Quantaray 70-300mm F4-5.6 LDO MACRO SUPER 35mm Zoom
Quantaray 70-300mm F4-5.6 LDO MACRO SUPER 35mm Zoom
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[Apr 27, 2000]
Andrew Babel
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
70-300mm F4-5.6 LDO MACRO SUPER
Strength:
Cheap. Glass is good for $200.
Weakness:
Very plastic feel, Hard to focus manually. AF tracks back and forth when in macro mode at 300mm. Hard to switch from tele to macro while looking through the viewfinder. You get what you pay for. This is a good lense for the price. Customer Service haven't needed it yet Similar Products Used: None |
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[Apr 11, 2000]
Don Tuleja
Casual
Model Reviewed:
70-300mm F4-5.6 LDO MACRO SUPER
Strength:
Cheap. Good glass for the price. Easy to use. Light weight.
Weakness:
Build could be better (but for $200, I can replace it when it breaks). This is the same as the Sigma 70-300 DL lens, but with a Quantaray badge. Customer Service Ritz is sooo easy to work with. Similar Products Used: Various Minolta and Sigma lenses. |
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[Mar 24, 2000]
Irakly Shanidze
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
70-300mm F4-5.6 LDO MACRO SUPER
Strength:
Superior low dispersion optics results in very precise color reproduction. Macro feature (1:2 from about 4 feet) is what you need to shoot insects (that's what I usually waste my film on). Quiet and relatively errorless autofocus. Reasonable weight and very reasonable price ($199 at Ritz Camera)
Weakness:
A zoom ring is rather stiff. Moreover, in cold weather it becomes so stiff that it is getting quite problematic to use it, especially when wearing gloves. It was so detrimental for the lens usability that I decided to part with it. Macro switch is also hard to move - definitely not possible when looking through the viewfinder. A hood is not included in the package. If you have only two hundred bucks to spend on a telephoto zoom lens with excellent optical qualities - this is your solution. But do not expect much in terms of quality of build. Customer Service Ritz Camera promptly and without argument accepted the lens back :-) Similar Products Used: Sigma 75-200 f/2.8-3.5 |
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[Oct 04, 2000]
Spencer McAllister
Intermediate
Strength:
For someone just really getting into photography and a marriage this is the best lens for the money. I have probably shot over 100 rolls on my Stsi using this lens. I have no problems with focusing (manual or Auto), vignetting, the macro switch, clearity. No Complaints once so ever!
Weakness:
You'll be the first to know if I find one. I love it and the Newspaper buys my photos Customer Service No need but I got it at Ritz and they have never been anything but helpful and honest. Similar Products Used: Nikkor, Sigma, tamaron. |
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[Oct 21, 2000]
Carol Chesney
Casual
Strength:
The zoom range and macro mode make it a very useful all-around lens. I have taken some very sharp macro shots and have had no problem with vignetting.
Weakness:
The macro switch is difficult to use. My interest is urban wildlife and this lens can cover just about all my needs. Its range and macro mode has helped me capture wading birds, squirrels, bunnies, and alligators as well as insects and other creepy-crawlies. It is a tad short for smaller birds. I use a manual SLR and have not had a chance to test the auto-focus. Every auto-focus POS that I have used does seem to have trouble with macro shots. Customer Service Ritz is courteous and helpful. Similar Products Used: Sears 28mm-70mm |
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[Dec 26, 2000]
Tyler Hawke
Expert
Strength:
Workhorse--everything about it has been wonderful
Weakness:
If I had to pick one-the minimum focusing distance-but it's a MINOR point for me When I first got into photography and needed a long lense-this was the one i was able to afford. I have never regretted this purchase. Some say the glass is cheap--maybe i got the best cut for the money, i don't know. Sun glare pops up easily as with many zoom lenses but I've worked around it. Bottom line-this lense has paid for itself tenfold! Similar Products Used: Sigma 170-500mm |
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[Apr 14, 2001]
C.J. Fox
Expert
Strength:
sharpe image, macro handy for flowers, can hand hold easy, very versitile
Weakness:
not very quite, need alittle more zoom for wildlife a great all purpose lense, a must have for your camera Similar Products Used: None |
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[May 04, 2001]
Jane Brazell
Casual
Strength:
It is lightweight. The macro feature has added so much to my pictures this spring.
Weakness:
I don't know of any yet. Just ask to see my picture of the unopened fiddle head ferns that I found buried within some blooming tulips. That says it all. Best buy this casual photographer has made. Customer Service At Ritz, it's awesome. Similar Products Used: None |
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[May 17, 2001]
Harvey Wright
Casual
Strength:
Good lens for the price. Sharp focus and lightweight.
Weakness:
Tele/Macro switch is difficult to flip. A shorter focusing distance would be nice. It's a great lens to supplement my Minolta HTsi Plus camera. Customer Service Excellent customer service at Ritz. Very knowledgeable employees. Effortless transaction. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Jun 14, 2001]
Don Trust
Intermediate
Strength:
Inexpensive
Weakness:
no FTM focus, but for $200, can't really expect that. Some have complained about the macro switch being tight, but mine isn't. Best money I've ever spent on a lens. I took a series of the same shot with my 28-105mm Canon USM, 85mm 1.8 Canon USM, and the 70-300; one right after the other, all at F8 & 85mm. At a print size of 4x6 (from a good lab), looking with a magnifying glass, there was no difference...none.. not in sharpness, contrast, or color. I'm sure at larger prints sizes, there would have to be some difference, but probably not a tremendous amount. Considering this comparison is against Canon's 85mm 1.8, that's saying a lot! Customer Service Ritz has always been top-notch in customer service. Similar Products Used: None |