Sony Alpha/Minolta AF Maxxum
35-70mm f/4
Standard Zoom Lens with Macro
“Mini Beercan”
Vintage 1st Generation Build & Optics
Minty Condition
In this listing, you are getting Minolta’s best standard zoom that many are now calling the “mini-beercan” because of its’ f/4 fixed aperture and range that ends where the regular Beercan (70-210/4) starts. This vintage classic will work on any Maxxum or Sony Alpha camera body and will provide much more composition and cropping flexibility than a standard 50mm lens. Reviews and users note that it is a zoom with “prime-like” sharpness and has experienced a resurgence in popularity with digital shooters.
This extremely lightly used lens, (S/N 161407xx) is in at least mint minus condition. I am hard pressed to note any wear on the durable enamel. You might consider this lens to be "mint" or very close to it.
Optically, the lens is perfect. There are no scratches or blemishing of the glass elements. Inside, the optics are fungus and dust free.
The metal mount is unmarked and the aperture blades are snappy and clean. The zoom and focus rings both adjust smoothly, as does the macro switch. The grip is free of the white crud you see on so many Minolta eBay lenses.
Included with the lens are both lens caps and the original hood.
When Minolta engineers designed this 1st generation metal body lens, their goal was to produce a zoom lens of the highest optical quality at an extremely affordable price. By taking a little off the low end of the zoom, the barrel distortion so familiar with the 28-50mm range of most zooms was essentially eliminated and the overall optical performance maximized (“maxxum”-ized?). Also included in the design is a Macro function (1:4 magnification), enabled at the slide of a button.
The 35-70mm has the desirable fixed aperture (f/4) that gives you a 1/2 stop faster speed at the high end, and a fixed focus while you adjust through the entire focal range. All of these features have been engineered into a solidly built lens less than 2 inches long and very lightweight despite its solid build. This zoom would make an excellent companion to Minolta’s 70-210mm f/4 zoom. These vintage models sell for a few dollars more than the newer f/3.5-4.5 version but the difference in build and optics on the f/4 is unbelievable in comparison.
Features:
· 1:4 Macro
· 49mm filter size
· Minimum focus 3.3 ft
· Minimum Macro focus 1.1 ft.
· Fixed f/4 maximum aperture
For information on purchasing a good Maxxum 7000, or buying used lenses on Ebay, and for many other Minolta reviews, see my “Reviews and Guides”.
For Sony DSLR shooters, see my guide Top Minolta Lens Picks for a New Sony Alpha Enthusiast
My goal on Ebay is to provide the buyer with a quality product, a risk free transaction and timely shipping.
The Fine Print!
All auction items tested and inspected prior to auction listing. I guarantee your item will not arrive D.O.A. Furthermore, your auction win will arrive very clean and well packed.
Equipment Grading:
The grading of equipment is very subjective, but I try to estimate condition conservatively. Rarely will I call an item “mint”. This is an overused descriptor on Ebay and can result in a disappointed buyer. The equipment I list is previously owned, and even the best cared for equipment can show some light signs of use. For that reason, 99% of the time, the highest I will grade an item is “mint minus”. Generally, I list equipment that I would be happy to own myself, and I’m picky about my gear. Occasionally I do come across a “dog”, but as such, it will be photographed, priced and described accordingly.
All photos are of the actual item you are bidding on. I do not use ‘stock’ photos.
If you have any questions regarding an item or auction, please email me.
Bidding:
Do not bid if you do not intend to pay. Buyers can bid with confidence knowing they are receiving excellent merchandise.
Payment:
Payment is due within 72 hours of auction closing. If you require a little extra time to make payment, a simple email request at the auction close will work! If paying by M.O., let me know and I will await its arrival.
Shipping:
Shipping is through Canada Post’s air and ground parcel service and is generally very reliable. Canadian packages include tracking and $100 CAD insurance.
Expensive items include tracking and full insurance.
If you live in a country where the mail system is not reliable, I suggest you upgrade and purchase tracking!
I will assist you in making a claim if your item is lost or damaged in transit.
Please contact me at auction close if you wish to upgrade shipping. (The cost is only about $5 more to the
If you use “private feedback”, I will insist that you pay for tracking your package.
Combined Shipping:
Please contact me for an item specific combined shipping rate for items purchased in my Ebay Store.
Returns:
If you are not satisfied with your item because you feel it has been grossly misrepresented, please contact me via email so that we can come to a mutually agreeable solution to the issue. I will accept returned merchandise provided you have emailed me within 7 days of receipt of your item, and we have agreed that this is the course to take. Your satisfaction with the item is my primary concern.
Feedback:
Once your item has arrived and you are happy with it, please leave appropriate feedback. I will leave positive feedback as well once I have seen that everything is in order and you are satisfied. If you are not happy, please contact me so we can work it out rather than “duke” it out in the Feedback section! Thanks for reading my “Fine Print” and Good Luck! I strive for 5 star feedback. If you feel you should leave less, please contact me so I have an opportunity to address/fix the issue.
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