Minolta AF 70-210mm F4 (beercan) A-mount lens reviews
 FarmerJohn25#5477 date: May-31-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 100-200mm f4.5 |
| price paid: | 120 USD |
| positive: | Great Bokeh Excellent Metal Build Sharp good zoom range Love the colors |
| negative: | May hunt a little in low light really heavy Macro |
| comment: | Both the 100-200mm and the beercan are great lens, I would recommend both to anyone. I love both lens and got it for a good deal and you can too if you look hard enough. Beercan: I paid 300 for 2 beercans, but sold one for 180. -pros: slightly Sharper(not by much), Superior bokeh, love the macro even though it isn't true macro, wider zoom range, F4 -cons: more expensive, and heavier 100-200mm: Paid 80 bucks for a like new copy. -Pros: cheaper; lighter; better for long hikes; Sharp; I think this lens produces better colors then the beercan, but that could be b/c I got a good copy. -cons: would like more range. Thats about it, not many negatives. If cost is an issue, go for the 100-200, you will not be sorry, but if you have money get the beercans, you will not regret it. |
; 10MP| dsoulsticec#5417 date: May-21-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 100mm Macro F2.8 Minolta 28-135mm F4.0-4.5 XX's Crossed Minolta 135mm F2.8 Minolta 50mm F1.7 Minolta 100-200mm F4.5 Minolta 35-105mm F3.5-4.5 Minolta 28-85mm F3.5-4.5 Minolta 35-70mm F4.0 Sigma 35-135mm 3.5-4.5 Minolta 100-300mm APO F4.5-5.6 Sony 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | 250 USD (used) |
| positive: | missing |
| negative: | missing |
| comment: | missing |
| harbinger#5413 date: May-20-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 18-70 kit lens |
| price paid: | $238 (used) |
| positive: | - Amazing Bokeh - Built for defending yourself - Internal telephoto extension - Macro |
| negative: | - Slow focusing on low light |
| comment: | Great piece of glass for the price I paid for. I cannot afford any G lenses and this is as close as I can get to a G. Bokeh for portraiture at full telephoto is just amazing. Set the A200 sharpness at +1 and beercan at F5 and viola! Sharp subject with strong details and blurred background. What more can you ask? 3D effect can be achieved by setting beercan to around F8, but you have to step back a little. This little gem will never be sold. It will stay with me until the end of its life. My next lens would be the 50mm 1.8, that will be the last one for my arsenal. My dream lens would be the Minolta 100 F2... I'm still wishing and hoping and praying for one! |
| chrishurley#5397 date: May-17-2009 | |
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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 used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 70-300g, Tamron 18-250mm, Tamron 28-200mm, Tamron 28-300mm |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Inexpensive f4 zoom |
| negative: | Slow and heavy |
| comment: | This lens has a legendary reputation, and I'm not sure that it is entirely deserved. The main thing it has going for it is "what you get for the price." For about 200USD, you get great build quality, great color and bokeh, fixed aperture, non-extending zoom, It is painfully slow to focus, even on the A700. It is most certainly an outdoor lens and it isn't blisteringly sharp. But I think you might be hard pressed to find a current lens that delivered better results for twice the money. That's what is special about this lens. |
| Derek#5395 date: May-16-2009 | |
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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 own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 75-300 New |
| price paid: | Ł150(used) |
| positive: | Sharpness Colour Bokeh Build |
| negative: | Value for money |
| comment: | Top quality lens but overpriced. The 75-300 New equals this lens in almost every respect between 75 and 210 except the sharpness at maximum aperture and the beercan controls flare a little better. Nevertheless a quality lens if you dont mind the price tag. |
| Botbijltje#5364 date: May-9-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 18-200 Minolta 28-85 Minolta 50mm 1.7 Minolta 24-50 |
| price paid: | 75 EURO |
| positive: | Color Sharpnes Bokeh Build strong |
| negative: | None |
| comment: | This lens is 2 hold on for, i would not sell this lens. Also i bought it for a very nice price :-)Very good lens strong build , i like a heavy lens. When i look at the sigma's they are much lighter in weight. I hope that i will make much more good pictures in the future with this "Beercan" |
