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the Minolta SQF Results
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Hands
on: Solidly constructed and surprisingly
small, this well-thought-out optic has two comfortably
spaced, smooth-turning, rubberized grip-control
rings. The rear, main ring, which has diagonal
ribbing, controls zoom in an equally smooth manner,
while the broad front ring, which has straight
ribbing, governs manual focusing. The silk-screened
zoom focal-length markings are satisfyingly large.
The focusing scale, nicely inset underneath a
plastic window, is marked in light yellow for
feet and white for meters. The yellow, in fact,
appears almost white, and we wish it were a deeper
color to increase differentiation between the
scales. A cosmetic chrome ring right behind the
zoom sets off the lens barrel's satin black finish—a
handsome-looking lens.
The
lens has excellent balance when mounted on a
camera body. Our left-hand first and index fingers
fell naturally on the two control rings, providing
easy operation.
In
the lab: Lines-per-millimeter resolution
readings indicated generally consistent results
throughout the zoom range with excellent central
or very good resolution, and good to excellent
corners but with lower results both centrally
and in the corners for 70 and 105mm at the seldom-used
f/27 aperture. Distortion was low throughout:
minimal barrel (0.45%) at 24mm; slight pin-cushion
(0.75%) at 70mm, and slight pincushion (0.85%)
at 105mm. Exposure at the film plane for 24mm
and 105mm was extremely accurate at every aperture,
except at maximum, which showed about 1/3 f-stop
underexposure due to light falloff.
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SPECIFICATIONS:
24-105mm (25.49-107.49mm tested), f/3.5-4.5
(f/3.7-4.7 tested), 12 elements in 11
groups.
Min
aperture:
f/22-27.
Focusing turns 60 degrees counterclockwise;
min focus 1 ft 711/16 in. Zoom ring turns
50 degrees counterclockwise. Focal lengths
marked at 24-, 35-, 50-, 70-, and 105mm.
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View
angle: Diag: 84-23 degrees.
Weight:
14 3/8 oz.
Filter size:
62mm.
Mount:
Minolta D. Lenshood:
included.
List price:
$675.00. |
At
the closest focusing distance of 19 ½ inches
at 24mm (1:17), center sharpness was excellent
at every aperture, corners were below average
from f/3.5 to f/4, good at f/5.6, very good
at f/8, excellent from f/11 to f/16, and very
good at f/22. Optimum performance was at f/11.
At closest focusing distance of 18 ¼ inches
at 70mm (1:6.4), center sharpness was excellent
at every aperture. Corner sharpness was below
average from f/4 to f/5.6, acceptable at f/8,
good at f/11, and very good from f/16 to f/27.
Optimum
performance was at f/16. At closest focusing
distance pf 18 ¼ inches at 105mm (1:5), center
sharpness was excellent at every aperture. Corner
sharpness was below average from f/4.5 to f/5.6,
acceptable at f/8, good at f/11, and very good
from f/16 to f/22. Optimum performance was at
f/16.
In
the field: Test slides were very
sharp and contrasty from center to corners at
all apertures and focal lengths, except at f/3.5
at 24mm and f/27 at 105mm, where corners were
slightly soft. Light falloff was gone by f/5.6
at all focal lengths. Flare was very well-controlled
at all apertures and focal lengths.
Conclusion:
Minolta's optical engineers have miraculously
produced a 24-105mm close-focusing zoom with
an adequate aperture range; this lens is actually
smaller and lighter than previous "compact"
24-85mm lenses. Operationally and in construction
the lens proved excellent. Its optical performance
is fine. We recommend avoiding f/27 and suggest
f/11 to f/16 for best center to corner close
focusing sharpness.
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