Minolta AF 100mm F2 A-mount lens reviews
 trondeh#1342 date: Oct-22-2006 | |
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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: | 50/1.4, 70-210/4, Sigma 90/2.8, |
| price paid: | $235 EX+ |
| positive: | Sharp, even wide open Great colors and contrast Nice bokeh VERY precise AF, does not hunt |
| negative: | A 100mm on a 1.5 crop is a bit limiting. Else, nothing! |
| comment: | This is an extraordinary lens. It seems that it is almost impossible to get a bad picture with this. The first time I loaded the pictures on to my PC, my wife passed by and asked what I had done with these pictures. They where so sharp and had so great colors. Well, nothing I said, it was only the new old lens I got the other day :-) Get it if you can. I would easily pay 2-3 times the price I got it for if this sample should be broken. |
; 10MP| Janvb#1341 date: Oct-21-2006 | |
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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: | 100-300 APO, beercan, Tamron 90 di, 100/2.8 macro |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | sharp, very 'clean' picture, bookeh |
| negative: | 150 mm APS seize |
| comment: | Best lens I've got, I love to use this lens, even at F2 it can be very sharp and professional looking. |
| Kiklop#1061 date: Aug-2-2006 | |
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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 used to own this lens |
| compared to: | - 100/2.8 macro - CZ 135 |
| price paid: | 350 USD (used) |
| positive: | - sharp - light - bokeh - af speed |
| negative: | - small focus ring - not produced anymore |
| comment: | An absolute beauty. Despite being an very old lens, it is one of the best performing glass I ever had the chance to use and has not lost any of it's quality on digital sensors. What makes this lens apart from most others is that is sharp even wide open . Contrast and bokeh are in the best Minolta manner and I certainly miss this on newer lenses. CA could be better controlled but still above the average performance for older lenses. AF is just great and the only shortcoming I can really describe as such is that tinny focusing barrel typical for old Minolta lenses. **Full frame** Excellent even on 25MP sensor. It is not up to CZ 135/1.8 level but considering its compact size and weight it is still a vital part of my lineup. |
| coffeebean#1058 date: Aug-2-2006 | |
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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: | No lens specifically... |
| price paid: | 385.00 AU |
| positive: | Build (like a tank) Image quality Bokeh |
| negative: | None |
| comment: | I have read a few reviews regarding this lens. This is a premium lens, great bokeh, great at all stops. I haven't found the AF that slow on the 7 or 5D. The colours, bokeh, sharpness and overall saturation are wonderful. I use the KM 28-75mm (D) generally as it is a versatile zoom however this lens will certainly get a workout. I have taken a few studio shots with great results. The 1 meter focus is not an issue with me as I use the Tamron 90mm (dI) for that. I would recommend this lens, hard to get and a little pricey but worth it for a 'Prime' of this quality... |
| Jose de Luna#999 date: Jul-8-2006 | |
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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: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Built like a tank, incomparable sharpness and detail-capture, even the smallest blemish in your face will appear very very sharp. |
| negative: | A bit expensive, keeping in mind it's a very old lens |
| comment: | Minolta made a mistake with this lens, they should have included this in their G-class lineup. There's no doubt that it will always give you that detailed sharpness you'll ever want. An excellent performer in the mid-telephoto range (~150mm). I use mine a lot in various concerts and stage-performances in available light. |
| duprey26#992 date: Jul-7-2006 | |
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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 have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Min 135 f/2.8 Sigma 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Magnificently Sharp Lens. |
| negative: | Maybe too sharp for its intended use - portraits. |
| comment: | Every time I view an image made with this lens, I'm blown away with the detail and contrast. This is G-glass quality without the price. I was lucky to find a used one at Adorama before the price and availability of Minolta glass went crazy. Best investment I ever made. Under controlled studio lighting, this lens makes me look like a pro (I'm definitely not). I rated the flare control at 4, but only on impression (older coatings). I've never experienced bad flare, but I haven't really pushed it by pointing at a light source or creating a high-key portrait. It may help that I always use the hood. Do not hesitate to pick one up if you're lucky enough to find one. |
| ISO3200#988 date: Jul-6-2006 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | 135/2.8 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Sharp at F2. Smooth manual focus. Beautiful bokeh. Wow. |
| negative: | Poor auto-focus. 1m closest focus. |
| comment: | I thoroughly expected this lens to fail miserably. It couldn't to live up to the hype, surely. Wrong. One of the sharpest lenses I've used, and I mean from F2 onwards, which is exactly why it's so brilliant and why everyone loves it so, I suppose. I'm a lover of a good sharp subject against a clean bokeh and this lens is one of the best in the field. From F2 to F5 or so you can get a sharp subject and a perfect background; a rare feat. The AF is poor, simple as that. It's ponderously slow, laboured, dithering, even wildily innacurate at times. You can use the 100/2's AF on anything that moves as slow as it does... which isn't much. Okay, you can use AF, but if you're planning to shoot an indoor basketball game or something then think again. The 100/2 will get you nowhere fast. Think snooker instead, or curling... Chess? Manual focus is easy and smooth and the ring is quite wide for an old-style Minolta lens, making this an ideal candidate for the careful, manual-focus-loving, detail-seeking photographer. It also makes for excellent macro work, provided you attach extension tubes to cancel out the poor 1M closest focus. The main weakness is purple fringing. It happens a lot in the right situations; backlit, sunny, etc. Does that come under colour, or flare-control? If you can get it, keep it. I think I will. ISO |
| The Shoeman#810 date: May-19-2006 | |
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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: | Minolta 135mm f2.8 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | This is super sharp. I've had if for about a week now and I don't think I've taken a bad shot yet. This is everything that everyone has said about it. |
| negative: | The only problem is they didn't make enough of them and it is very hard to find one. |
