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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

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Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS), First Impression

CCD Resurgence - First impression images with the highly acknowledged Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 (RS) mounted on a 14.2MP CCD Sony Alpha DSLR-A350.

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First impression images with the Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS), a legend of its time, a classic known for its excellent sharpness and 1:1 magnification capability. Despite its production run that ended more than 30 years ago, the lens is still a hot spot today with digital photo enthusiasts enamored of its dual-purpose design as the first autofocus 100mm macro lens capable of 1:1 (life-size) magnification, and a portrait/short-telephoto lens with beautiful subject separation.

The lens, introduced in 1993, is the second of the series, with the original AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, the first autofocus 100mm macro lens capable of 1:1 (life-size) magnification, launched in 1986, the RS, and follow-up Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro D (with ADI metering) in 2000, and the Sony AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro in 2006.

The RS (re-Styled) version is a refresh of the original, with a new barrel design featuring an enlarged rubber focus ring, a focus range limiter (to reduce excessive focus hunting), and a focus hold button (to lock focus on a subject), useful when using continuous autofocus (AF-C). ADI metering allows the lens aperture to be automatically adjusted by the camera based on the lighting conditions.

Designed with an 8-element, 8-group floating element with rounded blades which was maintained throughout the production series, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.352 meters, measures 71mm in diameter and 98mm in length (approximately 119mm fully extended), accepts 55mm filters, and packs a rather hefty (compared to current lightweights) weight between 505 and 519 grams across the series.

The lens is highly acknowledged for its excellent sharpness, even when shot wide open at f/2.8, and is said to be capable of maintaining excellent sharpness across the aperture range. Ideal applications for the lens include life-size close-ups or used as a short telephoto lens for heads and shoulder portraits, wildlife, landscape elements, sports, and candid street photography from non-intrusive distances.

On the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, the AF 100mm f/2.8 is equivalent to a 150mm medium telephoto lens on a 35mm full frame camera, a versatile focal length excellent for capturing images with a shallow depth of field and subject isolation. At 150mm, a macro lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio is perfect for detailed close-up shots of insects, flowers, and other small subjects.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (RS)

A snug fit, though a bit heady at 1.2+ kg combined weight, the camera/lens kit is a pleasure to use. For handheld manual focus close-ups with the lens at its closest focusing distance, the camera can be cupped in the hand with the thumb and index finger conveniently distanced over the focus ring. At the other end, shooting with the camera held at arm's length, with the camera set to Live View, is equally fun and exciting.

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Sony DSLR A-350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

CCD Resurgence: Out and about with the Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4, an equivalent standard normal zoom on the 14.2MP CCD Sony DSLR A-350.

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Out and about with a highly recommended 'CCD Resurgence' digital SLR camera kit, a vintage 14.2MP CCD Sony DSLR-A350, mounted with an equally but earlier vintage Minolta AF wide-angle zoom, the Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4. On the Sony DSLR-A350, the 24-50mm zoom is equivalent to the standard-normal 35-70mm zoom on a 35mm full-frame camera, a versatile general-purpose standard zoom suitable for most photography genres, including landscapes, portraits, and everyday snapshots.

Short zoom lenses, especially the 35-70mm, or equivalents, are broadly defined as standard zooms that have a midpoint near the classic 50mm mark, the focal length that defines 'standard normal,' or what the eyes see, with natural perspective. The zooms may range between 2.5× (28–70 mm) to 5x (24–120 mm), with the 3x (24–70 mm) being the most common.

The concept, as introduced by Canon in 1973, saw the FD 35–70mm f/2.8–3.5 as the first practical solution for 35mm SLR film cameras. The idea was later carried by other manufacturers who joined the bandwagon to promote their own versions of the standard as well.

As for the selection at hand, the Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4, introduced in 1987 as part of Minolta's AF lens lineup following the launch of the Minolta Maxxum 7000 system, is a lightweight and compact constant aperture standard zoom is a 7-element in 7 groups design with spherical elements and conventional multi-coating to control aberrations.

The lens is highly regarded by both Minolta analog enthusiasts and, later, by Sony Alpha users for its excellent build quality and optical performance. It features both autofocus and manual focus options, focuses down to 0.35 meters (with a maximum magnification of 1:5.56 at 50mm), measures 69 mm in diameter and 60 mm in length, weighs 285 grams, and accepts 55 mm filters.

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A350, on the other hand, is a mid-range APS-C DSLR introduced in 2008. It is notable for its 14.2MP CCD sensor, body-integrated Super SteadyShot stabilization, and an innovative Live View feature enabled by a tilting mirror mechanism. The DSLR was Sony's top-tier consumer SLR for 2008, with the second-highest pixel count for an APS-C format DSLR at the time of its launch, and it was positioned between entry-level A200/A300 and the prosumer models.

Sony DSLR A-350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

For the CCD enthusiast with a passion for the legendary 'Minolta Colors,' which may be more myth than reality, the Sony DSLR-A350 and the Minolta AF 24-50mm f/4 are both available at affordable prices on auction sites or even in brick-and-mortar stores. The kit won't cost you a fortune, and for a small investment, you'll get the chance to explore the film-like, high-quality, and low-light capabilities that CCD sensors are known for. 