| Milan33m#5354 date: May-7-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | MAF 100/2,8 Macro, MAF 28-105/3,5-5,6, MAF 100-300/4,5-5,6 MAF 50/1,7 |
| price paid: | 110 EUR (used) |
| positive: | Very good sharpness, even on a big distance, takes goods macro pictues from a larger distance (1:4), very nice colours, very good bokeh! |
| negative: | A bit too heavy, not very good flare controls, makes sometime light blicks, a bit slowly AF, sometimes have problem with red flowers -colours are flooding each side, sometimes hounting too much |
| comment: | Great lens! takes great pictures, worth its price, great for taking picutes from long distance, abit better for evening low light photography than other zooms MAF's due to stable 4 aperture, ready to take great evening and day pictures. very nice colours, very good bokeh! Even now after more than 20-years of production end, I think it is much better than most manufactured now (plastic ones), a must experience for all Minolta and Sony Alpha users, not to miss that! |
| Heyckendorff#5328 date: May-2-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta - AF 75-300 F4.5-5.6 (Big Beercan) |
| price paid: | 200 Euro |
| positive: | Razor sharp Very good build quality Superb Bokeh Vivid colours |
| negative: | Heavy On my Dynax 7D, AF is to slow in many situations ....better on my Dynax 7 |
| comment: | This is my number one lens for portraits. Every time I use it i´m amazed about the crisp sharpness and the creamy bokeh this fine piece of glass produce. The colours is of course as vivid as you expect from original Minolta glass. I haven´t tried any G lenses, but when I look at 100% crops from the Beercan, it´s hard for me to imagine anything that could be sharper. |
| Mr_Canuck#5322 date: May-1-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Min 200/2.8 Min 135/2.8 Sony 16-105 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | That smooth Minolta look. Constant f4. Colour. 55mm filter size. Widely available. |
| negative: | Flare control. Weight. Slow focus. |
| comment: | Ah, the beercan. You can't go wrong with the smooth and natural 'Minolta' look of its images. The constant f4 is great and a nice affordable alternative to big and expense 2.8 zooms; this includes the advantage of a cheaper 55mm filter ring. I've had two, and many of the shots with my beercan compared to the 200/f2.8 and 135/f2.8, particularly out shooting flowers and such. But the beercan lags when you get into higher contrast settings and exposure to harsh lighting and flare. But it's cheaper by miles. I just wasn't using mine because of the other lenses I have. It's a lens formula that would be a winner if Sony updated it with new coatings and faster focussing. Everyone should try one out at least once, and they're easy to find. |
| herr_woelfchen#5303 date: Apr-28-2009 | |
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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 own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 28/2, Minolta 50/1,7 Minolta 18-70/3.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | 140 € |
| positive: | f4 through price |
| negative: | heavy |
| comment: | I like this lens very much and I think its a must have for beginners. Its quite cheap and you get a lot for your money: The Bokeh is nice and it is a lot of fun working with this lens. Even though its an AF lens I use it in MF all the time as AF is hunting sometimes and not that precise @ f4. So if you dont have a tele zoom lens get this one, its worth it. The size and wheight is a drawback for me. Its quite hard to hold the camera with this lens attached for longer. Sharpness rating 4 as it is quite soft @4. But its perfect on 5.6 and f4 of course is still very usable. |
| joel22484#5269 date: Apr-21-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 18-70 Kit Minolta 70-210 4.5-5.6 Minolta 50 1.7 Minolta 75-300 (BBC and non-BBC) Minolta 35-70 Sigma 17-70 |
| price paid: | $150 USD mint |
| positive: | Nice range Easy to find Good bokeh Sharp Constant aperture Build |
| negative: | Heavy Old Rubber grip is prone to the white 'stuff' |
