Minolta AF 28mm F2.8 A-mount lens reviews
 Tank#1617 date: Jan-6-2007 | |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50mm 1.7, Kit 18-70mm |
| price paid: | 80 USD (used) |
| positive: | Cheap, fast, good build, light |
| negative: | Not as sharp as my 50mm 1.7. Could be faster. Soft, needs to be stepped down to about f5-6 for crisp images. |
| comment: | I was kind of disappointed by the results I've gotten with this lens. The images are clear in good light but kind of grainy in low light. My 50/1.7 is far superior in low light at f2.8 with the same shutter speed and ISO. I did some informal and subjective testing between my lenses and got similar results with the 28/2.8 and kit lens in good indoor lighting. Outdoor daytime shots were sharper than the kit lens when stepped down a bit. Overall, not a bad bargain but I'm currently hunting for a 28mm f2. |
; 12MP| Innox#1596 date: Jan-1-2007 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta AF DT 18-70 Tokina 20-35 3.5-4.5 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Small, great build, like all Original Minolta. Pretty Sharp. Integrated round hood. CHEAP!! |
| negative: | Integrated round hood. |
| comment: | Sharp, small, fast and cheap prime, a very good choice for the focal range if you can't afford, or can't find, a 28/2. Build is great, like all Minoltas from that time (80's). The integrated hood isn't of very much use, it's very small, I tried it with the 70-210/4-hood and it gave no apparent vignetting (On APS-C). The good thing is you always have the hood with you. A very good lens over all, if you're looking for something 28-ish, TRY IT! |
| mark victor#1565 date: Dec-24-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | 50/ 1.7 |
| price paid: | $68 Brand New |
| positive: | Color is good... as all other old minolta lens. Build quality is good of course. Pirce is very good if not excellent. Focus is fast. |
| negative: | Not as sharp comparing to my 50 / 1.7 prime. But for the price I paid, I don't think I should complain. |
| comment: | More useful on full frame. But it makes an economical choice for those who cannot effort a fast wide angle zoom lens such as 28-75mm/2.8. Price/Utility- wise, this lens carries a lot of value. |
| CKsam#1563 date: Dec-22-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50mm f1.7 |
| price paid: | Part of a bundle |
| positive: | Lovely colours Good sharpness if not wide open |
| negative: | It isn't super sharp wide open. |
| comment: | This a good lens if you can get it fairly cheap. It has to be said that I found the sharpness evr so slightly disappointing wide open compared to the 50mm f1.7, but it is certainly acceptable and the richness of the colours make up for it. Once stopped down a bit it is very sharp. I have taken plenty of stunning photos with this lens even wide-open. Highly recommended, but don't expect extreme resolution at f2.8! |
| Turerkan#1540 date: Dec-14-2006 | |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 overall: 3.9 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | 28/2 18-70 kit 50/1.7 50/3.5 macro and many others.. |
| price paid: | 90 USD |
| positive: | * this is the true normal for APS-C (1.5x cropped sensors) * old minolta colors feel and build * reasonably sharp stopped down * small, lightweight * damn cheap * normal view angle is very good for street photography.. pretend you are henri cartier bresson! |
| negative: | * after using it, i realise that a normal prime should be faster than F2.8 * Altough very usable at F2.8, sharpness does not justify choosing this one over a F2.8 walk around zoom, But this one is much cheaper.. |
| comment: | it is most certainly a step up from the kit lens. It makes a great and über cheap line up together with 50/1.7, keep the kit for wides and bang, you got a nice line up for nothing.. 28/2.8 is very good for that price, dont miss it if you already dont own the 28/2.. however, note that it's not sharp enough, and stopping down even leaves some space for improvement. |
| samuel_k#1434 date: Nov-17-2006 | |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 18-50/2.8 Minolta 18-70/3.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | €60 |
| positive: | Light Dirt cheap Build quality Snappy AF |
| negative: | Not very sharp for a prime Slight CA and barrel distortion Flimsy lens hood |