| comment: | All you see are great reviews about this lens and all of them are right. I got lucky in finding one in very good condition complete with hood and caps (all like new) and I am so happy. I have the Minolta 100mm f2.8 Macro and the 135mm f2.8 which are both very nice lenses. This one blows the 135 away and the speed of the AF, the size of the lens makes it better in my mind than the Macro. The Macro is very sharp once it focuses. |
| damian.bradley#801 date: May-16-2006 | |
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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: | - 135/2.8 - 100mm macro (original) |
| price paid: | 425 |
| positive: | - ssssharp, open to close - very, very accurate AF - great bokeh - good MF |
| negative: | - not much |
| comment: | First...I'll address those comments about slow AF speed. Although the AF speed may not be lightning fast, it is among the msot accurate of any lens I have tried. The time it takes to shift focus distanecs may be marginally slower than other lenses, but I have found that it rarely hunts, and requires no 'secondary focal adjustment' like some other lenses which tend to have to think about focus lock after making the initial guess. Otherwise, the lens is a fantastic performer. I would like to compare it to an 85/1.4 but haven't had the chance to do so. The contrast, colours, sharpness are all top notch, and the bokeh is superb (although maybe not quite best in class). MF is good due to a long focus throw. It doesn't have the built-in lens hood of the 135/2.8 which I miss, and it doesn't have the macro of the 100/2.8, but my preference is for low-light shooting and sharpness, and the ability to open up to f2 for selective focus. The 135 is better for candids and street shooting, while the macro is better for...well macro. Assuming you can get the lenses, pick what is most important to your shooting style and go with that lens. They all excel in different areas! So this is one of the sharpest lenses at f2 you can find...if you can find it. Another highly recommended lens. |
| JimCockfield#381 date: Jan-4-2006 | |
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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 have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | This lens compares nicely to just about any other similar lens I've owned (including Nikkor glass like their 85mm f/2 MF lens) |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Bright and Sharp with Good Bokeh, usable wide open. Stunningly sharp by about f/3.5 (even compared to other lenses stopped down). |
| negative: | What negatives? ;-) OK... there is always room for improvement. LOL Sure, they could probably increase the contrast a bit via improved coatings when shooting in harsher lighting. But, I have no real complaints. It's a nice lens. |
| comment: | If they ever restart production of a lens using the same optics, they should put a sticker on the box: "No Post Processing Required" With a lens this sharp, who needs USM?! ;-) |
| lifephoto.it#284 date: Dec-17-2005 | |
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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: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Color, no distortion and built |
| negative: | AF very Slow |
| comment: | Better with film than 7d |
| Maffe#249 date: Nov-29-2005 | |
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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: | Nikkor 180/2,8 Pentax SMC takumar 135/3,5 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Image and buil quality |
| negative: | Slow AF |
| comment: | Got this second-hand for 200€. This is the best lens I ever ownd/used! Have it on my camera as often I can |
| 2manycamera#217 date: Nov-14-2005 | |
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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 have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | 24-105/3.5-4.5, 28-135/4-4.5, 100/2.8 MD, Tamron 90/2.5, 85/1.7 MD |
| price paid: | 300 USD |
| positive: | Excellent feel, blow-me-away sharpness and great bokeh. |
| negative: | Will flare with digital due to lack of rear element multi-coating (what lens makers say is actually true!) |
| comment: | I had wanted an 85/1.4 for awhile to take the place of my older MF 85/1.7, but couldn't afford it. Finally found this 100/2 on e-bay for about $300 and thought it would do until I could find what I thought I really wanted. WOW! What a lens! I have used this lens constantly and it never lets me down. F2 is very usable in low light, especially center, and excellent edge to edge at infinity by 3.5. I find when I want minimum weight and am not worried about dust on the sensor, all I carry is this lens and the 28/2. I use zooms alot for general picture taking, but I work dance , gymnastis and equestrian for pay and need lenses that are great wide open and focus fast. Fixed focal lengths still do this better, although less convenient. The only negative is flare with the 7D. It is true about the rear multi-coating on digital lenses, it makes a difference IF you shoot into a bright light source. I've been using Minolta since my first SR-T in 1970 and I stay with them for one reason more than any-the glass. I now own the a850 and love this combo. |
| former member#56 date: Feb-18-2005 | |
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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: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Very nice and well built, Tack sharp from edge to edge. No distortion |
| negative: | minimum focus distance of 1 meter |
| comment: | I bought this lens 9 years ago for 1.000 Guilders (453 Euro's) and I never used it on my Dynax film camera's. I got my 7D and then I started to use it and it is excellent! I almost sold it 2 weeks ago, but thank God I changed my mind :-) It works very well in low light situations. If you can find one, buy it! Although for portrait situations an 85mm 1.4 is better... |
| former member#45 date: Jan-27-2005 | |
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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: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | - Excellent sharpness and contrast - Bright (f/2 aperture very well usable) - Solid build quality - Front lens does not rotate |
| negative: | - Closest focusing distance - Discontinued |
| comment: | This lens is just amazingly sharp... f/2 and f/2.8 are already very usable, stopped down to f/4 it is tack sharp from corner to corner. Also the flare is very well controlled, shooting against the sun is a great pleasure when compared to shooting with zoom lenses. The closest focusing distance of only 1 m is a pity, it makes that the lens is not fit for close-up portraits. Build quality is very good, and the front lens does not rotate when focusing (which is practical if you use filters). Unfortunately this lens has been discontinued so it can only be obtained from the second-hand market. Get one if you can! |
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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