Playing With Lenses: Wider range but average in quality: Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 35-105mm 1:3.5(22)-4.5

Thursday, 10 September 2020

Wider range but average in quality: Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 35-105mm 1:3.5(22)-4.5

Cost: $25 (average cost: $30)

With a much more useful range then the 35-70mm, it's much more fun to shoot with the 35-105mm. I would prefer a little wider on the wide angle side but it's close to a good all purpose lens.

It feels solid, but it's actually very compact for a lens with this range. Combined with the Sony A7II, it's a real small and elegant solution. It's not that good for Macro or any close range pictures, especially at wide open apertures, but it does reach very good sharpness for longer distance and around an apperture stop of 10. Very sharp in fact.

Color rendition is nice and truthful with little color aberration. Sharpness, when it's there, is across the whole lens. This is my third Maxxum lens, and another hit. Quality is maybe a little less then the superb previously mentioned 35-70mm, but with the extended range it a real good lens to have in your arsenal.

And again a reminder that these older Maxxum lenses can be found for almost nothing, but when used the right adapter, remain a full auto-focus lens on a new body.

More examples on Flikr.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 35-105mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5-4.5
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: 12 elements, 10 groups
Blades: 7
Focusing: Auto (+ Manual)
Minimum Focus: 0.85m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 293g
Length: 60-83mm
Production: 1988
Serial Number: 14116777
Made in: Japan

More information on Minolta

Service Manual Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 35-105mm

Samples: