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

Thoppa#2645 date: Aug-21-2007
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7	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:	Tamron 70-210 f3.5-4.5
price paid:	US$110 used
positive:	Sharp
negative:	Slow focus
comment:	Comparing the beercan to the Tamron - the differences are minor : The beercan is lighter, ever-so-slightly sharper, with a tad more contrast, and has a fraction less CA. It is longer (slightly more bag space needed) but then it has a constant aperture and doesn't grow when it zooms. Identical macro, filter size, focusing distance, number of elements etc etc. The Tamron feels very solid but the zoom action on the beercan is a little smoother at the tele end and it doesn't creep when pointed down which I can get the Tamron to do, so the beercan has better build quality. I can't tell colours apart. Neither are digitally optimised so sunsets can produce a ghost reflection from the sensor going back into the lens - and this is a major flaw to me. Unfortunately neither are a 'travel light' lens or an outstanding performer (optics are good overall but focus speed is just too slow). But they are a good compromise if your budget can't stretch to both an f2.8 and a travel lens. Personally the focus speed and ghosting are a problem to me so I'm going to trade them in for the travel lens and wait for the Tamron and Sigma f2.8's.