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This is a superlative lens hailing from the "Mind of Minolta". There are two versions of this G lens. A black one which lacks "HS" label, and a white version, with 33% faster focusing. On a modern camera both lenses should focus with comparable quickness. My review is about the white "High Speed APO" version. The lens holds many pleasant surprises as well as nuisances, which I will list first. 1. Minimum focusing distance of 1.8 meters. In comparison Canon's EF 80-200/2.8L, manufactured in September 1989, has the same minimum focusing distance. Nikon's 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S focuses to 1.49 meters, but Nikon's 80-200mm f/2.8 D focuses to 1.67 meters. 2. Front element rotates and length changes slightly while focusing. 3. Won't take the Minolta APO teleconverters. Only third party TCs like Kenko's can be used. 4. Tripod collar (a positive) is non removable and therefore can become a hindrance if you plan to use a vertical grip. In my opinion, all the above shortcomings are forgiven when we look at the pictures this lens produces. The positives: 1. Bayonet lens hood, excellent flare control, solid construction 2. Accurate color reproduction (if you shoot film, this lens will exceed your expectations, on digital it can out-resolve even a FF 24 megapixel sensor). Contrast and saturation are well controlled. I have "never" had to use post processing when using this lens. Color/Contrast is usually subjective but in my opinion this lens is superior to Minolta/Sony's 70-200/2.8 SSM 3. Built in tripod collar 4. 72mm filter, cheaper and interchangeable with other Minolta G lenses. 5. Very fast autofocus, sometimes described as "brutal". There is no better lens to track birds in flight. While other lenses hunt and may miss, the 80-200/2.8 HS will never let moving target slip away! 6. One of the best bokeh ever to be found in a zoom lens. And yes, I'm keeping the 70-200/2.8 SSM in mind. 7. Built in focus lock button 8. Solid build like all G lenses. Finally, here is the sharpness performance as reported by Photodo Photodo test result: 3.9 Effective focal length: 82 - 199 mm Weighted MTF for 80 mm: f2.8 0.78. f4 0.82. f8 0.86 Weighted MTF for 135 mm: f2.8 0.76. f4 0.78. f8 0.84 Weighted MTF for 200 mm: f2.8 0.69. f4 0.74. f8 0.77 Average Weighted MTF: 0.81 Grade: 3.9 Weighted MTF 10 lp/mm: 0.90 Weighted MTF 20 lp/mm: 0.76 Weighted MTF 40 lp/mm: 0.52 Distortion: -2.01 to 2.02% The lens is sharp wide open: score is (0.78,0.76,0.69 at f/2.8 and 80mm focal length, and becomes tack sharp at f8) In conclusion, I would say that if you find a working copy of this lens for under 1200 dollars, buy it. They are not manufactured anymore and existing owners seldom let go of them!Read full review
The Minolta HS 200mm f2.8 is a fantastic lens for sports or portrait photography. Pros: --compact for a 200mm 2.8 lens, short enough to get into many pro sports venues without credentials. --fast focus, on par with Canon USM lenses like the EF 200 2.8. --Nice colors and sharp --Metal body makes it very durable. --convenient retractable hood. Cons: --not an SSM lens, uses old screwdrive AF motor so it is a little loud for some tastes. --old technology (1988!) so it may be a challenge to get it fixed. --Minolta was bought by Sony years back, so limited support available outside of the internet forums. --it is white, so you'll get noticed
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This lens does not disappoint. Surpasses all my expectations, which given the reviews makes me a very happy owner. Image quality is simply astounding. Purchased to provide a light and small alternative to my Sony G series zoom I did not expect the image quality to be of any noticeable difference but am happy to report that this lens delivers simply stunning images. Surpasses my excellent Sony Zeiss 24mm F2.0 and my Minolta 85mm f1.4 G series - no small effort. Focus is slower and more noisy than the Ultrasonic Motors in current lenses BUT most reviews alerted me to this fact. On Sony A900 and A700 however, focus speed is better than expected. Only when used on a Dynax 7D would I suggest that it is too slow for portraiture or general photography. For sport or fast action I would suggest USM lenses or trap focusing on this older lens even with more modern cameras (note: I am yet to use on a A77) Build quality is as expected - fantastic. Nice touches like the sliding in built lens hood should be revisited by Sony & Zeiss, the new "guardians" of the A mount lens. If like me you have "lusted" after this lens for it's optically quality then snap one up. "Whistles and bells" it is not but those that wish to take time framing and exposing an image the small sacrifice in focus speed is rewarded with "jaw dropping" image quality from f2.8 to f8. Paired with a Sony / Minolta APO 1.4x Teleconverter this lens is sharp, small, superbly flexible and simply unbelievable and worth twice what I paid for it.Read full review
When I bought this lens for my Sony Alpha 290 DSLR, it was the first time I bought something used from Ebay, so I was somewhat skeptical about the quality of the product (for the price). However, this lens is performing just as new. The zoom mechanism is not very smooth, but has a solid feel to it. The focus mechanism works perfectly, with the infinity position at one extreme of the turning motion. The build quality of the lens, in my opinion, is better than the stock 18-55mm lens that was included with my Alpha 290 DSLR. Picture quality is just as good, with no visible artefacts seen. I plan on using this lens for ultra wide astrophotography, so I have taken several long exposure shots using it and have not seen noticeable chromatic aberration. All in all, I think it is a very good entry level lens.Read full review
I recently switched from Canon to Sony DSLRs when I looked into the a77--for me and the way I shoot it is in a class of it's own. I did a fair amount of research looking for some fast glass and was preparing to buy a Sony 70-200 2.8 ( SAL-70200G) when I read a couple of rave reviews for this "vintage" Minolta. I read: Beautiful "Minolta" colors--TRUE. I read: Lightning Fast AF--Also TRUE. This lens rachets into focus with enough torque to turn over a seized-up Mack Diesel. I read: Razor Sharp--True as well. I may order a camo lens wrap for it because it feels totally military spec. I've only been using it for a short time, but I've already had 5 people refer to my Sony/Minolta photos as: Amazing! I can't give you any first hand comparisons, but I have been shooting pictures since the 1960's and this is one of the best lenses I've ever used.Read full review
