Quantaray 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 lens for my Nikon N75. Any good?

[KerrKid]

I bought the above lens supposedly in excellent condition for $24. Did I pay too much? Is it ok for a blog lens?

I wanted it for my N75. Hope it doesn't suck completely.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I bought the above lens supposedly in excellent condition for $24. Did I pay too much? Is it ok for a blog lens?

I wanted it for my N75. Hope it doesn't suck completely.

If I were you, I would hold out for a Tamron or Nikon. Be patient and hold out a bit longer.

 

[KerrKid]

If I were you, I would hold out for a Tamron or Nikon. Be patient and hold out a bit longer.

Tamron? Do tell. I’ve heard good and bad. What’s the good?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Tamron? Do tell. I’ve heard good and bad. What’s the good?

Help choosing the right lens

I'm looking to purchase a new lens for a 35mm camera, ideally a Canon or Pentax since I already have a few bodies lying around. The problem is I'm not very tech-savvy and I'm not sure exactly what lens is best for me... I'd like a macro lens, something like a 50-200mm zoom, but that has...

www.photrio.com

Which would you take? Just a bit of fun...

Nikon FM3a - only because I'm familiar with it and it can be used without batteries if need be.

www.photrio.com

How bad are they?

Wow Thats not comparing like with like at all as the KA is a genuine Tamron mount the Canon fit just a 3rd party adapter with focus confirmation. The proper Tamron Adaptall EOS mount relays aperture settings etc to the camera and they are now extremely rare and difficult to find. I do use an...

www.photrio.com

Compatible lenses Nikon f100

I am looking to get my brother a Nikon f100, though have Noticed some don’t work with matrix metering, which I think are manual ones? Is this correct, and if so which lenses should I be looking for with auto focus, and good compatibility? Ideally he likes 35-50 mm or 24-70. Is there anything...

www.photrio.com

 

[KerrKid]

Help choosing the right lens

I'm looking to purchase a new lens for a 35mm camera, ideally a Canon or Pentax since I already have a few bodies lying around. The problem is I'm not very tech-savvy and I'm not sure exactly what lens is best for me... I'd like a macro lens, something like a 50-200mm zoom, but that has...

www.photrio.com

Which would you take? Just a bit of fun...

Nikon FM3a - only because I'm familiar with it and it can be used without batteries if need be.

www.photrio.com

How bad are they?

Wow Thats not comparing like with like at all as the KA is a genuine Tamron mount the Canon fit just a 3rd party adapter with focus confirmation. The proper Tamron Adaptall EOS mount relays aperture settings etc to the camera and they are now extremely rare and difficult to find. I do use an...

www.photrio.com

Compatible lenses Nikon f100

I am looking to get my brother a Nikon f100, though have Noticed some don’t work with matrix metering, which I think are manual ones? Is this correct, and if so which lenses should I be looking for with auto focus, and good compatibility? Ideally he likes 35-50 mm or 24-70. Is there anything...

www.photrio.com

Thank you!

 

[xkaes]

Quantaray never made lenses. They sold lenses made by lens manufacturers -- rebadged as Quantaray. So it basically depends on who made your lens. I have a couple of Quanatary lenses that were made by SIgma -- and sold under both the Sigma and Quantaray labels.
What you could do is try to figure out who actually made your lens. Just compare pictures of your lens to those of lens manufacturers with the exact same specs -- 28-200mm f3.5-5.6.
My guess is that it is the same lens that was also sold under the Vivitar label -- and probably others, as well, such as Promaster, Cosina................
If the pictures tell you it's the same lens check out those reviews and you might end up figuring out who actually made it.
$24??? You probably got a good deal. I have a Vivitar 28-210mm, but don't recall who made it. They also sold a 28-200mm model and a 28-205mm version.

 

[KerrKid]

Interesting. Let’s hope it’s of decent quality. I’ve heard good things about Vivitar, but of course, it depends on the lens. I have a 70-210mm Vivitar for my Pentax KM.

Yep, $24. eBay is like that. I just bought another N75 with 28-80mm lens for $38. I’ll put the $24 lens on the other N75 I got for $16. How can you beat $40 for an entry level Nikon camera system?

 

[Paul Howell]

Yours is a rebranded Sigma, was likley sold as part of kit, body, and 3rd party lens, Kits, Wolf and mail order sold Nikon, Pentax, Minolta, Canon bodies were sold with one or two 3rd party lens. I have it in Pentax mount, it is an older design. I also have the Pentax version, the IQ on Quanatary is as good, the Pentax seems to AF faster. I use the Pentax version as a travel lens.

