From: munfai@ncb.gov.sg (Choo Mun Fai)
Subject: AF Telephoto lens rating (for Minolta mount only)
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 1995 12:18:04 -0500

Hi everyone,

In my previous posting, I have listed the performance profile for several 
lenses ranging from AF telephoto to wide angle zooms etc., transcribed from 
Fotomagazin, Germany and published in Photo Asia. 

I have decided to pick out the relevant lenses (Minolta and 3rd party built 
for Minolta mount) and give you fellows some more details, including the 
definition, vignetting and distortion descriptions. I hope that the entries 
will provide the Minolta list subscribers with some facts for decision 
making in purchasing lenses for your Minolta (and whatever use may it have).

I have typed in the AF Telephoto lenses here and hope (no promises for now) 
to have the rest in some time in the future (if time permits). Any mistake 
made is mine alone. Have fun !


AF Telephoto Lenses :
*******************
 Performance Profile : (Optics/Mechanics)

Minolta 85mm f1.4
---------------------
Mount : Very good metal mount. Lenshood included.
Definition : For this type of lens, the values of sharpness and brillance 
are very excellent at open aperture and stopped down. Outstanding at f4.
Vignetting : Little
Distortion : Practically none
Performance Profile : 9.2 / 9.0

Minolta 300mm f2.8
-----------------------
Mount : Very good metal mount. Built-in lenshood.
Definition : Sharpness and brillance are very good, even at open aperture. 
Outstanding when stopped down.
Vignetting : Practically none.
Distortion : Very little (not visible)
Performance Profile : 9.2 / 9.6

Sigma 300mm f2.8 APO
---------------------------
Mount : Very good. Internal focusing. Built-in lenshood and filter drawer.
Definition :At full aperture brillant and sharp. Stopped down the values 
improve further.
Vignetting : Practically zero.
Distortion : Practically zero.
Performance Profile : 9.2 / 9.2

Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO
---------------------------
Mount : Very good metal mount. Internal focusing, built-in lenshood.
Definition : Excellent performance at open aperture. Increased performance 
when stopped down at f11.
Vignetting : With right exposure invisible.
Distortion : Practically zero.
Performance Profile : 9.6 / 9.4

Sigma 500mm f7.2 APO
---------------------------
Mount : Solid metal mount. Internal focusing. Built-in lenshood. Rotating 
focusing ring.
Definition :At open aperture and stopped down (f11) sharpness and brillance 
are al right.
Vignetting : Very little
Distortion : Practically zero.
Performance Profile : 8.8 / 8.6

Tamron 300mm f2.8 LD
---------------------------
Mount : Very good metal mount. Internal focusing. Lenshood included.
Definition : At full aperture slightly weak performance. At aperture f8 the 
lens becomes truely sharp and brillant.
Vignetting : Little.
Distortion : Practically zero.
Performance Profile : 8.8 / 9.0

Tokina 300mm f2.8 AT-X AF
---------------------------------
Mount : Very good metal mount. Internal focusing. Lenshood included.
Definition : Very good sharpness and brillance at open aperture. Stopped 
down (f8) also very good.
Vignetting : Little
Distortion : Practically zero
Performance Profile : 9.4 / 9.0

Tokina 400mm f5.6 AT-X
-----------------------------
Mount : Metal mount. Internal focusing. Built-in lenshood.
Definition : Good to very good sharpness and brillance at f8 and f11. 
Excellent apochromatic correction.
Vignetting : Very little.
Distortion : Practically zero.
Performance Profile : 8.8 / 8.6




Choo Mun Fai                        e-mail : munfai@ncb.gov.sg
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    ..see the world in a grain of sand         
   And heaven in a wildflower,                 
   Hold infinity in the palm of your hand    
   And eternity in an hour.                            
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