Minolta Zoom Xi

[smtan24]

Just got myself a Zoom Xi 28-105mmf3.5-4.5. Got to admit it's strange to see the zoom done by motor you can manually zoom by switchig it to MZ. Even the auto focus is by motor no manual focus though. The depth of view button is built into the lens something I didn't see on my previous lens.

 

[dr34mc4st3r]

is the lens motor slower than the body motor?

 

[Galdor]

Just got myself a Zoom Xi 28-105mmf3.5-4.5. Got to admit it's strange to see the zoom done by motor you can manually zoom by switchig it to MZ. Even the auto focus is by motor no manual focus though. The depth of view button is built into the lens something I didn't see on my previous lens.

Oh...you bought the lens already. Good for you bro. So how much you bought it for? I have a 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 but can't remember if it's the Zoom xi series. Still comtemplating if I should sell this lens. Enjoy it.

 

[smtan24]

Here's a picture of it:

And here a image from it:

The lens motor seems pretty fast as for the price I rather not say. It was however cheaper than what TCW was offering.

The lens doesn't come with a lens hood. I notice the fitting at the lens is not a bayonet connection for the hood but a screw on thread.

 

[raincool2005]

Just got myself a Zoom Xi 28-105mmf3.5-4.5. Got to admit it's strange to see the zoom done by motor you can manually zoom by switchig it to MZ. Even the auto focus is by motor no manual focus though. The depth of view button is built into the lens something I didn't see on my previous lens.

hi, i got this lens also... ! it consumed battery power a lot.

 

[smtan24]

I intend to disable the auto zoom anyway so it shouldn't consume too much power I hope. It is however a rather neat lens being one of the few with motors in it.

 

[raincool2005]

I intend to disable the auto zoom anyway so it shouldn't consume too much power I hope. It is however a rather neat lens being one of the few with motors in it.

do u find the focusing sharp ?

 

[smtan24]

do u find the focusing sharp ?

I don't really know what how sharp is sharp.

Here's a picture you decide:

 

[smtan24]

There are somethings I have notice about this lens. When focusing the barrel dosen't rotates. It only rotatess when zooming. This is different from my other zoom lens from Minolta. The barrel doesn't rotate when zooming but rotates during focusing. Also noted the depth of view prview on he lens seems to work only my Dynax 7 but not my Dynax 5D.

I think this is a plus point for this lens. By the way anybody knows where to get the lens hood for this lens.

 

[andrewlee]

There are somethings I have notice about this lens. When focusing the barrel dosen't rotates. It only rotatess when zooming. This is different from my other zoom lens from Minolta. The barrel doesn't rotate when zooming but rotates during focusing. Also noted the depth of view prview on he lens seems to work only my Dynax 7 but not my Dynax 5D.

I think this is a plus point for this lens. By the way anybody knows where to get the lens hood for this lens.

the minolta 28-135 "G" also behaves like this - front barrel rotates during zoom, but not during focussing.

 

[smtan24]

the minolta 28-135 "G" also behaves like this - front barrel rotates during zoom, but not during focussing.

That's the way lens should be made. We don't want the barrel to rotate especially when we are using a polarizer. By the way do you know where to get the hood for this lens.

 

[jimjim]

Smtan, this lens have the manual focus-
switch your cam to MF mode, then pull and turn the zoom ring to left and right, the manual focusing will works.

I owned this lens before, its images output is wonderful beautiful.
I sold mine to a KM 5D guy and he is still very sastified with its performance.
Good sharp lens indeed.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[smtan24]

Smtan, this lens have the manual focus-
switch your cam to MF mode, then pull and turn the zoom ring to left and right, the manual focusing will works.

I owned this lens before, its images output is wonderful beautiful.
I sold mine to a KM 5D guy and he is still very sastified with its performance.
Good sharp lens indeed.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Actually there is no manual focus on this lens. The switch is to disable the auto zoom. The focus can be done any time by pulling back the rubber grip and turning left or right to focus. I tried it before.

The lens is pretty good.

 

[TME]

That's the way lens should be made. We don't want the barrel to rotate especially when we are using a polarizer. By the way do you know where to get the hood for this lens.

No, this is not the way the lens should be made... the front element should not rotate when focussing and zooming... otherwise as u change focal length with a circular polarizer on, u will have to move the polarizer which is rather time consuming and u may miss a shot... also if u have a petal shaped hood, it will be out of alignment.. that is why my 100-400 APO has a circular hood (which is much bulkier) to prevent this... it costs more to have a non-rotating front element...

The Tamron 24-135SP is one example where the front element is non-rotating.

 

[wee_ly]

I own this lens (28-105 xi) and find manual focusing is not easy. The reason is whenever I pull and twist the zooming ring, it tends to go beyond the focus point. maybe i am not good enough in handling this lens.

can anyone of you care to share on how manual focus using this lens can be made simple? :embrass:

thanks

 

[Johnston]

me too have this lens. good lens, i must say. but now seldom use liao. though for selling.

 

[smtan24]

I when to vivo city with this lens and took some shots. Got to say this is a fun lens to shoot with. Once I develope the film I'll know the results.

 

[Agetan]

Xi zoom range is pretty good in terms of sharpness and one thing I like about them is they are very very compact.

They are cheap too and it is very good for its performance vs price ratio.

Hart

 

[smtan24]

I own this lens (28-105 xi) and find manual focusing is not easy. The reason is whenever I pull and twist the zooming ring, it tends to go beyond the focus point. maybe i am not good enough in handling this lens.

can anyone of you care to share on how manual focus using this lens can be made simple? :embrass:

thanks

Set on your camera to MF. On the lens pull the rubber grip back and turn either left or right to focus. A focus will be made when you see the focus light in the view finder. Hope this helps.

 

[raincool2005]

I when to vivo city with this lens and took some shots. Got to say this is a fun lens to shoot with. Once I develope the film I'll know the results.

hi.. how are the photos taken at Vivo City ?