Is there a BIG difference in a G lens?

[DaZhong]

Does anyone know if it is worthwhile to upgrade to the Minolta,AF,28-70mm,f-2.8,G lens?

I'm currently using a Minolta AF 24-85/3.5-4.5 that I bought last month for my trip to Europe & the quality is amazing when compared to the stock lens that came with the kit. Now I'm tempted to upgrade again but only if there is a significant improvement in optical quality from the G lens considering the huge price difference.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[andylee]

Does anyone know if it is worthwhile to upgrade to the Minolta,AF,28-70mm,f-2.8,G lens?

I'm currently using a Minolta AF 24-85/3.5-4.5 that I bought last month for my trip to Europe & the quality is amazing when compared to the stock lens that came with the kit. Now I'm tempted to upgrade again but only if there is a significant improvement in optical quality from the G lens considering the huge price difference.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

If you often shoot in f2.8 then it's ok to get the "G" lens. I'll go for the 24-85 as the coverage is wider. for wide angle scenery usually we will shoot in f8 if the lighting permits.so f2.8 is seldom used unless you like to shoot in available light.

Optically, the 24-85 is a fantastic lens, the only fall back is the 0.50cm minimun focusing distance.the 28-70 minimun focusing distance is 0.85cm for your info. the 24-85 is also light weight.

 

[yeocolin]

so much difference between the kit lens and the 24-85mm lens even though both are non-G lens? Wow, thats interesting. Could you post the pictures or share in detail the difference? I don't own the 24-85 lens, so can't comment on it.

 

[andylee]

so much difference between the kit lens and the 24-85mm lens even though both are non-G lens? Wow, thats interesting. Could you post the pictures or share in detail the difference? I don't own the 24-85 lens, so can't comment on it.

Have some in the showroom, visit me lah,show you my portfolio...call me the day before if you are cumming down,will pm you my Hp number.

 

[YuHsuan]

I don't have any photos handy, but I can confirm that the OLDER kit lens is a piece of junk compared with the 24-85 or even the 24-105. NO experience with the new 28-100 though

so much difference between the kit lens and the 24-85mm lens even though both are non-G lens? Wow, thats interesting. Could you post the pictures or share in detail the difference? I don't own the 24-85 lens, so can't comment on it.

 

[TME]

Confirm that the kit lens is crappy! It hunt like mad under low light even with a flash with a flash assist lamp, is rather soft at all focal lengths....... and has very bad saturation and contrast...... after I switched to the Minolta 50mm, the difference was amazing, the difference between a prime and zoom not withstanding..... that 28-80mm came with my 505si and I think it's basically the same lens on the Dynax 5 if that is what came with the lens.........

 

[dannynys]

DaZhong,
I own the 28-70mm F2.8 G lens. I think you can't deny the fact that it's a G lens but it's not really built for speed. The focusing speed for this lens is slow. Even with the Dynax 7 fast focusing, I think you are better off with the lighter 24-85mm. I have even checked with Minolta Japan on how come this lens focusing is slow. They could only tell me that the lens is built for quality of the picture. As how I shoot in low light when the lens is hunting, I press the MF/AF button to focus it manually. Although most of my photos are not at F2.8 setting, supposingly the F2.8 aids better in focusing for the camera.

I have even thought of changing to the 24-85mm. If you are into portrait, get the 85mm F2.8 G lens. It will be a better investment. Do stick with what you have unless a SSM version is out.

Cheers,
:bigeyes:

 

[yeocolin]

DaZhong,
I own the 28-70mm F2.8 G lens. I think you can't deny the fact that it's a G lens but it's not really built for speed. The focusing speed for this lens is slow. Even with the Dynax 7 fast focusing, I think you are better off with the lighter 24-85mm. I have even checked with Minolta Japan on how come this lens focusing is slow. They could only tell me that the lens is built for quality of the picture. As how I shoot in low light when the lens is hunting, I press the MF/AF button to focus it manually. Although most of my photos are not at F2.8 setting, supposingly the F2.8 aids better in focusing for the camera.

I have even thought of changing to the 24-85mm. If you are into portrait, get the 85mm F2.8 G lens. It will be a better investment. Do stick with what you have unless a SSM version is out.

Cheers,
:bigeyes:

I'm not surprised the 28-70mm G lens is slower than expected. After all, this was the only drawback which some users made (www.photographyreview.com). I don't own the abovementioned lens, so I'm not sure if it is a case of setting too high an expectation, of excellent quality with AF speed to match the USM/HSM of the competitors' lenses.

Minolta Japan is right too. The quality of G lens is so good that users never stopped singing its praises.

In the end, you just have to sit back and ask yourself what do you want out of your lens, before plonking the money on it.

 

[TME]

Well then I dun know what the use of a super quality slow focussing lens in the 28-70mm range is for!! The focussing speed is the most important for this range since it will usually be used for street work as well as candid shots... these call for fast and sharp focussing...... it's meant to be the everyday lens... so it has to be fast....... I thought usually it's all the special apps lens that can be slow, like telephotos for portraits or wide angles for landscape...... these u can adjust the focus until the cows come home and still get a decent shot!

 

[yeocolin]

I don't think its really that slow. Judging from the comparisons made in the review, they are expecting it to focus as fast as the USM/HSM lens of the equivalent of the competitors. Without an internal motor, you can't expect the G lens to focus as fast as the competitors'.

My guess is it shouldn't be slower than the kit lens: 35-80mm.

Alvin and some other folks have this G lens. They will be the best person to comment on this.

 

[TME]

Well in that case the reviewers are just comparing apples with oranges.......

BTW, how much faster is a USM lens compared to a fast non-USM lens? I think the shorter the lens (that is lighter) the less difference the internal motor makes to focussing speed? I expect the G lens to be rather heavy cos it's constant f/2.8?

 

[dannynys]

I don't think its really that slow. Judging from the comparisons made in the review, they are expecting it to focus as fast as the USM/HSM lens of the equivalent of the competitors. Without an internal motor, you can't expect the G lens to focus as fast as the competitors'.

Well, I can only say the speed is slow compared to all my lenses. I don't know what's the reason why the manufacturer in such a way. It might be some construction limitation. This lens focussing is quite ok in daylight condition. During low light condition, you can see the camera is driving hard to get the lens to focus properly. It just seems that the Dynax 7 always overshoot its focus and get a focus lock somewhere else! Well, in a wedding condition, where things happen fast, you will wish that the lens is fast enough to focus accurately and let you capture things. I don't think it's the Dynax 7 problem, it's just that the lens is not built for speed.

BTW, how much faster is a USM lens compared to a fast non-USM lens? I think the shorter the lens (that is lighter) the less difference the internal motor makes to focussing speed? I expect the G lens to be rather heavy cos it's constant f/2.8?

Yes it is heavy. From what I observe, the wider the focal length, the faster the focusing. However, the lens internal gears construction also determines the speed of focusing. The focusing speed cannot be determine by the size of the lens. If people are comparing the focussing to a USM, isn't it a time for Minolta to seriously consider improving the focussing speed? I just hope that with the merger ( and increase of funds ) , Minolta will be able to come out with better products in a shorter time frame.

 

[TME]

Well, they have started with 2 SSM lens... at any rate, they can't make all their lens with the internal motor, the cost would be prohibitive.....