Minolta AF 400mm F4.5 HS APO G A-mount lens review by steveb

steveb#3158 date: Jan-9-2008
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 own this lens
compared to:	80-200 HS APO G 200-500 Tamron Min 500mm Reflex
price paid:	Too Much
positive:	Can Hand Hold So Sharp Wide Open Focus Limiter
negative:	Price? Size/Weight? No - you understand all this before you buy it. No negs.
comment:	What a wonderful lens! There is a learning curve to get the best from it. I have not had it on a tripod yet, and have shot about 3000 handheld images with it - all those that are not usable are my fault, not the lens. I think this is a perfect BIF, Wildlife, Sports lens as it performs with the 1.4X APO TC about as well as without, and still AF's. Very fast AF (using A700 & A100 is quite good as well). I recently bought a 2X APO TC, but have not had a chance to use it yet - will not AF, but I suspect that IQ will be pretty good. I will report back on that. I must say that if you can find one, buy it. You may have to pay dearly for it, but yes, it is absouletly money well spent.