Bunch of new Alpha Lens reviews!
I hope you are having a nice weekend. Just came back home and made a short roundup of the very latest Alpha lens tests. Let’s start with a bit unexpected and positively surprising review: Carl Garrard (Click here) tested the Konica Minolta 100-300mm APO D f4.5-5.6 Lens:”The coatings on this lens and the APO elements produce some of the finest image quality I’ve seen from any DSLR lens in quite some time. My advice is to scoop up an APO D 100-300mm before they are gone.”
Great to see how good the Minolta lens on modern camera works. But they are really difficult to find. There are just few of them on eBay (Click here).
And here are two more reviews of more “Modern” lenses:
Photographyblog (Click here) reviewed the 50mm f/1.8 lens: “The Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM is a worthwhile addition to your camera bag given its budget price tag – if only it was full-frame compatible too…”
Photographyblog (Click here) also tested the 16-50mm lens: “Perhaps the only fly in the ointment is an apparent lack of sharpness at F2.8 that runs throughout the zoom range – you really need to stop down to F4 to achieve an acceptable level of sharpness. Despite this flaw, we can still highly recommend the Sony DT 16-50mm”
db
2 years ago |SHHHHHHHH! Part of the “secret” of these Alpha cameras is compatibility with old vintage glass… don’t tell everyone or the nice cheap lenses will go through the roof on price! OOPS, too late, darn… Maybe if the prices go up enough, old lenses will come out of closets and drawers!
Some of the old Minolta lenses are truly beautiful samples of engineering by themselves, nice solid (non-plastic) build quality made to last, and with pretty pleasing images. Sometimes a bit “nose heavy” on new light small cameras, but you can’t win ‘em all!
white
2 years ago |ho NO..
Bill
2 years ago |Love my Minolta 100-300 APO. I got a good deal on it too.
FK
2 years ago |I don’t know how relevant a review on the Minolta 7D nowadays is considering the fact that current Sony ASP-C sensors have a resolution of up to 24mpx while that of the 7d only has 6,1mpx .
The lens might have a good detail resolution but it also might not stand up to the newer much higher resolution sensors.
Carl G
2 years ago |Very relevant FK. In order to get the most resolution from 6mp you better attain sharp focus. All normal test procedures for lenses are detectable on a 6mp sensor. The only one you may not be sure of is how many megapixels the lens could out resolve. Therefore it is a completely relevant body to use for testing.
If you are just looking at total resolution figures and that is all that is important to you, well then perhaps we should strap it on the upcoming FF Sony when that comes in and do an addendum to the review. Otherwise you can see a lot of a lens characteristics that are also as vitally important (if not more so) than just raw resolving power.
Bokeh, Color, Contrast to me have greater impact on final image quality than just pure resolution alone. Wherein this lens excels greatly.
C
Seeky
2 years ago |Well, using a more modern body makes it easier to compare the tested lenses with modern lenses, and makes it easier to repeat tests. So while your test is fine to me, some actually prefer more objective data regarding lens sharpness. I’m also indeed interested how these older lenses perform on the 24mp sensor (compared to newer lenses).
SonyA77
2 years ago |A 24mp sensor makes them better.
Carl G
2 years ago |I don’t disagree with what you’ve said Seeky, especially more objective data. But PZ.com etal already does that kind of stuff. I prefer to take a different approach to avoid repetitive nauseum I suppose
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Klaus and SLRGear.com already do great labwork stuff with the newest gear.
I should have a few rolls of film back from the Maxxum 9 soon which can give me an idea (just) of what the 100-300mm looks like on full frame too.
C
Arthur
2 years ago |This lens has some very high quality glass but it is slow to focus and hunts all the time, even in bright light. Also, it sucks in dust like a vacuum cleaner, and its coatings may not be sufficient for digital sensors.
Carl G
2 years ago |Untrue Arthur, the coatings are excellent for Digtial sensors. Most of the original badged Sony lenses were never changed from the older Minolta lenses on the optics at all. No new coatings were made for those lenses.
The APO D has two APO elements to combat CA (there is almost none detectable at any f/stop) and had zero issues with internal flare or ghosting that can sometimes be indicative of older film lenses without a coated rear element- they simply didn’t need it for film.
Rest assured the APO D is one of the best color, contrast, and distortion/aberration free lenses you can get for the Alpha Mount.
