Lense Types for a Minolta

[PhillipT]

Totally new to the whole lense situation. I've been using a Canon A540 the past year, and love it. I got a Minolta Maxxum 4, for christmas. This is something to learn and expand with.

It came with a Quantray 28-90mm lense, and a good all around lense for now. I'm just lost at what brands/types of lenses fit this camera. Seeing in other threads, theirs Canon lense, Nikon, or this brand-that brand. Not knowing if certain brands and such are specific to each camera, or what.

Or if someone can find a good intro article into lenses, that'd be great.

[Daniel Bates]

Your Konica Minolta Maxxum 4 uses the "A" autofocus mount, which is specific to Minolta cameras and lenses. Sony took over Minolta, so all the new Sony lenses should work on your camera.

I'm a Canon/Nikon person, so I don't know a lot about your camera specifically.

[PhillipT]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

Your Konica Minolta Maxxum 4 uses the "A" autofocus mount, which is specific to Minolta cameras and lenses. Sony took over Minolta, so all the new Sony lenses should work on your camera.

Ah, thats what I was looking for, thanks.

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

Your Konica Minolta Maxxum 4 uses the "A" autofocus mount, which is specific to Minolta cameras and lenses. Sony took over Minolta, so all the new Sony lenses should work on your camera.

Any Maxxum lens should work. Also any of the new Sony lenses. There are also a ton of aftermarket lenses (Tamron, Sigma, etc.) that will fit if they are the Minolta/Sony AF mount. If you must buy new, OK. If used are fine, go to KEH's website and look at Minolta auto focus. There are pages of available lenses.

[Cope]

Every A mount lens, flas, body made is listed here. The ebst eBay source for Minolta is j.d.katz, not cheap, but very reputable. KEH has great prices also

http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/bodies.php

[venchka]

You do know that Minolta bailed out of the camera business. Sony bought the Minolta camera business. Sony's support for Minolta cameras and lenses is virtually non-existant.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that many Minolta lenses are very very good.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by venchka

You do know that Minolta bailed out of the camera business. Sony bought the Minolta camera business. Sony's support for Minolta cameras and lenses is virtually non-existant.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that many Minolta lenses are very very good.

Sony's lens support is getting better, especially withthe upcoming Zeiss 24-70 f2.8. Minolta and Sony went in together as a joint venture before KM decided to bail on Sony.

As for your Maxxum 4, any A-Mount lenses should work. There are a lot of great lens deals out there for the Minoltas, and teh Tamrons and Sigmas that work with Sony will work with your Maxxum 4, assuming they are not digital only. Any Minolta or Sony 'DT' lens will have a smaller image circle, and will not work as well on film. You may get dark corners at the shorter zoom lengths.

I highly recommend the Minolta 70-210 f4 'beercan' if you want a steal of a lens. I got mine on eBay for $150! The Minolta 50mm f1.7 is another great deal for under $100.

Along with KEH.com be sure to check B&H's (bhphotovideo.com) used department! They often have great deals and their rating system is reliable.

For a lot of good input when lens shopping for an A-mount camera, look here: dyxum.com

[PhillipT]

Thank you guys for all the info, Ill look into every thing :)

[DoctorWu]

Just another vote for the Minolta 70-210 "Beercan" and the 50/1.7

[venchka]

Another reliable source for Minolta lenses.

http://stores.ebay.com/Matsuiyastore...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

[DoctorWu]

Doh, sorry I didn't think of it earlier... the very best resource for information on all things Maxxum, is Dyxum. - www.dyxum.com they are geared more toward the digital side of things in terms of cameras but they have a comprehensive database of "A" Mount lenses with user ratings etc. and a pretty good buy and sell forum.