Minolta AF 28-70mm F2.8 G A-mount lens review by Phil Wood

Phil Wood#46923 date: Jan-19-2023
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8	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:	All other Minolta zooms covering 28-70. Sony CZ 24-70/2.8 Mk I
price paid:	100 GBP
positive:	The best IQ from any zoom Minolta ever made covering this range Focus hold button f2.8
negative:	MFD is too long Slow AF Weight
comment:	Some lenses are hopeless at AF, hunting and rarely finding; some, like the beercan, snap into focus; some get there so quick you barely register it; this one glides serenely into focus, it gets there, but it's not a lens for action photography. Once in focus the results are remarkably good, some softness in the corners at f2.8 but, all in all, as good as the Sony 24-70 - it really is very good. The minimum focus distance is a bit of a joke; sometimes I like to hold something in shot as a scale object - not with this lens, my arms just aren't long enough. Macro - forget it. As many note, it is not a light lens (though not as heavy as the Sony), carry it around all day and you'll notice this!