Carl
Arthur
2 years ago |You are correct it is a great lens. I never suggested anything about image quality, only its focusing time and suction. Besides, while D version of this lens has digital coatings they were likely changed by Sony on the rebadged versions of Minolta glass. Look at Minolta and sony coatings and you’ll see they are different color.
Carl G
2 years ago |Well we were talking about the 100-300 lens right? Each lens is a different subject. Sony chose not to reintroduce this lens, instead the far less superior 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 standard telephoto zoom (unfortunately). Then later create the new 70-300mm SSM G (which is excellent indeed).
In summation I’m saying the APO D has sufficient coatings for digital (that is the understatement of the year) that’s all. And I don’t think it’s any different from any other zooms in the respect to dust resistance. All zooms, especially telephoto ones, tend to suck in dust more. Part of what we live with as DSLR investors
.
As far as Sony’s coatings were concerned, take a look the the 18-70mm Sony, and 18-70mm KM (both kit lenses). Also the 75-300mm KM and 75-300mm Sony (also kit lenses). Just to name a couple.
The latest Minolta 50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4 Sony- also, identical optically. I had a long talk with Sony about the differences in the lenses when they introduced them, and the only differences the stated were made from the latest Minolta incarnations was the exterior appearance on MOST of the reintroduced lenses in 2006.
björn
2 years ago |It is a Minolta 100-300mm APO D f4.5-5.6 Lens, not KonicaMinolta, there is some different with that
Rien Vesseur
2 years ago |Henry’s just sold on of these on Ebay. I stopped bidding at 200.. it sold for 205 dollars. Oh well. I doubt that it could hold it’s own against a Tamron 70-300 USD. Some things gotta have improved in the last 20 years.
Seeky
2 years ago |Well, I’m surprised they say that you need to stop down the 16-50 to get acceptable sharpness at Photographyblog. Mine is as sharp at 35mm f2.8 as the 35mm f1.8 is @ f3.5. It is sharp in the center through the whole range wide open.
Clyde
2 years ago |I too have seen other 16-50mm samples which are brilliant wide open f2.8. Uncanny sharp actually. Looking at reviewers samples they seem mis-focused.
And honestly, while I appreciate lens reviews, there is a telling nature of laziness that comes from sample shots of a book case that looks as though it belongs in any average college dorm. This review certainly lacks the ambition of other real world sample shots of other testing sites.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Glad I am not the only one that thought this was odd.
My 16-50mm is pretty sharp wide open throughout the range, not tack sharp like my 50mm f1.4 at > f2, but sharp enough to make you pixel peep.
aikiman
2 years ago |The 100-300 APO is a good lens IF you have plenty of light. Indoors it sucks, D or non-D. I’ve taken some sharp pics with it on aps-c bodies, but if I find myself in the shade, boy do I have to crank up the ISO…
godsakes
2 years ago |the 100-300mm APO isn’t all that hot a lens IMHO but if you need a travel friendly option it’s a worthwhile consideration otherwise the sony G and tamron USD 70-300mm will comfortably own it
Arthur
2 years ago |It is lighter than SSM lenses since it is made of plastic for the most part.
Carl G
2 years ago |I’ve used all three lenses, I don’t see that the Sony or Tamron own it whatsoever. In fact the APO-D is sharper than the new Tamron and has better and contrast as well. Tamrons are prone to a warm tone to images that in my opinion taint accurate color and high contrast capability. They are great lenses but I prefer a more pure color output personally.
The Sony G SSM is excellent, one of my favorite lenses Sony has ever made… however the price, weight, and size of the APO-D make it a very attractive alternative because the optical performance is very close to one another.
Carl
klw10
2 years ago |I agree. Not sure why he is so high on the 100-300mm other than he must have an excellent copy. The one I had was blown out of the water when I got the Sony 70-300 G from the Circuit City fire sale a few years back.
Carl G
2 years ago |Take a look here, I’m certainly not the only one high on this lens. Maybe you got a rare bad copy? Lets keep our options open.
http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Minolta-AF-100-300-F4.5-5.6-D-APO_lens65.html
klw10
2 years ago |I know all about the link you have referred me too. I am telling you you had a good copy. I had the Minolta 100-400mm too and it was not so hot either. Stopped down they may be suitable but I found the old Minolta 75-300mm “big beercan” when stopped down to f8 destroyed both of these lenses.
Maybe this is another one of the 28-135mm deals. I found that lens ok but its little brother the 35-105mm was cheaper, lighter, smaller, and just a better lens.
