This small zoom is one of the classic Minolta gems. Unappreciated and often under priced, this makes a great eBay bargain lens. Optically the lens is excellent and extremely well constructed. It has a macro feature that has limited usefulness compared to a true macro lens, however it works surprisingly well in this capacity.
The main drawback to this lens is its range. 35-70mm becomes approximately 52-105mm on the current 1.5 crop cameras. It is still a useful range, but doesn't hold as much appeal as the more traditional zoom ranges that tend to start at a wider angle (e.g. 28mm) or modern standard zooms that start even wider (e.g. 16-18mm).
If its range is not a problem for your shooting style, this is one of the best Minolta bargains around. Some consider this lens the little brother to the Minolta 70-210/4.
When shopping don't mistake the 35-70mm f4 for the newer 35-70mm f3.5-4.5. The newer plastic version is still a good lens, but it can't stand up to the real classic.
It can be found on eBay for about $20-70 (Oct 2007). This is not an uncommon lens and I recommend you hold out for one in excellent condition and pay no more than $50.
Below are links to reviews and current Ebay auctions for this lens. (Links open in a new window)
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| Quantaray AF 35 70mm F35 45 70 210mm F4 56 Twin Zoom Bonus Pack for Minolta | |
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$115.00 Time Remaining: 4h 53m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
| Sony Alpha a230 DSLR Camera + Minolta 35 70mm f4 baby beercan Lens BUNDLE | |
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$247.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 4m |
| Minolta AF 35 70mm f 4 Lens for Sony Minolta Mount | |
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$43.00 Time Remaining: 6h 11m |
| Minolta AF 35 70mm f 4 Macro Lens for Sony Minolta Mount | |
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$25.00 Time Remaining: 10h 48m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
| MINOLTA MAXXUM AF 35 70mm F4 14 ZOOM LENS BABY BEERCAN SONY ALPHA DSLR SLR | |
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$85.00 Time Remaining: 17h 51m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
| Minolta Maxxum 5000 AF camera with Minolta maxxum zoom lens 35 70mm F4 and flash | |
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$69.00 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 25m Buy It Now for only: $69.00 |
| GENUINE MINOLTA LENS HOOD FOR 35 70mm f 4 AF LENS MINT | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 3d 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| MINOLTA 35 70mm F4 MACRO ZOOM LENS FOR MAXXUM AND SONY ALPHA | |
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$56.95 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 22m Buy It Now for only: $56.95 |
| Minolta Maxxum Af Zoom Lens 35 70mm 14 | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 1m |
| Minolta 35 70mm f 4 AF Lens with macro for Maxxum+SONY Alpha MINT CONDITION | |
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$79.00 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 36m Buy It Now for only: $79.00 |