 

[ciniframe]

One way to tell if a lens meets YOUR needs is to shoot with it. If YOU are happy with the results it doesn’t matter if another lens, with a more prestigious reputation is of higher quality. Of course if a inexpensive lens has mechanical issues, or starts to fall apart, then shopping for a higher quality lens makes sense.

 

[KerrKid]

Yours is a rebranded Sigma, was likley sold as part of kit, body, and 3rd party lens, Kits, Wolf and mail order sold Nikon, Pentax, Minolta, Canon bodies were sold with one or two 3rd party lens. I have it in Pentax mount, it is an older design. I also have the Pentax version, the IQ on Quanatary is as good, the Pentax seems to AF faster. I use the Pentax version as a travel lens.

That’s good to know. I just needed a “blue collar” lens that would reach further than the 28-80mm. I’m thinking of things like accident scenes where I can’t get close. There was an epic accident down in the Rio Grande Valley on Sunday and I had nothing that would reach it. Very frustrating.

 

[KerrKid]

One way to tell if a lens meets YOUR needs is to shoot with it. If YOU are happy with the results it doesn’t matter if another lens, with a more prestigious reputation is of higher quality. Of course if a inexpensive lens has mechanical issues, or starts to fall apart, then shopping for a higher quality lens makes sense.

Good advice. My requirements for the lens are modest. If it’s clear and relatively sharp that’s all that matters. If it falls apart, $24 isn’t a big loss, plus it will give me time to save up for something better.

 

[xkaes]

Interesting. Let’s hope it’s of decent quality. I’ve heard good things about Vivitar, but of course, it depends on the lens. I have a 70-210mm Vivitar for my Pentax KM.

Like Quataray, Vivitar -- and Soligor, and other marketers/distributors -- never made lenses. There were several "Vivitar" 70-210mm lenses, for example -- different versions made by different manufacturers with different features and different quality. The one made by Kiron is highly regarded -- the serial # starts with 22XXXXX.

 

[KerrKid]

Like Quataray, Vivitar -- and Soligor, and other marketers/distributors -- never made lenses. There were several "Vivitar" 70-210mm lenses, for example -- different versions made by different manufacturers with different features and different quality. The one made by Kiron is highly regarded -- the serial # starts with 22XXXXX.

Unfortunately, I don't have that one. I have the Vivitar 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 serial number 09460832. Made in Japan. I've never used it. These are selling for a song on ebay. It has zoom creep, too. I need a good rubber band for it, but I may never use it. I'll keep a look out for the model you referenced.

I don't know enough about lens, especially the third-party lenses. I think I've got some nice primes for my Minolta's and Pentax, plus some duds that I got included with the Pentax. Like this Vivitar and an Albinar 28mm.

 

[Paul Howell]

Vivitar is all over the map, the early S1 lens were designed for Vivitar then made by different manufactures. The S1 600 Cat F8 was designed and made by Perkin-Elmer in the U.S, it was a T mount, as was later 800 F11. Later S1 were again simply rebranded 3rd party lens. Camera Quest helps understand who made which lens by the serial numbers.

Vivitar Lens Manufactuers

 

[KerrKid]

Vivitar is all over the map, the early S1 lens were designed for Vivitar then made by different manufactures. The S1 600 Cat F8 was designed and made by Perkin-Elmer in the U.S, it was a T mount, as was later 800 F11. Later S1 were again simply rebranded 3rd party lens. Camera Quest helps understand who made which lens by the serial numbers.

Vivitar Lens Manufactuers

Thanks for that link! Nice to know who made what. My serial number starts with "0" so there's no information on that. Oh well. It's a cheapie. There's one for sale on ebay right now for $17.

 

[xkaes]

Thanks for that link! Nice to know who made what. My serial number starts with "0" so there's no information on that. Oh well. It's a cheapie. There's one for sale on ebay right now for $17.

As CAMERAQUEST states:

"If your lens does not match this numbering system, it was manufactured either before 1970, or after this numbering system was discarded under new corporate ownership circa 1990."

Yours was made AFTER 1990.

 

[KerrKid]

As CAMERAQUEST states:

"If your lens does not match this numbering system, it was manufactured either before 1970, or after this numbering system was discarded under new corporate ownership circa 1990."

Yours was made AFTER 1990.

Ah, yes. Judging from the construction, it couldn't have been made prior to 1970, so that leaves a manufacture date after 1990. I would be interested to see how it works just to know. I just need a decent rubber band to stop the zoom creep.

