Photos By Meta Reviews Our Best Minolta AF Lenses and Minolta Maxxum Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Minolta AF Lenses and Minolta Maxxum Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

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Minolta AF Lenses - Minolta A-Mount Lenses

Meta’s Sony a77 II Camera with Many of Minolta AF Lenses and Minolta Maxxum Lenses (1985 A-Mount Lenses).
Left to Right: 35–70mm, 24–50mm, 35–105mm, 100–200mm, 28–135mm, 70–210mm, 75–300mm and 50mm ƒ/1.4 Prime Lenses on a Sony a77 II Camera.

Minolta Maxxum AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

North Carolina Nature Photographer Meta Gatschenberger began shooting Nature Photography with her Minolta 35mm QTsi Film Camera and 35–80mm Telephoto Lens back in 2000.

Minolta AF Lenses and Minolta Maxxum Lenses, originally designed for Minolta 35mm SLR Full Frame Film Cameras, will Mount and Auto Focus on Sony Alpha Cameras; Sony A-Mount Cameras and Sony E-Mount Cameras (LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter).

Meta shoots with Sony a77 II Cameras and Vintage Minolta AF Lenses.

Meta owns, uses and recommends all of the Camera Products and Camera Accessories featured on this page.

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Minolta AF Lens Build Quality – There is a Build Quality Difference between the Mid 80’s Heavy Metal Bodies and 90’s Cheaper and Lighter Plastic Bodies. The Early Models have Tighter Rubber Rings. Meta only collects the Heavy Metal Models from 1985–1993. The 3rd Digit of the Serial Number is the Model Year: XX5XXXXX = 1985.

Minolta AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

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Minolta AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

A Brief History of Minolta AF Lenses and Sony’s Alpha Camera Division

Minolta – Mechanism, INstruments, Optics, and Lenses by TAshima was founded by Kazuo Tashima in Japan back in 1928.

Between 1985 and 2006, nearly 17 Million Minolta AF Lenses (Auto Focus A-Mount Lenses) were manufactured in Japan by the Minolta Company Limited, making Minolta AF Lenses easy to very find online in “Mint” or “Like New” Condition! Many of these Minolta AF Lenses were originally sold with Minolta Maxxum SLR 35mm Full Frame Film Cameras, such as the Minolta Maxxum 9000 Film Camera. When Sony bought the Minolta Film Camera Division in 2006, Many Minolta AF Lenses were branded as Sony A-Mount Lenses.

Ad • Sony LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter

The New Sony LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter

Easily Adapt any Sony or Minolta A-Mount lenses to your Sony E-Mount Alpha Camera. The latest Sony E-Mount Alpha Cameras offer advanced performance and features for SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) / SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) lenses as well as older Minolta A-mount lenses that do not have internal focus motors.

Notes: Latest Sony Alpha Camera firmware is required. Autofocus is not available during Movie Recording. A-Mount Teleconverters are not supported. Weight: 3.1 oz. (88g).

Minolta AF Macro Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Ad • Minolta AF 50mm ƒ/2.8 Macro Lens

This was Meta’s First Minolta AF Lens for her Sony Alpha Camera. This “Nifty Fifty” 50mm Macro Lens also doubles as a Sharp 50mm ƒ/2.8 Prime Lens! Meta shot a few family weddings using her Minolta 50mm ƒ/2.8 Macro Lens and her Minolta 100mm ƒ/2.8 Macro Lens, they’re that good. This Sharp Macro Lens produces the most amazing Macro Photography and Close-Up Photography.

Superseded by Sony SAL50M28.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 9 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Minolta AF Lens Specifications

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
32°	0.22 M	ƒ/32	73 x 60 mm	288 g	ø55mm	75mm	$521

Ad • Minolta AF 100mm ƒ/2.8 Macro Lens

This Macro Lens is often quoted as one of the Best Minolta Macro Lenses Ever Made! The Minolta 100mm ƒ/2.8 Macro Lens is Meta’s Favorite Minolta Macro Lens and her most used Minolta AF Lens. This amazing Macro Lens produces the most amazing Macro Photography and Close-Up Photography. Meta uses this Macro Lens on flowers, bees and bugs, and even as a 100mm Prime Lens for Weddings and Portraits. The sharp results are amazing! The clarity and sharp focus are astounding, even using large apertures in low light conditions. This is Meta’s Favorite Minolta AF Lens for Hummingbird Photography.

