The "Cheap AF 28ish-80ish zoom lens" club

Docrwm · 11-16-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

So a package arrived for me today... (thanks VaughnA!)

It seems I may have reunited a pair of fraternal twins that were separated at birth!

There are quite a few small differences between the two. The Ouantary is a 28-90mm lens with a 1:2.3 "Macro", while the Sigma is a 28-80mm lens with a 1:2 "Macro". The Quantaray goes to 11!

Now here is the really odd thing - notice how much further the front of the lens sticks out on the Quantaray, despite the fact that both lenses are set to infinity and 50mm. I can only guess it has something to do with the lens bieng factory modified to go to 90mm.

I just noticed this - the Sigma has 8 aperture blades, The Quantaray has 9. Maybe they are more like inbred cousins!

Overall I would say the Quantaray feels slightly better built, but I'm splitting hairs to say that. I do like the look and the feel of the zoom grip on the Sigma better, but that is a personal thing, not a quality issue. I'm not sure if I like the gold stripe on the focus ring of the Quantaray. It is just silkscreened on, and I don't think it adds much. Again, this is a personal taste issue.

The lens coatings seem to be very different, more so than I could seem to easily catch in a photograph.

Tomorrow I will take the two of them out for a comparison run!

Edit: I just noticed that, unlike most of Pentax's current offerings, these two $20 wonders are made in Japan. In your face Pentax!

Thanks for the post. I was having real difficulty id'ing a lens on eBay until I found this post! Spent $30 based on this thread.......

Docrwm · 11-27-2010, 12:18 PM

Packaged arrived while I was out of town. So far it looks to be a good $35 (with shipping) expense. Lens is clear, autofocus is wicked fast, and sharpness is good. Thanks again for pointing out these overlooked and/or abused inexpensive mid-range tele-zooms!

Steve Beswick · 11-29-2010, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Packaged arrived while I was out of town. So far it looks to be a good $35 (with shipping) expense. Lens is clear, autofocus is wicked fast, and sharpness is good. Thanks again for pointing out these overlooked and/or abused inexpensive mid-range tele-zooms!

I'm just glad to find out that I'm not the only one that thinks the focus is fast.

When you get a chance you should post some photos to this thread!

**Pepe Guitarra** · 02-02-2011, 09:34 PM

I just want to separate my place in the thread. I will be posting pics of both. The Sigma outperforms the Pentax. You will judge for yourself.

RioRico · 02-04-2011, 01:01 PM

DAMN THIS THREAD!! I've just been looking for cheapo AF zooms in this range and there AIN'T ANY! No cheapo enough, anyway. Demand has been driven! Supply is insufficient! Prices have escalated! Damn Adam Smith!

At least I got lucky a few months ago -- got an F35-70/3.5-4.5 for US$11.20 shipped, and a Promaster (Tamron) 28-70/3.5-4.5 for US$10.25. But everything I see now would be at least US$25 shipped, and that's too much for another cruddy lens that'll sit out the rest of its life (or mine) in a drawer.

ManixZero · 02-04-2011, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the memory og.

Just dug out and dusted off, my 40quid FA28-70 f4.

It's coming out with me tomorrow.

But here's one I prepared earlier................

MZ

**paulh** · 02-05-2011, 04:25 PM

A shot from the Quantaray 28-90 - not a bad lens for the $$

Paul

**paulh** · 03-01-2011, 09:47 AM

An early Spring blossom about the size of a BB - Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted)

Paul

VaughnA · 03-12-2011, 06:50 PM

I just got this little gem a couple of days ago. 28-105 Promaster (Tamron?) that I picked up in a 3 pack of promasters for 100 bucks along with a 50mm chinon. It's sharp and has wonderful contrast and bokeh. The 28-105 tamron is highly regarded, and I can see why. This will be my hiking and mountain biking beater lens.

A stuffed tiger in a tree, half way through today's 5 mile hike. Original with crop.

And After PP.

