Konica Minolta AF 85mm f/1.4 G Maxxum Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

NYRoadnRail
( Expert)

Review Date
September 17, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Review 1 of 21

Price Paid: $379.00 from KEH, Atlanta GA

Summary:

Purchased this lens in 9+ used condition from KEH in Atlanta, GA. Images are razor sharp, bright, and no discernable color distortion. Took late afternoon shots with a low sun (not in frame) and did not see or experience any flare. Took several modelling shots of my fiancee with this lens. After pictures were developed, I became so impressed with lens and results, I was very inspired to take more!

Strengths:

Really quick focusing, Razor sharp, No chromatic abberation. Solid, well built construction, Easy to handle & maneuverable. Extreme low light capabilities.

Weaknesses:

None so far.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 50mm f1.4.

Customer Service:

Minolta: none experience for this lens, but previous Minolta service was exemplary. KEH Camera Brokers: telephone sales rep; Gail, was extremely helpful, friendly and accomodating.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

jackwoo
( Expert)

Review Date
April 26, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 21

Price Paid: $320.00 from Hong Kong used

Summary:

Excellenet sharpness. I blow it up to 16x20 using Ilford XP2 film rated as ISO100 in my wet darkroom. It is still sharp. At this size, you would know what sharpness means and you will learn why prime lens is good.

Strengths:

Super sharp f1.4 Metal construction

Weaknesses:

Focus not as fast as Canon. Hood is not flower shape.

Similar Products Used:

A lot of 35mm SLR and lens.

Customer Service:

Good in Hong Kong.

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Rating
Reviewed by: RON GRANT
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 18, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 21

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

I HAVE OWNED A MINOLTA 85 F/1.4 FOR 12 YEARS. THIS IS EASILY THE BEST LENSE I HAVE EVER USED. THE OPTICS ARE SUPERB, THE COLORS ALWAYS TRUE AND CLEAR. IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THIS LENSE, YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED. THE PICTURES THAT I HAVE TAKEN OF MY DAUGHTERS ALONE HAVE JUSTIFIED THE PURCHACE PRICE. IT CAPTURES THE TRUE ESCENSE OF THE SUBJECT BETTER THAN ANY OTHER LENSE I HAVE EVER USED.

Strengths:

SUPERB OPTICS

Weaknesses:

BIG, HEAVY

Similar Products Used:

MOST SIMMILAR BRANDS AND OFFERINGS.

Customer Service:

HAVENT HAD TO USE THEM

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Rating
Reviewed by: gkalemanis
(Professional)

Review Date
May 26, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Review 4 of 21

Price Paid: $599.00 from B&H

Summary:

One sharp lens. It's the sharpest lens I own. Colors are wonderful, contrast is good. A top caliber pro lens. Put this lens in a skilled photographer, and it will wow almost anyone. It has all the resolution one could ask for. It's worth every penny too. It application is perfect for portraits and landscape.

Strengths:

Sharpness/contrast/speed

Weaknesses:

none I could see

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 28-70/2.8G Minolta 80-200/2.8G Minolta 50/1.7

Customer Service:

never used it

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Rating
Reviewed by: Fussy
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 19, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
6 votes

Review 5 of 21

Price Paid: $1080.00

Summary:

The Minolta AF 85mm 1.4 lense is a good one, I use it for portraits most of the time. I just love the 85mm perspective as it makes the portrait look very natural. The lense barrel is make of metal which I consider very well-built. Image quality is outstanding and sharp, but be careful when using it at F 1.4 as the depth of field is shallow-(if you do not focus right on the subject's eye in portrait, the eyes will appear blur or soft when you get back your prints from the lab!) Contrast and colour is very good, the defocus (bokeh) look pleasing and nice. This is what I can speak of this great lense, but remember to get a good B&W skylight or UV0 filter to protect the front element of the lense. Don't get a cheap filter as it can degrades the images taken with this good lense!

Strengths:

Images is sharp and the bokeh is smooth and pleasing.

Weaknesses:

A bit slow in focussing.

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