Very fast focus, excellent image sharpness in a short to medium focal lenght range.

a little slow and soft at 100-105mm, but I used it for portrait work, and for that purpose it is more than acceptable.

An excellent all-purpose lens, which does really neat stuff with xi and above cameras. Power zoom and power manual focus is precise and easy to handle, just make sure you have an extra battery if you plan to use all XI features. I got this lens used for mere $150, and for this money you could not get any better.

Customer Service

Did not need

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 35-80mm DL 4.5-5.6

Sturdy build, fast AF, non rotating front element, good sharpness & contrast.

some flare

This is a great standard zoom lens. The autofocus is fast and image sharpness when stopped down is impressive, softening slightly at the long telephoto end. Wide open it is still a decent performer. I shot some photo's with the sun in the frame and at different angles off the frame with the lens hood on and observed some flare, though it seemed better controlled than in similar lenses I have used. I would say it is the perfect mid-speed standard zoom for maxxum users.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 EX
Tamron 28-200

Versatility

Price

Soft at both ends, especially wide open.

Prone to flare: make sure to use the hood under all circumstances

Quite slow with a max aperture of 3.5-4.5

If you don't shoot slides, will not enlarge to 18x24 cm (8 by 10 in)or beyond and hate to lug several lenses along with you then go and get it.

If you shoot slides with 100 ISO film under available light or want to make enlargements, then this is NOT the lens you want.

Customer Service

Never needed it

Similar Products Used:

None

Relatively solid build compared to the 24-85/f3.5-4.5 although it's plastic too.

Absolutely poor resolution and contrast. I was very disappointed by this lens. By far the worst lens Minolta ever constructed.

Wouldn't recommend this lens. Go for 28-70 if you can or the 28-85 (unfortunately no longer build).

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

24-85, 28-85, 24-105, 28-70

Good range, excellent build quality, very fast AF, nonrotating front element, and most important good sharpness.

none

Good all round lense with excellent quality. Very fast AF using my 800si. When I can only have 1 lense with me I always take my 28-105.

Customer Service

haven't required it.

Similar Products Used:

minolta 70-210 f4, 135 f2.8, 75-300, 50 1.7, 28-80.

Wide focal length in one lens, build quality, name.

Slightly soft at 105mm

This excellent 'universal' lens stays attached to my camera under all conditions (unless I attach the even better 100-300 AF APO which is even better) and has been a reliable friend for over three years. The fact that the front element does not rotate is filter friendly and the sturdy construction is satisfying to hold. Sharpness falls-off slightly at the extreem end but not so noticeable unless big enlargements are made. I paid approx £330 (~$511)

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200 AF (MA fit) suffered from poor contrast, long minimum focusing distance and was not as sharp as required.