Minolta AF 70-210mm F4 (Beercan): Lens Review

[@MrBazReviews]

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[@dougscott3089]

Many years ago I worked in a camera shop and was lucky enough to lay my hands on this lens also its companion lens the 28-85 zoom, they have stood me in good stead since the 1980s & I'm still using them, even after almost forty years they are still going strong, my only gripe is that the plastic lens hoods didn't stand the test of time. They have never been serviced. I also had my own camera shop with a small photo studio upstairs, I used the 70-210 as a standard for portraits & close up work ie passport shots.

[@MrBazReviews]

I have the 28-85mm too, it's quite a good lens I might do a video on that one. Some of these older lenses are better than I expected. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@MrButtons252]

@@MrBazReviews i would watch the 28-85mm review, never tried one. Ive had the 70-210mm F4 and loved them. Everytime regretted selling it.

[@Ceph_Bluejay9]

My granddad has a minolta 7D (I have been using recently since he doesn’t use it anymore) and this lens was in the bag with it and it comes with its metal lens hood (instead of a plastic one) which is very nice

[@meta4101]

i own this lens and use it on both my a6500 and A7R4... your review is spot on.

[@MrBazReviews]

Thanks, I have a lot of time for this lens flaws and all, only downside really is the CA. The 100-200mm is a better option for action shooting, I like both for different reasons.

[@gastonmannlicher8077]

This is my favorite vintage lens to use.

[@MrBazReviews]

I like the lens a lot it's got a great look to the images, some weaker points (CA is the main one) but it's a steal on the used market

[@gastonmannlicher8077]

Mr Baz Reviews Purple fringing along the edges of leaves and limbs when backlight was the only issue I’ve had with my style of shooting. I can clear most up in post although sometimes it’s too much to clear up fully. Just had to learn the lens and adjust accordingly.

[@MrBazReviews]

@@gastonmannlicher8077 I don't find it a show stopper, but best to show people so they can be aware of it. The smooth rendering of the lens is a big plus point, something some modern lenses can struggle on. The 100-200mm is also very good in a different way super compact I also use that quite a lot

[@stuffnuns]

The model of this lens I own has pretty low CA, and damn sharp. The focusing ain’t fast, but beautiful colors and the bokeh is lovely. I will replace it soon, only because i have to use the Sony adapter for my A7ii, and with that, I lose the A7’s native focusing system, replaced by the adapter’s early aughts Minolta style one. If you own an A-mount Sony, this lens is a gem. If you have an A7, and already have the A mount adapter, yes, do get one. But, unless you have a lot of Minolta glass, don’t drop the almost $300 for the adapter. Get some native lenses that can use the much improved focusing system Sony has developed.

[@MrBazReviews]

I think the problem is with Native E Mount cost of lenses, perhaps Tamron is an option, the FE 70-200mm F4 is pretty expensive. I did see someone is hacking an LEA4 adapter to work without the SLT mirror and I believe it works with some lenses, not many this might be one. The CA can vary on lenses I've found it more an issue in this v some others, resolution is good even wide open, more than usable. Some of the A mount lenses have SSM they can work with the LEA3 and can be had for reasonable prices I still like this lens, but prefer to use it on A Mount bodies, the AF is just better than the normal LEA4

[@engjds]

@@MrBazReviews Do you mean focusing is faster on native A-mount than the LEA4 adaptor?

[@MrBazReviews]

@@engjds I have an LAEA4 it depends on the body AF speed is similar to the A55/57/65 era bodies, the A77, A99, 77ii are a bit faster and have more sensors and cross sensors. What I mean is there is a monster adapter where you mod the LAEA4 to remove the mirror, IMO it's not quite there yet I did ask for a review sample but heard nothing back. The adapter is fine for what it is, but I prefer to use the native bodies for other reasons (handling etc)

[@ferenckis1301]

I use it on the Sony A58, I also take pictures in the theatre , mainly folk dancers. I love it, it's a very friendly price.

[@MrBazReviews]

It's a bargain really, yet despite it's flaws I am fond of the images it can make.

[@tonybaker55]

I have a '92 version and really happy considering I only paid £53 for it. Pristine condition too. I like mine for portraits, but also landscapes as well. The Sony A99 ISO control is so good, that f4 is fine.

[@MrBazReviews]

For the meagre price it's hard to complain, the lens has its flaws - yet also some charm too. A99 is quite good I had one for many years, it's a notable step up in low light v the A77. I do like the 100-200mm too, that lens is remarkably compact for only a slight drop in aperture f/4.5

[@xdush]

​@@MrBazReviews Hello, does this lense fit on the sony a200? I am planing to buy the both for the price 150€..pretty good price or not for the 2?

[@MrBazReviews]

@@xdush Yes 150 euro is a decent price for both the 70-210mm F4 works fine on the A200

[@xdush]

@@MrBazReviews thank you

[@Magnetron692]

Hi, many thanks! I have the Minolta MD version and the Leica R version of this lens. Quite a nice lens with very good image quality! Best wishes, Magnetron

[@MrBazReviews]

Yes the design is similar I have used that lens too.

