Minolta AF 100mm F2 A-mount lens reviews
 bonapart5#6724 date: Jan-11-2010 | |
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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: | Minolta 100mm 2.8 macro Minolta 100mm 2.8 soft Minolta 28-135 4-4.5 Minolta Beercan Sony 50mm 1.4. Zeiss 16-80 |
| price paid: | USD 590 |
| positive: | Compact,very sharp wide open,bokeh |
| negative: | none except for slight flare |
| comment: | Another of the classic Minolta lens,great walk around lens which focus quickly in low light,great for rainy day and winter photograpgy. Can be overpriced due to it's rarity but can be purchased below US 600 for mint condition if you search long enough |
; 10MP| Mr_Canuck#6598 date: Dec-17-2009 | |
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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: | 135/2.8 200/2.8 beercan 70-300G 28-135 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Small, sharp, smooth bokeh, fast, sexy. |
| negative: | rare, therefore expensive |
| comment: | This lens rocks. Period. I loved the little 135/2.8 for its stealth and small size. But this ups the ante with sharper, smoother photos in a preferable length for my use. Great for portraits and indoor events. I like that it's smaller than the 85/1.4s. At f2, it provides beautiful bokeh, wonderful colours and minimal CA though it's there. It's the most I've paid for a lens used. If you can get a decent price, it's very worth it for either apsc or full-frame. |
| seevve#5736 date: Jul-20-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | - 85za - 135 STF - 135za - 85G - 100 Macro |
| price paid: | 700$ (used) |
| positive: | + Compact + filter size: 55mm + sharp stopped down |
| negative: | - Very expensive for this IQ - Slow AF - sometimes nervous bokeh - Not sharp wide open - non SSM - extends on focusing - Hard to get |
| comment: | Use this lens in parallel with Zeiis portratit primes (85ZA and 135ZA, STF) I walk some days with this lens only and i can say that it is definitly good, very good but not great lens. It sharp stopped down to F4 only, compact and lightweight. At f2-F2.8 sharpness is goog, but no perfect. Focal length usefull on APS-C and Full Frame. Only some minor issues: not fats AF (but faster than 100 macro with limiter) and comparable with 85za\135za. Bokeh: on my taste it's far from excellent for portrait work. In my taste STF, 135za, 85za and 85G have much better bokeh. 100/2 have only 'good' bokeh comparable may be with 100 macro. Now usual price for this lens is 900$ and i can say that 85 G for ~ same money much better choice IMHO. But if You can get lens for resonable price (i suppose 400-500$ i near MINT condition): get it. |
| terrylloydsmith#5676 date: Jul-9-2009 | |
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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 used to own this lens |
| compared to: | 80-200/2.8 Maxxum APO 100/2.8 Maxxum macro |
| price paid: | $850 USD mint |
| positive: | Super Sharp Build Quality Classic Glass |
| negative: | Price |
| comment: | What can you say? One of the very best. Just a beautiful lens and what a performer! Rare. This is a quality lens that any Minolta/Sony owner should try at least once in your life. |
| 4paperi#5099 date: Mar-26-2009 | |
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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: | Beercan, Minolta Md 100 / 2,5 |
| price paid: | 350 EUR (used) |
| positive: | Very sharp. No distortion. Very compact |
| negative: | None |
| comment: | This lens is the reason why I'll never switch to another brand. 3D effect is spectacular. My copy is almost as new. |
| dekie#5097 date: Mar-26-2009 | |
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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: | 85 1.4, SP 90 2.8 |
| price paid: | 400 € |
| positive: | everything |
| negative: | none |
| comment: | Must be one of the best lenses ever made. |
| petesidewalk#5086 date: Mar-24-2009 | |
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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: | K/M 50 1.7 K/M 50 3.5 Macro K/M 28 2.8 K/M 85 1.4 |
| price paid: | 650 USD |
| positive: | UBERSHARP Light Compact Colors Contrast Bokeh |
| negative: | none |
| comment: | I can easily say this is one of the sharpest lenses I have owned. The bokeh is amazing as is the DOF control. It makes the colors and figures "pop off the page". I took some shots yesterday of a car parked in the lot where I work, under a very cloudy sky with bunk natural light. I took a picture about 20 feet away and loaded the picture to the computer. My collegue remarked that we could blow it up sufficiently to read the SAE stamping on the inside of the cornering lamp. This was done with an A100, ISO 400. I am floored by the performance of this lens. I have a Zeiss 135 now and the 100 still holds its own. I took some shots on my porch on my of some glass decorations. After dialing in the micro adjust, the photos were hard to tell which lens was used, except for the amazing Minolta colors. It's small and light and delivers the goods. |