Superseded by Sony SAL100M28.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 13 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Minolta AF Lens Specifications

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
16°	0.35 M	ƒ/32	75 x 99 mm	520 g	ø55mm	150mm	$848

Minolta AF Telephoto Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Advantages of Telephoto / Zoom Lenses	Disadvantages of Telephoto / Zoom Lenses
• Ability to Zoom In and Out – Better Compose Your Photograph.	• Larger and Heavier.
• One Telephoto Lens can Replace Many Prime Lenses.	• Often More Expensive Than Prime Lenses.
• Telephoto Lens Compress Backgrounds.	• Wide Open Aperture Limited to ƒ/2.8 or ƒ/4.0.
• Better Zoom for Sports Photography.	• Some Zoom Lenses Change Aperture as you Zoom In and Out.

Conclusions

Many Photographers own a mix of Telephoto or Zoom Lenses and Prime Lenses.
It’s a personal preference and depends what type of photography you are shooting.

Ad • Minolta AF 70–210mm ƒ/4.0 Telephoto Lens

This is the Minolta Telephoto Lens or Famous 1985 Heavy Metal “Beer Can Lens”. Many lighting situations require a Constant Aperture ƒ/4.0 Telephoto Lens that can isolate specific details from a distance. This big boy was often sold along with the Shorter 35–70mm ƒ/4.0 Telephoto Lens (Below), to cover the full 35–210mm at a Constant Aperture of ƒ/4.0. These are very easy to find in excellent condition. Heavy for Walk Around Use. Great Telephoto Lens for Wildlife Photography, Hummingbird Photography and Close-Up Photography. This is a Classic Sharp Minolta AF Lens.

Useful Macro Mode at 210mm.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 16 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
23° – 8°	1.1 M	ƒ/32	74 x 152 mm	695 g	ø55mm	105–315mm	$229

Ad • Minolta AF 35–70mm ƒ/4.0 Telephoto Lens

This Constant Aperture ƒ/4.0 Minolta Telephoto Lens offers great versatility. This Short Telephoto Lens has become a very popular Kit Lens since it covers the wide angle to telephoto range used most often. Its responsive, adapting to most hand held situations in an instant. This very popular kit lens was often sold with the 70–210mm ƒ/4.0 Telephoto Lens (Above), to cover the full range of 35–210mm at a Constant Aperture of ƒ/4.0. This is one of Meta’s Favorite Light Weight Compact Walk Around Telephoto Lens. Great for General Walk Around Lens plus Close-Up Photography.

Macro Mode Switch at 70mm.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 9 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
36° – 34°	1.0 M	ƒ/22	42 x 23 mm	255 g	ø49mm	52–105mm	$194

Ad • Minolta AF 28–135mm ƒ/4.0–4.5 Telephoto Lens

This big and heavy (slightly heavier than the Famous “Beer Can Lens”), but tremendously versatile Telephoto Lens lets you move from wide, sweeping effects to much closer details. Many Minolta Photographers referred to this lens as the “Secret Handshake Lens”, based on an urban legend that it was a co-designed by Minolta and Leica. This lens also works well for Close-Up Photography. On a Full Frame Sony a99 II Camera, this Minolta 28–135mm ƒ/4.0–4.5 is an excellent walk around lenses. Unlike most Minolta AF Lenses, this one has a larger ø72mm front element, with the focusing ring in the rear, which takes some getting used to. This is Meta’s favorite Walk Around Minolta AF Lens for Landscape Photography, plus it does good Close-Up Photography at 28mm.

Manual Focus Macro Mode Switch at 28mm.
Aperture Change Point: ƒ/4.0 28–40mm, ƒ/4.5 40–135mm.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 13 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
50° –12°	1.5 M / .244 Macro	ƒ/22–ƒ/27	75 x 109 mm	770 g	ø72mm	42–203mm	$525

Ad • AF Minolta 100–200mm ƒ/4.5 Telephoto Lens

Ad • Minolta AF 100–200mm ƒ/4.5 Telephoto Lens

For Sony Digital Photography, this Constant Aperture ƒ/4.5, 100–200mm range Minolta AF Lens is an excellent choice. This Compact lens extends out when zooming in. Sharp Telephoto Lens. Cheaper and lighter alternative to the heavy 70–210mm ƒ/4.0 (Only 1/2 stop less), but without the Macro Mode. Great Minolta Telephoto Lens for Birding and Wildlife Photography.

