Mini Review - Minolta 28-135 f4-f.5 2553-100 Lens

A bargain full frame collectors lens!

August 2008, Carl Garrard

Introduction and Layout-

Minolta's 28-135 f4-f4.5 first generation lens is a subculture icon. If you haven't yet heard of this lens, that is one reason alone for generating this article. With the soon to come Sony A900 (Flagship) due, many Minolta users or Sony users looking to upgrade to that body may be looking for some killer low budget glass. Enter the Minolta 28-135 f4-4.5. This lens boasts a full frame wide angle of 28mm, to a very decent mid telephoto of 135mm, and.... a decent macro feature to boot (1:4 magnification APS-C), with rear component and internal focusing (great for filters). You can probably get a good one for about $175.00-$300.00 USD when you look around.

Given you get a sharp "good copy" lens off of Ebay or other various used outlets on the net, this lens is a real steal. It is super sharp starting at F4, and reaches its max sharpness at about f5.6 through the entire range of 28mm-135mm (losing very little sharpness after 100mm). It is heavy at approximately 750 grams, but the extra weight is due to some seriously good build quality. All of the internal lens groups are glass, and the rest of the lens made out of metal. It has a 72mm front filter diameter size, and does not come with a lens hood so you will need to find an after market screw in compatible with 28mm wide angle if you have to have one (I don't).

There are rumors that this lens was built in the same Japanese Minolta factory in Osaka Japan where the G lenses were manufactured, and based on it's build quality that is an easy rumor to believe. I find this lens to be a very versatile focal length, equating to 44mm-202.5mm on APS-C, and a very good wide angle to decent telephoto on Full Frame (yes I tested it on a full frame body). Its sharpness is really hard to beat for a zoom. It will still show some CA and a hair of softness in comparison to some digitally optimized glass, but it still retains the magic Minolta color and contrast that really is legendary.

Given our choices Sony is offering in camera bodies today (and very soon) this lens seems very hard to pass up to me. It focuses very quickly at just 3 screw turns and does so internally and via a rear focusing ring (a little different to get used too).

Image quality is fantastic on my copy. Sharp sharp sharp. Color is very good and even though some CA is present, it isn't nearly as bad as some of todays digitally optimized lenses. On a good copy, I have yet to see any real complaints warranted on image quality, and even the bokeh is good (not just depth of field most get confused with bokeh) with its 7 straight blade design giving very decent out of focus effects (non- circular blades).

If that weren't good enough, the lens comes with a cool wide angle macro feature accessible via a dedicated switch on top of the lens itself (see the focal length indicator line shown above). Turn the lens to the wide angle side of the focal length, push up the switch, and you are now locked in macro mode (until you release the switch and back out of it). The only drawback I find is that there isn't any focal length indicator on the lens telling you just what focal length range you have in Macro mode (and there is a small range), but either way it works very decent, with a minimum focus distance of about 6" at its widest macro setting to about 12" at its longest macro focal distance. Not bad if you need a close up of a flower or critter in a pinch. This feature really adds to the appeal of this lens reminding me much of the Tamron 70-300LD Macro 1:2 and Sigma 70-300 APO DG 1:2 Macro in it's versatility (only a wider version and MUCH more sharp).

Incredible given you can probably pick up a used copy for about the same price as the brand new 70-300 macro hybrids. No you don't get the warranty or guaranty of a good copy, but thats part of the fun buying used equipment. Once you get a good copy, hold onto it!

Specifications-

Weight- 750grams

Angle of View- 75 to 18 degrees

Aperture Range and Sweet Spot- f4-f4.5(at 135mm), f5.6 to f11 sweet spot

Minimum focus distance- Approx 4.5' w/a, 5' telephoto, macro- approx 6" wide angle, 12" telephoto

Magnification- 1:4/1:11

Filter Diameter-72mm (common easily purchased)

Dimensions (length)- 110mm minimum, 155mm fully extended

Focal length to Max Aperture figures- f4-28-40mm, and f4.5-41mm to 135mm

Focal length conversion (APS-C 1.5x)- 44mm to 202.5mm

Aperture blades-7 (straight)

Manufactured in- Osaka, Japan

Number of screw turns- 3 (even)

Conclusion-

I see this lens operating on my A900 when it arrives, quite often (it already is doing work on my A700). While there are many lenses in the Sony lineup and the used Minolta market you can also use, few are as versatile as this one nor give you such performance for the dollar. I do suggest to users to consider this lens in your stable. And if I had my way, I'd tell Sony to re-introduce it with some minor upgrades to the exterior and functionality, and with of course updated digital coatings. Hard to see this one stay in the history books in my opinion.

If my small review hasn't convinced,you, don't hesitate to look at all the stellar user reviews this lens gets at Dyxum.com. And say hi to Kiklop for me while you are at it.

Cheers all! Safe and Happy shooting as always!

Carl Garrard