Customer Reviews

Opteka High Definition 500mm f/8 Preset Telephoto Lens for Minolta MD Film SLR Cameras

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this lens for my Minolta SLR and it now works well with my Sony A100 digital SLR. I shoot sports, primarily rowing, and this lens works well from all perspectives.

Getting the settings right is a bit tricky as not much light filters through the lens itself. On bright, clear days, it works fantastically on the sports setting of my camera. Any hint of cloud or dusk and I go to adjusting shutter speed manually to keep the light coming in.

It can be tricky to focus quickly as your subject moves closer then far away again (as happens in rowing races) but I've used this lens for close-ups on faces as well as fixed-distance shots from stands at a large event.

When zooming into the photos on my computer for closer cropping, they can be quite pixellated, but overall the definition is good.

If you're an experienced photographer, then you'll probably find this lens a bit too basic. But for me, a person who loves to take photos for fun and is still learning about my camera, it's great value for money. I would recommend a monopod support (there is a mount on the lens) but I shoot successfully without one, provided the light is good enough.

I was hesitant. Used with my old Minolta XG, it works well. I'd read a few negative reviews in camera forums, but for $$ it's worth it. I think negative reviewers were AP/UPI wanna-bes.

I just bought this lens 2 weeks ago for my Minolta 35mm X-370 SLR. A few days ago I had the first roll of film developed that I had taken while using this new lens. The sharpness of the images I created were very impressive. I shoot alot of bird photos at long distances and even in a slight wind while the camera was mounted on a tripod, the images came out exceptionally sharp. I can see right away I am going to realy enjoy this new lens for many years to come.