MINOLTA 135mm f2.0 LENS
Minolta made one super-fast 135mm lens late in its production of manual-focus, 35mm SLR lenses -- the 135mm f2.0. It stands out by itself and so deserves its own page. It is a superb lens producing great results, but is very hard to find, large, heavy, and very expensive. But if you need a fast, short tele this might fill the bill. If you can't handle the price tag, check out the Minolta 85mm f1.7 -- which is even faster -- or the Minolta 135mm f2.8 lenses.
The competition
There are a few alternatives -- 135mm lenses that are f2.0 or FASTER!. One is the Sigma-XQ 135mm f1.8. It came in two slightlyh different versions, and is not any easier to find than the Minolta f2.0, but it's a LOT cheaper. The results aren't quite as good, but they are fine, and the lens is 1/3 f-stop faster. The biggest problem is that the f-stop ring and the focusing ring turn in the opposite direction of the Minolta lenses. It takes a while to become accustomed, but it is one hell of a hunk of glass. The 77mm filter size might be a problem for some, but a 72mm step-down ring would work -- barely. It is the only 135mm f1.8 that you should consider. There are others, but most are preset lenses, and the others are junk. The other alternative to the Minolta 135mm f2.0 is the Vivitar 135mm Series 1 f2.3. The results are fine, but it's not as fast as the Minolta.
|
LENS FEATURES |
IMAGE |
COMMENTS |
|
FOCAL LENGTH: 135mm |
|
A new lens to the Minolta line-up of SLR lenses in the MD Minolta series. |
COPYRIGHT @ 1995-2024, 2006 by Joe McGloin.
All Rights Reserved. The material on this website is protected by US Federal copyright laws. It cannot be copied
or used in any manner without specific approval from the owner.
The material on this website is protected by US Federal copyright laws. It cannot be copied or used in any manner without specific approval from the owner.
