Minolta AF 28-135mm F4-4.5 A-mount lens review by DonSergio
 DonSergio#5384 date: May-14-2009 | |
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| sharpness: 3.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | - 16-80/3.5-4.5za - 24-105/3.5-4.5 (Minolta and Sony) - 24-70/2.8za - 35-70/4 |
| price paid: | 400$ (used) |
| positive: | + Great resolution from 28 to 100mm. + Very good colors an bokeh. + Great range for outdoor. + fast AF |
| negative: | - Softness from 100 to 135mm. Flare. - Bad edge sharpness on A900. - Rotating front element on zooming (so hard to use CPL and gradient filters). - No hood. - Hard to find in good conditions. |
| comment: | i think that minolta 28-135/4-4.5 is the best full frame travel zoom suitable for A-mount at this moment. Because it have great image quality from wide open at the range 28-~100mm (colors, contrast, bokeh) all in one except edges of full frame images (no noticeable on APS-C cameras). In most of aspects of image quality it's better than 24-85/3.5-4.5, 24-105/3.5-4.5, 35-70/4. But for me on APS-C 16-80za is much more versatile lens. 28-135/4-4.5 is not ideal lens. Lens is big such 24-70za (except filter diameters 72mm vs 77mm). Lens does not have original hood and flare are noticeable often. Front element rotates on zooming (not focusing) but use CPL and gradient filters is not ideal. Focusing ring rotates than AF works. At 100-135mm visible softness and contrast loosing, but this range usable for portrait from wide open. If you can live with this issues 28-135/4-4.5 is great choice and pick pick up it if You find it in MINT conditions. |
; 14MPrating summary
- total reviews: 202
- sharpness: 4.62
- color: 4.83
- build: 4.80
- distortion: 4.42
- flare control: 3.44
- overall: 4.42