Quantaray AF is slipping

[sparkie1263]

My Quantaray 70-300 lens auto focus is slipping. I had the lens for a few years. The question is send it out to get fixed or buy a new lens. I was hoping to get a macro lens but now I have to replace a broken lens.

Tamron Zoom Telephoto AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Autofocus Lens for Sony Alpha & Minolta Digital SLR Maxxum $160.00 This is about the same price as a new Quantaray.

[DonSchap]

SIGMA/Quantaray lenses have been suffering under the new and higher drive torque provided
by the SONY camera bodies. In other words, their gears are stripping out.

TAMRONs and Tokinas have been a lot more durable in that regard. If you do go with a new
lens, it is my recommendation that you limit to non-SIGMA stuff. Perhaps the newer SIGMA
lenses are made with better parts ... but believe me, Frank, you are not the first to experience
this problem and will not be the last.

I regret hearing about this failure ... but, take the opportunity to investigate other options and
purchase a really good lens to build your photgraphy around. Personally, I'm really excited
about the upcoming release of the TAMRON SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD for $699.00. It's a
lot cheaper than the SONY 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM ($1799.00) ... and pretty much offers the
same image. That's a good place to start, since you are looking roughly at the same focal
length.

[sparkie1263]

Don I am afraid that the 70-200 is a little short. My 70-300 is suffering in some of my shots. I won't get this fixed because they want about $150.00 to fix it. I don't know what to do. I am going to buy a good quality lens. I just bought my macro filters for that lens. That is more money thrown away. Such is life.
Thanks Frank

[DonSchap]

Look, you can sell lenses ... don't look at it as a loss.

The Quantaray was a consumer lens that got ... well, consumed. They are not known for longevity.
You would be better off considering it history ... no regrets and move forward. Believe me when I say,
there are many parts I have that probably will never see use again. They had their day.

Now is the time to consider what you want from the camera, going forward. My Tokina AT-X 840
80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 has been quite a lens and a terrific alternative to the 70-300mm. Great range,
relatively lightweight and affordable ... just a little difficult to find one. For the SONY, you need a
Model I ... not the Model II that is currently being sold. I got this evening moon, in Colorado, with it.

36094

Still, indoors and snappy focal response, that new TAMRON 70-200mm f/2.8 will be tough to beat.
Toss a 2x on it and it's still only an f/5.6 and your using a 140-400mm. You can be darn sure
yours truly be shooting through one in a few more weeks, when the SONY-mount is released.

[sparkie1263]

I guess you can't go wrong with a f/2.8. It does leave alot of options open. you win let me know when they hit the shelves and I will keep my eyes out also.

[DonSchap]

Look ... in the interim ... I've a got an older TAMRON AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6
I could loan you for a bit. The Minimum Focus Distance is 6.9 feet ... but, I have a special "close-up"
adapter lens that was designed for use on this particular lens, by TAMRON, that allows you to get closer (about
3-feet). ;)

36095

The image above is the 28-200mmm w/ the close-up adapter lens fitted ... and my 2x T/C (that's staying here).

You reimburse the shipping and I'll send it to ya, Frank. You can use it until TAMRON releases the 70-200mm f/2.8.
Just remember to remove the close-up adapter lens for normal shooting, unless you really are close.

There is another lens possibility you may find interesting. JD Katz, a Minolta specializing sales agent, has one on
ebay.

35-200mm f/4-5.6 MACRO (http://cgi.ebay.com/TOKINA-35-200mm-MACRO-ZOOM-MINOLTA-MAXXUM-SONY-ALPHA_W0QQitemZ200223482889QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3342 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) (<- click on this) ... it has a 62mm filter ring ... which may match those close-up filters you bought.

[sparkie1263]

That is nice of you Don but I would not think of borrowing anything. I will make due with what I have. I think I might be able to use manual focus. It just threw me for a curve and I couldn't figure out what was going on. It would start to focus and then stop out of focus. When I took the lens off I could hear where it was getting stuck. I want to thank you again for your generous offer.
Thanks Frank

Seen this on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150245487507&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

[DonSchap]

Hey, no problem Frank. We all have rather annoying knowledge that lenses aren't cheap ...
and unexpected expenses are a really pain in the rump.

I've had a couple of these lenses for a number of years ... and they've been sitting idle on the film SLRs.

At the time, I bought them, they were quite revolutionary.

Good luck, as always, in your pursuit. :D

[sparkie1263]

I tried to use the lens without the AF I see why you installed the AF screen. Here area few shots I took without AF.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Egret2.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Egret1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Egret3.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Egret5.jpg

Don
How are those lenses I seen on ebay?

[DonSchap]

The e-bay offer is fine for $100 ... but remember, it probably is "as is."

If it works, you are all set. If it has not been dropped, go for it. It's precisely
what is currently being offered in the stores.

[sparkie1263]

Thanks again Don MF is no fun it is hard to focus zoom and hold still. I forgot what is is like to use a non AF lens.