Minolta AF 28-85mm F3.5-4.5 A-mount lens review by QuietOC
 QuietOC#29652 date: Aug-9-2016 | |
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| sharpness: 3 color: 4 build: 3 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 3.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony DT 16-80 CZ Sony DT 16-105 F3.5-5.6 Sony DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6 Sony DT 18-135 F3.5-5.6 SAM Sony DT 18-200 F3.5-6.3 Minolta AF 24-85 F3.5-4.5/RS Minolta AF 24-105 F3.5-4.5 D Minolta AF 28-80 F3.5-5.6 D Minolta AF 28-100 F3.5-5.6 D 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 F4-5.6 II Minolta AF 35-105 F3.5-4.5/New Vivitar 28-85 F3.5-4.5 Sigma AF 28-105 F2.8-4 Sigma AF 35-135 F3.5-4.5 |
| price paid: | 15 USD (used) |
| positive: | Decent zoom throw Little purple fringing F4 to 60 mm 800 mm minimum focus 55 mm filter threads |
| negative: | Reverse zoom action (it extends to 28 mm) Warm color cast CA Small circular hood |
| comment: | My first well-used copy came with a Maxxum 5000 that I won for $12.50 shipped. The second cleaner copy was $23 by itself. The third copy was $15. The suggested retail price was $298 in 1985, slightly more than the 70-210 F4 and the same price as the 24 F2.8 and $125 more than the 35-70 F4 kit lens. "JAPAN" The second copy of this lens definitely redeemed this lens for me. It definitely fits in with the other original Minolta zooms. It is not quite as wide as the 28-135 at close focus. It is fully retracted at 70 mm and barely extends at all the 85 mm end. Like the 28-135 the macro mode is engaged at the wide end. The 800 mm normal close focus is much nicer than its contemporary 28-135, 35-70, and 35-105 zooms. The focus throw is longer too at about 120 degrees. The larger clip-on hoods from the 70-210, 75-300, and 100-300 lenses work well for APS-C usage. |
; 10MPrating summary
- total reviews: 112
- sharpness: 4.29
- color: 4.69
- build: 4.85
- distortion: 4.16
- flare control: 3.62
- overall: 4.32