Minolta AF 35mm F2 A-mount lens review by jvandegr
 jvandegr#10037 date: Mar-19-2012 | |
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| sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 35-70mm f/4 Minolta 35-105mm f/3.5 - 4.5 (original) Minolta 28-70mm f/2.8 G Minolta 50mm f/1.7 |
| price paid: | 550 USD (near mint) |
| positive: | Very sharp wide open Great Minolta color Compact Light weight No chromatic aberration |
| negative: | Nothing significant. |
| comment: | Quite an amazing lens, in that it has the ability to gather light and illuminate shadows like only the best lenses can. It is sharp from f/2, especially in the center. Sharpness falls off very slightly toward the edges, and stopping down just a little can help. My good copy of the Minolta 35-70mm f/4 is about 5-10% sharper on the edges at f/5.6, and nearly as sharp in the center. However, the 35mm f/2 has more realistic colors and a much brighter presentation of shadow areas than the 35-70mm f/4. I have yet to find a copy of the Minolta 35-105mm f/3.5 - 4.5 that can rival either of these lenses at 35mm. Compared to the Minolta 28-70mm f/2.8 G, this prime is sharper, especially on the edges, and offers better color rendition. In general, I find its performance similar to that of the Minolta 50mm f/1.7, but sharper wide open. I have seen no chromatic aberration, no significant field distortion, and I've had no problems with flare because I always use the lens hood. Of course, this hood could be deeper for APS-C, but it's not bad. Focus speed is very fast, and accuracy is near perfect on my A350 and A580 bodies. Build quality is what you would expect for a 1980's Minolta lens: fantastic. Overall, a wonderful lens that never disappoints. |
; 16MPrating summary
- total reviews: 53
- sharpness: 4.93
- color: 4.98
- build: 4.70
- distortion: 4.85
- flare control: 4.55
- overall: 4.80