Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro sharpness
Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance
Testing methods description
- Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
- Distance: 1.7m
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
- The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper
Testing methods description
- Target: cityscape
- Distance: > 200 meters to center focus point
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF. The focus point is on the center only.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Image Quality of the Old Lenses (Minolta Lenses)
High light intensity for little money is one thing, but what about the actual image quality? Can this keep up with modern lenses?
I would like to add my own personal experience, Even though I only tested a few manual Minolta MD or Canon FD lenses, I was always amazed at the image quality.
Sharpness
Above all, the image sharpness of most (almost historical) lenses convinced me (slightly stopped down). In this respect, they can keep up with most modern lenses.
Chromatic aberrations
Compared to new lenses, old glass is much more susceptible to chromatic aberrations. Particularly in backlight.With Adobe Lightroom, however, these can be remedied quickly and easily.
Bokeh
If I’m already talking about light giants, I also have to go into the bokeh. This one looks “different” but really interesting. Of course, every lens has a different bokeh characteristic. However, the old lenses produce a very unusual bokeh look, which generally differs greatly from the new lenses.
Conclusion: Minolta MD adapter
The inexpensive adapters are a good way to expand your lens portfolio. Fast lenses are often very expensive, especially in the Sony E-mount range! I paid about $78.28 for my Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm 1:2 and just $24.28 for the adapter. little money for a lot of light intensity.
For me, the cheap adapter is completely sufficient. Do you already use manual lenses on your Sony system camera? Leave a comment. I would be happy!
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The Manual Lenses With Adapters in Practical Use
Manual lenses can be used very well in everyday life because Sony system cameras, such as the Alpha 6000, 6300, and Sony Alpha 7 series, have focus peaking (emphasize edges) and focus magnifier functions.
Manual focusing is therefore quick and uncomplicated. But, can old manual lenses also be used in any camera mode? This is a question I get asked very often! The answer is yes! The lens can be used in any camera mode, regardless of whether it is P, M, or semi-automatic.
It works like this: we set the aperture manually on the lens. The camera does not know which aperture we have set (no electronic data is transferred from the lens to the camera), but it still measures how much light hits the camera sensor. Based on this information, the camera chooses the right shutter speed and ISO value for you.
In manual mode, we can, as usual, set everything manually: the aperture on the lens, the other parameters in the camera.
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Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – final conclusion
This zoom covers the wide diapason of most popular focal distances and fast enough for an inexpensive zoom lens. Additionally, it is well built, two-touch, lightweight has a macro mode, and looks beautiful. Nice fit, yes. Don’t miss it on the auctions, it still underrated.
Optical design with aspherical and floating elements – sounds cool, even for modern times. Definitely, corners aren’t ideal, but there are no reasons for pessimism, because, firstly, it is the semi-fast 3x-zoom started from 28mm – very powerful and wide, of course, it should have a weakness and this weakness looks very insignificant if to compare with more famous 2x-zooms MD 35-70/3.5 and MD 24-50/4, or maybe 1.5x MD 24-35/3.5. Secondly – center and middle(!) parts of the frame are really amazing on any focal distance, contrast is great and, finally, bokeh is unexpectedly nice from 50mm to long-end.
As a result, it can be named as another one masterpiece of the optic by Minolta – absolutely convenient universal zoom-lens which covers all photographer needs – from landscapes in travels till portraits everywhere. It may be the winner of ‘one lens in the bag’ award.
The 5 Best Minolta Lenses for Every Photographer
If you’re searching for the best Minolta lenses, you’re probably using a Sony A-mount or E-mount camera.
Many earlier Minolta lenses are natively compatible with the A-mount, and the E-mount may be used with an adapter to take advantage of this compatibility.
We’ve combed through Minolta’s archive of vintage lenses to provide you a selection of top-notch used alternatives for your Sony or vintage Minolta camera.
1. Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm f/4.5 – Best Minolta Lenses for All-Around Use
Best Minolta Lenses: Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm f/4.5
The Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm f/4.5 is deserving of a standing ovation at the top of the list. This is one of the best lenses I’ve ever seen, and it’s left many photographers speechless with its incredible value, build quality, picture quality, optics, and performance.
The zoom range of the Minolta AF Zoom 75-300mm f/4.5 is excellent, allowing you to capture almost everything except wide-angle landscape images with this lens. However, it excels at portrait, sports, and wildlife photography.
