looks very good and is quite sharp over most of its range. Review now reflects this copy. |
; 10MPrating summary
- total reviews: 104
- sharpness: 4.25
- color: 4.51
- build: 4.13
- distortion: 4.15
- flare control: 4.26
- overall: 4.26