Published July 14th 2006

Minolta 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6

This is a standard medium zoom lens in the not-too-bright end

Minolta 75-300mm f4.5-5.6

Even though this lens feels like an "amateur-lens" it can take some really nice pictures. No one can tell what lens you used when they see the final picture, and this lightweight medium-range zoom has produced some great images on my bodies.

When I bought it I actually first tried a similar Cosina with a sliding zoom ring (rather than turning), which I didn't like much, and which didn't autofocus on my Dynax 7 when zoomed to the long end. So I returned to the photoshop and traded the Cosina in for the original, which was a bit more expensive -- but still dirt cheap.

I took a lot of pictures with this lens until I got my second "beer can", which then -- as before -- became my medium-range zoom of choice.

It's not a quality lens as such. The optical construction is acceptable, and stopped down a bit it is also very sharp. But it needs some brightness and the mechanical construction is typical for an "amateur-lens": drastical change in size when zoomed and rotating front element when focussing.

I have since sold the lens to a friend who needed a telephoto zoom. He got it at a good price!