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Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F 4 Telephoto Zoom Lens

Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F 4 Telephoto Zoom Lens by Minolta $119.99 At Amazon on 4-10-2012.

70-210mm 3x Zoom range Constant f/4 maximum aperture 55mm Filter The Maxxum 70-210 f/4 telephoto is presently the most sought after medium telephoto in the Maxxum line up. It has obtained a "cult-like" status amongst Minolta photographers and is affectionately known by Minoltians as "The Beercan". The lens is well designed with high quality optics and the durable build of Minolta's legendary 1st generation vintage lens line up. It has been rumoured to have a Leica-influenced design and to have cost more to build than the sales price. Performance, vignetting, and distortion (wide open and stopped down) as well as color, flare, AF speed and build are all considered. The f/4 is the highest rated non-APO medium telephoto lens in the database, and for the most part, the rest of the available lenses that do rate higher will retail at $1000-2000. The build of the "beercan" is second to none. Most newer versions in the 70-210mm focal range sport a smaller maximum aperture and increased use of plastic components, both cosmetically and internally. Inside the f/4 version, die cast metal gears, parts and threads are found and the body is a solid metal casing with a beautiful enamel finish and wide rubber zoom grip. This construction does add to the weight of the lens, but for overall durability and a stable and more distinctive feel. I've had this lens for a couple of years now and am pretty happy with it. The good: Cheap. A good copy can be had under $200. Very well built. Excellent image quality. The famous "Minolta colors". Reasonably fast at f/4.0. Constant f/4.0 throughout range. Length does not change while zooming. Sharp wide open. The bad: It's a 20+ year old lens, hence older technology and older coatings. A bit of CA. No focus limiter. Heavy. AF is slow (but good on the Sony A700). On the whole, this is the only constant f/4 medium telephoto lens in the Sony alpha (Minolta AF) line up. No third party and no Sony equivalent. Great image quality. Nice warm colors. Sharp wide open and great at 5.6 and beyond. Nice heavy feel. Metal body, built to last. Great for portraits and street, sports. Versatile length and good speed. When it misses focus, it needs to zoom in and out and that could take 2-3 seconds on my Sony A100. Focus limiter would have been useful. Good bang-for-the-buck lens. This lens has actually built up a cult following among the old Minolta shooters, which has continued into the Sony alpha line up. People rave about the "Minolta colors", the image quality etc. There might be a bit of exaggeration in other reviews, as with anything which has built up a good reputation. On the whole, I don't see any reason why one might not want to buy this lens. If you can afford $700 or more for a 70-200/2.8, you can pass up on this but for a hobbyist on a limited budget, one of the best lenses in the AF mount. Back To Top Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F 4 Telephoto Zoom Lens Available from Amazon Price: $119.99 Updated on 4-10-2012.

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