| comment: | Bought this for next to nothing on eBay as a light, compact walkaround lens. Considering it's a prime, the optical performance is nothing to write home about. More like a better f/2.8 zoom actually. Since I'd expect a prime to be sharper, I'm only rating it as 3.5 - but compared to a zoom it's not bad at all. The lens features the same kind of pull-out lens hood as the 50/1.7, and although the idea of a built-in hood is quite clever it hardly offers any flare protection at all. But even though it's not a top performer, this still is a great lens. Light and very compact, yet well-built, and the AF is FAST. And at a very low price, too! Because of the compactness and snappy AF, I currently use it for close-range action photography. But quite frankly, it spends most of its time in my camera bag. |
| trondeh#1344 date: Oct-23-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | 50/1.4, 28-75/2.8, 35/2 |
| price paid: | $80 |
| positive: | Light Sharp stepped down a bit OK colors and contrast Nice focal length on 1.5 crop Inexpensive |
| negative: | Not better in any way than my 28-75/2.8. |
| comment: | This is a OK lens if you need a light and small lens. Unfortunately, I did not find its qualities as a prime worth the limitation a prime gives. I get better results with my 28-75/2.8 lens. Compared to really good primes, such as my 35/2, 50/1.4 and 100/2, the 28/2.8 is in a totally different league. |
| stefanDynax#1300 date: Oct-11-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 3.9 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Konica Minolta 28/75 2.8 |
| price paid: | 100 |
| positive: | Construction, AF, Sharpness, Ligth, compact |
| negative: | Little flare |
| comment: | Good lens,Good construction metal, very usable viewfinder on the lens for distance ad depth of view. Good colors. Sorry for my english!! |
| Animal Mother#1231 date: Sep-26-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | 18-75 kit lens |
| price paid: | $49 AUS (used) |
| positive: | -Cheap -Fast -Good quality |
| negative: | -Terrible flare shield -49mm diameter |
| comment: | Nice lens, just bought it and very impressed so far. Much better than the already excellent kit lens. |
| JulienHG#1217 date: Sep-22-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | - KM 50mm f/1.7 |
| price paid: | 78 Sw Fr (60 USD) |
| positive: | + Sharp + Light + Well built + Fair colour rending |
| negative: | - 28mm is not that wide - Flare control is not perfect |
| comment: | This little lens is pretty nice. The sharpness is pretty good, even at f/2.8. The colour rendering is pretty nice, and it gives a good level of details. At smaller aperture, sharpness is superb. The only negative point I would see is that 28mm is not that useful for my taste. It's not that wide actually. On 5D, the crop factor makes it a 42mm, which limits it mostly to some portraits. Finaly, I've also been disapointed by some flares in the pics, which is quite disturbing and difficult to avoid some times. Anyway, for the price I've paid, I'm very happy. It's a good lens to make group portraits. |
| mudslinger#1170 date: Sep-5-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.2 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | KM 50/1.4 KM 50/1.7 |
| price paid: | $65 (used) |
| positive: | - Sharp from center to edge at F3.5+ - Good color |
| negative: | - Slightly soft wide open - Minor distortion |
| comment: | If you get a chance to try this lens...DO IT! This prime produces some outstanding pictures. I mostly use this lens indoors for group shots using F3.5-F8, ISO 200-400. It's very rare that I have the need to use this lens wide open. I've compared this lens to the KM 50/1.4 and 50/1.7. From F3.5+, the lenses are very close if not equal in sharpness. Color is great on all three of these lenses. I absolutely LOVE this lens for group wedding photography! As long as I have my 5D, I'll have this lens...highly recommended. I gave this lens a sharpness rating of 4.5, as word has it that the 28mm/2 is sharper wide open. For my personal needs, sharpness is a 5. Update: I have noticed some problems with flare so I'm reducing the flare control rating from 5 to 4. I'm also reducing the sharpness rating, as my KM 28-75/2.8 zoom gives me comparable results at 28mm. |
| dekie#1091 date: Aug-15-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 overall: 4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 18-70, 24-85 |
| price paid: | 85€ |
| positive: | Cheap, compact. |
| negative: | Lens hood. Distortion, ca and sharpnes could be better wide open for a prime lens. |