With a four-time zoom ratio and superb focusing performance that extends from 5 feet to infinity, this lens offers a very stable macro setting.
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2. Minolta 28-85MM F/3.5 – Minolta Lenses with the Best Focus
Best Minolta Lenses: Minolta 28-85MM F/3.5
The Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 is the lens for you if you’re seeking for a very flexible powerhouse that will simplify your life. This lens is one of the most popular among photographers because it is capable of producing stunning vistas and flawless portraits.
With a classic appearance and a strong chassis that has lasted the test of time, this lens is a must-have for every photographer. At f/3.5, the bokeh effect is one of the most appealing on this camera, and the clarity is excellent.
Surprisingly, it also features an autofocus setting, allowing you to take use of your camera’s quick and accurate autofocus technology. It can also shoot macros, but not with autofocus, which is a shame because here is where it shines.
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3. Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PF 135mm f2.8 – Best Minolta Lenses for Beginners
Best Minolta Lenses: Minolta MC Tele Rokkor-PF 135mm f2.8
From here on out, we’ll look at one of our favorite Minolta options for individuals in need of an almost extinct 135mm focal length primary telephoto lens at an affordable price.
As a long-time user, I can say that this camera is one of the greatest for street photography, and I’m not exaggerating. Even though this is an old-school manual focus lens, it is the best you can get for artistic purposes.
In many various situations, this camera will perform well and its f/2.8 aperture is superb and works well with the camera. The clarity is unmatched, and you’ll fall in love with it if you have the correct camera.
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4. Minolta Maxxum AF 100-200mm f/4.5 – Best Minolta Lenses with the Best Telephoto Zoom
Best Minolta Lenses: Minolta Maxxum AF 100-200mm f/4.5
The Minolta Maxxum AF 100-200mm f/4.5 is our next pick from the Minolta line of outstanding lenses.
Because of its unique form, outstanding vintage design, solid construction, and fantastic internal optics, this lens is often referred to as the “Beer Can” among fans.
In my research, I discovered that the Minolta Maxxum AF 100-200mm f/4.5 is a superb medium telephoto lens that will offer outstanding results in the field of photography. It is also capable of autofocus, which it accomplishes flawlessly.
All A-mount cameras can use it, and with an adaptor, you can use it on other models. At f/4.5, this lens’s maximum aperture remains constant throughout its impressive zoom range. In my opinion, it’s up there with the best of the Minolta lenses.
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Read Also: Best Lens for Fashion Photography
5. Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm 1:2 – Best Minolta Lenses as Best Value Lens
Best Minolta Lenses: Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm 1:2
The Minolta Rokkor-x 45mm f/2 will be the first item on this list. This lens may be used on any camera from the Minolta and Sony A-mount range. It’s one of the best lenses I’ve ever seen for the price.
This is a manual focus lens that may give your photographs a bokeh look and also produce some stunning portraits. Despite its greater focal length of 50mm than the traditional portrait lens, this lens is capable of producing stunning portraits even in low light.
Most people don’t favor manual focus lenses, but I love them since they allow me more control over the scenario.
This lens has a fantastic depth of field and dramatically reduces flare, as I discovered. It’s hard to beat the Minolta Rokkor-x 45mm f/2 for a delectable manual focus prime lens. Reliable and always stylish.
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For Sony E-Mount with Sony LA-EA4
Sony Minolta MAXXUM AF 28-135mm f/4~4.5 (Sony Alpha mount, fits Sony E-mount when used with Sony LA-EA4 adapter, crop- and full-frame and coverage, metal 72mm filter thread, 26.6 oz./754g, 5’/1.5m close focus with extra macro mode at 28mm, about $99 used). bigger. I got this one at this link directly to them at eBay (see How to Win at eBay); Amazon may also have them.
This all-content, junk-free website’s biggest source of support is when you use those or any of when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Buy only from the for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
August 2017 Sony Minolta Zeiss Canon Nikon All Reviews
Use Minolta MD lenses on Sony Alpha system cameras – which adapter?
Manual Minolta MD lenses can be easily connected to Sony Alpha system cameras with inexpensive adapters. Which adapter would I recommend to you? I’ll get to that in a moment. But, an (old) manual lens and a modern system camera, does that even go together?
I was really impressed when I first attached the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm 1:2 to the Sony Alpha 6000 back then. For the lens, I only paid 80 USD. But which adapter should you actually choose?
