Minolta AF 28-135mm F4-4.5 A-mount lens review by tobyjay

tobyjay#4213 date: Oct-11-2008
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP24MP36MP42MP
ownership:	I used to own this lens
compared to:	18-70 100-200 f/4.5 Beercan Minolta primes - 24, 35, 50, 100, 135. Various tamron/sigma zooms
price paid:	Ł200 near mint
positive:	Great walkabout range Mega quality build Amazing colours Quick (rear) Autofocus Sharp!
negative:	Too slow for indoors - without flash Minimum focus distance is poor.
comment:	I didn't expect this to be so good. I just sold my 100-200 Minolta because the range was less than ideal and bought this instead. As an outdoor zoom it is ideal. Not that big and heavy - just properly made! Sharp enough throught the zoom range wide open. CA not a problem. Distortion not a problem. Colours are outstanding - as good as the 85 1.4 and better than the 100-200 or beercan I think. What a unit this lens is! Worth a lot more than I paid. p.s. It is a little slow for lowlight but the onboard flash (A700) seems to work very well with this lens. It does not cast big shadows and the colours come up well using flash. Highly recommended!!