I'm new to forum-lens questions

[Cdubs]

I've been searching for the beercan and I came across this question on one of the auctions. The auction is for a "Minolta Sony Digital Beercan 70-210mm F4 AF Lens (22)" (not sure what the 22 means), and one of the questions to the seller is

Q: Is this a "double crossed x" version? Or does it have the macro function? 10-Dec-08
A: macro,thx

What does that mean? I'm so afraid of purchasing the wrong thing (it would be just my luck!!) HELP!!

[OldClicker]

I've been searching for the beercan and I came across this question on one of the auctions. The auction is for a "Minolta Sony Digital Beercan 70-210mm F4 AF Lens (22)" (not sure what the 22 means), and one of the questions to the seller is

Q: Is this a "double crossed x" version? Or does it have the macro function? 10-Dec-08
A: macro,thx

What does that mean? I'm so afraid of purchasing the wrong thing (it would be just my luck!!) HELP!!

The (22) is the minimum f-stop.

When Minolta originally came out with the Maxxum line, they used a double xx that slanted down and only used one line for both Xs. Exxon (see their trademark) sued them for copy write violation and they had to stop using it. The special xx simply means that it was one of the first and is of collector value only. I would prefer a later copy as it would probably have less wear.

TF

EDIT: Here is a brochure with the crossed x. - TF