Quantaray 70-300 Di vs. Tamron 70-300 Di

[Entropy]

As far as I can tell, the Quantaray 70-300 Di Macro is identical to the Tamron Di LD Macro. Pictures look the same, EXACT same specifications. What is the difference?

The QR is $149 from Ritz, the Tamron is $189 from B&H. The price difference makes no sense given the fact that they appear to be identical, unless you're paying for the Tamron name. (I'm considering the Quantaray one since there's a possibility I may be able to actually pick one up in a brick&mortar store around here, and even if I can't pick it up from a Ritz store, they have free shipping and zero tax - since I'm a New York State resident I get nailed with sales tax from B&H.)

[igowerf]

It most likely is a rebadged Tamron lens. It even keeps the "Di" designation that Tamron uses.

Take a look at this thread:
New Quantaray 70-300 lenses

The difference might be in the length of the warranty.

[kenyee]

Warranty is the only thing I can think of...can't find any info on how long the Quantaray warranty is. The Tamron is 6 yrs, although w/ such an inexpensive lens, it probably won't matter...

[barbosas]

Do you think it's woth selling my DA50-200 for any of this 2lenses?

I'm quite impressed with it's macro capability, judging by the photos i've seen here on the forum..

[Entropy]

From what I've heard about the Tamron (Quantaray)- between the Pentax 50-200 and the Tamron 70-300, get the Pentax unless you REALLY need that extra 100mm, the IQ of the Pentax is better.

I am seriously considering the Quantaray 70-300 given that the price is $150, but only because I've encountered situations where I want the extra 100mm over the Pentax, and because I can afford to buy it without having to sell of the Pentax 50-200. If you can only choose one lens or the other, I'd say keep the Pentax.

Keep in mind that the QR/Tamron 70-300 is designed to cover FF cameras, so is going to be significantly larger and heavier than the Pentax 50-200. That fact (and the Pentax's excellent IQ) is why I intend to keep it whether or not I purchase the QR/Tamron.

There's a good chance that I'll be able to do a side-by-side comparison of the two lenses soon.

[Stratman]

I have the Tamron, but do not have the DA50-200 Not sure how heavy the DA is, but considering the focal length, the Tamron isn't ALL that heavy.

[Alvin]

There was a discussion about the QR and Tamron earlier in this forum. Trying to find a link, but my gut feel is that the QR is a dead ringer for the Tamron.

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by Alvin

There was a discussion about the QR and Tamron earlier in this forum. Trying to find a link, but my gut feel is that the QR is a dead ringer for the Tamron.

Quantaray seems to be either a Tamron or Sigma depending on where they get their latest batch. I found some postings on DPR a while back that indicated it was a Sigma. Best thing to do is look at the filter size since they're both different (Sigma is 58, Tamron is 62)...

[wayne]

There are two 70-300mm lenses sold by Ritz/Wolf under the Quantaray label. One is the previous generation Sigma APO and the other is the Tamron Di lens. Both are OK, but your 50-200 is far better. If you need the extra reach, there are other options, such as a Tamron 1.4X teleconverter (about $100) or keep the 50-200 and add a less expensive 70-300 (such as the private label ProMaster (another Tamron clone). One more thing to look for - check the lens mount - some Quantaray lens (and some Tamron lenses, along with others) have a composite (plastic) lens mount. If the mount is polished silver, then it is metal. If it is black, it may be plastic. With that said, plastic mounts have been used for years now and have held up well, so maybe it won't matter. But, I know metal ones have lasted decades, so you decide.

Wayne

[axl]

I haven't had DA50-200 but I have Tamron 70-300, not bad lens at all, and the macro capability is OK, just to get full 1:2 you have to be at 300mm and around 0,9 m from object, bit tricky, but if you have steady hands (I don't) you should be fine. Just beware of contrasty situations, especialy when your object is backlith. Tamron is producing a lot of purple fringing, whis is annoying...
but otherwise it's good lens...

[bjsmith]

Originally Posted by Stratman

I have the Tamron, but do not have the DA50-200 Not sure how heavy the DA is, but considering the focal length, the Tamron isn't ALL that heavy.

DA 50-200mm is 9oz., Tamron 70-300mm is 15.3oz. -- so the DA is less than 60% the weight.
BTW, for those considering the DA 50-200mm, the PhotoZone.DE test is up ...
PhotoZone.DE slams DA 50-200mm on inconsistent IQ ...

[Matthew Roberts]

I'd thought about a Tamron 70-300mm Di, to replace the Sears A 70-210mm I have, but maybe it'd be better to get the DA 50-200 and a teleconverter, or the DA 50-200mm and a SMC Takumar 300mm... And there's always the DA 55-300mm coming up!

Decisions, decisions.