Quantaray 500mm f8 Mirror
Most Quantaray lenses were made by Sigma and some were made by Tamron and Tokina. This lens performs like a Sigma Mirror lens. It is reasonably sharp if you can hold it steady. It has the typical ringed bokeh we see from mirror lenses. Contrast is surprisingly high. While it is not a Zeiss or even a Tamron in quality, it is still far better than any of the off-brands flooding the market.




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Montgomery Ward Auto 28mm f2.8
Filter Size:
Lens mount:
Aperture Range:
Close Focus:
Macro Ratio
Year Introduced:
Tested with...
55mm
m42
f2.8-f22
.3 meters
n/a
n/a
Eos T2i - APS-C

I bought this lens hoping it is a sleeper. Well, it isn't. It is heavy ,though. It is has an m42 mount so I tested it on my T2i. I wouldn't consider using it on my M3. Handling on the T2i was interesting. Without AF confirmation I would never be able to focus with it. It is simply too soft af f2.8.
It is legitimately soft at f2.8. It is usable from f4 but it never gets sharp. It was an off-brand lens sold by a dept. store. It is multicoated, but that only helps with chromatic abberations.
Fringing is well controlled at f2.8, but it's so soft at F2.8 that all colors and defintion are muted. At f4 I could see blue fringe in bright areas butit is minor.
Contrast is low, yet there is no shadow detail either. If you are shooting film, I suggest shooting b/w. If you are using a sub-frame D-slr, I suggest shooting RAW and post processing.
Colors are a bit flat. Make sure your white balance is set properly.
Distortion is noticable on the T2i. It is a complex distortion, too. I must assume it is obvious on full frame bodies. Avoid architectural scenes.
There is also visble vignetting, even on my T2i. It will be obvious on a full frame body. At f2.8 it is noticeable. At f4 is starts to clear up.
F4 is the largest aperture I would use with this lens.
At any aperture you will get flare. Any light crossing the lens from the side will produce significant flare. Use a lens hood at all times.
Bokeh is pleasing and bokeh fringing is well controlled.

ISO 800 - f4

ISO 800 - f4 - 100% crop

ISO 800 - f4 (distortion)

ISO 800 - f2.8

ISO 800 - f2.8, f4 - sharpness and contrast

ISO 800 - f2.8 and f4 (sharpness, contrast and bokeh)