Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – review

Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro lens review
- Official classification: New-MD
- Collector’s classification: MD
This MD 28-85/3.5-4.5 usually is hidden behind the shadow of much more famous MD 35-70/3.5 but about me personally – I prefer to take this 28-85/3.5-4.5 instead of 35-70/3.5 in any case. Real convenience in using is better than a tiny better resolution in some positions.
This has been tested by Great and Powerful Antony Hands in his The 35mm Shoot-out – as a zoom which can compete with wide-angle primes.
Tests for this review are divided for: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm groups.
Minolta MD 28-85mm F3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro specifications:
# in minolta.eazypix.de index | 256 |
Name engraved on the lens | MD ZOOM |
f[mm] | 28-85 |
A max [1/f] | 3.5-4.5 |
A min[1/f] | 22 |
Lens design [el.] | 13 |
Lens design [gr.] | 10 |
Filter thread Ø front(rear)[mm] | 55 |
Lens Shade | clip-in |
closefocus[m/ft] | 0.8/2.75 |
Dimension Ø x length [mm] | 65.5×86.5 |
Weight[g] | 470 |
Year | 1983 |
Style | MD III |
Code No. (ROKKOR-X) or Order No. | 2503-110 |
Notes | 2-Touch w/ macro mode |
More data
Floating elements | YES |
Aperture blades number | 6 |
Confidence in the test results of reviewed copies | Enough |
Reviewed lens SN: | 1057812 |
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro lens exterior:
The reviewed copy is in excellent condition except for slight white bloom on the rubberized ring of sharpness.
Mounted on Minolta X-700
This is a very suitable set – the camera and lens have the same design (1981 – camera, 1983 – lens)
Lens shade:
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro sharpness
Сlose-distance resolution test, minimal distance
Testing methods description
- Target: 10-15 cm picture, printed on glossy photo paper
- Distance: 1.7m
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF.
- The test was repeated for every F-stop on every focus position with manual focus adjustment for each shot. That is to avoid the effect of field curvature.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Original target image (printed in horizontal orientation on 10cm X 15cm glossy photo paper
Long-distance resolution test
Testing methods description
- Target: cityscape
- Distance: > 200 meters to center focus point
- Camera: Sony A7II (24mpx, full-frame, tripod, remote control). M-mode, ISO fixed, WB fixed, SteadyShot – OFF. The focus point is on the center only.
- RAW processing: Capture One, default settings. All quality settings – 100%. Crops – 300×200 px
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro TEST RESULTS on FOCUS DISTANCE = 28mm
28mm – Sharpness – short distance
Scene preview
Test results
28mm – Sharpness – long distance
Scene preview
Test results
28mm – Vignetting
28mm – Geometric distortion
28mm – Coma aberrations
28mm – Chromatic aberrations
28mm – Long-distance bokeh
Test conditions: the lens was focused on 0.8m, buildings are on “infinity”-distance
28mm – Light bubbles bokeh:
The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 0.8m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro TEST RESULTS on FOCUS DISTANCE = 35mm
35mm – Sharpness – short distance
Scene preview
Test results
35mm – Sharpness – long distance
Scene preview
Test results
35mm – Vignetting
35mm – Geometric distortion
35mm – Coma aberrations
35mm – Chromatic aberrations
35mm – Long-distance bokeh
Test conditions: the lens was focused on 0.8m, buildings are on “infinity”-distance
35mm – Light bubbles bokeh:
The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 0.8m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro TEST RESULTS on FOCUS DISTANCE = 50mm
50mm – Sharpness – short distance
Scene preview
Test results
50mm – Sharpness – long distance
Scene preview
Test results
50mm – Vignetting
50mm – Geometric distortion
50mm – Coma aberrations
50mm – Chromatic aberrations
50mm – Long-distance bokeh
Test conditions: the lens was focused on 0.8m, buildings are on “infinity”-distance
50mm – Light bubbles bokeh:
The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 0.8m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro TEST RESULTS on FOCUS DISTANCE = 85mm
85mm – Sharpness – short distance
Scene preview
Test results
85mm – Sharpness – long distance
Scene preview
Test results
85mm – Vignetting
85mm – Geometric distortion
85mm – Coma aberrations
85mm – Chromatic aberrations
85mm – Long-distance bokeh
Test conditions: the lens was focused on 0.8m, buildings are on “infinity”-distance
70mm – Light bubbles bokeh:
The lens is on the minimal focusing distance 0.8m, lights are on infinity (cityscape)
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro Other resources with reviews:
Minolta MD 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5 Zoom Macro – final conclusion
This zoom covers the wide diapason of most popular focal distances and fast enough for an inexpensive zoom lens. Additionally, it is well built, two-touch, lightweight has a macro mode, and looks beautiful. Nice fit, yes. Don’t miss it on the auctions, it still underrated.
Optical design with aspherical and floating elements – sounds cool, even for modern times. Definitely, corners aren’t ideal, but there are no reasons for pessimism, because, firstly, it is the semi-fast 3x-zoom started from 28mm – very powerful and wide, of course, it should have a weakness and this weakness looks very insignificant if to compare with more famous 2x-zooms MD 35-70/3.5 and MD 24-50/4, or maybe 1.5x MD 24-35/3.5. Secondly – center and middle(!) parts of the frame are really amazing on any focal distance, contrast is great and, finally, bokeh is unexpectedly nice from 50mm to long-end.
As a result, it can be named as another one masterpiece of the optic by Minolta – absolutely convenient universal zoom-lens which covers all photographer needs – from landscapes in travels till portraits everywhere. It may be the winner of ‘one lens in the bag’ award.
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