Minolta AF 70-210mm F4 (beercan) A-mount lens review by hrstrat57

hrstrat57#9012 date: May-12-2011
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6	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:	35-105 35-105N 28-85 24-105D 100-200
price paid:	165 USD
positive:	F4 I have wanted one of these beasts since they came out in the mid 80's but settled for the 100-200 at that time due to cash considerations. Recently I was lucky enough to come across a mint nearly unused copy and I jumped. It is everything I hoped for - fabulous bokeh and Minolta colors and has that feel of fine machinery that I love about the lenses of this era.
negative:	A bit of flare can be an issue but hey it is almost 30 yr old technology. You gotta use the hood, make sure yours comes with it!
comment:	I think every Alpha shooter should experience a good copy of the beercan! I was lucky enough to get a very good copy in great condition. I have been told there are some dogs in the beercan pack, some copies get very fuzzy as they approach 210 at F4. Mine is sharp, sharp, sharp all the way through the range!