No Macro Mode.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 13 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
16° – 8°	1.9 M	ƒ/22	70 x 95 mm	375 g	ø49mm	150–300mm	$228

Ad • Minolta AF 24–50mm ƒ/4.0 Telephoto Lens

This Wide Angle Telephoto Minolta AF Lens has a Constant Aperture of ƒ/4.0 and is ideal for Waterfall Photography and Wide Angle Landscape Photography. This very compact Minolta AF Lens was Very Expensive in 1985 dollars. Very Hard to Find Today.

No Macro Mode.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 9 cm Lens Case.

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
56° – 32°	0.35 M	ƒ/22	69 x 60 mm	285 g	ø55mm	36–75mm	$463

Ad • Minolta AF 75–300mm ƒ/4.5–5.6 Telephoto Lens

The Famous Minolta Telephoto Lens or “Big Beer Can Lens” extends almost a foot long with the Lens Hood attached. Versatile 75–300mm Telephoto Lens, ƒ/4.5– 5.6, is ideal for a variety of purposes, from Wildlife Photography to Hummingbird Photography and Close-Up Photography. The ƒ/5.6 at 300mm requires a lot of light.

Macro Mode at 300mm.
Aperture Change Point: ƒ/4.5 75–100mm, ƒ/5.0 100–135mm, ƒ/5.6 135–300mm.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 16 cm Lens Case.

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
21° –5°	1.5 M	ƒ/32	74 x 163 mm	865 g	ø55mm	112–450mm	$542

Ad • Minolta AF 28–85mm ƒ/3.5–4.5 Telephoto Lens

This handy mid-range Minolta Telephoto Lens gives you great flexibility in handling a variety of subjects. Macro Mode Switch at 28mm for Close-Up Photography. The later 1990’s Model has a wider and smoother zoom ring pattern and a rubber grip around the focus ring, but optically it is the same lens. Heavy and solid.

Manual Focus Macro Mode Switch at 28mm.
Aperture Change Point: ƒ/3.5 28–35mm, ƒ/4.0 35–60mm, ƒ/4.5 60–85mm.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 13 cm Lens Case.

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
50° –19°	0.8 M / 0.9 Macro	ƒ/22–ƒ/32	69 x 86 mm	490 g	ø55mm	42–128mm	$280

Ad • Minolta AF 35–105mm ƒ/3.5–4.5 Telephoto Lens

Very Popular Compact Minolta Telephoto Lens – Very Easy to Find. Macro Mode Switch at 105mm for Close-Up Photography.

Useful Manual Focus Macro Mode Switch at 105mm.
Aperture Change Point: ƒ/3.5 35–36mm, ƒ/4.0 36–70mm, ƒ/4.5 70–105mm.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 13 cm Lens Case.

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
42° –12°	1.4 M / 0.41 Macro	ƒ/22–ƒ/32	68 x 87 mm	495 g	ø55mm	42–128mm	$350

Minolta AF Prime Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Advantages of Prime Lenses	Disadvantages of Prime Lenses
• Allows You To Get To Know Your Prime Lens Better.	• Only One Fixed Focal Length.
• Better Low Light Optical Performance (ƒ/1.4 vs. ƒ/2.8).	• Have To Zoom With Your Feet.
• Better Bokeh or Blurred Background. (ƒ/1.4 vs. ƒ/2.8).	• May Require More Than 1 Prime Lens.
• Cheaper, Smaller and Lighter than Zoom Lenses.	• Less Ability To Zoom In To Compose Your Shot.

Conclusions

Many Photographers own a mix of Telephoto or Zoom Lenses and Prime Lenses.
It’s a personal preference and depends what type of photography you are shooting.

Ad • Minolta AF 20mm ƒ/2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Prime Lens

This Fast ƒ/2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Minolta AF Lens provides great depth of field and emphasizes perspective. Its rear focusing system ensures quick, precise focusing and corrects close focus aberrations. Its rubber focus ring provides comfortable manual focusing operation. This is Meta’s favorite ƒ/2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Prime Lens, which is great for shooting Astrophotography and Landscape Photography. Comes with a Small Twist On Tulip Lens Hood and Leather Carrying Case. Very Hard to Find.

