Playing With Lenses: May 2022

Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Heavy equals quality? Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5

Cost: $26 (average cost: $30)

I understand this is one of the first Minolta lenses with the AF (Auto-Focus) mount. The is very heavy for it's size and range, as it is mostly made from metal. Good sturdy build quality that will last for ever...

The zoom uses a lot of range and is therefore a little slower to average to auto focus. Aside from the weight, it's OK to use, but I wasn't blown away. This might have been an age issue (of the lens, not me), and it could have been smoother originally.

Image quality is average. Sharp in the middle stops, not to much aberration, and mostly rich colors. It just did not excite me as much as some other Minolta Maxxum lenses.

Pictures are taking on the Indian Arm Forest Service Road in Squamish, and on the Spirit Trail in North Vancouver.

It's a welcome addition to the collection, but I don't think I will get a lot of use as there other Minolta lenses I prefer.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 28-85mm
Maximum Aperture: F3.5-4.5
Minimum Aperture: F22-27
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: 13 elements, 10 groups
Blades: 7
Focusing: Auto (+ Manual)
Minimum Focus: 0.80m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 499g
Length: 85-110mm
Production: 1985
Serial Number: 31204494
Made in: Japan

More information on Minolta
More sample pictures at DYXUM.com

Samples:

1/250 sec. f/4.5 84mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/3.5 29mm ISO2500 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/4 42mm ISO500 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/9 59mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/200 sec. f/7.1 59mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/8 45mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/200 sec. f/8 59mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/60 sec. f/3.5 32mm ISO160 - Handheld

1/60 sec. f/3.5 29mm ISO200 - Handheld

1/400 sec. f/8 29mm ISO100 - Handheld

Reference:

More information on DYXUM.com

More pictures on DYXUM.com

Kurt Munger

Somewhat out of line: Minolta Maxxum AF 24mm f2.8

Cost: $40 (average cost: $80)

I like this lens... nice colors and fast focusing on the A7II (with adapter).

The lens is small, almost like a manual lens, but feels very solid and has a decent weight, giving a more stabile hold of the camera. The lens has the same look as most Minolta Maxxum lenses of this era, and the same well manufactured feel to it.

Picture quality is great with rich colors, good sharpness across the image and little aberration, especially around the f8 aperture, where it really shines with sharpness and overall quality.

The lens some heavy distortion when taking pictures of building and other rectangular shapes. But for a 24mm, that is not abnormal. I would mainly use it for landscape photography where it really shows it's excellence.

The sample picture were shot at the Britannia Mine Museum, a National Historic site of Canada (1987) on the Sea-to-Sky-Highway.

I like this lends and am pretty comfortable you will like it to when you find one.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 24mm
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: 8 elements, 8 groups
Blades: 7
Focusing: Auto (+ Manual)
Minimum Focus: 0.25m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 216g
Length: 43mm
Production: 1985
Serial Number: 55101287
Made in: Japan

More information on Minolta
More sample pictures at dyxum.com forums

Samples:

1/500 sec. f/8 24mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/60 sec. f/2.8 24mm ISO640 - Handheld

1/160 sec. f/6.3 24mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/60 sec. f/2.8 24mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/8 24mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/60 sec. f/3.2 24mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/160 sec. f/6.3 24mm ISO100 - Handheld

Reference:

More information on DYXUM.com

Reviews on DYXUM.com

Kurt Munger

Monday, 30 May 2022

Last but not least: Tokyo Kogaku UV Topcor f4 28mm Silver

Cost: $39 (market price $70 or more as the silver version is rare)

As a reminder, the UV mount lenses from Tokyo Kogaku were produced from the 1960's for Topcon's "cheap" line of camera's and do not have an aperture setting ring, as this is found on the camera body. for this test, I used an adapter with the aperture ring build into the adapter.

This is the more rare version of the 28mm f4, compared to the more common black version. It pretty rare to see one show up on eBay, but it's worth the wait. It looks so much nicer then the black version. In addition, it's very smooth in focus and operations. It's also small and light weight. I think my adapter was almost the same weight.

Although I'm again impressed with this lens, it does have some of the typical issues of older lenses like easy lens flares, loss of sharpness and increased aberration in the corners and on edges. But it is sharp when using an F8 or F12 (the adapter does not mark the f-stops) and has rich colors, and a reasonable crispiness.

So, yet again a keeper and finally completing my UV Topcor collection.

To take the sample pictures, I went to a regular spot for me, Porteau Cove between Vancouver and Squamish. And I took a side trip to the abandoned gold Northair Mine with colorful murals that seem to change every time you visit.

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 28mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: UV Topcor
Optics: 6 elements
Blades: 5 blades
Focusing: Manual
Minimum Focus: 0.37m
Filter Size: 49mm
Weight: 167g
Length: 32-36mm
Production: 1960's
Serial Number: 13601542
Made in Japan

More information on: Topcon