| comment: | This is a very nice lens that is pretty easy to find. The prices seem to keep going up (staying around $200 now), but you can find a good deal every now and then. This lens is very hyped up, especially on this site, so I think I am biased towards it a little bit. I have the 70-210 4.5-5.6 lens as well and aside from the slower aperture, I'm not sure which one I would like more. The other one is much lighter and smaller (when not zoomed out), but the beercan is....well it's the beercan! It has great sharpness, great bokeh, and good range. It is also built really good, so I feel confident mine will last as long as I stay with the a-mount system. |
| berlin steve#5202 date: Apr-9-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta Beercan AF 70-210 1:4 Minolta AF 35-70 1:4 Minota AF 50 1:1.7 Sony (Kit) AF DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | eur 100.17 ebay |
| positive: | nice, nice, nice =o) |
| negative: | Big and heavy |
| comment: | If it hadn't had been for the forum, I'd still have been happily using my Sony 18-70 kit lens unaware of other much better lenses that I now own. I may have also bought some lemons had I not taken the reviewers' advice first. My wife can also blame all you reviewers for talking me into spending the housekeeping on all these older Minolta lenses... What I like about this lens is the the Bokeh, the range, the build quality and the general picture quality. Without wanting to sound naff, you can really take some nice pictures with this. Of course all the Canon/Nikon owners are going to make fun of you with this antique drainpipe wrapped around your neck. However you can sleep happy with the knowledge that you stiff neck and back you are going to get will keep the orthopedics in business despite a world recession, as well as netting you some really nice photos. There is nothing that I can say that hasn't been said already by one of the real experts in the forum. If you can live with the weight and size of this lens, you will love it from day one. As far as optics go, I can't fault it. And if you don't like it, you'll probably be able to get your money back by selling it again on Ebay without a problem. It is great as a zoom, and also makes a great portrait and macro lens. If it wasn't for those other users who convinced me in their reviews that I should also get a 50mm 1:1.7, I would even say you don't need another lens for portrait if you have this. However the great Bokeh achievable with the Beercan is blown away by the portrait Bokeh of the 50mm. However if I had to decide to part with one or the other, the beercan is too versatile to lose, and the slightly pricier prime would be the one to go. Basically, it gives great macro and great telephoto with creamy Bokeh without much effort. As portrait it is also good, but the 50mm 1:1.7 has the edge on that by a long shot. Tip... if you can pick one up for a fair price, you'll be happy as Larry for what you get. I love this lens despite its dated looks, size and weight... but with this lens beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, as well as in his (or her) viewfinder. Finally, a huge thanks to all who contributed to the lens reviews. I bought all my Minolta lenses as a result of the advice and tips picked up by reading this great web site. Having found another 2 Sony Alpha users at my workplace, they are now also avidly scanning such reviews to upgrade their kit. |
| Happy Hour#5197 date: Apr-9-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | 70-200 F2.8 APO G 70-210 F3.5-4.5 80-200 F4.5-5.6 Sigma 70-300 F 4-5.6 |
| price paid: | can't remember |
| positive: | Sharpness Color Bokeh built like a tank |
| negative: | bit of flare in direct light |
| comment: | great lens! It was a lens i used daily until it was stolen. |
| DeX#5074 date: Mar-22-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | sony 75-300mm minolta 135mm F2.8 |
| price paid: | 110 € |
| positive: | - superb bokeh - sharp - heavy metal - F4 all the way - did I mention bokeh? - price |
| negative: | - really heavy metal - slooow AF - purple fringing |
| comment: | This is one superb lens. Built like a Panzer but also moves like one. The photos have really dreamy bokeh making this lens perfect for candid portraits, sports or even concerts considering that digital cameras have better and better ISO performance. Image quality: - bokeh is simply indescribable. The photos look very natural. - colors are just amazing, minolta classic. - the lens is sharp... very sharp. Wide open it will give you excellent results until 200mm where it gets a tad softer. It has better results than the 75-300 at every focal and marginally worse than the 135mm. - puprple fringing and longitudinal CA's are visible so I hope you either have a good RAW converter or a lot of patience. Handling and build: - it's all metal, which means it's build like a tank but it's also heavy and very slow to focus. Even the almighty Dynax 7 has some trouble spinning the beast sometimes. - it's F4... this means just 1 stop from F2.8, so it's a fast lens in my book, very usable in concerts with the A700 + SSS + ISO 1600 - 3200. - Internal zoom - big yay but it has front element focus... so it rotates when you focus... which is not particularly pleasant (especially when using polarizers ) All in all a pleasant lens to use if your job doesn't depend on it. It's miles away from the built quality of a canon 70-200 F2.8 L or the image quality of the sony equivalent but for about 200$ (10x less) you sure do get your bang for the buck. A must-have. |
| vangio#5023 date: Mar-12-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | AF 17-35mm 2,8-4 (D) AF 24mm 2,8 AF 28-75mm 2,8 (D) AF 28-85mm 3,5-4,5 AF 28-135mm 4-4,5 AF 35-105mm 3,5-4,5 AF 50mm 1,7 AF 70-210mm 4 AF 75-300mm 4,5-5,6 1st Tamron AF 11-18 4,5-5,6 Beroflex 400mm 6,3 1st |
| price paid: | 130 € (used) |
| positive: | sharp f4 size build price |
| negative: | weight (not really) |
| comment: | Not much to say... very good lens, one of my favourites. Smooooth zoom-ring. In my opinion this is the 3rd „must have“ lens (1st =17-35mm 2,8-4; 2nd =28-75 2,8D) |
| mewe#4954 date: Mar-3-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony AF DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | *Sharp *Smooth zooming |
| negative: | *Heavy *Slow AF |
| comment: | I've had this lens for a long time now, and it's still working perfect. Since the lens seems to be sold fairly cheep, it's definitely worth gettinge one. |
| cruiser#4935 date: Feb-28-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 70-210 F2.8 APO Minolta AF 100-300 F4.5-5.6 D APO Minolta 75-300 F4.5-5.6 New |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | sharp even wide open, colors |
| negative: | weight and size |
| comment: | Great lens. Very good even wide open. Sharp and good colors. It is build like a tank. And it is hard to beat. I tried three other lenses before I found a more compact but equally good lens. It beats the Sigma 70-210, 1:2.8 (older version) by far in every aspect and is better than the Minolta 75-300 concerning sharpness and flare. I didn't like the size and weight, so I was looking for a more compact lens to replace it. But I wanted at least the same level of sharpness and the Minolta colors. So I bought the Minolta 100-300 APO D and I'm settled now. Sold my beercan recently. |
| pegelli#4914 date: Feb-26-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 28-200 Minolta 80-200/2.8 HS Sony 18-250 |
| price paid: | 180 USD (I think) |
| positive: | sharp as of f 5.6 mfd 1.1 meter ~1:4 close focus Build like a tank |
| negative: | soft at f4, especially at long end Heavy CA, especially wide open |
| comment: | Got a nice copy from a fellow dyxum member about a year ago Very happy with it, allthough hesitatnt to use it wide open. Much lighter than 80-200HS and in print not distinguishable IQ as of f5.6. Pixel peeping you can spot the difference. Can have heavy CA with high contrast, mostly recoverable with PTlens I found (but not all) Will keep it for cases I want to travel light and or need the closer focus. A real classic at low cost |
| Kayzer#4868 date: Feb-17-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | M-200G, among many other.. |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Get one and make up your own mind. |
| negative: | too cheap.. |
| comment: | I might have a good copy of this lens, but she has surprised me more than once. The sharpness is on top score and the OOF is to cry fore. The colour is outstanding. I for sure not gone buy the SAL70200G, but I have bought the SAL70400G which seems to have some of the same qualities. If you don’t have to have a white leans in this range and you are shooting with A-900, get a good copy of the beercan and you will love this leans forever. |
| The mighty terrier#4861 date: Feb-13-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | Ł149 |
| positive: | Build Sharp Colours Bokeh quick AF Smooth action |
| negative: | None |