Superseded by Sony SAL20F28.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 9 cm Lens Case.

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
70°	0.25 M	ƒ/22	76 x 53 mm	284 g	ø72mm	30mm	$673

Ad • Minolta AF 24mm ƒ/2.8 Wide Angle Prime Lens

This fast ƒ/2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Minolta AF Lens comes with a Small Twist On Tulip Lens Hood and Small Leather Carrying Case. This is Meta’s favorite ƒ/2.8 Wide Angle Prime Lens, which is great for shooting Landscape Photography.

Fits in a Lowepro 9 x 9 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
56°	0.25 M	ƒ/22	66 x 44 mm	200 g	ø55mm	36mm	$242

Ad • Minolta AF 28mm ƒ/2.8 Wide Angle Prime Lens

This fast ƒ/2.8 Wide Angle Minolta AF Lens comes with a Small Leather Carrying Case. This is one of Meta’s favorite ƒ/2.8 Wide Angle Prime Lens, because on an APS-C Camera, it’s the close to a “Nifty Fifty” at 42mm, which is ideal for shooting Street Photography and Landscape Photography. Small 9mm Built-In Hood.

Fits in a Lowepro 7 x 8 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Dyxum Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
50°	0.31 M	ƒ/22	66 x 43 mm	184 g	ø49mm	42mm	$209

Ad • Minolta AF 50mm ƒ/1.4 Normal Prime Lens

Every Photographer should own a “Nifty Fifty”. This is one of the few Super Sharp Fast ƒ/1.4 50mm Minolta Normal Prime Lenses that can photograph wide open at 1/8,000th of a second for Hummingbird Photography. Compact and lightweight, this is Meta’s favorite Super Sharp Prime Lens for shooting Landscape Photography, Fireworks Photography, Street Photography, Night Photography and Very Low Light Photography. Hard to find in Like New or Mint Condition. Tiny Built-in Useless Lens Hood. Similar to the less expensive Minolta 50mm ƒ/1.7 Kit Lens, but faster and sharper.

Superceded by Sony SAL50F14.

Fits in a Lowepro 7 x 8 cm Lens Case.

Watch a Video Review

Photo Jottings Minolta AF Lens Review

Ken Rockwell Minolta AF Lens Review

Minolta AF Lens Specifications

1985 Minolta Owner’s Manual

Angle of View for APS-C	Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)	Minimum Aperture Size	Dimensions (Diameter x Length)	Weight	Filter Diameter	APS-C Crop Factor	MSPR (1985 US Dollars)
32°	0.45 M	ƒ/22	66 x 39 mm	235 g	ø49mm	75mm	$153

Minolta Camera Reference Guides

Ad • Find The Best Minolta Photography Books

How to Select and Use Minolta SLR Cameras

Ad • How to Select & Use Minolta Maxxum SLR Cameras

– Carl Shipman

Complete Handbook for Minolta 5000, Minolta 7000, Minolta 9000 Film Cameras, Minolta AF Lenses, Minolta Flash Units, Data Backs and Program Backs, and other system accessories and applications! 160 pages with color and black and white illustrations. Reviews Minolta AF Lenses. 1989 Edition. 192 Pages.

Ad • The Complete Minolta SLR Camera & Accessory Guide

– Minolta

This Minolta SLR Camera Book describes how to operate Minolta SLR Film Cameras and Minolta AF Lenses. Table of Contents includes; Minolta Film Cameras, Minolta AF Lenses, Exposure and Film, Filters and Front-End Attachments, Minolta Flash Units and Topics and Techniques. Appendix lists Minolta Film Camera Specifications. 1989 Edition. 192 Pages.

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Photos By Meta Reviews Our Best Minolta Maxxum AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Minolta AF Lenses and Minolta Maxxum Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Minolta Maxxum AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Minolta AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Minolta AF Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

A Brief History of Minolta AF Lenses and Sony’s Alpha Camera Division

The New Sony LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter

Minolta AF Macro Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Minolta AF Telephoto Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Advantages of Telephoto / Zoom Lenses

Disadvantages of Telephoto / Zoom Lenses

Conclusions

Minolta AF Prime Lenses For Sony Alpha Cameras

Advantages of Prime Lenses

Disadvantages of Prime Lenses

Conclusions

Minolta Camera Reference Guides

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