Minolta AF 70-210mm F4 (beercan) A-mount lens review by nathan_68

nathan_68#2411 date: Jun-5-2007
sharpness: 3.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1	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:	Minolta 200/2.8 HS G Minolta 135/2.8
price paid:	125 Euro
positive:	bokeh build like a tank focal range constant f/4
negative:	weight like a tank CA
comment:	This lens has confirmed what has been already said about it. Positive: It has one of the best bokeh I've ever seen. It's really amazing, both with digital camera and film. The lens has been build to last. All metal body, it can be used and abused and still works perfectly. Neutral: AF is not fast, but is not so slow. I knew it, and I'm quite pleased about the performance. Nevertheless, it fails to focus and hunts a little bit more than expected. It's a heavy lens, but ergonomics is good, so it's not a problem for me. Negative: With digital I can see some CA, especially in bright areas. This problem doesn't exist with film. Sharpness is not as good as I would like. At f/4 it's soft, much better at f/5.6, but not as sharp as my tele primes. Overall: A very good deal for the price. Performance is good/very good, considering that it's a lens designed more than 20 years ago. Personally I find that it performs better with film cameras. Digital is unforgiving and it shows all the little flaws of this old wonderful lady.