Used Minolta AF 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 for Sale — From £25

£24.99 Low price

£45.25 High price

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Great for: portrait travel general

Minolta's original AF telephoto zoom — the 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 'beercan' for A-mount.

The Minolta AF 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 is one of Minolta's earliest autofocus telephoto zooms, released around 1987 for the pioneering A-mount system. Nicknamed the 'beercan' for its cylindrical design, it became one of the most popular and well-regarded telephoto zooms in the early AF era. The constant barrel design without extending elements gives it a distinctive solid feel.

Optical performance is good for the era — the 'beercan' earned its reputation for consistent sharpness. Centre performance is very good throughout the range. The f/3.5 starting aperture is faster than many competitors. Bokeh is smooth. The internal zoom design means the barrel length stays constant — unusual and practical. AF is driven by the body's screw-drive motor.

Minolta A mount (Sony A compatible). Filter thread is 55mm — compact. Weight is approximately 645 grams. Build quality is solid with a robust feel that justified the 'beercan' nickname. The constant-length barrel design resists dust ingress better than extending zoom designs. Compatible with all Sony A-mount bodies and adaptable to E-mount via LA-EA adapters.

Common on the used market at very affordable prices. Check for smooth AF motor operation and clean optics. One of the most well-regarded vintage AF telephoto zooms. The compact 55mm filter thread and constant-length design are practical advantages. A piece of AF photography history that still delivers usable results today.