[@LiveMusicOntario]

I have a Minolta "AF 70-210" that I used on a Minolta 400si. It has the smaller physical format of the second lens shown in this video towards the end. Lens thread size is 49mm. Also the markings imply the aperture range is f4.5 - 5.6. I have not found the exact match online but maybe it depended on where it was sold (Canada). There is a plastic button on the same circumference as the focus readout, inline along the length of the lens with the red dot for assisting in mounting the lens. I have no idea what that is doing. What can be done with this lens today, in the digital camera realm?

[@MrBazReviews]

After this lens they did an F4.5 and an F5.6 version (70-210mm) These lenses all work on digital, some better than others. The 100-200mm is an earlier lens and like the F4.5 and F5.6 ones is smaller. You can use them see what your results are, majority of lenses I've used from Minolta work quite well on digital, some suffer from CA a bit more than newer lenses

[@Paolone1963]

Nice review 👍🏻 greetings from Italy 🇮🇹🍻

[@MrBazReviews]

Thanks you are lucky Italy is a great place I have known a few Italian people, amazing women too ;-D

[@jaysonguevarra4113]

will this work on sony A7ii body using A-mount to E-mount adapter? thanks

[@MrBazReviews]

It does you have AF if you use the LA-EA4, otherwise you can use a basic adapter and manual focus/aperture with that (as you can on any MILC body with these lenses). You have to use the LA-EA4 though the LA-EA3 or EA5 won't work for AF on that body

[@jaysonguevarra4113]

@@MrBazReviews thank you sir, this is very helpful.

[@dleechristy]

I use this beercan on a brand new Sony A7.4 full frame camera - I have the Sony adaptor (expensive) but then even autofocus works accurately. It's not quite as fast as newer lenses, but fast enough in most situations, and provides beautiful photos. I bought the adaptor because I also like to sometimes use the Minolta 50mm 1.7.... For ultra-wide where I do more video, I sprung for a modern zoom lens. I also have a modern midrange zoom (35-70mm). Mr. Baz is right, it's great for portraits, candids, and macro, great bokeh, colors etc

[@camillebrenes]

Hey, I recognize that camera ;) Nice review!

[@MrBazReviews]

Classic lens dude classic ;-D

[@Rich-ll8ce]

I was lucky enough to pick one of these up at the bootsale in very good condition for £10, I can't wait to get out to take some photo's so I can compare against my Tamron 70-300. (Using Sony A58)

[@MrBazReviews]

It's a nice lens, other than the CA I found a good copy is quite decent at f/4

[@EmilianoGonzalez-vd1lw]

CHello! great video, I have AF Minolta 100-400mm and I want to use it on my Canon 5D Mark III what kind of adapter I need, I look everywhere with no luck, Thank you in Advance.

[@MrBazReviews]

You can't use Minolta on Canon EOS mount nor the other way around. Most people adapt them to the mirrorless mounts

[@sergeantcrow]

Thank you Mr Baz...

[@MrBazReviews]

No worries glad it was useful

[@ferrerowrochie]

can you use this lens to minolta srt 101 without an adapter?

[@MrBazReviews]

No the SR/MD mount you need to use the manual focus lenses on them. They do a MD Zoom 70-210 mm f/4.0 for the manual focus Minolta cameras.

[@ferrerowrochie]

@@MrBazReviews Thank you!! Great help!

[@robertstelmachuk2327]

I have one of these for sale. It was my fathers. Any idea where the best place is to try and sell it? Being fair on $ too.

[@MrBazReviews]

Some use eBay or try local/regional ad sites, they are pretty easy to sell. But you don't get a lot for them

[@songheo6198]

nice review thank you

[@MrBazReviews]

No problem the lens is a joy in most ways

[@marshallhuckabee3566]

what kinda camera is that?

[@MrBazReviews]

Dynax/Maxxum 7 the semi pro 35mm body

[@MeettheCreatives]

Will this work with the Minolta to EOS R adapter?

[@MrBazReviews]

Which adapter? There are 2 Minolta mounts, this is A Mount, the other is the manual focus SR/MD mount

[@err7273]

should i pick this up for $20?

[@MrBazReviews]

At that price the bang per buck is pretty much off the scale IMO. It's a classic Minolta lens not without some flaws, but very capable

[@err7273]

@@MrBazReviews okay for sure, i’ll try to get it for 15👍🏽

[@Meqa]

Awesome intro

[@MrBazReviews]

Lol that's why I changed it!

[@ramialnajialnaji3434]

👌

[@ramialnajialnaji3434]

👍

[@MrBazReviews]

Thanks

[@mediaflmcreation]

210mm for portrait? Where were you, in another zip code when you took the shot of that girl at 210mm? lol

[@MrBazReviews]

What can I say I'm just not an 85m portrait kinda shooter! ;-D Lot of people do use a 70-200mm for portraits, just not always at the very top end

[@mediaflmcreation]

@@MrBazReviews Makes sense on the top end. Around 70-90 maybe? I am seriously thinking about getting this lens. I ordered the wrong mount that actually that's "MD/MC" lenses so I figured hey why not this one. Ran into your vid.