Lens query: redirect this thread if needed

[David Lyga]

First. the ONLY place I see to post something like this is in the analog section. Neither the 'hybrid' nor 'digital' sections have any forums dedicated to lenses. I did not wish to place this in the 'digital camera' section. Thus, if this is not placed correctly, advise me and make the change. (Some things in life are needlessly confusing.)

In a deal I had to accept the following lens and I do not know if it is for film, digital, or both.

Quantaray AF70-300 f4-5.6 LD MACRO for the Canon EF mount

In order to post this for sale on Craigslist.org. I need to know what it is and what its value is, about. The condition is practically mint, with box and operating data. It includes a front, detachable hood and both caps. Is this for film AND digital? - David Lyga

 

[Dan Fromm]

Quantaray? Worse than Stigma. Minimal value. So do the Craigslist thing, ask ridiculous for it and be prepared to haggle down. Also be prepared for timewasters.

The lens doesn't care whether film or a chip is behind it, might work on all Canon EF mount cameras. Since you don't know, claim ignorance in y'r listing.

 

[David Lyga]

And, as far as a REALISTIC price for a new lens?

 

[MattKing]

Here is an amazon Canada listing for the Nikon mount version: https://www.amazon.ca/Quantaray-70-300mm-4-5-6-Macro-digital/dp/B00D0GTJU8
Note the comparability with film and some digital bodies.
An EF mount means that it will fit on all EF film and digital bodies.
The auto-focus performance may vary.

 

[MattKing]

I agree with Dan about Quantaray quality and pricing.

 

[Paul Howell]

Quantaray were usually rebranded Sigma and Tamron lens sold through Kit's Camera chain, often came as a kit, 2 zooms and the body. My thinking is that this lens is a Tamron, entry level consumer lens, designed when film was still king. Should be sharp stopped down, likely soft with distortion in the corners wide open or stopped down to F16, better on a cropped digital sensor body as the corners will not a factor.

For what it's worth, review from the Pentax Lens Review guide for the Tamron in KAF mount. Although several years the Pentax version was selling for $30.00 pretty good lens for the money.
Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 AF LD Macro
Sharpness
8.5
Aberrations
7.8
Bokeh
7.8
Handling
8.0
Value
9.5
Reviews Views Date of last review
4 28,465 Sun July 29, 2018

Recommended By Average Price Average User Rat


Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-70-300mm-f4-5-6-af-ld-macro.html#ixzz6X0KGOClV

 

[David Lyga]

You have all been so helpful and I thank you all.

I have to say that I have bought, through the years, many used Quandary zooms and after I had opened them up and cleaned the internal elements, the image results were sharp as a tack. Maybe in terms of build quality or even the written data as opposed to engraved data on the lens body this was true, but, otherwise the optics always seemed to be excellent. - David Lyga

 

[Oren Grad]

Caveat: some film-era Sigma AF lenses in Canon EF mount do not work with Canon DSLRs, even though the bayonet mount is physically compatible. Something about the electronic hand-shaking is messed up and the camera will simply show an error code and refuse to function. Sigma has no fix for this. I don't know whether this is true of Tamron EF-mount lenses of comparable vintage, but unless you have the opportunity to test it yourself I would add a disclaimer about use on DSLRs.

 

[David Lyga]

Caveat: some film-era Sigma AF lenses in Canon EF mount do not work with Canon DSLRs, even though the bayonet mount is physically compatible. Something about the electronic hand-shaking is messed up and the camera will simply show an error code and refuse to function. Sigma has no fix for this. I don't know whether this is true of Tamron EF-mount lenses of comparable vintage, but unless you have the opportunity to test it yourself I would add a disclaimer about use on DSLRs.

To be fair and most transparent, I will say what I know, no more. I do not have a Canon digital camera to test it on so I will state that. I will also state that the lens looks brand new and its zoom, focus, and manual/AF button work well. I have no ability to test the aperture.

I will not deceive; my optimism will be tempered with agnosticism.. - David Lyga

 

[MattKing]

To be fair and most transparent, I will say what I know, no more. I do not have a Canon digital camera to test it on so I will state that. I will also state that the lens looks brand new and its zoom, focus, and manual/AF button work well. I have no ability to test the aperture.

I will not deceive; my optimism will be tempered with agnosticism.. - David Lyga

Include in your listing that prospective purchasers interested in using the lens on Canon digital bodies are welcome to bring their camera to test it.
Are there any camera stores around you with used Canon digital bodies for sale? Take the lens in and try it out.

 

[Paul Howell]

Thinking about it, what may make a difference between the Pentax version and Canon version is the AF drive. As I understand it Canon EF AF has always been micro motor driven while the Pentax film bodies of the day were screw driven. As a consumer grade lens the Tamron may have less powerful motors and slow AF speed.

 

[shutterfinger]

Quantaray was a store brand sold by Ritz Camera before they bught out Kit's and later Wolf camera. As others said an amature's delight.