**Pepe Guitarra** · 03-13-2011, 07:59 AM

Here are some pics taken with the Sigma 28-80. I also got the Pentax F 35-70 macro. This last one was in the $70-$90 range, but it is absolutely efficient and sharp. It is replacing my primes as a portrait lens, and doubles as a nice macro.

[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added 03-13-11 at 08:01 AM ----------

**paulh** · 03-13-2011, 08:09 AM

Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted)

Sloglass · 05-13-2011, 08:35 PM

I have the same two lens types. The only thing I can add to what you have said it that the Sigma has a metal mount base. When I got these lenses I thought they were nearly identical but the longer I look the more they seem to be different.

theunartist · 07-13-2011, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by paulh

A shot from the Quantaray 28-90 - not a bad lens for the $$

Paul

Originally posted by paulh

An early Spring blossom about the size of a BB - Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted)

Paul

Originally posted by paulh

Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted)

Keep the lens, Paul!!!

Love this thread and I recently got a Pentax ZX-50 with a Tamron 28-80/3.5-5.6 AF zoom for a grand total of $20. I think this lens is as good or better than the Kit lens, relatively sharp wide open, and my only complaints; the minimum focus distance (@ 30in.) and the speed of the lens, but this is par for "cheaper" glass. EXIF does list this lens as the FA 28-80, which it's not...

My micro4/3 setup...

100% crop, not bad...

x-posted

**paulh** · 07-13-2011, 11:08 AM

Thanks, Rick - I will keep it. It's the first lens I owned, came with my *istD. Nice looking rig & nice looking shots, Rick. Here's another from the quantaray 28-90 (rebadged Sigma):

Sagitta · 07-19-2011, 11:56 AM

Man, I have to see what I have kicking around on my drive from my FA 28-90. I love that cheap (and I mean cheap, think I paid about $10 for it) lens. It basically sits on my camera in lieu of the kit most of the time.

02-02-2011, 09:34 PM	#49
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223	I just got the Pentax F 28-80 and the Sigma 28-80 I just want to separate my place in the thread. I will be posting pics of both. The Sigma outperforms the Pentax. You will judge for yourself.

03-12-2011, 06:50 PM	#54
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	Promaster 28-105 I just got this little gem a couple of days ago. 28-105 Promaster (Tamron?) that I picked up in a 3 pack of promasters for 100 bucks along with a 50mm chinon. It's sharp and has wonderful contrast and bokeh. The 28-105 tamron is highly regarded, and I can see why. This will be my hiking and mountain biking beater lens. A stuffed tiger in a tree, half way through today's 5 mile hike. Original with crop. And After PP.

03-13-2011, 07:59 AM	#55
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223	Sigma 28-80mm f3.5-4.5 DI II macro Here are some pics taken with the Sigma 28-80. I also got the Pentax F 35-70 macro. This last one was in the $70-$90 range, but it is absolutely efficient and sharp. It is replacing my primes as a portrait lens, and doubles as a nice macro. [COLOR="Silver"] ---------- Post added 03-13-11 at 08:01 AM ----------

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11-16-2010, 07:56 PM	#46
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Steve Beswick So a package arrived for me today... (thanks VaughnA!) It seems I may have reunited a pair of fraternal twins that were separated at birth! There are quite a few small differences between the two. The Ouantary is a 28-90mm lens with a 1:2.3 "Macro", while the Sigma is a 28-80mm lens with a 1:2 "Macro". The Quantaray goes to 11! Now here is the really odd thing - notice how much further the front of the lens sticks out on the Quantaray, despite the fact that both lenses are set to infinity and 50mm. I can only guess it has something to do with the lens bieng factory modified to go to 90mm. I just noticed this - the Sigma has 8 aperture blades, The Quantaray has 9. Maybe they are more like inbred cousins! Overall I would say the Quantaray feels slightly better built, but I'm splitting hairs to say that. I do like the look and the feel of the zoom grip on the Sigma better, but that is a personal thing, not a quality issue. I'm not sure if I like the gold stripe on the focus ring of the Quantaray. It is just silkscreened on, and I don't think it adds much. Again, this is a personal taste issue. The lens coatings seem to be very different, more so than I could seem to easily catch in a photograph. Tomorrow I will take the two of them out for a comparison run! Edit: I just noticed that, unlike most of Pentax's current offerings, these two $20 wonders are made in Japan. In your face Pentax! Thanks for the post. I was having real difficulty id'ing a lens on eBay until I found this post! Spent $30 based on this thread.......

