Wednesday 30 November 2022

Finally The Beercan: Minolta Maxxum AF Zoom 70-210mm f4(22)

 Cost: $26 (average cost: $30)

   
   
As this lens was launched at the same time as the Minolta Maxxum lince of camera's, I understand this is one of the first Minolta lenses with the AF (Auto-Focus) mount. the lens was previously available as a manual focus lens. This lens is large and heavy and mostly made from metal. A good solid build quality that will last for a long time. Not for nothing that many of these lenses are still used by Sony users (either Sony α users, or Sony users with a the right converter adapters).

This lens is favorably nicknamed the "Beercan", due to its size, and well respected by its users. Image quality is good with a constant maximum aperture and decent sharpness across the range. I did see some color aberration in the higher focal lengths, and I thought the bokeh effect was "too busy", but it's actually one of go-to lenses if I need a little bit of range, and a lot of light.   

Pictures are taking in the Vancouver Zoo, and on the Maplewood Flats Bird Sanctuary in North Vancouver. 

Lens Specification:

Focal Length: 70-210mm
Maximum Aperture: F4
Minimum Aperture: F32
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: Minolta AF
Optics: 12 elements, 9 groups
Blades: 7
Focusing: Auto (+ Manual)
Minimum Focus: 110m
Filter Size: 55mm
Weight: 735g
Length: 148-155mm
Production: 1985
Serial Number: 1074093
Made in: Japan

More information on Minolta
More sample pictures at DYXUM.com 

Samples:

1/400 sec. f/4 208mm ISO250 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 104mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4.5 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/4 208mm ISO160 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO400 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO250 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO100 - Handheld


1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO400 - Handheld

1/250 sec. f/4 208mm ISO250 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/5.6 208mm ISO100 - Handheld

1/320 sec. f/4 208mm ISO160 - Handheld

References:

https://www.dyxum.com/

http://kurtmunger.com

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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous19 March 2023 at 21:27

    Not the sharpest vintage 70-210mm out there, but what is maybe most impressive thing about this lens is its optical balance: it is good to very good across most settings. Overall, a very solid but not spectacular performer.

    A cheap vintage tele-zoom that surprised me recently was the Tamron (non-SP) 80-210 f/3.8-4.0 adaptall-2 103A. It's a surprisingly good performer that can be found in thrift stores for peanuts. Sharp, with excellent contrast and punchy colors. I've used a lot of the better and more expensive manual-focus zooms in this focal range, and this cheap lens holds its own against many of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. didekeer19 March 2023 at 22:23

      Yes, you never know... I had some real cheap 3rd party lenses over they years that surprised me. Of course, with lenses this old, sometimes it's just a mediocre lends that kept up really well, or a great lens that just did not keep up with old age.

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