| Pochmahone#5015 date: Mar-12-2009 | |
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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: | 70-400G SSM 24-70mm CZ 50mm f/1.4 |
| price paid: | 500GBP |
| positive: | Incredibly sharp Light and unobtrusive |
| negative: | None yet |
| comment: | Sharper than the Sony G lenses. Incredible colour. Best lens I own. |
| josj#4978 date: Mar-7-2009 | |
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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: | missing |
| positive: | -excelent sharpness -sharpness wide open -bokeh! -build quality -compact |
| negative: | Minimum focus distance |
| comment: | a great lens to have. it has the WOW thing. it,s a keeper. |
| cruiser#4926 date: Feb-27-2009 | |
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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 100-300 APO D Beercan 70-210 |
| price paid: | ~500 € new |
| positive: | The best lens I have |
| negative: | none |
| comment: | I have bought this in 1993. Actually I exchanged some old Makinas. This is the lens I will never sell! The picture quality is amazing. The bokeh makes this lens perfect for portraits. I always get good results indoor and outdoor. Colors are warm. The build quality is very good. I like lenses with a weight around 500 gr. most. I always use the lens shade so I don't have any issues with flare. I never understood why Minolta stopped producing this lens. Maybe it just missed good competition :-) as you may see it for 85mm portrait lenses. |
| lulkos#4862 date: Feb-13-2009 | |
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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: | MAF 50/1.7 Sony 50/1.4 |
| price paid: | 400 USD |
| positive: | -excelent sharpness -sharpness wide open -bokeh! -build quality |
| negative: | -a bit slow AF |
| comment: | This lens is absolutely brilliant. It has got great sharpness at all apertures ( at 3.5 is razor sharp ). Great for portraits, bokeh is marvelous! Also the coolour is very nice. Build is 'beercan' alike - only glass and metal. AF could be a bit more faster. |
| ilipin#4790 date: Feb-2-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 35-70mm F4 Minolta 28mm F2 Minolta 70-210 F4 Minolta 50mm F1.7 |
| price paid: | 900 USD (used) |
| positive: | Bokeh Sharp from wide open Fast AF Excellent color |
| negative: | Manual focus ring |
| comment: | Excellent portrait lens. Nice bokeh, 3D effect. |
| sarapata1#4398 date: Nov-17-2008 | |
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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: | Minolta 100mm 2.8 Macro Minolta 135mm 2.8 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | excellent sharpness beautiful bokeh build quality relativly compact and 55mm filter thread |
| negative: | occasional flare from strong light sources MFD |
| comment: | true masterpiece :-) whoever engineered this lens within Minolta company was real lens Maker it is just joy to use, for portraits, snapshots, landscapes or candits - all the time delivers stunning results negatives: - I have experienced some flare which occured while shooting during night into some intesivly lit areas (e.g. from a street lamp) - I feel sometimes limited by its MFD, especially for facial portraits, however it is easily overcome by mounting 12mm extension tube (although you loose temporarily infinity focus which you don`t need for portraits anyway) all in all: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ! |
| fute77#4285 date: Oct-25-2008 | |
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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: | 50/1.7 35/2 24/2.8 100-300 APO 70-210/4 beercan |
| price paid: | very cheap |
| positive: | AF impressive great bokeh SHARP |
| negative: | nothing ;) |
| comment: | a must of minolta lens I have been able to test it on an Alpha 900. It was also wonderfull I think I am going to keep it as my precious ;-) Worked as a charm on my A7 & A7r I would have loved to test it on my A7rIII |
| tobyjay#4169 date: Oct-1-2008 | |
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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: | Minolta 85mm f/1.4 G RS Minolta 135mm f/2.8 Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Beercan |
| price paid: | Ł600 in case, hood |
| positive: | A1 sharpness/resolution A1 colour/contrast A1 autofocus accuracy Satisfying build Compact & discrete |
| negative: | Minimum focus distance is a pretty long number |
