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Review Date
April 3, 2004
Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Value Rating
 5 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review
2.80 of 5, 5 votes
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Reviewed by
j_r
, Intermediate
Price Paid
$500.00
at eBay
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, People
Summary
This lens reproduces extremely accurate colors, better than any other lens I have tried and seen. This is my favorite part of this lens. I love seeing the exact same colors in prints that I see in real life! Pictures are sharp with very good contrast. The pictures taken with this lens enlarge very well, especially given that it is a zoom lens. Contrast is even visible in minor details.
If you just take 4x5 prints and color fidelity is not your priority, you might not be able to justify spending 500+ to get this lens. You may even feel let down. In that case, be happy with your less expensive zoom lens. But if you value color accuracy, contrast, and want to make enlargements with your zoom lens, you really want to consider this lens. The 2.8 9-blade aperture is another bonus. You get nice blurry backgrounds.
This is one of my favorite lenses, and I would not willingly part with it. At first, I was a bit skeptical. But this lens' performance slowly, but surely, won me over.
Strengths
Color accuracy!
Contrast.
Sharpness.
2.8 aperture.
Sturdily built.
It looks good (if that counts)!
Weaknesses
A bit heavy (but big lenses produce better results). This could be a benefit for some, it balances better.
Focusing is not as fast as smaller lenses.
Similar Products Used
Canon 28-80
Minolta 28-80
Customer Service
n/a
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Review Date
July 29, 2003
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
1 to 3 months
Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 4 votes
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Reviewed by
Hartanto
, Intermediate
, from Sydney, Australia
Price Paid
$650.00
at KEH.com
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, Outdoor
Summary
I just purchase this lens from KEH.com, the lens is second best decision I have made in terms of Lens purchase.
The first one was 80-200 f2.8 G. Second is the 28-70 f2.8 G, this lens is an absolute BEAUTY!! Pictures are pin Sharp, color reproduction is excellent (WYSIWYG). I have try it using it with Tamron SP 2x converter, the quality is amazing. Try it with extension tube for macro, it is pin sharp.
Really love this lens. If you are serious about photography, this is the lens for you. Save up and spend on better lens from manufacture.
It is expensive, but it worth every cents. If you can find one used, get it!!
Strengths
Pin Sharp!
Flare resistance
Colour reproduction
72mm filter
Weaknesses
Focus a bit slower than 80-200 f2.8 G.
Similar Products Used
80-200 f2.8 G
Customer Service
None Needed
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Review Date
May 21, 2003
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes
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Reviewed by
Oliver Sutari
, Intermediate
, from Doha, Qatar
Price Paid
$999.00
at B&H
Photography Experience
11-20 years
, Outdoor
Summary
I got the lens, alongwith my Maxxum 7, just two weeks ago. This very website helped me make my decision, though I have been using Minolta products for nearly 8 years now, and with great satisfaction I might add.
I took the family out for a shoot and clicked away an entire roll. The results were simply fantastic. The colour reproduction is one to one (true and accurate). I have clicked 4 more rolls since (both indoor and outdoors). Excellent all round results.
AF is quick and the focus hold button is a great feature. Zooming is extremely smooth and the lens has a great feel to it.
All in all a master product from Minolta. (I have seen a lot of my friends take pictures with cameras of other reputed brands. I can only say one thing: notwithstanding application of different technologies by different manufacturers, Minolta's lenses in terms of results, are on par with any 35mm brands within their respective categories. I have not understood all the hype about the other brands.
By the way, this is an excellent website to do research on photographic equipment. I used it extensively and, in fact, bought the entire Minolta Maxxum 7 system (body, lenses, flash units, etc.) without even seeing the system physically. A lot of faith in Minolta, of course, also played a big role - you don't spend US$ 3,000+ just like that! Absolutely no regrets!!!
Strengths
Accurate colour rendition. Superb clarity. Fast AF with very smooth zooming. Great feel.
Weaknesses
I have used it only for two weeks, but can't imagine finding any weaknesses.
Similar Products Used
A variety of Olympus and Minolta's MD series lenses.
Customer Service
Did not have to call yet and hopefully will not have to!
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Review Date
June 14, 2002
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes
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Reviewed by
marksct
, Intermediate
, from Trumbull, CT
Price Paid
$700.00
at KEH.COM
Photography Experience
11-20 years
, Outdoor
Summary
There is NO BETTER GLASS than this. Nothing more to say.
Strengths
Clear, crisp, contrasty, flare resistant, smooth Manual Focus, Smooth zoom. Great color rendition. Built strong and sturdy.s
Weaknesses
Slower Autofocus that the other big names. I use manual focus most of the time and it is not a problem here. Marketing.
Similar Products Used
Tokina ATX 28-70 f2.6-2.8
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Review Date
January 29, 2002
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3 votes
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Reviewed by
Elijah Free
, Intermediate
, from Santa Cruz Ca, USA
Price Paid
$675.00
at E-nay
Photography Experience
2-5 years
, Fine Art
Summary
Okay, so I love this lens! The first time I printed my pictures, I kept looking at them trying to figure out why they looked different. It took about two days for me to realize how remarkably sharp they were. And how bright and brilliant the colors. I then got that it was this lens that I had shot with. Wow! I can really see the differnce between my other lens, a Sigma 28-70 2.8 ex which I found quite good, and the Minolta. I bought it on E-bay for a great price—like new. A wonderful resource for those of us who can not pay mega-bucks for this lens and others like it. This lens is a true work of art. Just shooting with it is a great pleasure. It responds fast and you know the quality is going to be excellent. I do not know what all of the complaints are about slow focusing. I have not found this to be so. I have used it on a Maxxum 7 and a 9 and found it to be as quick and responsive as I could ever want. All in all, this is one of the finest lenses I have ever shot with. It is a permanent fixture in my bag.
Strengths
Beautiful construction, well thought out and produced!! Sharp and quick to focus. Highly flare resistant. Feels like it will last forever. Gorgeous and exacting color rendition. Minolta had produced a fantastic product.
Weaknesses
Only that it has the Minolta name which many people wrongly relate to poor quality or non=professional.
Similar Products Used
Sigma 28-70 ex (a nice lens, but not in the same ballpark)
Many other Minolta, sigma and tamron lenses.
Customer Service
Never used it for a repair. However, tried to order a missing rubber eyepiece for my Minolta 9. Two months later, they still tell me they can''''t get one as Minolta of Japan have not sent them any.
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