Minolta 100-400

[mdcromer]

I'm seriously considering getting this lens for my daughter who loves to take pictures of birds and other creatures. Also under consideration is the Minolta 500 Reflex. Both of them are reasonably light and their owners enjoy them. Also the price is right. . . She is not going to use a tripod at this point!

Any comments?

[Andy B]

I have and enjoy them both with my A700. They both need good light to perform at their best, and they both can produce some unattractive bokeh if you don't choose your backgrounds carefully. I usually handhold the 100-400, but occasionally use a monopod. I wish it had a tripod ring given its length when fully extended with the hood mounted. Occasionally, the lens refuses to focus and just whirs away. I don't know why it does that, but switching the camera off and back on always solves the problem for me.

The 500 reflex is deceptive. It looks easy to handhold because of its compact size, but it really performs better with a monopod or tripod for support. I am currently testing a Sonia 82mm, 3-inch metal hood I picked up off of ebay for about $11 to see if it improves the contrast any compared to the 1-inch hood that comes with the lens.

Andy