Nikon D50 with Quantaray 18-90mm...?

Question

At my local Ritz Camera, they're selling the D50 with a Quantaray 18-90mm (I think that's what he said; could barely hear the guy over the phone) for 550 dollars on Black Friday. Is this a good deal? I've never even heard of Quantaray lenses before, so I have no idea if they're crap or not.

I just need to know if it's worth it or not, as it will almost drain my account. And being so close to Christmas, I don't want to risk it unless I know that it's not a pile of crap.

So...is it? ;-)

Answer 1

I'm at the Ritz web site now and I'd rather see you "pre-order" a new Nikon D40 with the "standard" kit lens (Nikon 18-55 mm) for $599.99 than buy this D50 with a Quantaray lens.

Or they have the D50 with a Nikon 28-80 mm lens for the same price. http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1133.htm

They have the D50 body alone for $550, so I guess they are giving the Quantaray lens away for free. http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541535241.htm

I guess that means it's a good deal, but it also tells you about how "good" the lens is. What the heck. If you admit that you will use this lens for a few weeks before you buy a real lens, maybe it's not a bad idea... OMG mentioned the 18-70 lens and I can heartily agree, as we own two of them.

Answer 2

First of all, go shopping for cameras at real camera stores, not mass market junk vendors like Ritz. Quantaray are junk, mostly Tokina rebrands that are the seconds even for Tokina. The lens is the most important part of a camera purchase, the camera itself is secondary. Personally I go for Nikon or Sigma Lenses.

Remember, even a digital Nikon SLR is not a 35mm SLR, hence the lens millimeter rating is not the same. An 18mm lens on a digital camera is about where a 28mm lens for a 35mm format camera. 90mm is approximately 150mm, thus the lens you are looking at would be 28-150mm zoom in 35mm format.

Answer 3

Great price but Quantaray lenses are crap. It's the RitzCamera house brand for rebranded Tokina/ Tamron lenses. If you can spare the cash, get the Nikon 18-70mm zoom ($310 sold seperatly).