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Author Topic: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question  (Read 2460 times)

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Offline marc pk

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Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« on: November 21, 2016, 12:11:53 AM »
My 30-year-old 28-70 G has been in the shop three times over the years, twice in the last 18 months. I was having problems with the aperture not closing properly.
Today it works well on my a900, but not on my a99... Sony maintenance tells me the mechanism that drives aperture on the a900 body is more "robust" - another way of saying powerful - than on the a99, which is more geared toward SSM. With age, the lens is becoming less reliable and needs more force to activate it. The control spring in it has been slightly loosened and I had it cleaned for excess grease that could slow it. In warm weather it works fine, but when its 5° Celsius or less, it becomes inconsistent. And of course one can't find spare parts anymore.
So I am starting to look into replacing it, particularly as I will probably get an a99ii next year. I was told to avoid the Tamron equivalent because of sharpness issues at 70mm. What other excellent zoom in that range do folks recommend - should I get the Zeis 24-70 ? Money is an issue - but not decisive...
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Marc

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Offline REX (aka TG)

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2016, 05:27:07 AM »
From what you say it must be fault on camera and not on lens. Find a friend with equal camera an a99 and try. Go to a shop and try it on a99II.

28-75f2.8 SAM is very good lens Ascot has one I thing. I have a Minolta 28-75 and is very good.

Other choice will be new CZ24-70I/II
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Offline marc pk

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2016, 09:21:15 AM »
Maybe it is the a99 drive shaft motor, but the camera was at Sony's for an overhaul just a few months ago (quite a lot of parts were replaced, including the front and back ring mechanisms, which had become stiff), hence my discussion with the Sony folks - they clearly ruled out a problem with the camera (and I don't have the issue with any other Minolta lens, including the 85 G series and Sony SSM lens ).
I am leaning toward the Zeis 24-79 SSMii Vario Sonar ; is its bokeh any better than its older version SSMi ?
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Marc

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Offline REX (aka TG)

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2016, 09:45:05 AM »
The only different between version I and II is the nano coating and the new LSI circuit for faster autofocus.

I have the 24-70 I and is really fast compare to your G version it will be a lot of different.

My opinion is Sony for some reason wanted to increase the prices of all lens and just by giving the the mark II the lens have one astronomic price. From some user i hear that there in no different between version I and II.

If you are planning to by in A99II then this must be the only reason i would buy the version II because Sony has a lot to show that we already don't know. It must be a new technology coming close to mirrorless cameras and only the new version II might be compatible in the future.
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Offline AScot

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2016, 07:28:20 AM »
As REX says, I do have the Sony 28-75 f2.8 SAM. It is a good all round lens with more than adequate IQ (perhaps a little soft edges at 75mm), relatively inexpensive, fast, light and the SAM is quiet compared to Minolta/Sony screw drive lenses.

I do not have the Zeiss 24-70, however I have tried it in a store and I found it to have very quiet AF due to the SSM but it is very heavy and way too expensive. Some Zeiss lenses are overrated just because they have the Zeiss name and I think the 24-70 SSM is one. However if you are into shooting video the SSM motor would be the best bet.

My old heavy Minolta 28-135 beat the Zeiss 24-70 for IQ in a Pro. test when it was first introduced. (Blew it away actually.) That's why I say it is overpriced.
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Sony A7, A850, A77, A700 || Sony>> 70-300G, 28-75 f2.8 SAM, 16-80CZ, 50 f1.4, FE 28-70 OSS, FE 24-70CZ f4 OSS, LA-EA4 || Minolta>> 300 f4 G HS, 200 f2.8 G HS, 100 f2.8 (D) Macro, 50 f1.7, 28 f2.8, 28-135 f4-4.5, 70-210 f4, 500 f8 Reflex, TC x 1.4 HS, TC x 2 HS. || Sigma 21-35 f3.5-4.2. || Tamron SP 24-135.

Offline marc pk

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2016, 05:51:36 PM »
Oh, what fun; I was rummaging in my old camera cupboard and found an old Minolta 35-105 mounted on one of my first Minolta 9's... I remember buying it before I purchased the Minolta 28-70 G some - 29 years ago! Tried it and found it in perfect working condition. Tomorrow, I'll take it out for some more trial shots to see if there is no fungus inside (there shouldn't as the room I keep this stuff is not humid). Anyone been using one lately ? How does it work ? Maybe I can temporarily skip getting the SAL2470Z2 in order to first get the A99ii...
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Marc

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Offline chappo1

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2016, 06:47:56 AM »
I have the CZ24-70 I which I use on the A99 I.  I cannot fault the image quality but the weight is getting to me....john
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Offline AScot

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Re: Minolta 28-70 G - ageing problems - replacement question
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2016, 05:45:08 PM »
Quote from: marc pk on November 24, 2016, 05:51:36 PM
Oh, what fun; I was rummaging in my old camera cupboard and found an old Minolta 35-105.

There are two versions of that lens. (1)Minolta AF 35-105mm F3.5-4.5 and (2)Minolta AF 35-105mm F3.5-4.5 N. They look like totally different designs and # (1) is way better than #(2). Either one may give you the excuse to buy the A99II. :D

You can see these lenses here #(1) Here. and #(2) Here.
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Sony A7, A850, A77, A700 || Sony>> 70-300G, 28-75 f2.8 SAM, 16-80CZ, 50 f1.4, FE 28-70 OSS, FE 24-70CZ f4 OSS, LA-EA4 || Minolta>> 300 f4 G HS, 200 f2.8 G HS, 100 f2.8 (D) Macro, 50 f1.7, 28 f2.8, 28-135 f4-4.5, 70-210 f4, 500 f8 Reflex, TC x 1.4 HS, TC x 2 HS. || Sigma 21-35 f3.5-4.2. || Tamron SP 24-135.
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