First impression test of the Minolta AF APO Tele-Zoom 100-300mm 1:4.5~5.6, a bargain A-mount tele-zoom (compatible with all Sony A-mount SLR camera bodies) introduced by Minolta in 2000. Seen as a fair price offer on the auction listings, the AF 100-300mm lens is a lightweight and compact 3X telephoto zoom lens with a circular aperture and two AD (Anomalous-Dispersion) glass elements to correct chromatic aberrations. The front lens element does not rotate during autofocus, and the lens has a focus-hold button and focus-range limiter for reduced focusing time and improved operation.
The lens is very well built, with 11 elements in 10 groups, 9 aperture blades, a smooth black satin finish externally, a nibble of wobble with the zoom fully extended, a metal mount, weighs 435 grams on my kitchen scale, and takes 55mm filters up front. Zoom and focus operate smoothly, manual focusing is a bit (plastic) 'dry'. The front element housing, and the hood (if it still needs to be fixed) are plastic. Images are impressive and inspiring, with the mention of having 'Minolta Color' qualities, sharp even at its widest, and excellent form f8 on.
On the Sony A-350, the Minolta AF APO 100-300mm 1:4.5~5.6 is equivalent to a 150-450mm long tele zoom, which is more often the realm of sports and nature photographers. Too bad I am neither of both. What matters most is that the lens is a well-built lightweight, a potential favorite, and even when combined with the camera itself, is still a price breaker. I do not think that I will have any qualms about lugging the camera/lens combo around for the next street shoot and beyond sessions.
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