Price
longer reach

manual focus
using 2x requires a tripod without exception
good lighting is very helpful
can't focus close(30 ft?)

I have one of Canon's top L lens in the 100-400mm which is fantastic. However, there are times that even with a 1.4 teleconvertor that the reach is not far enough to get that elusive eagle across the wide river. I was looking for a lens that would get the shot, even if it wasn't "L" quality.

I bought an inexpensive 500mm mirro lens that doesn't do the trick. For the price, I thought I'd give this one a try.

With my Canon 20D, I'm not afraid to use high ISO to get a fast shutter if neccessary. I found manual focusing difficult using the F8 aperture so I began experimenting with smaller apertures(bigger f-numbers). I found that either F11 or F16 to be usable with perhaps F11 to be the sweet spot for this lens. F8 seemed to be too shallow a DOF to get a good focus.

I'm convinced that a tripod is mandatory when using the 2x TC (1000mm). That said, here is my sample gallery using the lens:

http://www.pbase.com/sfink16/quantaray_test

Note: I made the mistake of using F32 on the 1000mm shot which should plenty of dust on my sensor.

Customer Service

Quick delivery

Similar Products Used:

Canon 100-400mm L IS lens
Canon 400mm f5.6 L lens
Opteka 500mm mirror lens

Bang for the buck. For a person on a budget you get a 500mm lens for just over $130.00, name any other maker that gives you that size for under $200.

T-mount not included in price. Add another $12. Size. Prefer it to be smaller to fit in a camera bag.

Purchased the Quantaray as a replacement for a Spiratone 500mm lost in a move. I loved the Spiratone, but can't find it. Actual price paid 108.00(10% discount on line offer, no sales tax and free shipping) + $12.00 for the T-mount adapter. I've read other reviews of this lens (here and other sites) and I can't figure out the complaints about it. What did you expect for $129? Sure its cheaply made, you were expecting a Nikon 500mm f/4D IF-ED AF-S II Nikkor for $129? For the price it's great. How often do you use a 500mm lens any way? I took some test shots with it on a Nikon F2 and at 500mm I believe the pictures are quite acceptable. Of course I was use to a similar lens in the Spiratone so I didn't expect perfection. With the 2x at 1000mm, I believe the degradation is too much to be of much use but still useable. The shots at 500mm were sharp enought and clear to show to friends and family. At 5x7 they are fine. I don't expect to shoot magazine covers with it so maybe my expectations are not as high as other reviewers. For the average person this is a very inexpensive way to get a big telephoto lens. Once you get use to stop down metering (if your camera has it otherwise use a hand held meter)it will take very satisfactory pictures. Aperature doesn't bother me as most of time I use it on bright days. I wanted it for wildlife and it works fine for that purpose. I know a true professional would never use this lens, but come on, how many out there require that level of quality. For the price I believe it's a great deal and the quality of the pictures is very acceptable. At the 500mm lenght for the average photograper, I rate the lens a 4 overall. Because of the 1000mm lenght I would drop it to a 3. But I feel you have to go with the best use (500mm) so 4 overall. My personal opinion is, you can get this 500mm lens that takes good pictures or not get it and miss several photographic opportunities until you can afford a lens over 200mm. The other common complaint is that it is basically a telescope in design, not a true photographic lens. What do those people think astronomers take pictures with?

Customer Service

Not Used.

Similar Products Used:

Spiratone 500mm

INEXPENSIVE. I have taken some superb photos, expecially without the 2x (go figure) but with the 2x, pics are still sharp, even to the outside. Has a tripod mount> use it with a remote and you won't be dissapointed! Fairly tough, easy to use, read the simple instructions.

Forget macro! Closest distance is about 16 ft at 15mm 32 at 1000mm.
Put on a 1x 2x or 4x converter (filter) and improve this dramatically, but focus is EXTREMELY critical. Focus is off at infinity. Use 400 film for best results 200 for good, 100 with a tripod and remote only! (but this applies to any lens of this focal length).

Definately worth the money. Just remember this is not a Minolta G, Nikon ED or a Tokina ATX.
At 1-20th the cost, a good buy for the results.

Customer Service

Why bother? Nothing to screw up. Throw it away if you do. $130.00

Similar Products Used:

500mm mirrors

Price is the closest thing to a strong point here.

Relatively lightweight.

Soft overall.
Even softer with the teleconverter.

What was I thinking ordering a 500mm telephoto for $100? I was planning on using the lens for offshore lighthouse photography. I had the lens mounted on a sturdy tripod, used the fastest shutter speeds possible, and my prints were still soft at 4x5" size. Never mind making enlargements.

I tried the lens with the included 2x converter, and the results were terrible.

Stick with a 400mm 5.6 lens; it might not be as long as you would like, but the results have to be better than this. I had the old Tokina MF 400 5.6, and it was much better than this lens.

I thought, for $100, I'd give it a try, but the results were really not too good. Live and learn.

If, for some reason, you need a long telephoto, and are not critical at all of image quality, this lens is cheap. But don't expect much.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 70-300mm AF-D
Tokina 400mm 5.6 MF for Canon

Super Telescopic Zoom! Incredible detail at huge distances. T-Mount allows it to fit into any camera with attachment. Includes a x2 Teleconverter that allows you to go from 500mm to 1000mm. The Whole lens can come apart in sections for easy cleaning & travel.

14 inches long, and is quite a heavy lens to lug around. At 1000mm f16, you really need quite a bit of light, to take bright pictures or a long exposure. Construction is below average, and the lens feels quite cheap and rickety.

For the price, you can't beat it. If you want to take Astrophotography pictures without spending $8000 on a similar Nikon lens, then this lens is for you! Even with its faults, its a great lens for super telescopic photography, and with its 14" length, makes a great conversation piece.

Customer Service

Great customer service, and phone information. Quantaray is sold by RITZ Cameras for your information.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Phoenix

good optics

cheap, rickity t mount fell apart!!!

i bought this lens 3-30-01 took it home and thought wow what a buy and told lots of people about it and about two weeks later let a friend use it she taking pictures of a waterfall and had her elan II eos on the lens and the lens on the tripod and she turned around and the camera fell of bounced off the asfault and landed in the dirt the t mount abapter striped right of the lens!! any way i am haveing so many problems just getting the lens replaced not to mention her camera!! i am scared to put it on any of my cameras to any thinking of buying one just save your money!!!

Customer Service

not very good

Similar Products Used:

None

Price i guess.

Slow. Focusing very critical.

Ive Been Photographing a wide range of things for about 6 months now. I purchased this lens thinking it was a great deal. But it definetly was not worth the price. I bought the lens a uv filter and t mount. The f-stops were very small and if there wasnt enough light to take the picture. I also had some what of a halo around my pictures. If using this lens make sure you use 400+ speed film. I returned this lens and got a full refund.

Customer Service

Fine i got my refund no questions asked.