Quantaray AF 28-90mm f/3.5-5.6

Quantaray 28-90mm f/3.5-5.6 - low price, good value! This lens (28-90mm) has the perfect range to be a good general use lens for my camera, and the price I got from this seller was excellent. I have two other Quantaray lenses, so I was not worried about the quality of this brand. I realize that having a proprietary Pentax lens would have been the best choice, but my budget did not allow for it at this time. So far, I am happy with the quality of the pictures we have taken with this lens.

A real sleeper - surprisingly good From what I've read, this Japanese-made lens was manufactured by Sigma; its appearance and specifications are very similar to a Sigma 28-80mm lens. I can't give this lens an Excellent rating because it's not an outstanding lens, but at its price point (less than $50), it's a real gem. Other autofocus lenses at this price point are generally below average in sharpness, color and contrast. But the Quantaray is quite sharp — as sharp as my kit lens (Pentax DA L II 18-55mm). The color and contrast are decent. The focusing speed is average. It's a screw-driven focusing lens, so it will have the associated focusing sound. The macro function at 90mm (1:2.33) is quite nice, though it can be challenging to get it into and out of macro mode. You have to zoom to 90mm, then focus on something close, then flip the switch. Then the zoom ring is locked into position and you can focus quite close. Getting out of macro mode is similar: focus on something distant, flip the switch, then you can zoom and focus normally. So if you need a near-macro, short zoom lens, this is a great option.

Great lens for the price Purchased this lens in a pinch. It has really surprised me! It's nice and sharp, super light weight and compact. Hadn't planned to keep it but I keep going back to it.. If you need a good lens that won't break the bank and you can do without auto focus, you can't go wrong with this one. It is absolutely a beginners lens but it takes great shots.