| comment: | Good stopped down 1 stop and very good stopped down 2 stops. Marginally better than both zooms at 28mm. Very usable as a standard lens. |
| kusa#1014 date: Jul-12-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.2 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | - Minolta 18-70/3.5-5.6 - Minolta 24-50/4 - Minolta 50/1.7 RS |
| price paid: | 65 EUR (used) |
| positive: | - light - good AF speed - affordable - metal build |
| negative: | - a bit soft (but usable) at 2.8 - like all "old" Minolta lenses, focus ring is a bit small |
| comment: | I'm very happy with this lens as it makes a good, non-expensive standard lens for a digital body. With its brother the 50/1.7 I have all I want for indoor portraits and group shots. Of course the 28/2 must be better (especially at lower apertures) but it is also much more expensive (I got my 28/2.8 for 65 euros, the 28/2 is more like 250-300 euros nowadays). I you want a standard for your digital body and can't afford the 28/2 or 35/2 this lens is a very good choice IMHO. |
| gustavjensen#918 date: Jun-16-2006 | |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 overall: 3.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma - 70-300 4-5.6 DG Macro Minolta - AF 50 / 1.7 Minolta - AF DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6 D |
| price paid: | 80 Euro |
| positive: | Cheap Good Build Fairly sharp Nice bokeh, contrast |
| negative: | missing |
| comment: | It is not as good as 50mm/1.7, but better than the 18-70mm. The sharpness/contrast is ok, and it feels as good quality. It seems to be ok sharp even at 2.8 It is an ok walk around lense, good for indoor use because of the normal (slightly wide) angle. But the 2.8 may not be enough for low light shootings I paid around 80 euro for it (used). I have tested the lens on Dynax/Maxxum 5D |
| lagaffe#615 date: Mar-22-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 2 flare control: 4 overall: 3.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta AF 50mm f1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | - Very small and light. - Quite fast (f2.8). - DOF scale is present. - Nice "normal" lens, when used on a 5D/7D. |
| negative: | - Lots of distortion! - Not that sharp, even when stopped down. |
| comment: | I do not know if my specific lens is wrong but it seems to show an awful lot of barrel distortion, even close to the image's center. I would certainly not use it for architectural work but it is acceptable for landscapes. |
| slash#609 date: Mar-22-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta AF 50/1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | -Good Results on APS-C -Tack (and i mean TACK) sharp when stopped down to f5.6 -Colors -Small |
| negative: | -Tiny Lens hood -Tiny Focus Ring |
| comment: | A very good lens that delivers sharp results from center to edge. It's a tack sharp lens but it improves from wide open to f4-f5.6, hence only a 4.5 rating for sharpness. It's small and lightweight prime and has a built in lens hood that is barely usable. Filter Size is 49mm which is very common for small and compact primes. In combination with AS it's fast enough for indoor or Available Light shooting but its range of 42mm on a dslr is not optimal because you can't always step back. The Focus ring on the front has a good grip but is too tiny to operate in MF. Picture results are wonderful, wide open it's ok and sharp, but at f5.6 it's a razor sharp lens on a 7d, maybe my sharpest. When stopped down it's almost too sharp for portraits, any detail is visible and i sometimes find myself softening the faces later on with PS. Used for architecture you can cut diamonds with motive edges ;) The 28/2 is usually told as being a bit sharper and i don't doubt it when compared wide open. But stopped down to f5.6 - f8 ranges there should'nt be any observable differences in terms of resolution. At least not on a 6MP-Sensor. The relatively weak reputation of the 28/2.8 refers to its wide open performance. If you do lots of low light shooting there are other lenses to consider in this range. If you find yourself being able to stop down to f4 and slower, this lens will deliver very very sharp results! At least my copy does that on APS-C. This prime is always in my bag, go for it if you are in search for a compact and sharp 28 prime and don't want to spend a fortune (i got mine in mint cond. for 50€). Tested only on a Dynax 7D, i guess FF-Performance could be different, the crop factor helps a lot to improve performance at the edges. |