Bard Prentiss
2 years ago |After about 4 years sand 1000s of shots I am still very happy with my 70-300 Minolta “new” . According to Dyxum reviews it is comparable to the DAPO 100-300 in sharpness and color and cost me $120 USD. CAs have not been a problem with my copy.
rico
2 years ago |I own the non D 100-300mm APO. The 300mm setting is very usable. I didn’t encounter any slow or inaccurate focusing with my Sony A55. I sold my Sony A55 but kept the 100-300mm APO for use with my Minolta Maxxum 5 film slr. I have three 35mm black and white photos from the 100-300mm APO that I printed full frame on 11 x 14 paper in the darkroom.
REVENGE
2 years ago |There goes the hype for vintage lenses again…
obican
2 years ago |I still find it prery dumb to have a 50/1.8 for aps-c only. 50/1.8 are only popular because they are cheap and they are quite useful on FF. Many people use them on aps-c too, but they are not useful as a 35/1.8. Luckily, Sony’s 35/1.8 is one of the finest lenses at that price range that I’ve seen. Much better than Nikon’s.
I wish it came in E mount.
Carl G
2 years ago |I only wish it had better build quality, as I do with all the the lower priced SAM lenses. I really liked the optical quality of the 85mm f/2.8 quite a bit. Sony went just a bit too far to one side of the pendulum with the build quality I’m afraid. The SAM focus motor leaves something to be desired as well. – C
Pebble
2 years ago |This moment this lens is out of stock…due problems at the Minolta factory…Just saying..
Phil
2 years ago |Carl must be sticking his on ebay soon. Trying to crank up the demand.
Carl G
2 years ago |Really Phil?
Never ceases to amaze me what people will say on forums etal vs. in person.
C
magic823
2 years ago |I have one. I love the weight, but I’ve replaced it with the Sony 70-400G which (other than weight) I prefer. I could be talked into selling it.
Robin Edgar
2 years ago |My “compromise” lens, between the compact and lightweight Konica Minolta Maxxum 100-300mm APO D f4.5-5.6 zoom lens and the large, heavy, not to mention rather expensive. . . Sony SAL 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM zoom lens, is the remarkably compact Minolta Maxxum 100-400mm f4.5-6.7 APO tele zoom lens which I took these photos of last Saturday’s supermoon with.
http://eyelovemontreal.blogspot.ca/2012/05/perigee-super-moon-montreal-saturday.html
Yes I did use Sony’s “Clear Image Zoom system” 2X digital zoom featured on the Sony Alpha A57 for the ultra telephoto shots of the rising moon. With the A57′s handy 2X digital zoom the Minolta 100-400mm APO tele zoom becomes the equivalent of a 1200mm ultra telephoto lens on a full frame DSLR or 35mm film SLR.
I should add that the fixed translucent mirror and electronic first shutter on the Alpha A57 and other Sony SLT cameras is a BIG help when shooting high power telephoto images.
Gordon
2 years ago |Most of my telephoto photography is of wildlife while cycling. I have a variety of alpha bodies and lenses including Zeiss and Sony G. Last year I settled on using an a55 with a Tamron 200-400mm f5.6 lens mainly due to weight but I was happy with the IQ. My copy of this tamron is sharp at 400mm. I take a second camera with the DT16-105 for shots that require a wider view. Last saturday I took my a57 with the 70-400mm SSM G. I was very impressed with the results with the clear zoom feature of the a57. It really works and is not a gimmick. The clear zoom feature increases the zoom range with better IQ than adding a 2x teleconverter (I would rather crop the image than use a teleconverter anyway). Now we have the option of using clear zoom which preserves the image resolution. I plan on pushing that zoom button a lot. The AF system of the a57 was pretty good (better than my a700) for capturing birds in flight. In the future I plan on taking both the a57 and a77 and see what I think about their respective AF systems and capturing flying birds. But right now I think the a57 will be my main wildlife camera body.
KShooter
2 years ago |I have just bought a copy of the 100-300 D on ebay for £200. I am excited to get out and put it through its paces.
Thanks Carl for the review.
Nivrakk
2 years ago |I have just tried this for the first time and I had to come online to say that I am extremely impressed. The IQ is awesome. I am used to using primes and the IQ is as close to them as I ever thought that I would get with a zoom lens.
The sharpness, bokeh and colour accuracy are phenomenol. The minor points are that it is slow to focus indoors and I would have liked to have a shorter minimum focusing distance.
Also the zoom action on my copy is a little stiff.
Edit: I am also KShooter above. This is a continuation of that post after getting my hands on the lens.