shmchan's reviews

  • Konica Minolta 300mm f/4 APO G AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, compact, full features.
    none

    Sharp, lightweight, fast-AF with tripod collar, gelatin filter, and focus range delimiter, and it’s only 1/3 of the price of the excellent 300mm f/2.8 AF G. What else would be more?

    reviewed April 26th, 2006 (purchased for $1,000)
  • Konica Minolta 200mm f/2.8 APO G AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp
    none

    Sharp, lightweight, fast-AF, among the sharpest 35mm optic ever produced. The color and the resolution are beyond words.

    reviewed April 26th, 2006 (purchased for $700)
  • Konica Minolta 100mm f/2.8 Macro D AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, versatile, 1:1 AF

    I am actually using the older non-D version. Optic-wise, sharp, versatile, life-size AF, among the sharpest 35mm optic ever produced. Very high contrast, excellent for macro photography, however, the lens would be too sharp for portrait.

    reviewed April 26th, 2006 (purchased for $550)
  • Konica Minolta 100mm f/2.8 Soft Focus AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp lens with excellent soft effect
    none

    The 100mm soft focus is love in the first sight. The soft focus effect performs extremely well manage on digital and film. This lens also has the resolution like the 100 Macro, without the, in times, harsh contrast. How good is this lens? My wife never interested in photography, until she sees our daughter’s pictures taken by this lens. Now, I can’t get her hands off it.

    reviewed April 26th, 2006 (purchased for $550)
  • Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM APO

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast AF, Sharp, Versatile
    Tripod Collar Position

    This is one amazing lens! It delivers the performance of 300mm f2.8 prime, with the added benefits of zoom. If you are a sports photographer, don't miss this one.

    The optic performance is fantastic. It may not be as sharp as the best prime, but it's definitely among the sharpest zoom.

    The only issue I have is the collar position. It's too short and too close to the body. It requires some extra care to mount and unmount on to the monopod.

    reviewed July 23rd, 2008 (purchased for $2,700)