The Minolta AF 28-70mm f/2.8G lens is a high-quality zoom lens designed for use with Minolta Alpha mount cameras. It offers a versatile focal range of 28-70mm, making it suitable for various types of photography, including portraits, landscapes, and street photography. With a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, this lens allows for exceptional low-light performance and beautiful background blur, also known as bokeh.
This lens was first introduced by Minolta in the late 1990s and was highly regarded for its optical performance and build quality. It was designed to meet the demands of professional photographers who required a reliable and fast zoom lens for their work.
**Key Features and Specifications**
The Minolta AF 28-70mm f/2.8G lens comes with several key features and specifications that contribute to its overall performance:
1. **Constant Aperture**: The f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light shooting and shallow depth of field, making it ideal for capturing stunning portraits or creating artistic images.
2. **Optical Design**: The lens is constructed with a high-quality optical design, incorporating multiple lens elements, including aspherical and low dispersion glass elements, to minimize aberrations and enhance image sharpness and clarity.
3. **Smooth Autofocus**: The lens features a built-in autofocus motor that ensures fast and accurate focusing, enabling photographers to capture sharp images quickly, even in challenging shooting conditions.
4. **Durable Build**: The lens is constructed with a durable metal barrel, providing robustness and longevity. It is also resistant to dust and moisture, making it suitable for outdoor photography.
5. **Versatile Focal Range**: The 28-70mm focal range offers a wide-angle to medium telephoto capability, allowing photographers to capture a range of subjects, from expansive landscapes to detailed portraits.
**Price and Availability**
The Minolta AF 28-70mm f/2.8G lens was released with a price tag of around $1000 at the time of its launch. However, as it is no longer in production, its availability in the market is limited. Used copies can be found in various online marketplaces or photography equipment stores, with prices ranging from $500 to $800, depending on the condition and availability.
**Conclusion**
The Minolta AF 28-70mm f/2.8G lens remains a highly regarded piece of equipment among photographers, known for its exceptional optical performance, robust build, and versatile focal range. Although no longer in production, it is still sought after by professionals and enthusiasts alike who value its reliability and image quality. If you come across a well-maintained copy, it could be a worthy addition to your camera gear arsenal.
