Monday, June 16, 2008

Minolta lenses



Minolta lenses.. my favorites. Small in size, beautiful and unique.
So, why Minolta lenses? I think the answers are pretty obvious..

1. they are affordable (I got most of my Minolta lenses during the Konica Minolta era - unfortunately, the price has been going up now since SONY started releasing those amazing A-mount DSLR bodies)
2. Uniquely small.
3. Beautiful Bokeh - there are lots of very good/sharp lenses in the market now.. but not many with the Minolta's Bokeh :) My favorites..
4. Color.. I just like the color from Minolta lenses

On the downside, these lenses may be slow (no SSM) and noisy. I think it's fine for me as I don't really need these features as for now.

Most of the Minolta lenses were release 10-20 years ago.. and surprisingly, some of them are still in a very good condition. I'm sure they will last for another 10-20 years.

Here is my own lens collection:
I added my own performance rating for the lenses.

Prime
20mm f2.8 (***)
28mm f2.0 (****1/2)
50mm f1.4 (***1/2)
85mm f1.4 G (*****)
100mm f2.0 (*****)
100mm f2.8 macro (****1/2)
135mm f2.8 (****)
500mm f8 (***1/2)

Zooms
Sigma DT 10-20mm f4-5.6 (***)
DT16-105mm f3.5-5.6
17-35mm f2.8-4 (***1/2)
28-70mm f2.8 G (****)
70-210mm f4 (beercan) (***1/2)
80-200mm f2.8 G (*****)
100-300mm f4.5-5.6 D APO (***1/2)

Few of the lenses that I had already sold.. (as my dry cabinet is a bit pack now).. :)

Prime

28mm f2.8 (***)
50mm f1.7 (***)

Zoomes
18-70mm f3.5-5.6 (**)
28-75mm f2.8 (***1/2)
28-135mm f4-4.5 (***1/2)
75-300mm f4.5-5.6 (**1/2)
Old (1st Gen) 75-300mm f4.5-5.6 (Big Beercan) (**)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

you got alot of collection my friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi, thanks for providing interesting Alpha related contents. Recently I heard about Minolta AF 28-135/f4-4.5 as a good lens, though I see that you didn't like it much. Could you tell me your view on the lens? 'cos now I'm considering to get one. Thanks.

Eyesthruthelens said...

28-135mm f4-4.5 lens was one of my favorite lens. The color from this lens is great and sharpness is good as well.
I sold the lens after I purchased the 28-75mm f2.8 because of the shorter min focus distance on the 28-75mm and better CA control.
I missed the color of the 28-135mm though.
If you are able to get a good copy at a good price, you should get it. Needs to be careful as there are not many good copy around nowadays.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I was the one asked about lens earlier. I just managed to get a good copy (Boxed and front element has been protected by a filter). I took some pics with my A900 and what you said was spot on. Notable CA, but it delivers very likable picture. Thank you for your advice!

Allen said...

OMG!
willing to sell any for dirt prices? :P

hehe

Eyesthruthelens said...

Keeping them for now.. thanks.

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