Quantaray 500mm f/8.0 Mirror w/Macro Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Cornell
(Beginner)

Review Date
May 20, 2009

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 11

Price Paid: $20.00 from Private Sale

Summary:

I had wanted a mirror lens since first seeing some of the photographs taken using these particular lenses. A Nikkor was out of my price range, thus I purchased this lens from a private sale. I have gotten some spectacular shots of subjects using my Nikon D40X. However, when it comes to shooting landscapes it is very difficult to get a clear image (at least it has been for me thus far).
It is a beautiful lens and, even though I am a beginner, would say that it is definitely worth it to purchase this lens. Although I have only had the lens for a brief amount of time, I have been shooting with it almost every day. If you do not have the time to devote to learning how to focus and shoot well with this lens DO NOT BUY IT. It takes practice to get great images.
A tripod is must to get a clear image.

Strengths:

Build Quality
Unique

Weaknesses:

It is not possible to pick up this lens and get perfect shots. Takes practice.

Similar Products Used:

Quantaray 500mm spotting scope

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Rating
Reviewed by:

judles58
( Intermediate)

Review Date
December 11, 2004

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 11

Price Paid: $100.00 from Ritz

Summary:

I have had the Quantaray Mirror 500mm for several years. After I got past the contrast issue, I finally got the hang of it. I think it is a good lens to "capture the moment", but haven't figured out yet how to make a sharper image. When I did get a good image, it may have been just luck. My best experience was taking pictures of the Orca Whales in the Puget Sound. I was amazed at myself that I could focus so fast, (since the focus mechanism is backward) catching the whales jumping in and out of the water. I got great close-ups. And all that from a rocking boat no less!

Strengths:

Close up shots in nature when it is difficult to get close.

Weaknesses:

Confusion with focus mechanism Not particularly clear

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 35-135mm Quantaray 28mm

Customer Service:

It would probably be better to go with a more expensive single lens if you are looking to buy a new lens for close up photography. However, if you already have one of these or get it for free, go ahead and experiement with it, you might be surprised.

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Rating
Reviewed by:

pozo
( Intermediate)

Review Date
December 5, 2004

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 11

Price Paid: $129.00 from Ritz

Summary:

I had terrible luck with this lens on a Nikon D70. Could be a quality-control problem due to the other positive posts, but I could not get a decent picture out of this lens. The results were awful: no constrast whatsoever, and impossible to a achieve any hint of sharpness. Tried everything from fixing on tripod with remote shutter release at 1/1000 sec, and still could not get ONE decent picture. (I'm not talking about PRO lens results -- understand that this lens is incredibly cheap-- but no joke: I have made pinhole camera that produced better results.) This one is going back.

Strengths:

None.

Weaknesses:

No contrast or saturation. Lack of sharpness. Lens is bascially unusable.

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Rating
Reviewed by: mynameisglass
(Intermediate)

Review Date
August 29, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 4 of 11

Price Paid: $0.00 from Ritz

Summary:

I don't know why anybody would bash this lens, I was tempted to scratch the deal from all the bad hype. But I have had five rolls of this pushed though and everything is spotless. One suggestion for prospective buyers-even with a tripod you NEED to use shutter speeds faster than 1/500... so you better stock up on 400-800 ISO!

Strengths:

Light, compact, reach

Weaknesses:

None if you have a good eye for the very touchy focusing (typical for long focal lengths).

Similar Products Used:

minolta's verson

Customer Service:

Just needed to go back because of a defective T-Mount

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Rating
Reviewed by: Steve
(Expert)

Review Date
February 19, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
3 votes

Review 5 of 11

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

I almost didn’t buy the lens because of poor reviews. Now that I have taken some photos with it I came to the conclusion it is a poor workman who blames his tools. I have photos of antelope that at 100 yards the eyelashes are clear and the highlight in the eye is perfect. I took photos of a near full moon @ 1/250 and the result is fantastic. You have to give this lens some respect and use it in the conditions it was designed for. If you do your job right it will give fantastic results. I don’t see what all the whining is about.

Strengths:

Good sharp image.

Weaknesses:

Has none when used properly

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