Minolta AF 300mm F2.8 APO G HS A-mount lens review by GTjake

GTjake#835 date: May-25-2006
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I have experience with this lens
compared to:	AF200 2.8 APO HS G, AF100-300 APO zoom.
price paid:	missing
positive:	Build quality is outstanding as is image quality. Fast AF. Takes excellent Minolta polarizer set. Sturdy and effective tripod collar. Velvet lined sliding hood.
negative:	Ummm..... nothing! Hard to get polarizer set.
comment:	This lens is as good as it gets. To my eyes, absolutely sharp, distortion free and excellent color fidelity. Astounding image clarity, and a bright view-finder image. Build quality is faultless. This does make it, of course, heavy to hand hold. But it is quite comfortable to do so, and the weight helps to steady it nicely. Takes G-series polarizer filter set. I have one and it is a beautifully made little item. Though not at all cheap or easy to get. I have only ever seen one for sale anywhere (and bought it too!). The manual (not electronic) focus range limiter works well as do the 4 focus hold buttons which are nice to have. Equivalent to a 450mm f2.8, but thanks to AS, easily usable without a tripod. Basically, I love this lens and would buy it again totally without reservation. If you can afford it, get one!