| comment: | I've had this lens less than 48 hours and already know it is everything it's cracked up to be. Sharper wide open than an 85 G. But still gives the option of a very slightly softer picture (for portraiture) at f/2. It's about as sharp at f/2 as the 85 is at f/2.2, I'd say. Much sharper than the lovely 135 is at f/2.8, but at the expense of bokeh. The out-of-focus is very attractive though, if less abundant than in the 85 and 135. This is subjective, of course, and could be down to minimum focus distances being different, or it could be down to the natural compositions I found for different focal lengths. I haven't ever used a 100mm macro, but compared to the Tamron 90, this is a cigarette paper less sharp at 2.8, in my opinion. The Tamron gives a less artistic rendition in some way. Contrast is sensational under artificial light. Reflective surfaces like glass, water, cellophane wrapping etc look liquid and glossy beyond belief. Colours are vivid Minolta but retain plenty of microcontrast and only the reds begin to look too solid in some (rare) cases. All this can be controlled in camera of course. Autofocus on the A700 is fairly quiet and absolutely instant, as rapid as a 35 f/1.4 and very much quieter and faster than when shifting the 85mm glass. Much more accurate than either in achieving lock too. It gives the most accurate autofocus of any tele lens I've tried - down to good build or just down to accurate contrast transmision? It's the same size and weight (near-as-dammit) as a 35 f/1.4G so they can swap case, filters, caps, screw-in hood, and take up the same spot in a bag - they make a great duo. It's very discrete next to a beercan or shrieking macro but not quite as inconspicuous as a 135/2.8. Either way it packs a punch for its size and is very nicely built indeed. Conclusion: I miss the creative possibilities of the 85 and 135 I once had, but this is a nice focal length for me and its sharpness, speed, focus accuracy and image character all conspire to seal the deal. |
| ricardovaste#4008 date: Aug-26-2008 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | 100/2.8 macro, 105 macro, 70-210/4, 24-105, |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | +Relatively small & compact +Fast max aperture +Good amount of "reach" +Good build quality +Great "minolta" optical qualities +Its a sharp lens |
| negative: | -Small/bad MF ring -MFD isn't great, though not awful -Didn't offer me anything over the macro -It's generally expensive to buy and also very hard to find |
| comment: | My assessment on this lens was done only over a few days as I intended to sell it, but I hope my thoughts are helpful non the less. It's bokeh, while is very good, it isn't anything over the Macro lens, even though it has 9 rounded blades (my original macro lens does not). I posted some sample photos and no1 could really tell the difference. At max aperture, yeah, it blurs a bit more but it the quality of the bokeh does not change. Its focusing speed is good. But, you must make sure you're cameras AF is up to it (no BF/FF issues) otherwise its not going to be worth using it in AF really. It did offer a more oompact, lighter and faster package over my 100/2.8 macro. But did I need that? No. The macro is far more versitile for my use. The sharpness between the two lenses? Couldn't really tell, if you can, you're probably standing too close to the print or you've got your nose up against the screen. I though the macro had the edge at 2.8, but i could be wrong. I think the 100/2 has better CA control, marginally. But, if you're not intersted in macro and want a fast tele, i would definately say this is THE lens to get. Its small and discrete, unlike the 135/1.8, 200/2.8, 80-200/2.8, 70-200/2.8. A very handy lens to have at your disposal in that regard. |
| madtownkeith#3969 date: Aug-14-2008 | |
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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: | CZ16-80, Tamron 17-50, 85mm 1.4, 80-200 HS G, Beercan, 50mm 1.7 |
| price paid: | 675 USD |
| positive: | Very sharp, wide open Great color Bokeh is top notch Solid build, but not too big/heavy |
| negative: | None so far |
| comment: | Simply the best lens I've owned to date. A joy to use, and the results are fantastic. Hopefully, Sony will bring this one back into production. If you can find one, get it. |
| planeshooter72#3968 date: Aug-14-2008 | |
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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 100mm 2.8 (D) Any Minolta/Sony G lens! Any Zeiss lens! |
| price paid: | 675 USD |
| positive: | Sick colors, and bokeh with unparalleled sharpness! |
| negative: | None that come to mind! Perfect lens in my opinion! |
| comment: | This lens is unbelievably good. It makes any picture stand out! The bokeh - is amazing! Tack sharp! This beauty is very rare, and only appears about once or twice a year on Ebay. This year, so far, there were 4. I got one at a steal. Average price nears $1000.00 USD If any lens is worth that much - this one is! |
| zdenek.falar#3604 date: May-16-2008 | |
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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: | CZ Planar T* 1,4/85mm Σ 2,8/90mm Macro CZ Sonnar T* 1,8/135mm Σ 2,8/70mm-210mm |
| price paid: | 10k CZK |
| positive: | nice bokeh sharp on f:2 in corners with full frame very good colour and contrast transmission small, but strong long running of manual focusing ring (~120°) |
| negative: | small manual focusing ring min. focusing distance 1m |
