DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

Started Mar 24, 2018 | Discussions
V Ahrlenz Contributing Member • Posts: 823
Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations
1

Recently acquired a used Maxxum 7D with a Tamron 18-200 for USD $119.

Appears to have no black screen issue.

Came with firmware version 1.10.

Already purchased an 18-70 and a 100-200mm f/4.5 for a total of USD $65.

In the running for a 70-210 f/4.

Also looking at the AF 24mm or 28mm f/2.8's.

Might even splurge on a 17-35mm f/2.8.

Any 7D advice, or lens advice and recommendations?

Also spotted a couple of 5600 HS (D) flashes for around USD $100.

And a $130 Sigma 400 f/5.6 that looks like a deal.

Don't know why I have a soft spot for Konica Minolta.

Just looking to find bargains.

Building this 7D kit is just going to be a secondary pursuit - purely for fun!

Thank you!

David

 V Ahrlenz's gear list:V Ahrlenz's gear list
Panasonic FZ1000 Nikon Coolpix P7800 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 Pentax K-3 +3 more
Canon EOS 7D Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D (Dynax 7D / Alpha-7 Digital) Tamron 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC
If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form.
QuietOC
QuietOC Veteran Member • Posts: 6,838
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

davids8560 wrote:

Recently acquired a used Maxxum 7D with a Tamron 18-200 for USD $119.

Appears to have no black screen issue.

Came with firmware version 1.10.

Already purchased an 18-70 and a 100-200mm f/4.5 for a total of USD $65.

In the running for a 70-210 f/4.

Also looking at the AF 24mm or 28mm f/2.8's.

Any 7D advice, or lens advice and recommendations?

I suppose you want Minolta lenses, but there are better Sony options. I'd pass on the 18-70, 18-200, and 100-200. The 100-200 is redundant if you get the 70-210 F4.

Other Minolta primes: 50 F1.4, 100 F2.8 Macro, 135 F2.8

Other Minolta zooms: 24-85, original 35-105, original 75-300

I'll recommend a Sony 18-55 SAM II over the 18-70. The Sony 55-300 SAM over the Minolta telephoto zooms.

Splurge on a Sony 16-50 F2.8 SSM over the 17-35 F2.8. It has much better image quality than the 20 F2.8, 24 F2.8 and 28 F2.8 primes. The Tamron 17-50 F2.8 is a decent option too, or even their 28-75 F2.8. The Carl Zeiss 16-80 F3.5-4.5 is also okay.

I used the lightest, cheapest Minolta AF 35-80 F4-5.6 II kit zoom today.

 QuietOC's gear list:QuietOC's gear list
Pentax Q7 Sony a7R IV NEX-5T Sony a77 II Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM +104 more
jimrpdx
jimrpdx Veteran Member • Posts: 3,954
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

I really enjoyed the 100-200, other than its minimum focus. Small and fun, and it kept me from the Beercan's bulk. I also used the 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 which I dubbed the light beercan; its reviews are nearly as good and it's a lighter lens, plus focuses closer than the 100-200. Something about the metal-jacket 1st-gen Minoltas though, they must be experienced to really understand Minolta's way of doing things.

-- hide signature --

JimR nr.Longview WA - GX1 &c - https://granitix.blogspot.com

 jimrpdx's gear list:jimrpdx's gear list
Pentax K-S2 Sony a7 II Olympus E-M1 Panasonic 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 OIS Panasonic 100-300mm F4-5.6 II +2 more
OP V Ahrlenz Contributing Member • Posts: 823
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

Thank you for your reply.

You know, I thought for the sake of keeping the kit pure I'd forego any Sony lenses.

But I took the camera out over the weekend with the Tamron 18-200, and, having now seen the results, I'm pretty certain that old sensor can do much better!

Thanks and I will broaden my search!

Dave

 V Ahrlenz's gear list:V Ahrlenz's gear list
Panasonic FZ1000 Nikon Coolpix P7800 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 Pentax K-3 +3 more
jacketpotato Senior Member • Posts: 2,244
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations
1

davids8560 wrote:

Don't know why I have a soft spot for Konica Minolta.

Yep

I can comment only on lenses I've had. (Easy to google, search forums to recommend what others use, however this is hardly first hand experience).

My Minolta's : Beercan Classic 70-210mm F4; 50mm F1.7 AF; 75-200mm F4.5 MD Rokkor

I had legendary 35-70mm F3.5 MD Macro couple years earlier.

I had AF 35-70mm F4 Macro Minolta month ago sold it.

I had AF 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 Minolta month ago sold it.

John Arenas
John Arenas Regular Member • Posts: 218
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

davids8560 wrote:

Recently acquired a used Maxxum 7D with a Tamron 18-200 for USD $119.

Appears to have no black screen issue.

Came with firmware version 1.10.

Already purchased an 18-70 and a 100-200mm f/4.5 for a total of USD $65.

In the running for a 70-210 f/4.

Also looking at the AF 24mm or 28mm f/2.8's.

Might even splurge on a 17-35mm f/2.8.

Any 7D advice, or lens advice and recommendations?

Also spotted a couple of 5600 HS (D) flashes for around USD $100.

And a $130 Sigma 400 f/5.6 that looks like a deal.

Don't know why I have a soft spot for Konica Minolta.

Just looking to find bargains.

Building this 7D kit is just going to be a secondary pursuit - purely for fun!

Thank you!

David

Congratulations Dave.  It's great to hear of others with the same appreciation for such a beautiful piece of machinery. Totally understand your drive to stick w/ Minolta glass however I recommend you get 1 that you'd proudly display and the rest Sony recommendations already made. It's unfortunate that KM didn't produce a better APS-C lens than the 18-70 which will leave you wanting. Personally, I loved the secret handshake on my 7D even with all its drawbacks. Good luck.

 John Arenas's gear list:John Arenas's gear list
Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fujifilm X30 Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM +7 more
EXX
EXX Senior Member • Posts: 1,204
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

Lenses of high quality do not come cheap, that also applies to Minolta lenses.

From all the Minolta AF lenses I have, the 80-200mm F2.8 HS APO G and the 85mm F1.4 are by far the best. Then the 100mm F2.8 Macro D follows.

The 135mm F2.8 is also a nice little lens, not so expensive and delivers great quality.

Another fun lens is the 500mm F8 Reflex. A lot of reach in a small and portable package. Beware that, due to the F8, it needs a lot of light since the 7D will not do so well above ISO800.

 EXX's gear list:EXX's gear list
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Sony SLT-A55 Sony a77 II Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II PZD +18 more
OP V Ahrlenz Contributing Member • Posts: 823
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

Thanks for the advice!

I will just have to be patient.

I'll turn up some good deals!

Dave

 V Ahrlenz's gear list:V Ahrlenz's gear list
Panasonic FZ1000 Nikon Coolpix P7800 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 Pentax K-3 +3 more
EXX
EXX Senior Member • Posts: 1,204
Re: Minolta - Konica Minolta Lens Reputations/Recommendations

Prices for used A-mount lenses have been going down, so you might get good lenses for a reasonable price.

 EXX's gear list:EXX's gear list
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Sony SLT-A55 Sony a77 II Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II PZD +18 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads