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

LKB#9470 date: Oct-5-2011
sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 4.2	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:	Minolta 50/1.7 Zeiss 135/1.8
price paid:	110 GBP (used)
positive:	Bokeh constant F4
negative:	sharp from ~F7.1 purple fringing until ~F7.1
comment:	This was my second lenses and I do like them a lot. On my APS-C (A55) I prefer them for nature/animals/sports shoots. I like its weigh and size, as its allows me to hold camera (hand on camera& hand on lenses) firmly. Bokeh with those lenses is amazing (I really dislike Minolta 50/1.7 one). I have a few shots, which are unique due to that. I use primes in lower light conditions, but for fair weather those lenses do deliver. I had AF problems with object on water (shining background) and in lower light conditions, but apart from that is steady and reasonably fast. I used it for sport photography and with careful focusing I was able to get very good photos. They don't make a good macro lenses but they are not intended to. Flare control is average (they are 20 years old, after all), so use hood!