First impression images with the Minolta AF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 APO, a bargain A-mount tele-zoom introduced by Minolta in 2000, shot on a Sony DSLR-A350. The lens is compatible and shares the same Minolta AF/Sony Alpha lens mount system.
Mostly seen as a fair price offer on the auction listings, the AF 100-300mm lens is a lightweight and compact 3X telephoto zoom lens with a circular aperture and two AD (Anomalous-Dispersion) glass elements to correct chromatic aberrations.
The lens, a 'perfect' fit on the Sony DSLR-A350, has a focus-hold button and focus-range limiter for reduced focusing time and improved operation. The front lens element does not rotate during autofocus.
The lens is very well built, small and compact, with 11 elements in 10 groups, 9 curved aperture blades, 1:4 magnification ratio (on full frame), a smooth black satin finish externally, a nibble of wobble with the zoom fully extended, metal mount, weighs 435 grams on my kitchen scale, and takes 55mm filters.
Zoom and focus operate smoothly, manual focusing is a bit (plastic) 'dry'.
The images are impressive and inspiring, and they are mentioned as having 'Minolta Color' qualities, sharp even at their widest, and excellent from f/8 on.
On the Sony A-350, the Minolta AF APO 100-300mm 1:4.5~5.6 is equivalent to a 150-450mm long tele zoom, more often the realm of sports and nature photographers, to which I am not.
What matters most is that the lens is a well-built, lightweight, potential favorite lens, and even when combined with the camera itself, is still a price breaker.
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