| comment: | http://www.photodo.com/product_766_p4.html |
| wross#3527 date: Apr-28-2008 | |
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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: | 50mm/1.7 28-135/4-4.5 35-105mm/3.5-4.5 (original) 70-210/4 200mm/2.8 |
| price paid: | 690 USD |
| positive: | Sharpness Bokeh Color |
| negative: | Price |
| comment: | Believe every good thing you read about this lens. I've never used a sharper lens. It may soften up just a fraction when it's wide open, but it's only very slight, and still it's sharper than just about anything else would be when stopped down. The bokeh unbeatable. You'll start dreaming up shots for the bokeh, and then looking for a subject to compliment the bokeh! Color is classic early Minolta: rich, saturated... "Minolta color". My list of "compared to" lenses are the ones I own or have recently owned, and feel are top performers. The 200/2.8 is the only one on the list that compares equally to the 100/2 in terms of sharpness and color, and not quite as well on bokeh. The price is painful, but it does vary greatly. More than a few are selling over $1000 USD right now, but you can still find them in the $700 with patience. Is it worth $700? Any lens is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. If I had to keep only one lens, this would be the one. |
| silversurfer#3525 date: Apr-27-2008 | |
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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: | 85 F1.4 G D 135 F2.8 100 Macro D 100 Macro RS |
| price paid: | $200 USD NIB |
| positive: | Very sharp Price (for me) Bokeh Size |
| negative: | Have not found 1 thing |
| comment: | The sharpest lens in this range that I own. At F2, subject is very sharp, and with the creamy bokeh, it has a 3D effect. I honestly can't see much difference in sharpness stopping down. The AF is pretty fast, even on the A100. It's such that I'm practicing shooting insects that hover with this lens. This is a small lens, considerably smaller than the 100 Macros. I always have a place for it in my bag. Lucky me to find this lens at a somewhat local TV/Camera shop last summer. The owner knew what he had, but was willing to sell anyway. Is it worth the $1000 I've seen lately? I wouldn't pay that much, but it's certainly worth more than what I paid. |
| eyesthruthelens#3358 date: Mar-13-2008 | |
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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: | 28mm f2, 85mm f1.4G, 100mm f2.8 macro |
| price paid: | 560 USD |
| positive: | Sharp Great Minolta color |
| negative: | Rare.. very difficult to find one |
| comment: | This should be one of the sharpest (even at f2.0 wide open) minolta lens around.. with great minolta color + bokeh. I do not need to do any color adjustment on photos captured with this lens. It's one of the rare and great lens from Minolta. Do not hesitate to get it if you can find one. Nowadays, I'm using this lens more than the 85mm f1.4 G. Photos from this lens - http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyesthruthelens/sets/72157603956406039/detail/ |
| bender21#3001 date: Nov-30-2007 | |
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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: | 100/2.8 Macro 135/2.8 SMC Takumar 85/1.9 Leica 90/2 Summicron v2 |
| price paid: | 350 USD (new) |
| positive: | Size/Weight Quick AF with no hunting Razor sharp wide open Fantastic Bokeh Everything? |
| negative: | Hmmm... Nothing? |
| comment: | I couldn't say enough good things about this lens. It is absolutely fantastic. It looks very unassuming for its speed and performance. This is easily the one lens I would always keep. I have used alot of lenses, and I can say this is my absolute favorite. It is so sharp, even at f2, and the bokeh is unrivalled. I wouldn't change a single thing about it. |
| DaveK#2964 date: Nov-22-2007 | |
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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: | - 100mm 2.8 (macro) - 135mm 2.8 - 200mm 2.8 APO HS |
| price paid: | 415 Euro |
| positive: | - Sharp!! - Small - Colours - Dof - Bokeh!! |
| negative: | - hard to find (therefore expensive) - Can't get the cap on when the hood is on |
| comment: | What makes a lens a lens? I think this is one of te most beloved lenses I use. I was lucky enough to find one. On the A700 it's fast enough. Gives beautiful pictures which are very, very sharp. But very special is the beautiful bokeh... awesome.. It's small. Just a great lens. Use it also for portraits and street photography. |
| Cejes#2797 date: Sep-29-2007 | |
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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: | AF 135mm f2.8 Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 MC Rokkor 100mm f2.5 Sonnar 100mm f2 Nikkor 105 f2.8 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Almost EVERYTHING! |
| negative: | Minimum focus distance |
