Minolta AF lenses

[jim_green4]

Hello all, I currently own a Minolta Dynax 5 (maxxum 5 in US), I

have 2 lenses the one that comes as standard the 28-80 zoom

and have recently got a Minolta AF 50mm 1:7 which I have really

noticed the difference in quality with, I got it on ebay for £50 and

for the price i think it's a great little lens, so I have decided to

expand my lens collection a bit further, I like the convenience of

the zoom lens but I have heard from many people that the 28-80

minolta AF lens that I have is OK but not brilliant, I was thinking of

getting a fixed focus 24/28mm 2:8 AF wide lens, and selling my

28-80 and maybe getting a better quality zoom lens, anyone else

got a similar kit and can recommend some good quality lenses?

 

thanks

Jim

[thomas_munch]

If you like the convenience of a zoom and can stand a bit of distortion, the 24-85 is a very sharp lens. I really like my 24-85 for general photography, and it's the lens I use the most on my AF Minolta. Further, Minolta's introduction of the 24-105 has made it easy to find good deals on the 24-85 lens. Note that the 24-85 is not a D-lens (like the 24-105), so it will not be able to use the D-flash feature in your 5. Search on the google for opinions of the 24-85...

[coconutdaydream]

I have a Maxxum 9000(old, i know; but i love it!) and about 4 lenses. My favorite being my Sigma 20mm F/1.8. The distortion isn't too bad, it's great for low lighting and considerably sharp.

[neil__www.theblight.net_]

A good lens will certainly make a world of difference, and in the photo world,

unfortunately, you get what you pay for. I'm a pretty big fan of the 24-105. the D

function is fun -- on the Maxxum 7 it can even show you the depth of field, in feet

and meters, in front of and behind your subject. I say "pretty" big fan, for it isn't the

sharpest in the world. Tons better than the 28-80 consumer lens I had back in the

day, but I believe it's slightly soft at 24. It's attached to my body 90% of the time,

though.

 

I believe I'll snag a 17-35mm 3.5 G if I can find one on the used market for a

reasonable price. (And by 'reasonable' I mean "less than an arm and a leg.")

 

Many people swear by fixed lenses, but I like the flexibility of a zoom, myself. Finally,

Minolta's 50mm 1.7 (and the f/1.4 that I have) are outstanding little lenses. Fully

open they're ultra-fast and pleasantly soft, excellent for portraiture. I heartily

recommend replacing the 28-80. (ps: pardon my rambling, coffee hasn't

kicked in yet)

[michael_moon2]

I'm one who swears by fixed focal length lenses. My 28/2,8, 35/2, 50/1.7, 100/2 135/2.8 and 50/2.8 macro get a lot of use and have all paid for themselves many times over. I do use a few zooms, including 70-210/4 and 24-50/4. With enlargements up to 12x18, these two zooms are nearly indistinguishable from primes. I'd like to say the same for 35-105, 28-85 and 28-105, all of which I have owned, and the only one I still use is the 28-105, for events. If you really like zooms, a good choice might be the new Tamron 28-75 2.8, whose only drawback would seem to be its oddball 67mm filter size.

[alan_greene]

A great Minolta picture taker is the 28-135 f/4-4.5. It will rival a prime through most of its range. With that said, it is very heavy, 72mm front, and will only focus to 5 feet. It is sharp wide open. A great bargin is the 28-85 f/3.5-4.5. Much less distortion than the 24-85. Like mine alot. For more reach, the 70-210 f/4 is a nice lens. I have not used the 24-50, but those who have them seem to love them. Good luck.

[ben_torres_jr.]

Get a 24-105 3.5/4.5 D Lens..you'll love it. Good all around lens, got the D system going on and you got a wide angle view with the 24 and a pretty good zoom to 105 for portraits and stuff...all around...really good lens...I even used it to shoot college basketball and the 105-24 worked great...just not the fastest lens, but still great...Want a telephoto? I just purchased the 75-300 D lens, again, not the fastest but im sure it'll work out great..I like the build of the lens but one thing I hate that it doesnt have is...a distance window to judge distance for focusing and the manual focus ring seems to be plastic and not rubber..(Im just picky sometimes though I still like it)..I jsut got it today so I havent used it..but I think I'll be more than pleased with it..I was using an older lens, 70-210, from a friend and it took some pretty good shots to for a consumer zoom lens..so im sure this will be even better.

 

If the 24 on the 24-105 isnt wide enough...I've heard some great things from the Sigma 15-30 lens...I plan on purchasing that lens next to complete my "system". By the way, I shoot a Maxxum 7, Sunpak Flash, own a 24-105 D, 75-300 D, and a 50 1.7...

[james_m1]

Wanna do portraits? The Minolta 85mm 1.4D is one of their best ever lenses. Very sharp, very bright, great contrast, and perfect focal length for portraits. Has many other uses as well.