Konica Minolta AF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 Maxxum

Review Date
June 5, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Reviewed by
Ralph Nastari , Intermediate , from Largo, Fl.

Price Paid
$199.00 at KEH

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
I have taken photos of various subjects with this lens. The results have been very good, and outdoors with ideal lighting, exceptional. I can find no faults with this lens, mechanically or optically, but I must say that I have not tested it for vignetting or pincushion distortion. For my purposes, I would rarely use this lens for subjects that would result in distortion, as I shoot mostly scenics, and when shooting family functions, or the few weddings I have done at much coaxing from family members, I rarely shoot outside of the 35MM to 75MM range. I have to rate sharpness, clarity and color saturation of this lens as excellent. I seriously doubt that I will find myself disappointed in any images this lens will provide me in future uses.

Strengths
Optically excellent
Solid build

Weaknesses
None that I can support.

Similar Products Used
Various manual Minolta cameras and lenses. I also own the two touch , Minolta MD 28~85MM Macro lens, which is a great lens also, and has given me many exceptional photographs.

Customer Service
Have not used except for requesting instructions for the use of various expansion cards that I purchased for my 9xi, which I bought used from KEH. Minolta rep. was courteous and extremely helpful, and mailed the instructions I requested.

Review Date
February 20, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 6 votes

Reviewed by
nick , Expert

Price Paid
$650.00 at singapore

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
A terrific all round lens. Love it for landscapes and portaiture. The one lens I just can't be without. A very big step up optically and in bulid quality from the nasty 28-80's and 35-80's virtually every manufacturer more or less gives away with their camera bodies. Makes a nice match with the 100-300 Minolta apo.

Strengths
Dependably sharp at essentially every aperture (except fully stopped down) at every focal length. Decent Build. Decent AF. Compact (though not as compact as the new Minolta 24-105D).Good flare control

Weaknesses
Some distortion particularly at 24mm end.If you want to shoot architecture get yourself a prime 28mm or similar!

Similar Products Used
Minolta 35-80, 28-80. Tokina 20-35.

Customer Service
not used

Review Date
February 19, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Scott Little , Professional , from Fort Lauderdale FL USA

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Outdoor

Summary
This is a fine general purpose zoom.

Distortion at the wider angles of view may limit its use with architectural subjects.

Strengths
Good sharpness and contrast
Useful zoom range
Well damped manual focus ring

Weaknesses
Distortion at wider angles

Similar Products Used
n/a

Customer Service
n/a

Review Date
January 15, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
David Dodier , Expert , from Portsmouth NH

Price Paid
$260.00 at ebay

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Other

Summary
great economy lens with 24mm, a good bargain and everyday situation lens, but quality of build materials is lacking

Strengths
sharp, fast focus, great focal length range

Weaknesses
plastics and build are flimsy

Similar Products Used
None

Review Date
January 9, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
John kim , Intermediate , from ny

Price Paid
$350.00

Photography Experience
2-5 years , People

Summary
this lens is awesome!!! and very compact..easy to carry..focusing is fast

Strengths
amazingly sharp for consumer lens..I luv IT
even sharp at wide open

Weaknesses
vignetting at 24mm

Similar Products Used
5 other minolta and few canon lens

Customer Service
fair