 

[Paul Howell]

Here is a link the Pentax Forum's 3rd party lens review for the 70 to 210 4.5 5.6, same lens different mount

Vivitar Macro 70-210mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Vivitar Macro 70-210mm F4.5-5.6 reviews and specifications. The later vivitars are generally not as well regarded as the Series 1 and other Vivitars from the197. This is a Vivitar Zoom lens.

www.pentaxforums.com

Sigma 28 to 200

Sigma DG 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Sigma DG 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 reviews and specifications. Camera Format: 35 mm SLR Lens Type: Zoom Lens Focal Length: 28mm - 200mm Lens Max Aperture: f. This is a Sigma Zoom lens.

www.pentaxforums.com

 

[Sirius Glass]

Interesting. Let’s hope it’s of decent quality. I’ve heard good things about Vivitar, but of course, it depends on the lens. I have a 70-210mm Vivitar for my Pentax KM.

Yep, $24. eBay is like that. I just bought another N75 with 28-80mm lens for $38. I’ll put the $24 lens on the other N75 I got for $16. How can you beat $40 for an entry level Nikon camera system?

My 70mm to 205mm Vivitar lens, pre Series I, made for Minolta mounts significantly lacked contrast compared to the Minolta Rokkor lenses. I used the lens for many years but it was always disappointing.

 

[KerrKid]

Here is a link the Pentax Forum's 3rd party lens review for the 70 to 210 4.5 5.6, same lens different mount

Vivitar Macro 70-210mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Vivitar Macro 70-210mm F4.5-5.6 reviews and specifications. The later vivitars are generally not as well regarded as the Series 1 and other Vivitars from the197. This is a Vivitar Zoom lens.

www.pentaxforums.com

Sigma 28 to 200

Sigma DG 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Sigma DG 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 reviews and specifications. Camera Format: 35 mm SLR Lens Type: Zoom Lens Focal Length: 28mm - 200mm Lens Max Aperture: f. This is a Sigma Zoom lens.

www.pentaxforums.com

Thanks!

The Vivitar is not terrible. That's good. It'll go on my Pentax KM if I use it.

Glad to hear good things about the Quantaray! I checked again and I paid $24.95 for it. That's a good value, in my book. I think I'll stick it on the D200, too, and see what happens.

My 70mm to 205mm Vivitar lens, pre Series I, made for Minolta mounts significantly lacked contrast compared to the Minolta Rokkor lenses. I used the lens for many years but it was always disappointing.

I don’t have a zoom for my Minoltas. All I have are a pair of Rokkor 135mm f2.8’s. If I get a zoom for the Minoltas it will be a good one.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a couple of zooms for my Minolta MD mounts, a Focal 70 to 200 3.5. Focal was K mart's house brand, this is from the 90s, maybe late 80s. Heavy lens 13 elements in 9 groups. Like SG I find contrast to be somewhat low, I tend to boost development time by 10% to compensate. My other is Kiron 28 to 70 3.5 t0 4.5, it is a later model, macro and program. The Kiron is a very nice lens.

If you are looking for bargain lens that have good IQ you can try Sears, Focal, and Penny. Most sell for under $10.00 on ShopGoodwill.com.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a couple of zooms for my Minolta MD mounts, a Focal 70 to 200 3.5. Focal was K mart's house brand, this is from the 90s, maybe late 80s. Heavy lens 13 elements in 9 groups. Like SG I find contrast to be somewhat low, I tend to boost development time by 10% to compensate. My other is Kiron 28 to 70 3.5 t0 4.5, it is a later model, macro and program. The Kiron is a very nice lens.

If you are looking for bargain lens that have good IQ you can try Sears, Focal, and Penny. Most sell for under $10.00 on ShopGoodwill.com.

Boosting development on slides, which is what I was doing in the 60s and 70s, does not increase contrast.

 

[Paul Howell]

I should have been clear, black and white negatives.

 

[KerrKid]

I received the Quantaray (Sigma) 28-200mm today. It looks unused in the original box. It focuses quickly on the N75 and doesn't feel that heavy. I know a lot of guys on here don't blink at $1,000+ lenses, but this $25 lens fits the price point of the N75 well.

 

[Paul Howell]

Quantaray (in this case likely Sigma) as with all lens made in the 30 or so years are computer aided designed, automated manufacturing, made to very high standards, at least optically. It will be softer wide open or stopped to F 16. If it gear driven AF, then the N75 has a good motor, if it a G type lens with micromotors then Sigma but a decent set of motors. What you get with a high end lens is better coating and build quality and tack sharp from 28 to 200. Although most of Quantary lens were rebranded Sigma, thinking about it, might be Tamron. For $25 you got a bargain, great travel lens.