| comment: | If you can get a nice copy of this lens you won't be disappointed. I picked up a boxed mint one from LCE Manchester with a 6mth warranty, a bargain compared to ebay stuff. The feel of this lens is outstanding, the focus and zoom are like silk and the image quality, even wide open is excellent, nice bokeh as well. Yes i'm sure that there is 'sharper' glass out there but at a far sharper price, for quality per pound you can't beat it. Only given it a 4 for flare as i've not had chance to try it in sunny conditions yet. A very worthwhile investment that won't be leaving my collection anytime soon. Get one quick, they don't make 'em anymore!!! |
| DonSergio#4847 date: Feb-12-2009 | |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | - 100-300 APO - 70-300G - 70-200G - and primes 85, 100, 135, 200 |
| price paid: | 150 USD (used) |
| positive: | + Image quality at 70-150mm + bokeh for zoom very good + colors + feeling lens in hand and on camera |
| negative: | - Slow AF - A lot of CA - rotates front lens - narrow focusing ring - extends on focusing |
| comment: | Must have lens in cheap lineup for portraits work and as walkaround lens. Produces very good images, colors and bokeh are very good. Sharpness excelent at wide end even wide open but after 150-170 this lens soft wide open. Slow focus on a100 and some faster on a700. Produces a lot of CA wide open but stoping down solves this. |
| sjinouck#4814 date: Feb-5-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | minolta 100-300 Tamron 28-200 Sigma 28-200 |
| price paid: | 145 EUR |
| positive: | solid sharp nice colors bokeh |
| negative: | too popular too expensive nowadays only available used it's becoming a hype slow focus |
| comment: | Finally, i got one... The beercan is becoming a true cult-lens, and for that, prices are rising, and rising...and rising!! Flawless beercans are much too expensive (in my opinion, as it is still very old ), for it's age..Bought mine for 145 EUR, it had sticky aperture-blades, zo i brought it away for a thourough cleaning.. It's worth it, because i'm gonna keep it forever.... Very, very heavy build, a nice must-have lens, sharpness is very good, when stopped down to F/8, but i do this with almost all of my sony/minolta lenses..I feel sorry, that a lot of salesmen are now buying almost all beercans away from e-bay or marktplaats, and after a few weeks they sell it again for a lot more... |
| mattsonylover#4774 date: Jan-31-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | sigma 18-125 sony 18-70 |
| price paid: | 80Ł |
| positive: | solid as rock sharp if stepped down to f8 |
| negative: | slow focus in low light no focus limiter |
| comment: | great sharpness if stepped down to f8 in the 210mm and f 5.6 in the 70mm. I think it's worth each penny paid for it I bought this lens 3 weeks ago and after many test shots I decided to keep it. if you can afford it with cheap price, give it a try, you wont regret it |
| zoidberg#4695 date: Jan-16-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony/Minolta 75-300 Tamron 55-200 |
| price paid: | 90 EUR (used) |
| positive: | Sharpness Bokeh Build quality Colors Constant f/4 MFD |
| negative: | CAs wide open Flare |
| comment: | One of the most lovable lenses you can own. This lens has been raved about everywhere, and it's almost pointless to add more to that. But one thing is certain: if you get hold of one, never let go of it. It has two downsides though: 1. Chromatic aberrations are quite pronounced wide open. To make things worse, they are blurred in character, making them hard to completely eliminate in PP. However, stopping down to f/8 almost completely eliminates the problem (and if it should be noticeable in a scene, it is very easily removed afterwards). 2. Like all lenses with many elements and old coatings, it is prone to flare - but mostly when the sun is in the frame. In normal shooting conditions, it isn't a problem. |
| Ome_Joop#4667 date: Jan-10-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Vivitar 70-210 F4.5-5.6 Minolta 75-300 F4.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | 135Euro |
| positive: | Sharp Colors Constant F4 |
| negative: | Bought it to late |
| comment: | Mine has a loose front end (i can't fix it as my screwdrivers are to big for this tiny work). Still it performs making very nice warm shots! Altough i don't use it at the moment because i'm to scared the screws inside drop out locking the lens (fortunatly i'm the lucky owner of a Big Beercan too)! Mine didn't have a lenshood (i'm using my Big Beercan lenshood (wich is the same?) and use an 70-210 F4.5-5.6 for that one....lenshood database anyone?). Wish i had bought one much earlier (and new!)! |
