Urban legends never die
Many photographers refer to the Minolta AF 28–135mm as the “Secret Handshake”, often repeating the story that it was co-designed by Minolta and Leica. The story has been challenged many times. Leica did not collaborate with Minolta on the Dynax autofocus mount, and the familiar tale should be treated as an urban legend rather than established fact.
Quality never goes out of fashion
I bought my copy on eBay after reading about its rather magical qualities. I simply love the look of this lens. There is something reassuring about its construction, and my copy was in fantastic condition. It quickly earned a place in my camera bag as an all-round lens for days when I wanted to carry a little less equipment.
It has limitations, particularly its susceptibility to flare, but it is very sharp and renders colours beautifully. Its close-focusing ability is also impressive, especially at the wide end, although it is not a dedicated macro lens.
Looking after the budget
For some reason, this lens has often been available at a surprisingly modest price on eBay. It is built like a tank and has the feel of a much more expensive lens. It comes with my recommendation, provided you find a copy in good condition and understand its limitations.
More information can be found in Kurt Munger’s review.
Close-up examples
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