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Minolta AF Apo Tele 300mm f/2.8

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Minolta AF 300mm f/2.8 APO
MakerMinolta, Sony
Technical data
TypePrime
Focal length300mm
Aperture (max/min)f/2.8–32
Close focus distance2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Max. magnification1:7.14
Diaphragm blades7–9, circular
Construction11 elements in 9 groups
Features
Unique featuresy
ApplicationFast telephoto prime
Physical
Max. length238.1 mm (9+3⁄8 in)
Diameter128.6 mm (5+1⁄16 in)
Weight2,480 g (87+1⁄2 oz)
Filter diameterdrop-in
Accessories
Lens hoodbayonet, circular
Angle of view
Diagonal8°10'
History
Introduction1985
Discontinuation2022
SuccessorSony SAL-300F28G
Retail info
MSRP7500 USD (as of 2015)

Originally produced by Minolta starting in 1985, then produced by Sony from 2006 until 2022, the AF Apo Tele 300mm f/2.8 is a professional telephoto prime photographic lens compatible with cameras using the Minolta A-mount and Sony A-mount lens mounts. The name indicates it has an apochromatic design and is part of the G series, Minolta's designation for high-performance lenses. Later versions included "High Speed" gearing; starting in 2003, the lens was recomputed with a new optical design and equipped with a focusing distance encoder for the Advance Distance Integration (ADI) flash system.

History

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The 300 mm f/2.8 APO was introduced in 1985 as one of the original dozen lenses released with the Maxxum/Dynax 7000.[1] Like contemporary Canon FD super-telephoto lenses, it was available exclusively with a white finish to reflect the sun, minimizing the effect of thermal expansion on optical alignment,[2] and carried a gold ring towards the front of the lens,[3]: 37  designating it as a (G)old series lens.[4] Its optical design uses two "anomalous dispersion" glass elements.[5]

Around 1988, Minolta released an updated version of the lens with a faster gear ratio to increase autofocus speed; in 1989, Minolta added AF stop buttons behind the focusing ring (i.e., closer to the lens mount end of the lens) and began labeling these new lenses as "High Speed". Older lenses could be upgraded, but these retrofitted lenses and early updated versions may not include the "High Speed" label. In 1999, the manufacturer-suggested retail price was US$6,889 (equivalent to $12,600 in 2023).[6]

In 2003, Minolta recomputed the optical formula for the lens, decreasing the minimum focusing distance, and released it with an 8-pin electronic interface for the ADI system and a ring-type ultrasonic motor (labeled SSM) for focusing. Externally, this lens may be distinguished from earlier versions by the relocated focusing stop buttons, now forward of the focusing ring, and the presence of a large switch panel on the side of the lens, behind the focusing ring, which includes a focusing distance limiter and an electronic preset focusing distance; prior versions had a mechanical preset. The SSM lens can be mounted to all Maxxum/Dynax cameras, but the autofocus will work only with bodies newer than (and including) the Maxxum/Dynax 7.[7]

This version was adopted and re-released by Sony with minor cosmetic updates after it acquired the Konica Minolta camera division in 2006.[8] The last A-mount version to be sold by Sony, the 300 mm f/2.8 G SSM II, was introduced in 2012, with improvements to the lens coating and focusing speed.[9]

Sony discontinued the A-mount, including lenses, by 2022.[10] In 2023, Sony released a lens with identical focal length and speed for mirrorless cameras, the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, which features a native E-mount and optical image stabilization.[11]

Minolta / Konica Minolta / Sony AF 300 mm f/2.8 APO
Lens
Spec
Minolta AF APO Tele 300 mm f/2.8 Minolta (HS) AF APO Tele 300 mm f/2.8 Minolta AF 300 mm f/2.8 APO G (D) SSM Sony 300 mm f/2.8G SSM Sony 300 mm f/2.8G SSM II
Model no. SAL-300F28G SAL-300F28G2
Year 1985 1988 2003 2006 2012
Focal length 300 mm
Aperture f/2.8–32, 7-blade f/2.8–32, 7- or 9-blade f/2.8–32, 9-blade
Const. Ele. 11 (2 AD) 13 (3 AD/ED)
Grp. 9 12
ADI No Yes
Focus Min. 2.5 m (8.2 ft) 2.0 m (6.6 ft)
Limiter Yes, mechanical Yes, electronic
AF stop No Maybe Yes
Dims. Dia. 128.6 mm (5+1⁄16 in) 122.2 mm (4+13⁄16 in) 123.8 mm (4+7⁄8 in)
Len. 238.1 mm (9+3⁄8 in) 242.9 mm (9+9⁄16 in) 244.5 mm (9+5⁄8 in)
Wgt. 2,480 g (5 lb 7.5 oz) 2,310 g (5 lb 1.5 oz) 2,340 g (5 lb 2.5 oz)
Filter (mm) 114 (front) — (permanent protective optical flat)
42 (rear drop-in)
Refs. [5][12] [13] [14][15] [16][17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Schwalberg, Bob (March 1985). "A Dozen New Maxxum AF Lenses Include Five Zooms and A Fast APO Tele". Popular Photography. Vol. 92, no. 3. Los Angeles: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. p. 112. ISSN 0032-4582. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  2. ^ Kaspar, Herbert (1988). "The Minolta Lenses: A Lot of Lens for a Lot of Money: AF 300mm f/2.8 Apo, AF 600mm f/4 Apo". Minolta 7000. Hove Photographic Guides. Translated by Liselotte Sperl. Hove Fountain Books. pp. 137–139. ISBN 0-86343-175-5.
  3. ^ "Maxxum 7000 [412E-A1 / 9242-4115-62]" (PDF). Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. December 1984. Retrieved 15 August 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  4. ^ Schroiff, Klaus (July 2011). "Minolta AF 200mm f/2.8 APO G HS - Review / Lab Test". Optical Limits. Retrieved 15 August 2024. The Minolta lens belong to the "G" (Gold) series - a classification which is continued to be used by Sony to mark professional grade lenses. Unlike on Sony G lenses this is also visible via the corresponding "golden" ring at the lens front.
  5. ^ a b Henninges, Heiner (1989). "Apochromatic Lenses". Minolta Dynax 7000i. Hove Photographic Guides. Translated by Liselotte Sperl. Hove Fountain Books. pp. 100–103. ISBN 0-86343-200-X. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Confidential Dealer Price List, SE & Regular" (PDF). Minolta Corporation. May 1, 1999. Retrieved 15 August 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  7. ^ "Minolta announce two new SSM lenses". ePHOTOzine. 3 March 2003. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Sony 300mm F2.8 G Overview". Digital Photography Review. June 5, 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Sony Launch New 300mm F/2.8 G Telephoto Lens". ePHOTOzine. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  10. ^ Artarius, James (February 11, 2022). "Sony puts the final bullet in A-mount cameras". Digital Camera World. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Sony Releases 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS" (Press release). Sony Electronics. November 7, 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Maxxum System Accessories". Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. September 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Maxxum Lenses". Konica Minolta USA. Archived from the original on March 25, 2005.
  14. ^ "Lenses and Accessories Selection Guide" (PDF). Sony Electronics. 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Sony α lenses" (PDF). Sony Electronics. 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  16. ^ "300 mm F2.8 G SSM II: Product Specifications". Sony. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Interchangeable Lens 300mm F2.8 G SSM II" (PDF). Sony Corporation. 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
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