| ajm80031#577 date: Mar-13-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 28-100mm kit lens, Minolta 50mm f1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Light, fast focusing, small. |
| negative: | Not quite as sharp as it could be. |
| comment: | This was the 'wide' lens for my Minolta film SLRs. On the 7D it's the equivalent of a 42mm lens on a 35mm, a focal length that I haven't found to be particularly useful. As a result I use it far less than I did in my film days. However, compared to the 28-100mm kit lens at the wide end, the 28mm f2.8 is far superior -- sharper, has a wider maximum aperture, and is much smaller. |
| Willscary#485 date: Feb-11-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Maxxum 28mm f/2 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | small, lightweight, excellent build, good AF, sharper than the zooms I previously owned, inexpensive |
| negative: | like the 50mm f/1.7, the lens hood sucks |
| comment: | As I commented in my 55mm f/1.7 review, both of these lenses are superb values. I dislike the built-in lens hood, but flare is better controlled with a 49mm-55mm step-up ring and a 55mm wide angle lens hood. I know that giving it "5"s across the board may be unfair when comparing it to a 28mm f/2, but at the $70 I paid for it, it is not a bargain, it is an absolute STEAL! This lens and the 50mm f/1.7 may be the two best values in photographic lenses from any manufacturer. EDIT 2-25-06: OK, so I downgraded this lens. I have to downgrade it after using the incredible 28mm f/2! I bought the f/2 and it is quite a bit sharper than the f/2.8, so I downgraded the sharpness on this review. The 2.8 is still a steal for what it costs and still beats the zooms I have owned at 28mm, but it is not in the same league as the f/2. |
| damian.bradley#384 date: Jan-5-2006 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | - 50mm f1.7 - 28-80 f3.5-5.6 (I,II,D) |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | - Fast AF - Colours / Contrast - Sharpness - Size - short min focus distance |
| negative: | - flare? |
| comment: | I love the fast AF on this lens. The the short focus throw of the lens means AF screw only has to do 2.25 turns (for reference, the 50mm f1.7 has to do 3.75, and my 70-210 f3.5-4.5 is 5.75). Colours are great, sharpness is also very good even wide open. It's a decent indoor lens, generally too wide for portraits but just wide enough for small group shots. I think someone else mentioned that it is almost identical in size to the 50mm f1.7 so it is easy to get the two mixed up in your camera bag. I haven't had too much problem with flare, but I'm careful about it. Incidentally, It's roughly one million times better than the 28-80 series. I figured with 28mm, 50mm, and my 70-210 my money would be better spent on a 28mm prime than a cheap zoom. Primes all the way! |
| former member#72 date: May-7-2005 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Small & quick, very good image quality |
| negative: | nothing |
| comment: | A cheap and very usable lens with good image quality. I use it as a normal lens (~42mm). Buy one, if you can! |
| ronin#50 date: Feb-14-2005 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 3 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 3.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Cheap second hand price (under 100 euro) |
| negative: | missing |
| comment: | This lens has been called a dog by many people I am yet to be disappointed by it, but I haven’t really used it as much as I should have. Edit 02.06.2009 Never use it. 28mm 2.8 prime just doesn't make any sense with the quality of todays standard 2.8 zooms |
| arny#32 date: Dec-23-2004 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | several 28 mm, but this one wins everytime! |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | everything! but mostly the old vintage feeling and look of this. |
| negative: | nothing |
| comment: | One of my favorite prime lenses. Got it really cheap (40 euro) second hand. It produces great ultra sharp images. It actually got me my first published photo several years ago! On the 7d it works like a 35mm standard lens. Great for shooting BW reportage photos like Henri Cartier Bresson. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 142
- sharpness: 4.24
- color: 4.64
- build: 4.52
- distortion: 4.27
- flare control: 3.85
- overall: 4.31
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