Made in Japan, the Minolta AF 28-70mm F/2.8 G is a professional grade lens used by news photographers. It is part of the Minolta AF G - Series that defines Minolta's high performance class of optics designed to give the highest optical quality. The 2.8 aperture makes it good to use in low light and the zoom range makes it an effective lens to use for street photography. The aspheric design on the Minolta AF 28-70mm F/2.8 G is different from the smooth continuous arc of a normal lens element surface as the curvature of an aspherical lens element changes shape across its surface. This reduces the amount of flare-producing surfaces and thus increases the contrast of the final image. The reduction in elements also makes the lens smaller and lighter.