Minolta AF 70-210 3.5-4.5

[swanseadave]

I have the chance to buy one of these locally,in close to mint condition.The marked price is £79.Is this fair or should I haggle downwards?

[Malcolm_Stewart]

Probably worth checking out this website.

[swanseadave]

Thanks Malcolm
I am a member of Dyxum but quoted prices on there seem to vary widely.I just wondered what would be a reasonable price to pay.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

I've just checked my records, and I paid £50 to LCE at Winchester for a lens with the same designation, two years ago. Thought it worth directing you to Dyxum as the Minolta lens which gets all the plaudits is the magic drainpipe, and that's a different lens, from what I understand.

[SqueamishOssifrage]

It is always worth haggling, but I don't think it is a bad price. Back in the mists of antiquity (circa 1989) when my wife was using a Minolta 7000, I checked out this lens versus the (then discontinued) drainpipe/beercan, and frankly found the drainpipe/beercan to be a less attractive lens. Optical performance appeared about the same, and the 3.5/4.5 was noticeably lighter. It got a reasonable rating on photodo , better than any of the 75-300 4/5.6 offerings of the day.

Foot note:- In the end, my wife decided she didn't want either, because she didn't want to carry a second lens, so I got her the 28-135 4/4.5, which is an excellent lens for its day. If you find one of these for a good price, grab it - no second thoughts, don't, just let me know where it is!

[swanseadave]

Foot note:- In the end, my wife decided she didn't want either, because she didn't want to carry a second lens, so I got her the 28-135 4/4.5, which is an excellent lens for its day. If you find one of these for a good price, grab it - no second thoughts, don't, just let me know where it is!

Thanks for that If I see one I`ll think of you
I`ll see how much I can get off the asking price.As you say,it`s lighter than beercan.
edit.Thanks for link.Not seen that site before.

[SqueamishOssifrage]

I`ll see how much I can get off the asking price.

Did you get it, or did the owner stick to the first price?

I am quite pleased, because I've just picked up a Sigma 75-200mm 2.8 - 3.5 which works on my Dynax 7 - a lot of them don't. It seems only serial numbers higher than 200xxxx work on later bodies. Mechanically, it's a bit knacked, with a jerky push-pull zoom, but the glass is perfect, and the AF fast.

[swanseadave]

I`ll see how much I can get off the asking price.

Did you get it, or did the owner stick to the first price?

I am quite pleased, because I've just picked up a Sigma 75-200mm 2.8 - 3.5 which works on my Dynax 7 - a lot of them don't. It seems only serial numbers higher than 200xxxx work on later bodies. Mechanically, it's a bit knacked, with a jerky push-pull zoom, but the glass is perfect, and the AF fast.

No,not yet,although it is no longer on display,at my request.I`m hopeful of getting a couple of quid off,but get it I will! ,probably Saturday.
I hope you got the Sigma at a good price reflecting condition.
Cheers.

[swanseadave]

........in mint condition
Very pleased with it.It zips into focus very quickly.
Cheers

[Dorset_Mike]

We note no mention of the price, do we assume no haggling or are you scared of making us jealous of your dscount?

[swanseadave]

We note no mention of the price, do we assume no haggling or are you scared of making us jealous of your dscount?

Hi Mike I did haggle and indeed,after nearly walking away,got it for £69.I`m delighted and looking forward to putting it through its paces.
Cheers

[SqueamishOssifrage]

Good price!

I paid Euro 120 for my 2.8/3.5, which is reasonable, considering their scarcity. I have come upon one problem with it though. It holds f2.8 through to 140mm, which is the range it bought it for, and then goes to 3.2 between 150 and 160mm - then it stops AF and locks the camera about where I would expect it to go to f3.5. . All goes back to normal at 200mm. The problem starts just where the zoom starts to feel stiffer than usual, but it always seems to AF properly on my original 7000.