Minolta Maxxum 28-135 Zoom on Sony A7

[al2002]

Are any forum members using the Sony 28-135 zoom on the A7 or A7R? If so, please post your impressions. I still have one, 20+ years old, left over from film days when I used it with a Maxxum 7 as a general purpose lens.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Ute]

Are any forum members using the Sony 28-135 zoom on the A7 or A7R? If so, please post your impressions. I still have one, 20+ years old, left over from film days when I used it with a Maxxum 7 as a general purpose lens.

Thanks in advance.

I have one and tried to use it on my A7RII.
Unfortunately I only have the LA-EA3 which mean it functions only in manual mode.
It takes the LA-EA4 to autofocus which is what I prefer.
Sorry I can't provide any images.
Should work well though.
It's a great lens.

 

[al2002]

Thanks for the reply Ute.

Are sharpness, colour fringing and vignetting adequate on your A7 RII, or does the lens fall short of modern standards?

 

[The Ute]

Unfortunately I can't answer that as I did not take any photos w the combo.
Once I realized it was manual focus only (w/o the LA-EA4) I just set the lens aside.
I plan on selling it since I already paid for the LA-EA3 and use it w other lenses that are not screw driven.
Just guessing I would say the lens is not quite up to modern standards in the are you mention but still would produce excellent photos.
I always liked the output from that particular lens when I used it w my A850.

 

[benroy]

I have the 28-135 Minolta lens (along with an array of Minolta Maxxum lenses) that I use with the AF adapter on the the A7 and the A7RII. This is a very sharp lens at all focal lengths.
However, it is not fast...it does not AF fast, and it does not focus close. I cannot speak about optical irregularities such as CA...if they occur, they are handled by Photoshop.
Lens is heavy, but handles well on both Sonys.
I use it for walkarounds...keep to bright sun, and avoid macro work. Anything from 6' out, and you're fine.

I might add: the following Minolta Maxxums are superb lenses and well worth looking into: 28/2, 35/2, 50/2,8 macro, 100/2, 100/2,8 macro, 135/2,8 macro, 80-200 zoom, 200/2,8 (superlative!)

Just my 2 pfennigs worth...I don't get a chance to offer info much, hope this helps.

Roy Benson

 

[gurtch]

I have the 28-135 Minolta lens (along with an array of Minolta Maxxum lenses) that I use with the AF adapter on the the A7 and the A7RII. This is a very sharp lens at all focal lengths.
However, it is not fast...it does not AF fast, and it does not focus close. I cannot speak about optical irregularities such as CA...if they occur, they are handled by Photoshop.
Lens is heavy, but handles well on both Sonys.
I use it for walkarounds...keep to bright sun, and avoid macro work. Anything from 6' out, and you're fine.

I might add: the following Minolta Maxxums are superb lenses and well worth looking into: 28/2, 35/2, 50/2,8 macro, 100/2, 100/2,8 macro, 135/2,8 macro, 80-200 zoom, 200/2,8 (superlative!)

Just my 2 pfennigs worth...I don't get a chance to offer info much, hope this helps.

Roy Benson

I might add that the Minolta 20mm f2.8 is really nice on the A7RII. I used it regularly until I got the Zeiss 16-35mm FE f4, which I really love.
Good luck
Dave in NJ

 

[al2002]

Thanks for your input benroy.

I have a number of Maxxum lenses. Besides the zoom I have a 24/2.8, 50 mm Macro, 85/1.4 and a Tamron tele zoom (zoom range and aperture withheld to protect the guilty). A typical 1990's amateur outfit, perhaps?

I went digital with Nikon DSLRs several years ago and just don't care for the size and weight penalty compared to film cameras. I am now thinking of getting one of the Sony bodies, most likely an A7 II, and intend to use my old Maxxum lenses with the Sony adapter for a while to see if I can live with the A7 series.

 

[benroy]

You will not only survive, you will flourish...the AF adapter is a bit clumsy, but the lenses are first rate and well worth the trouble. Enjoy.
Try the 100/2 and the 200/2.8 and you won't turn back.

Roy Benson