Minolta AF 300mm F4 HS APO G A-mount lens review by Wētāpunga

Wētāpunga#3469 date: Apr-16-2008
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 used to own this lens
compared to:	Sony 500/f8 Minolta 70-210/4 beercan Tamron 90/2.8
price paid:	c. NZD1500 (used)
positive:	Great colours and detail. Ideal for wildlife.
negative:	CA wide open, and with reflective surfaces (cicada wings, wet seals). 42mm filters (sigh) Awkward lens hood
comment:	This is an ideal compromise between reach, speed and weight. The lens has become my regular wildlife lens, and is just portable enough to take on overseas trip. Sure, the 400/4.5 or 300/2.8 have a mite more reach or are a bit faster, but you pay for that with the extra weight. With the ability to crank up the ISO higher on the α700, an f4 aperture is a much smaller trade off. It captures colours and details brilliantly, and is as sharp as my Tamron and CZ16-80. It focuses much faster on the α700, and this is a good match. With the α100 I did more manual focus work.