MicroReview: Minolta 28-105/3.5-4.5 RS
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Well, I was quite skeptical about this lens at first, especially after reading the MTF graphs.
They stated that this lens was softer at all apertures (that were comparable) than my beloved Tank Beast Tokina 28-70/2.8
When I received it, I was in utter frustration as I had thought the seller didn't include the lens hood which he said he would. After looking around the box, I found it rapped in paper! (Lol)
It was a well cared for lens, I would not be surprised if he said it was new! No marks, scratches, signs of use Whatsoever!
When I attached it to my a200 with vertical grip, it looked very strange (very small). I wasn't used to small zooms anymore, and anything that wasn't bigger than 72mm (filter diameter) looked strange. But I got over it after I started using it. (I don't think I'll use my Tokina again, other than for portraits).
So I heard this lens performs really well on FF, lets see on APS-C.
These tests were performed on a tripod, SSS-off, Autometer, Apeture Priority and 0EV compensation
Sony DSLR-a200
Minolta 3.5
Tokina 3.5
Minolta 5
Tokina 5
Minolta 6.3
Tokina 6.3
Minolta 8
Tokina 8
Minolta 16
Tokina 16
What is evident is that the Minolta outperforms Tokina from f3.5 to about f5.6, the image for f5 seems to be a bit blurred, will check up on that.
The Tokina then takes over from f6.3 onwards.
Minolta shows steady maintaining of quality up to f8.
This is evident that Minolta is a better lens wide-open, while Tokina owns afterwards.
If only it were vice-versa, I'd resell the Minolta.
(these were both set at 28mm, it may be a weak spot for Tokina)
The brokeh from the Minolta is MUCH better than the Tokina, something that I've always liked about Minolta lenses.
Hope this has helped you decide, if you EVER come across these 2 (quite unlikely nowadays).
Enjoy.
A.
