Photo: Mark Schellhase (CC BY-SA 3.0)
AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan)
- 70-210mm
- f/4.0
- Telephoto Zoom
- 695 g
- Min focus 1.1 m
Quick answer
A constant f/4 telephoto zoom nicknamed the Beercan for its shape. It weighs about 695 g and takes 55mm filters.
Pros
- Constant f/4
- Sharp for its age
- Compact for a 70-210mm
- 55mm filters
Cons
- Screw-drive AF
- No stabilization
Verdict
A classic cult lens for A-mount.
About this lens
The Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) is a telephoto zoom lens covering 70-210mm at f/4 for Sony A mount cameras. The range suits sports, wildlife, events and portraits.
Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) specifications
- Brand
- Minolta
- Mount
- Sony A
- Focal length
- 70-210mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/4.0
- Lens type
- Telephoto Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1985
- Optical construction
- 12 elements in 9 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- screw-drive
- Minimum focus distance
- 1.1 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.25x
- Filter thread
- 55 mm
- Weight
- 695 g
- Length
- 152 mm
Specification source: dyxum.com
What can you shoot with the Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan)?
- Telephoto on A-mount
- Portraits on film
- Adapted use
Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 70–210mm | 9.8–28.8° | 11.8–34.3° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 105–315mm | 6.5–19.5° | 7.9–23.3° |
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 called the Beercan?
The nickname comes from its straight cylindrical barrel.
What filter size does it use?
The front thread measures 55mm, which is the size to look for when choosing a polarizer, UV or ND filter.
How close can it focus?
Minimum focus is 1.1 m, with a maximum magnification of 0.25x. That works for detail shots and small subjects, though it is not a dedicated macro unless stated.
Alternatives for Sony A from other brands
All Sony A lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
More Minolta lenses for Sony A
All Minolta lenses
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Browse by focal length: 70mm lenses, 210mm lenses