Minolta AF 35-105mm F3.5-4.5 A-mount lens review by Bodian

Bodian#45627 date: Dec-23-2020
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 4.4	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:	Loads of Minoltas and Sony - kit to medium lens (no high end lenses). Especially 16-105
price paid:	£25
positive:	Sharp Sharp
negative:	Depends on the copy you get!
comment:	I bought one of these ages ago and used it on my A580. It was okay, nothing special (I thought). I sold it when I got a 16-105 for my A77ii. But after six months or so, I began to think my 16-105 was a bit 'soft' and looked at old photos taken with the 35-105. I thought 'why did I get rid of that?'. So I bought another one. This one is astonishingly good. Incredibly sharp, at all focal lengths, with super colours. It had a slight scratch on the lens, so I bought a third, but it was faulty as it wouldn't go to infinity - but lower than infinity it was excellent. As the scratch wasn't actually visible (except for added flare - which this lens is pretty rubbish at dealing with anyway), I kept the second lens. It's now one of my most frequently used lenses. I've just bought the SAL1650, and to be honest, I'm not sure which is 'better' or sharper.