This little inexpensive macro lens is pretty darn good. It has very good control of distortion, color fringing and coma. Average items include ghosting, bokeh, and wide open center sharpness. Sub-par characteristics only show themselves using full frame coverage, and include very soft corners and light fall-off, though not really noticeable in normal shooting as seen above. Back in the film days when this lens was designed, it probably produced the same results as the more expensive F/2.8 version because people didn't blow their pictures up to poster size like they do now on the computer screen and compare image crops side-by-side. The only real down side to this lens is the current eBay selling price, which is quite high, around $200. I guess some people are drawn to the somewhat scarcity of the lens, or they're suckered into thinking this lens is the best macro Minolta ever produced, as a result of dubious review methods from lens forum members. Also consider the late model Minolta AF or Sony 50mm F/2.8 macro which are more expensive, but are full life size, and include a focus hold button and focus limiter switch.

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Sharp. Light.

Manual focus is not as smooth as other lenses.

I realy like this lens. Most of the shots I've taken with it have turned out nice and sharp and with nice contrast. I've used it for everything from ants to zebras to aunts and it always helps me get a good pic. Being a Macro lens, it is, of course, best for that aplication. When I've used it for general photography it has turned out some great shots but it can be a little picky. When using the manual focus, it will not let me focus on items more than about 15 feet away. Autofocus can focus on far away subjects just fine. Also, the manual focus ring is not directly connected. As you turn the ring, the camera interprets your movements and focuses the lens for you in a prety close aproximation of what you are trying to do. It's not really a problem with the lens, it's a minolta thing. If you have an S-1 or S-100 (or RD 3000) this lens should be on your next Chistmas list. You can find some great prices on line and get yourself a nice macro lens for next to nothing. No one will believe you took the pictures with APS.

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Other Vectis lenses.

This is perhaps the sharpest Vectis lens. Very light weight, very good performance.

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After the 22-80, this is the next lens to buy.

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Really sharp "macro" lens - works exceptionally well with the FS-1 flah gun with the macro diffuser attached.

Only gives 1:2 rather than true 1:1 macro.

Equivalent to 60mm in 35mm format so it can be difficult to use with shy and mobile subjects like butterflies where a longer focal lenth can help avoid approaching the subject too closely.

Genuinely excellent little lens giving up to half life size images. I can't sing the praises of this lens enough.

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