Minolta AF 80-200mm f/2.8 APO G Reviews

One of the sharpest zoom lenses I ever came across. At f/8 it is sharper than most primes. CA is non existant (sometimes a hint of purple fringe, if you blow up and look really really hard!), bokeh is lovely. Minolta means business with HS -- this lens is brutally fast -- shooting a bird in flight, dance or sports. Can't go wrong with this monster!

My issues: heavy, rotating front element, focus ring rotates during autofocus, cannot remove tripod stand, and weird lens hood.

If you are rich, go for the 70-200 SSM and you won't miss a thing.

I agree with rohit above. I love using this lens with a 1.4x Teleconverter.

I attempted to give this lens a 5 rating across the board but the system converted my VG's to good.

Take this lens (late HS-Version) and you will never give it away: Build like a tank - as good as Tokina Pro series lenses. Optically, no restrictions up to 135mm even at f2,8. I love it in combination with Maxxum 7 for portaits because of lovely bokeh at f2,8.
Obove 135mm you will realize minimal but steady downturn of sharpness and luminace at the edges. CA only sometimes at 200mm.

In Spite of HS, AF speed could be better with digital Bodys like Minolta 7D. With Sony A700, speed is suberb. With Maxxum 7 - more than ever.

Absolutely stunning photographs when used with my 7D on a tripod, but very hand-holdable as well. My copy is tack sharp throughout the zoom range at all apertures. Agree the bokeh is fantastic. Wonderful lens - highly recommended!

This is the sharpest zoom I have ever handled, bar none. It takes amazing photos and is well built. I will never sell it.