Sony a-mount Minolta 100-400mm Lens Test

Users of Sony a-mount cameras have access to a number of lenses made by Minolta for their digital 35mm film cameras before Sony bought Minolta and put the Minolta Maxxum lens mount to work. We went looking for that sweet spot in the 400mm maximum range, without lugging a huge lens like a 150-500. The Minolta Maxxum AF 100-400mm APO Tele Zoom (f 4.5 - 6.7) has a following of loyal users. Good examples of this lens sometimes sell between $300-$400 in the U.S. While there are less expensive a-mount zooms reaching out to 400mm, there are also much more expensive lenses for that job. We found a Minolta Maxxum 100-400 APO on E-Bay and this is our first expedition with it. We mounted it to a Sony DSLT a77II body. ISO was 640 (next time we will try ISO 400) and shutter speeds were typically 1/1000. We have noticed a phenomenon (not unique to this lens) that when reaching out to 300-400 mm, heat waves and distortion (whether from engine exhaust or the sun) can be a consideration. Sometimes that lends to the artistic feel; other times it muddles an image. For the images viewed in this presentation, we zoomed in and out as necessary; some of the broadside views are back at 100mm; other approaching and departing angles may reach 400mm. Hey, it's an ongoing quest for good images. As the man says, your results may vary.

Images taken at Boise, Idaho, in June 2016. (Please give this video a Thumbs Up, and subscribe to the Airailimages Channel on YouTube. Thanks!)

Here's a look at the unique Minolta Maxxum f8 500mm mirror lens on a Sony a77II body: https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&vide...