Minolta MD Adapter for Sony E-mount
Sony E mount Minolta MD adapter
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- With this adapter you can use Minolta MD MC lenses on Sony NEX E-Mount, eg Sony NEX-3
- No electronic data transmission, purely mechanical connection.
- The focus and the aperture
- The adapters are made of anodized aluminum and copper, look high quality and are comfortable
Not only was my used Minolta lens a bargain, the adapters are also really cheap. My adapter cost around $24.99 and has served me well for years. The adapter snaps in well and appears to be of high quality.
There is also a more expensive model from Novflex* that costs around $100. I have not tested this until now because I never had a problem with my cheap adapter.
Adapter for Canon FD lenses
Adapter for Canon FD lenses
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- Manual adapter, no electrical contacts in the adapter ring and no automatic aperture / autofocus / …
- Mounts FD FL mount lenses to NEX E-mount mirrorless cameras.
- Designed to be compatible with Sony Alpha E-mount cameras: Sony Alpha α7, α7R, α7S, α7 II, α7R II, α7S…
Even old manual Canon FD lenses can be used with an adapter on the Sony system cameras.
Recommendations
This is a very, very handy lens to use for just about everything, and with the Sony LA-EA4 adapter as I use mine it becomes a for !
I find its zoom range much more useful than the limited range of the otherwise extraordinary 24-70mm f/2.8 GM — for less than one-twentieth the price.
For a $99 lens, it’s extraordinary today.
The very best protective filter is the 72mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints.
For less money, the B+W 72mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt.
link directly to them at eBayHow to Win at eBayAmazon may also have them
This all-content, junk-free website’s biggest source of support is when you use those or any of when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
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Reviews
What do you think about this lens?
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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
| sent on June 17, 2016 Pros: Construction, solid, bright, macro function to play, sharpness from 28mm to 50mm, made of true color, good contrastornCons: Af not fast, macro function only in manual focus, soft 50mm up even at f8 not much betterOpinion: I bought this lens for the price of 30 euro, wanted a cheap and intelligent alternative to the 18 55 3.5 5.6 kit, a brightness level no comparisons to 85mm remains open at F4.5, F4.5 kit is still in the 50mm .. a color rendering level wins again minolta, more and more contrast. Building bomb-proof, metal and glass than tough, pesantuccio so unbalanced a hair my sony a700. On ebay they are found in spades and fattibilissimi prices, excellent alternative to 18 55 kits given greater focal range, and higher brightness. Maybe a long nap on aps c, ff of great standard zoom handyman. |
Photos taken with Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5
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The sample photos are selected automatically between all photos posted by JuzaPhoto members, using the camera and the lens selected in the techs. If you find evident errors (e.g. photos taken with cameras and lenses that are not available yet), you can contribute to improve the page by sending a private message to the user that has entered incorrect values in the photo caption.
Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Minolta » Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5
Sample Images
Doorway, 8:07 PM, 14 July 2017. Sony A9 with Sony LA-EA4 adapter, Sony Minolta 28-135mm at 30mm at 1/8 second hand-held at Auto ISO 4,000, Perfectly Clear. bigger or full-resolution.
Lamp, 8:01 PM, 14 July 2017. Sony A9 with Sony LA-EA4 adapter, Sony Minolta 28-135mm at 135mm at f/4.5 at 1/80 second hand-held at Auto ISO 1,250. bigger or camera-original file.
Sasha, 15 July 2017. Sony A9 with Sony Minolta 28-135mm on Sony LA-EA4 adapter at 120mm at f/7.1 at 1/320 at Auto ISO 100, Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original file.
Katie at the Luau, 14 July 2017. (Sony A9 with Sony Minolta 28-135mm on Sony LA-EA4 adapter at 110mm at f/4.5 at 1/100 at Auto ISO 100, Perfectly Clear.) bigger.
Luau deserts, 14 July 2017. (Sony A9 with Sony Minolta 28-135mm on Sony LA-EA4 adapter at 28mm at f/13 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 100, Perfectly Clear.) bigger or camera-original file.
Specifications
Name
Minolta calls this the MAXXUM AF ZOOM 28-135mm f/4(22) — 4.5.
MAXXUM: Minolta’s brand name for it’s autofocus lenses, also called Dynax outside the USA.
AFAutofocus.
f/4(22) — 4.5: f/4~4.5 maximum aperture, f/22 minimum aperture.
16 elements in 13 groups.
Basic multicoating.
Diaphragm
Sony Minolta 28-135mm f/4~4.5. bigger.
7 straight blades.
Stops down to f/22.
Focal Length
28-135mm.
When used APS-C, it sees the same angle of view as a 42-200 mm lens sees when used on a full-frame or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View
75.3º ～ 18.2º diagonal on full frame.
Focus
Rear focus.
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in, but the thin rear focus ring does always rotate.
5 feet (1.5 meters).
0.8 feet (0.25 meters) only in a special macro mode at 28mm.
1:11 (0.091×) at 135mm at 5’/1.5m.
1:4 (0.25×) only in a special macro mode at 28mm.
Size
2.99″ maximum diameter × 4.29″ extension from flange.
76 mm maximum diameter × 109 mm extension from flange.
Weight
26.603 oz. (754.15g) actual measured weight.
Rated 26.5 oz. (750 g).
Minolta Model Number
History of Minolta Lenses
Founded in 1928, Minolta is one of the oldest and most well-known companies in the field of optics and photography.
Founder Kazuo Tashima created the groundwork for his economic success in that year by establishing the “Japanese-German camera company.”
Initially, the company’s name was changed to Molta KG (Mechanism, Optics, and Lenses from Tashima) as early as 1931.
A trademark application was also filed for the brand name “Minolta,” which stands for “Tashima mechanics, instruments, optics, and lenses.”
In the 1970s, Minolta gained prominence in Europe as a result of its partnership with long-standing manufacturer Leitz ( Leica ).
In 1973, the Minolta-Leitz CL was debuted as the Minolta-Leica CL, a first-class interchangeable-lens rangefinder camera that rapidly became immensely popular. This partnership produced the legendary Leica CL.
Eight years later, only the Minolta CLE and other Minolta lenses were made available for purchase.
Minolta was instrumental in bringing about the first Leica SLR camera by collaborating on the design of the camera’s housing.
Lens development was another area where the two companies worked closely together: certain Minolta lenses were based on Leica counterparts, while Leica lenses were designed using Minolta calculations.
Among the greatest lenses on the market, Minolta’s were revered for many years. Throughout the late 1970s, Minolta collaborated closely with Hasselblad, allowing Minolta to further improve their Acute-Matte screen technology.
It became Minolta QMS after the company purchased printer maker QMS in 2000. Konica Minolta was renamed Konica Minolta after a three-year merger with Konica Cooperation.
In 2005, Sony and Konica Minolta established a tight partnership to produce high-quality digital cameras. However, Konica Minolta withdrew from the film and camera industry the following year, leaving Sony to carry on the business alone.
Other manufacturers still create optical instruments, such as Minolta lenses for cameras made by JVC.
Introduction
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B&H Photo — Video — Pro Audio I buy only from . I can’t vouch for below. |
This is a Minolta lens, but Sony bought Minolta in 2006 and has since sold compatible products branded as Sony. This lens came out in 1985 and today works great on Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras with the Sony LA-EA4 adapter.
This is a very well made lens for all and cameras. Used with the Sony LA-EA4 adapter it becomes a for !
This 28-135mm lens was astounding when it first came out for its great quality and broad zoom range. It was the first lens to offer such performance in a broad zoom range. Minolta had a patent on a key technology, and thus had a lock on this market for quite a while.
This 28-135mm lens is sharp and works great for just about everything. The one gotcha is that it only focusses to 5’/1.5m unless you invoke the special macro mode at 28mm.
As an all-metal lens, it’s probably more likely to be working well today than most of the newer crop of plastic lenses a few years old. This isn’t a throw-away like too many lenses today.
Good
● Sharp.
● Fast: f/4.5 at 135mm, not f/5.6.
● Ideal zoom range.
● Works great on Sony full-frame mirrorless with the Sony LA-EA4 adapter.
● Very expensive back in 1985, but only about $100 today if you know How to Win at eBay.
Missing
● No instant manual-focus override unless you use the DMF mode in a Sony camera.
Sony Minolta 28-135mm f/4~4.5. bigger.
Photos taken with Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5
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Next Page »
The sample photos are selected automatically between all photos posted by JuzaPhoto members, using the camera and the lens selected in the techs. If you find evident errors (e.g. photos taken with cameras and lenses that are not available yet), you can contribute to improve the page by sending a private message to the user that has entered incorrect values in the photo caption.
Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Minolta » Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5