Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F/4 Telephoto Zoom Lens

by Minolta

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• ASIN: B000XYIIP2
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 28, 2007

Product Description

The Maxxum 70-210 f/4 telephoto is presently the most sought after medium telephoto in the Maxxum line up. It has obtained a "cult-like" status amongst Minolta photographers and is affectionately known by Minoltians as "The Beercan". The lens is well designed with high quality optics and the durable build of Minolta's legendary 1st generation vintage lens line up. It has been rumoured to have a Leica-influenced design and to have cost more to build than the sales price. Performance, vignetting, and distortion (wide open and stopped down) as well as color, flare, AF speed and build are all considered. The f/4 is the highest rated non-APO medium telephoto lens in the database, and for the most part, the rest of the available lenses that do rate higher will retail at $1000-2000. The build of the "beercan" is second to none. Most newer versions in the 70-210mm focal range sport a smaller maximum aperture and increased use of plastic components, both cosmetically and internally. Inside the f/4 version, die cast metal gears, parts and threads are found and the body is a solid metal casing with a beautiful enamel finish and wide rubber zoom grip. This construction does add to the weight of the lens, but for overall durability and a stable and more distinctive feel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent medium telephoto for the AF mount, May 26, 2010

By 

Sasikanth Malladi (Fairfax, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F/4 Telephoto Zoom Lens (Electronics)

I've had this lens for a couple of years now and am pretty happy with it.

The good:
Cheap. A good copy can be had under $200.
Very well built.
Excellent image quality.
The famous "Minolta colors".
Reasonably fast at f/4.0.
Constant f/4.0 throughout range.
Length does not change while zooming.
Sharp wide open.

The bad:
It's a 20+ year old lens, hence older technology and older coatings.
A bit of CA.
No focus limiter.
Heavy.
AF is slow (but good on the Sony A700).

On the whole, this is the only constant f/4 medium telephoto lens in the Sony alpha (Minolta AF) line up. No third party and no Sony equivalent.
Great image quality. Nice warm colors. Sharp wide open and great at 5.6 and beyond. Nice heavy feel. Metal body, built to last. Great for portraits and street, sports. Versatile length and good speed.
When it misses focus, it needs to zoom in and out and that could take 2-3 seconds on my Sony A100. Focus limiter would have been useful.
Good bang-for-the-buck lens.
This lens has actually built up a cult following among the old Minolta shooters, which has continued into the Sony alpha line up. People rave about the "Minolta colors", the image quality etc. There might be a bit of exaggeration in other reviews, as with anything which has built up a good reputation.
On the whole, I don't see any reason why one might not want to buy this lens.
If you can afford $700 or more for a 70-200/2.8, you can pass up on this but for a hobbyist on a limited budget, one of the best lenses in the AF mount.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Quality Lens, January 28, 2009

By 

J. Whiticar "photo junkie" (S.E. Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F/4 Telephoto Zoom Lens (Electronics)

So far I am very happy with this high quality lens. Much sharper than newer Sigma lens. Constant aperture is also a good feature. The down side is that it is a little long and heavy but worth it. Also called the "beer Can" lens.

3.0 out of 5 stars Beware Their are Not so Good Copies out there, June 6, 2011

By 

L. Wilson (Philli) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm F/4 Telephoto Zoom Lens (Electronics)

I bought this Beercan legendary lens thinking it was going to be great - but my copy was great most of the time but would not focus clearly or produce a sharp image at the 210 end unless you were in sunlight. Was not dependable on my Sony a33. I have a 100-300 Minolta APO which produces better images tack sharp.
Returned to seller