Minolta Zoom

Minolta MD 70-210mm 1:4.0 Zoom – review

Minolta MD 70-210mm 1:4.0 Zoom lens review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD III

This is a manual-focus version of  “Beercan” – one of the famous lenses of Minolta. A rare case when the description is worth starting with the mention of another younger lens because everyone knows a “Beercan.” It’s enough to say that this is “beercan without autofocus” and everyone immediately understands what it is about. It is believed that the optical properties of the lens weren’t changed when autofocus appeared, but a small probability still remains, therefore I’ll clarify – the review is about MD, not about Alpha.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – 14 elements 12 groups – review

Minolta MD 35-105mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom 14el 12gr Macro lens review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD III

Almost 3-x zoom with convenient focal distances from enough wide to enough telephoto. The candidate to be the only one lens in a photographer’s bag but… Tests below show that the lens has not enough power to become a favorite. In other words – it’s a really good lens, but not ideal. Such a case often happens with middle-range zooms, even more – this Minolta is not bad by IQ among other lenses with the same diapason.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 28-70mm 1:3.5-4.8 Zoom Macro Lightweight – review

Minolta MD 28-70mm 1:3.5-4.8 Lightweight-version Zoom Macro lens review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD IIIa

This lens is from the latest generation of manual lenses with the Minolta logo. However, it is not ‘truly’ Minolta because it was developed and produced by some third party company. There were two (at least?) different MD 28-70/3.5-4.8 lenses, the first one “the heavy” has been reviewed here,  and now the article about the “lightweight” version is finished too.

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By Tony, ago

Minolta MD 75-150mm 1:4.0 Zoom – review

Minolta MD 75-150mm 1:4.0 Zoom lens review

  • Official classification: New-MD
  • Collector’s classification: MD

There are a few popular 2x-zooms produced by the genius of Minolta’s engineers. Everyone knows at least MD 35-70/3.5 and I can add into that list Minolta MD 24-50/4 and maybe MD 24-35/3.5. This reviewed MD 75-150/4 is a further level. See the test results – it’s fantastic.

The tested copy is in beautiful condition in all aspects, something like ‘Near Mint’ in Japanese sellers terminology. No traces of disassembling and damages.

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By Tony, ago