The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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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 lens 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 lens with 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 the 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. 

The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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

CCD Resurgence: Image making with the Minolta AF Zoom 24-50mm f/4, a 1992 constant aperture equivalent standard zoom lens, on the Sony DSLR-A350.

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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.

The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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: Images with the Minolta AF Zoom 70-210mm f/4, an acknowledged classic and one of the giants for Minolta colors, on the Sony DSLR-A350.

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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.

The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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The Galleria, Photo of the Day

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

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

CCD Resurgence: Impressive images with the Sony DSLR-A350, with a Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5, as a highly compatible vintage-digital pairing.

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Impressive images with a vintage Minolta AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5, a medium-range zoom introduced in 1985 by Minolta for the Maxxum 7000 35mm AF SLR camera system.

The lens, which can be used on A-mount Sony Alpha DSLRs, inherited its optical design from the hard-to-find manual focus Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5, has 13 elements in 10 groups, 7-blade aperture, a rotating front element, measures 85.5mm long (110mm fully extended), weighs 490 grams, and takes 55mm filters.

Digital photo enthusiasts with Sony Alpha digital SLR cameras should do well with the lens, normally a low-end bargain, with its minimum focusing distance of 0.8 meters, and macro mode enabled by a slider switch at the wide end of the lens. The minimum focusing distance for the macro mode is 0.18 meters (without autofocus).

The AF 28-85mm is solid and well-built, with a double-barrel design, plastic, a rubber zoom grip, and a narrow metal manual focus ring. Autofocusing is fast, though a bit noisy, with the autofocus driven by a motor in the camera body. The lens has focusing distance marks in meters and feet, IR marks for 28, 35, 50, 70, and 85 mm, and similarly for focal length marks.

A unique characteristic of the lens, not seen on many other lenses, is the focal length change, where the lens barrel extends out to its longest extension as the lens is zoomed in to its widest, at 28mm. The lens barrel is withdrawn back when zooming in and is thus shortest at its longest focal length. The front element of the lens rotates when the focal length is changed.

In macro mode, the lens can capture images with a maximum magnification of 1:4, and the minimum focusing distance is 0.18 meters. To enter the Macro mode, set the focal length to its widest, press the 'Macro' button on the zoom ring, and rotate the focal length control ring until it stops. Do the reverse to exit the mode.

On an APS-C Sony DSLR with 1.5x crop sensors, the lens is equivalent to a 42-127.5mm zoom, a very convenient range with a 'standard normal' focal length at the short end, favored for street photography, with the long end extending to what is colloquially referred to as a 'catwalk' focal length. The lens is equally suitable as a go-to lens for portraiture, street, and travel photography.

The lens, despite being almost or nearly 40 years old, still worked flawlessly on the test Sony DSLR-A350 it was mounted on. Zooming is smooth, and autofocus, besides the noise, is fast. Colors are great. The images, though, remind me to spend a bit more time with the lens and to see if I can come up with a better range of subject selection.

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

The DSLR-A350, as used for this shoot, is Sony's top-tier consumer SLR for 2008, and comes fitted with a 14.2MP APS-C CCD sensor, the second-highest pixel count for an APS-C format DSLR at the time of its launch (after the Pentax K20D, which has a 14.6MP CMOS sensor). The camera has an electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter with a speed range from 30 to 1/4000 second, plus B, flash sync at 1/160 second, ISO sensitivity from 100 to 3200, a 2.7-inch 230,400 pixels LCD screen, and a unique Live View mode that no one else has. Metering is Multi-segment, Center-Weighted, and Spot.