Konica Minolta 135mm f/2.8 STF Lens for Minolta
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- Min Aperture: f/32
- Camera Format: 35 mm SLR
- Focus Type: Manual Focus
- Lens Max Aperture: f/2.8
- Focal Length: 135mm
- Lens Type: Fixed Focal Length Lens
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AF 135mm f/2.8: A great value, if you could find one!
Pros
Inexpensive; high overall quality; wide aperture; built in lens hood and glare stop
Cons
Narrow manual focusing ring; hard to find
Recommended it?
Yes
The 135mm f/2.8 Minolta Maxxum lens is one of the first generation AF lenses that were released along with, or shortly after, the release of 1st generation AF 35mm SLR bodies by Minolta.
This lens is now discontinued.
Some would think why would I want an old lens which is now discontinued?
The unfortunate trend in consumer priced optics these days however is newer is seldom better and useful / essential to a serious photographer items are often discontinued (at least by Minolta, Pentax) to make room for high cost and profit margin squarely pro-oriented items or mass appeal items that trade off quality for lower manufacturing costs and smaller size / weight and appearance, and sell in great numbers.
The 135mm f/2.8 Minolta Maxxum is a great lens designed and manufactured back in the days when it was considered important to cater to an advanced amateur or a budget pro photographer, with items that are affordable and high quality.
The lens auto-focuses reasonably fast given it's an older design. I would rate the speed between Minolta 50/1.4 and Minolta 85/1.4, and closer to the former.
There's a built-in pull-out round lens hood in the front (kind of like on an older 50 mm f/1.7). Felt glare stops pressed against the rear element make it somewhat difficult to clean but improve contrast and flare resistance.
Optical quality:
There's a bit of pincushioning distortion which I however don't find distracting.
The lens is fairly sharp and contrasty - a pro caliber performer. Not as sharp as the Maxxum 100mm f/2.8 but sharper than the Maxxum 85mm f/1.4 G.
The filter thread is 55 mm.
To find this lens, the best place is perhaps eBay where it shows up once in a couple of months or so. Specimens in good condition go for $130...$180.
This lens is now discontinued.
Some would think why would I want an old lens which is now discontinued?
The unfortunate trend in consumer priced optics these days however is newer is seldom better and useful / essential to a serious photographer items are often discontinued (at least by Minolta, Pentax) to make room for high cost and profit margin squarely pro-oriented items or mass appeal items that trade off quality for lower manufacturing costs and smaller size / weight and appearance, and sell in great numbers.
The 135mm f/2.8 Minolta Maxxum is a great lens designed and manufactured back in the days when it was considered important to cater to an advanced amateur or a budget pro photographer, with items that are affordable and high quality.
The lens auto-focuses reasonably fast given it's an older design. I would rate the speed between Minolta 50/1.4 and Minolta 85/1.4, and closer to the former.
There's a built-in pull-out round lens hood in the front (kind of like on an older 50 mm f/1.7). Felt glare stops pressed against the rear element make it somewhat difficult to clean but improve contrast and flare resistance.
Optical quality:
There's a bit of pincushioning distortion which I however don't find distracting.
The lens is fairly sharp and contrasty - a pro caliber performer. Not as sharp as the Maxxum 100mm f/2.8 but sharper than the Maxxum 85mm f/1.4 G.
The filter thread is 55 mm.
To find this lens, the best place is perhaps eBay where it shows up once in a couple of months or so. Specimens in good condition go for $130...$180.