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

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Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4, First Impression

CCD Resurgence: Looking at the Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4, a 1992 constant aperture equivalent standard zoom lens.

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This is not one of my better posts, nor are the images worthy of their first impression presentation; they are just an adequate portrayal of a lens that has just arrived, and the rush to get it online. The Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4, introduced initially in 1987, is a constant-aperture standard zoom lens offered as part of Minolta's AF lens lineup following the launch of the Minolta Maxxum 7000 system. The lens is a compact solution for general-purpose photography with a useful wide-to-normal focal range in its native full-frame mode.

The lens is highly regarded by Minolta analog enthusiasts and later Sony Alpha users for its excellent build and optical characteristics (good color rendering and contrast).

The lightweight and compact 7-element in 7 group lens, designed with spherical elements and conventional multi-coating to control aberrations instead of the more modern aspherical elements and advanced coating technologies, has both autofocus and manual focus capabilities, focuses down to 0.35 meters (1:5.56 maximum magnification at 50mm), measures 69 (diameter) x 60 mm, weighs 285 grams and takes 55 mm filters.

The lens maintains a constant f/4 maximum aperture throughout its zoom range, achieved through a manual zoom mechanism that extends while changing focal lengths. The polycarbonate barrel construction incorporates metal lens mounts, with user reports indicating that the lens is capable of surviving decades of use with minimal play of the zoom mechanisms.

The lens is seen over a couple of iterations, the original Minolta AF 24-50mm f/4 as released in 1987, and a restyled version, the Minolta AF 24-50mm f/4 RS, as released in 1992.

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4

On the Sony DSLR-A350, an APS-C sensor digital SLR camera, the 24-50mm zoom is equivalent to the standard-normal 35-70mm zoom, a versatile general-purpose standard zoom lens suitable for most photography genres, including landscapes, portraits, and everyday snapshots. The focal range offers a good balance of wide-angle and standard focal lengths, still with natural perspectives, which is useful for capturing scenes as the eye sees them.

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 70-210mm f/4

CCD Resurgence: A look back at the Minolta AF Zoom 70-210mm f/4, a highly acknowledged classic and one of the giants for Minolta colors.

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First time out with a vintage Minolta AF Zoom 70-210mm f/4, a.k.a the Beercan, a highly acknowledged classic Minolta AF zoom favorite with analog enthusiasts from the days it was introduced in 1985. The lens was part of the Minolta Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha 7000 35mm AF SLR camera system, the first 35mm SLR film camera with autofocus and integrated motor drive. The lens has some mold on one of its inner elements, which makes me unsure about what I am getting into.

Things went OK, though. While the images are generally softer and lower in contrast (which can be enhanced, tweaked, cropped, and sharpened later using the desktop image editor), they are still worth the post and better for the discussion.

The AF Zoom 70-210mm, a robust built all-metal and glass (aside from the lens hood and rubber grip) with 12 elements in 9 groups and 7 blades, measures 168mm fully extended, weighs 695 grams, takes 55mm filters, and features a constant maximum aperture of 1:4 throughout its zoom range. This allows for continuous exposure settings when zooming in and out, a feature advantageous for photographers shooting fully manual.

The lens was popular for various photography genres, including portraits and landscapes. Reviews indicate that while images were excellent, the lens may exhibit some chromatic aberrations, particularly at wider apertures. On modern digital cameras, maintaining a good resolution image is better with the image size is cropped to the size of the camera's sensor. The lens is also a ‘true zoom’ or a parfocal, which maintains focus as the focal length changes when zooming.

On the Sony DSLR-A350, the lens is equivalent to a 105-315mm zoom on a 35mm full-frame. With its bulk and weight, and the risk associated with mounting the camera on a tripod, the answer is to use the camera handheld. The anti-shake Super SteadyShot image stabilization, standard on all Sony Alpha DSLRs, helps to keep images steady.

While the lens is not as fast as its modern counterpart, and certainly not a lightweight, it does stand its ground as one of the giants of 'Minolta colors,' with the qualities of more expensive lenses without the cost. Others might still be deterred by its f/4 maximum aperture, but with a minimum focusing distance of 1.1 meters and a macro mode at its long end.

The caveat: The lens is over 30 years old. If you are getting one, read the description or discern images of the lens for any indication of mold. If it does, do not keep these lenses with others, as the collection may become infected!

Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF Zoom 70-210mm f/4

The Sony DSLR-A350, one of two new DSLRs introduced by Sony in 2008 along with the α DSLR A300, is a mid-range DSLR, positioned above the entry-level A200 and A300, but below the A700 prosumer model. The camera is fitted with a 14.2MP CCD sensor, the second highest pixel count for an APS-C format DSLR at the time, an LCD screen that can tilt upwards and downwards, eye start autofocus, Live View, a feature that allows you to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder, anti-dust protection, and a built-in Super SteadyShot image stabilization system.

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Sony DSLR-A350, Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5

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