| comment: | Terrific on APS-C and Ultra-Terrific on film. Sharpness, contrast, bokeh... Perfect for reportage, street and obviously portraits. BE CAREFUL! In feminine portraits DO NOT STOP over f4. It could cause girls to damage YOUR person! :) |
| Girello#2088 date: Mar-31-2007 | |
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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: | Minolta 50 f1.7 Sigma - 24-70 F2.8 EX DG Macro |
| price paid: | Ł220 (used) |
| positive: | Shaaaaarp. Solid build. Perfectly balanced on my 5D. Fantastic for portraits. |
| negative: | Hard to find. Some problems with Cromatic Aberration and flare. |
| comment: | Fantastic lens! Build quality is excellent, this lens is much heavier than what I was expecting! I love it so much, especially for portraits and for isolating particulars with selective focus, thanks to its focal length and its max aperture f2! It is tack sharp, even wide open! The only problems I found with this lens are some Cromatic Aberrations, I don't know if it is a problem of this lens or if it is only mine. Anyway, I could not recommend it more! |
| zekewhipper#2071 date: Mar-28-2007 | |
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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: | No other lens |
| price paid: | 550 USD (new) |
| positive: | I agree that this lens produces excellent results. |
| negative: | The AF may be slow, but I think that that has more to do with driving the sheer mass of the lens than anything else. |
| comment: | I bought this lens brand new when it was still being produced. I had to specifically order it through a camera dealer I once dealt with. I have probably only used it about four times during the last ten years (for indoor portrait work lasting probably no more than two hours time), so it is still in mint condition. (Most of my camera equipment I pamper terribly.) I even still have all the original documentation and packaging placed in storage. Right now I keep it carefully tucked away in the best camera bag I have that I also keep my Maxxum 7 in. After reading about how these lenses are now so sought after, I may have to dig out the original box, and keep the lens stashed away in a drawer somewhere with a desicant carefully placed with it. |
| tsg_#2063 date: Mar-27-2007 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 105 2.8 50 1.7 |
| price paid: | $280 |
| positive: | Sharp, fast, Minolta metal construction. Great glass, and at f/2, really nice DOF and Bokeh |
| negative: | Some flare issues, but well controlled if you use the hood. Also, you can't find them easily, and people covet (and probably hoard) them. |
| comment: | Minolta's 100 f/2 is yet another great piece of glass that has become a standout in my collection. It is an interesting range with the 1.5 crop factor of the sony a100 (and I can't wait til I get it on a FF model), and really makes for standout portraits and pictures that need a little pop. The f/2 allows for a lot more flexibility, including use of a t/c to jump to 140 f/2.8 or 200 f/4. As everyone says, "If you come across one, buy it." I did... much to the dismay of three other people who went to Adorama that same day to get it for themsleves. The f/2 models (28, 35, 100) are sadly one of the areas we wont see again. Sony seems happy to make the 1.4s and 1.8s... They don't seem interested in the majority of users that may not be able to throw $1000 + at a lens. 35 f/2 $300 vs. 35 f/1.4 $1300 Ho hum. Love the 100 f/2. |
| d4nie#1770 date: Feb-7-2007 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 85/1.4, 135/2.8, 100/2.8 macro, 80-200G HS |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Sharp, even wide open.. Beautiful color.. |
| negative: | Rare.. Quite expensive.. |
| comment: | Love this lens very much.. I sold my 85/1.4 coz i prefer to keep this lens. Sharpness is comparable to 100 macro, 85/1.4. Color is very nice... close to 85/1.4 I wish it has buit in hood like the 135/2.8 |
| RobY#1380 date: Nov-5-2006 | |
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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: | KM 100 2.8 Macro D Beercan 100-300 APO D |
| price paid: | L169 |
| positive: | Razor sharp Great colours AF OK |
| negative: | Being picky, narrow MF ring, minimum focus distance, and speed of focusing compared to SSM lens. |
| comment: | Only had it for two weeks but I love it. This is the lens I didn't want to buy, it was my third purchase in one week! But with both caps, hood and boxed with full documentation I had to have it! Without doubt it is the sharpest lens I have ever used and retains detail even when enlarged enough to pixalate; on a Film or FF body it would be amazing - can't wait. As a portrait lens it is just fabulous, almost TOO sharp. Haven't noticed the AF hunting - unlike the macro so I guess its fine, it's excellent on the A700 and awesome on the A900! If you are lucky enough to find one BUY IT, you know you want to! |
rating summary
- total reviews: 75
- sharpness: 4.93
- color: 4.97
- build: 4.87
- distortion: 4.99
- flare control: 4.59
- overall: 4.87
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