| wesleysa#4662 date: Jan-9-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 18-70 kit |
| price paid: | 240 USD (used) |
| positive: | Range Build Sharp |
| negative: | Weight Narrow focus ring |
| comment: | this lens is alot of fun! I use it for many things: portraits, flowers, insects, birds and landscapes. Got mine for $240, maybe I paid too much but I'm still happy with it. It will be in my bag for the forseeable future until I can afford faster or G spec glass. UPDATE: I'm still in love with this lens! took it to the beach yesterday morning to shoot horses in the waves, the detail it captured is incredible. |
| cjlethal#4644 date: Jan-8-2009 | |
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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 own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | 150 |
| positive: | excellent sharpness good bokeh |
| negative: | fairly heavy |
| comment: | missing |
| Kurd Jam#4607 date: Jan-1-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 3 flare control: 3 overall: 4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | -Kit zoom 75-300 -Sony 70-200G -Sony 500 F/8 |
| price paid: | 0 € |
| positive: | -Amazing Build, even more amazing simple design. -Color Rendition. -Price! -Peter Ganzel's guide will guide you through solving most of the problems you could find with this lens. |
| negative: | -Flare Control. -AF Speed. -Chromatic Aberration. -Rising Prices. |
| comment: | I was given this lens for free, and I had the chance to try it, dismantle, fix and try it again before selling it for 270 euros (w00t!). The quality of the build is out of the question seeing as how this lens seems to resist the past of time pretty well. It does feel solid in your hand, and not too heavy on the camera. My sample had a bit stiff focusing ring at first, as well as some AF problems. However, there are several resources online where one can find a DIY solution for the more recurrent issues. The best point in favor of this lens, price aside, is the color rendition. The tones tend towards the warmer end of the spectrum and that shows on the pictures, of course. They have what's often defined as the "minolta color" in them, which is a nice balance between color, contrast and tone. The problems of this lens come from the obvious. The lens' coatings of the sample I tried seemed to do extremely poorly when trying to fight CA and flare; with or without the hood on, stopped down or not. I guess 23 years weight a bit on a lens. That being said, the lens offers a lot for the price you may pay for it. I wouldn't call it "perfect" by any means, but if you look for a budget friendly zoom you may want to consider this one. |
| Petronix#4548 date: Dec-14-2008 | |
|---|---|
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 70-210mm 4.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | 70€ 2hands |
| positive: | well known lens.. built massive |
| negative: | sunhood system not so good to stay on the lens... |
| comment: | Like the other reviews! A+++++ you find them on ten internet....ebay etc.....for a nice price Good results on the circuits (cars) Not so fast AF, but good for me! |
| perslucht#4529 date: Dec-11-2008 | |
|---|---|
sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 75-200mm f2.8-3.5 Sony DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | € 115 |
| positive: | missing |
| negative: | missing |
| comment: | I think it's very clear how this lens performs, I do not have to repeat what everyone is telling here. I bought this lens a while ago for € 110 (incl. filter). The lens hood was missing, but I went to a shop I didn't know yet just to take a look around. All their Minolta stuff was sold, except a Beercan lens hood! So I bought it immediately for just € 5! I really recommend this lens to everyone! But I'm amazed about the prices people are paying. I think € 170 is too high for a lens from the 80's! Compared to the Sigma 75-200 f2.8-3.5 the Beercan is the absolute winner! The sharpness and the contrast are a lot better. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 396
- sharpness: 4.49
- color: 4.78
- build: 4.84
- distortion: 4.56
- flare control: 3.98
- overall: 4.53
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