Sony A35 + Quantaray 70-300mm

[Throckmorton]

I got a Quantaray 70-300mm lens for $60 from eBay today, so I went out and took some surf photos and whatnot. I'm surprised at the sharpness at 300mm but I do get purple fringing. I have nothing to compare to though so I don't know if it's bad. Here are some sample pics:

ISO400 250mm F/10 1/1000th

1:1 crop

ISO400 300mm F/10 1/500th

1:1 crop

ISO200 70mm f/7.1 1/400th

1:1 crop

 

[Throckmorton]

Pics of the lens. The markings look identical to this Tamron, just the rubber grip is different http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300m.../dp/B000EXOXVA
http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/quantaray-70-300mm-f4-5-6-ld-macro-1-2.html

 

[Throckmorton]

I like the macro mode

 

[radhak]

I see that you are enjoying your Quantaray just as much as I do! Nice pics.

And that macro mode is good fun to play with. Mine is a nikon mount.

 

[Throckmorton]

Yep. BTW I'm surprised how much light it gathers. Well I guess that's more a factor of upgrading to an SLT with much bigger lenses and better high ISO capability than my superzoom.

This was right after sunset at ISO1600 f/5.0 160mm 1/80

 

[corkyg]

Good pics. You have proved my point that not everyone overlooks Sony. <LOL>

 

[Throckmorton]

Took some more pics with the Quantaray today at the park

 

[Throckmorton]

DOH!! The strap came loose and my camera fell on the rocks when I was climbing to a better spot to take surf pictures. The camera seems fine but the zoom on the Quantaray now feels gritty. I'm going to use it until it stops working and replace it with another 70-300mm.

Does anyone know how the Tech 10 version of the Quantaray 70-300mm differs? Who makes it?

Here's an overpriced example but the auction has 24 days left so the link won't die too soon http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUANTARAY-T...06587160?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2316d00618

 

[Throckmorton]

Another option... This Vivitar. Does the "AF" written on the zoom grip mean it's AF mount? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-Ser...83089000?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item35bbbe7968

 

[Throckmorton]

I got the Vivitar Series 1 100-400mm for $85. Even if it's not that sharp, the white body might be good for cultivating a "professional" image and selling more pictures to tourists and surfers.