This is my first true Lens Love post. My goal is to report my experiences with various lenses, primarily how they work with film. There are many detailed lens reviews available that use digital cameras—and I use those reviews quite often—but digital sensors react to light differently compared to film. One significant difference is in their response to overexposure. Film can handle 3-4 stops of overexposure with little trouble; digital sensors cannot. I may introduce a lens using a digital camera as I did in the Minolta MD Zoom 75-150mm post. But I will always use film when preparing a report.
Background
Why did I choose the 28-105mm as my first Lens Love report? Google it. You will find only few mentions: Dyxum, which gives it good marks, and two old links to Photography Reviews. One link leads to six reviews that, overall, give low marks. The other link has two reviews and agrees with Dyxum. Even Kurt Munger skipped reviewing the 28-105mm.
I got my first copy in a lot I bought for the Maxxum 7. I ignored this lens until I was trying to decide what to get rid of. I shot a few frames with it to see how bad it was, and I fell in love instead.
I went looking for reviews, but other than Dyxum, few people have written about this lens. I bought the 28-135mm “secret handshake” lens because it is highly touted. It is a great lens, but since trying the 28-105mm, I haven’t used the 28-135mm. The 28-105mm is lighter, smaller, and to my eye, equally sharp.
Technical Specs
The 28-105mm comes in three versions–the “xi” version introduced in 1991, a 1994 non-xi version, and a 1997 version dubbed “Restyled” (RS). The 1994 and 1997 versions are rated higher than the original xi version. All versions weigh about 500 grams (17 ounces). It is about three inches long and extends about two more inches. The aperture has seven blades.
The minimum focus distance (MFD) is a little more than 19 inches, which I find surprising and useful. It has a 62mm filter ring, which is irksome because that is an odd size for me. I have 49, 55, 58, and 72mm filters, but no 62mm. The filter ring does not rotate during focusing or zooming.
Buying
Dyxum gives the last two versions good marks in most areas. I agree. I have four copies of this lens, one xi and three of the 1994 version. The xi and two of the 1994 version came in camera lots. Generally speaking, the non-xi versions don’t show up that often for sale as individual items. After getting the 1994 version in the Maxxum 7 lot and being so impressed by it, I went looking for a second copy—it took three months for one to show up on eBay. The xi versions dominate eBay listings, and unless you want to the xi experience, don’t buy it.
Images
Images in this report were shot with the 8000i (XP2), 7000 (Fuji Xperia 400), and Maxxum 7 (Kodak UltraMax). The color images are commercial scans and the B&W are home-scanned XP2.
28mm f3.5 
28mm f8
105mm f8
Sharpness is a crucial concern for any lens. Many tests are done with digital cameras and special charts. I wanted to use everyday items for my tests because that is what I photograph.
The first four images are my attempt at sharpness demonstrations. I shot at the extremes 28 and 105mm, and there are two shots, one wide open, and the second at f8, for each FL. The only distortion I notice is a slight pincushion distortion at 105mm.
Impressions
Shooting with the non-xi versions is pleasant. The MFD of only 19 inches is very useful and unusual for Maxxum zooms. By comparison, the 28-105mm (500mm) MFD is less than half of the 70-210mm beercan (1100mm). Autofocus is quick with every Maxxum body I have used (Maxxum 7, 7000, 8000i, Alpha 7). This is a great walk around lens. Stopped down to 5.6 and beyond, it is sharp at 28mm and 105mm. It has the same issues with flare as most 90s lenses, but nothing off-putting. Build quality is good; it is substantial without being too heavy, and at little more than three inches length-wise, it is compact and easy to carry.
When going out to shoot, I find the 28-105mm, a 50mm (usually the 50mm macro not the f1.7, even when I’m not shooting any macro images), and the 70-210mm f4 “beer can” are enough to meet my needs. I rarely shoot at 28mm in low light, so I don’t need a fast wide angle lens. Color reproduction is excellent.
I advise against the xi version because of poor ease of use and image quality issues. Xi lenses are cumbersome all the time and a real pain to use in manual mode.
Overall, this is one of my favorite Maxxum lenses, joining the 50mm and 100mm f2.8 macro lenses, 70-210mm beer can, and the 35-70mm f4 (1985). The 28-135mm will yield similar results but with more weight. If you can find a 28-105mm 1994 or RS version, buy it.
The non-xi version is no xi printing after the zoom on the lens?
The xi version says “xi” on the lens. It is also shaped differently. There is one non-xi version on eBay US now for 60.00
I found out the difference and find the listing on ebay. Thanks for helping again.
Great!
Take a look at dyxum.com. They have reviews and images of all Minolta AF lenses.
I have a a350 and want to try the Minolta leans because I find out it’s very good price now. If only get one, 28-105mm and 35-105mm, which one you will most recommend? Please give me some suggestions, thanks.
Hi, the 28-105mm is my favorite of the two because I like having the wider coverage. Both make good images. The non-xi versions of the 28-105mm are equally good. The 1985 version of the 35-105mn is the best version of that lens.
One significant difference between the two is the minimum focus distance. The 28-105mm has can focus as close as 20in, the 35-105mm has a minimum distance of 5ft. I have both, and 95% of the time I choose the 28-105mm. However, the 28-105mm is much harder to find. Hope this helps.
I only can find 28-105 Xi now. 35-105 is hard to find the 1985 version, only can find the newer version (short version). I will get a 28-105 to try. Thanks for your replay.
Glad to help! It may take a few months to find either lens.
I will get the xi one.
My xi copy is not as good as the later versions. Perhaps yours will be.
I have the xi version of this lens. While I can only agree that the xi is cumbersome all the time (you do get used to it, but really, you shouldn’t need to. What were they thinking?) my version, at least, is sharp. I’ve taken to using this lens a bit more lately and I’m really happy with how well it performs. It came with a 7xi, I suspect it was the kit lens for them. Colours are typical Minolta. I quite like it.
I’m sure there are variations between lenses. I have one copy of the xi version but three of the later version. My xi isn’t bad, just not as good as the others.
In all, the 28-105mm is an exceptional lens—very underrated.
I just won an auction for two Maxxum cameras, two motor winders, and three lenses for a total of $37 which includes shipping.
I have many Minolta Maxxum cameras already, because I buy them just to get the lenses to throw on my Sony Alphas. Don’t shoot film very much anymore, but you’ve motivated me to start doing that again. Anyway, as I was saying, I won that auction, and one of the lenses is the 28-105, but not sure what version it is. I’ll let you know when I pay for it and have it in my hands.
Wow! You got a great deal! Glad to hear my posts have inspired you to shoot more film. Hope it will be as rewarding for you as it has for me.
All of the 28-105mm models are good lenses, the non-xi tend to have slightly better image quality, and on non-xi camera bodies they are less of a pain to use. Either way, you will be surprised at the image quality.
BTW, like I your gallery images—-excellent use of color! I look forward to seeing your 28-105mm images.