11-27-2010, 12:18 PM	#47
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Packaged arrived while I was out of town. So far it looks to be a good $35 (with shipping) expense. Lens is clear, autofocus is wicked fast, and sharpness is good. Thanks again for pointing out these overlooked and/or abused inexpensive mid-range tele-zooms!

11-29-2010, 06:10 PM	#48
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Packaged arrived while I was out of town. So far it looks to be a good $35 (with shipping) expense. Lens is clear, autofocus is wicked fast, and sharpness is good. Thanks again for pointing out these overlooked and/or abused inexpensive mid-range tele-zooms! I'm just glad to find out that I'm not the only one that thinks the focus is fast. When you get a chance you should post some photos to this thread!

02-04-2011, 01:01 PM	#50
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	DAMN THIS THREAD!! I've just been looking for cheapo AF zooms in this range and there AIN'T ANY! No cheapo enough, anyway. Demand has been driven! Supply is insufficient! Prices have escalated! Damn Adam Smith! At least I got lucky a few months ago -- got an F35-70/3.5-4.5 for US$11.20 shipped, and a Promaster (Tamron) 28-70/3.5-4.5 for US$10.25. But everything I see now would be at least US$25 shipped, and that's too much for another cruddy lens that'll sit out the rest of its life (or mine) in a drawer.

02-04-2011, 01:36 PM	#51
ManixZero Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Huntingdon, Cambs. UK! Photos: Gallery Posts: 97	Thanks for the memory og. Just dug out and dusted off, my 40quid FA28-70 f4. It's coming out with me tomorrow. But here's one I prepared earlier................ MZ

02-05-2011, 04:25 PM	#52
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	A shot from the Quantaray 28-90 - not a bad lens for the $$ Paul

03-01-2011, 09:47 AM	#53
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	An early Spring blossom about the size of a BB - Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted) Paul

03-13-2011, 08:09 AM	#56
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted)

05-13-2011, 08:35 PM	#57
Sloglass Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 32	I have the same two lens types. The only thing I can add to what you have said it that the Sigma has a metal mount base. When I got these lenses I thought they were nearly identical but the longer I look the more they seem to be different.

07-13-2011, 08:56 AM	#58
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542	Originally posted by paulh A shot from the Quantaray 28-90 - not a bad lens for the $$ Paul Originally posted by paulh An early Spring blossom about the size of a BB - Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted) Paul Originally posted by paulh Quantaray 28-90 macro: (xposted) Keep the lens, Paul!!! Love this thread and I recently got a Pentax ZX-50 with a Tamron 28-80/3.5-5.6 AF zoom for a grand total of $20. I think this lens is as good or better than the Kit lens, relatively sharp wide open, and my only complaints; the minimum focus distance (@ 30in.) and the speed of the lens, but this is par for "cheaper" glass. EXIF does list this lens as the FA 28-80, which it's not... My micro4/3 setup... 100% crop, not bad... x-posted

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07-13-2011, 11:08 AM	#59
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,237	Thanks, Rick - I will keep it. It's the first lens I owned, came with my *istD. Nice looking rig & nice looking shots, Rick. Here's another from the quantaray 28-90 (rebadged Sigma):

07-19-2011, 11:56 AM	#60
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	Man, I have to see what I have kicking around on my drive from my FA 28-90. I love that cheap (and I mean cheap, think I paid about $10 for it) lens. It basically sits on my camera in lieu of the kit most of the time.