Minolta AF 85mm f/1.4 D AF G lens shoots brilliantly for those photographers who need to get up close and personal, allowing users to capture the subtle expressions and gestures of their subjects. The focal length of 85mm is excellent for portraits. This version of Minolta’s lenses was the world’s first autofocus ultra-speed telephoto lens, first launched onto the market in 1987, and the technology has been copied since. It was made for 1980s and earlier devices, but it is compatible – and a favorite – with more recent Sony devices, both DSR and 35mm. This is a classic item and is really well made and designed for ultra-fast zooms. It was designed for a full-frame for 35mm film and full-frame digital cameras, but it can be used on cropped-frame models too. There is no instant manual-focus override, but if your camera is something like the Sony Alpha model A99, DMF mode will give you that feature with this lens. This autofocus telephoto device allows you to zoom in close up without missing a blink while shooting with complete sharpness. It can also be used in manual mode for those who like to get more experimental with classic cameras and accessories. Of course, your standard filters should fit. Use it for street portraits. The f1.4 is fast, making it quick and easy to snap great shots in daylight. Of course, with some adjustments to the camera, you can take it inside, too, for lovely family portraits, stills, and the like. This F-stop lens opens to 1.4, giving you the capability to pull focus and achieve that coveted bokeh (blurry background against the crisp close-up image), but it also stops down to an aperture of F22. This Minolta 85mm 1.4 is made of solid alloy and has an all-metal exterior, metal mount, metal focus ring, metal filter threads, and all-metal barrel. This handy piece of quality photographic equipment won’t add bulk or weigh you down either as it weighs only 19.8 ounces. The optical zoom is made of seven elements that rearrange themselves for the perfect composition while the front end extends outwards and the back end recedes. This lens was meticulously produced by Minolta, the Japanese manufacturer of photographic equipment, accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers with a history of producing cutting-edge photographic technology since 1928. The company is well known for making the first integrated autofocus 35mm SLR camera system. In 2003, Konica Corporation merged with Minolta to form a new company (Konica Minolta) that continues to produce cutting edge photographic and printing technology. This Minolta AF 85mm f/1.4 D AF G lens is a classic and collectible piece of camera equipment to add to your gear that will help you zoom and shoot fabulous street shots of people as well as other portraits and close-ups. It’s ideal to add to your travel camera kit when shooting in colorful markets or streets, and for when you want something you can put on auto focus and know will zoom and snap and get the photos you want.