Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 A-mount lens review by aplmike

aplmike#13220 date: Apr-5-2015
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP24MP36MP42MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	35-105 original 50 f/1.7 original 18-55 SAM
price paid:	$40, EBay
positive:	Small, light, sharp, inexpensive, all-metal build.
negative:	May have sticky aperture (don't buy unless you can return, I bought and returned two before I got a good one).
comment:	I'd put the build at 5 if not for the sticky aperture problem -- mine is good, but will it last? Sharpness is close to the 50 f/1.7 prime and comparable to the original 35-105 -- it's very good at all lengths and apertures (best at f/5.6 to f/8). Sharper in the overlapping range than the 18-55 Sony, and certainly more solidly built. Flare is probably more like 3.5 than 4. Light weight makes it easier to hand-hold than the 35-105, so I tend to have this on the camera instead when not carrying a tripod.