Posted by John Eavey on December 19, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Is anyone using 500-600mm mirror lenses with DSLR's? If so, what are results like?
Posted by David Bostedo on December 19, 2008 at 4:53 PM
John - The biggest problems are weird out-of-focus highlights and constant, slow, aperture. If you can deal with those the lens could be good. Here's a good review of a Sony one from Luminous Landscape, including an example of the weird bokeh.
Posted by Larry Fischer on December 19, 2008 at 4:58 PM
I have a Nikor 500 mm reflex lens. Most people don't care much for them.
Superior optics when my lens was evaluated with a star test and compared to refractor lenses. (Star is shot on a tripod slightly out of focus. When concentric rings appear without comma this indicates good configuration--esp. when the edges are examined).
Out of focus areas behind subject often appear as concentric circles. This can be pleasing to some; not to others.
Mine has to be shot manually. In this day of auto-everything many will not have the patience to shoot much with this type of equipment.
Focus is quick; mount on lens makes for easy 90-degree, click-stop, portrait-landsape changes.
On Nikon D300 this lens is about 750 mm.
Color boost seems to be needed.
There are some real sharp guys and gals who respond to many questions. I bet they will chip in.
Hope this helps.
The fisch
Posted by Ed Cordes on December 19, 2008 at 5:22 PM
I've never used one with DSLR, but I did have a 500mm for a Minolta film camera. The advantage was price/mm and weight along with compact size. Disadvantage was that it did not have the greatest image quality and the fixed f 8. AF was OK for its day, but not up to today's standards. I would consider an alternative.
Posted by John Eavey on December 20, 2008 at 6:34 AM
Thanks for the info. Actually, I used to have a 500mm mirror lens a long time ago. My main complaint about it then was the f8 fixed aperture, because I prefer hand-held shooting. Now, however, I have 2 Pentax K20D's which, because of built-in shake reduction, would allow hand held shooting with such a lens. True, there are sharper telephotos around, but generally the price is outrageous for them, especially when compared to the price of a new mirror lens. So I was just wondering if anyone was actually using one for nature and scenic photography these days.
Posted by Darlene Almeda on December 20, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Hi John,
I also use an older Nikon 500 mm AI mirror reflex with my D200. I have been using it since my F3 days which goes back over 20 years. Anyhow, I find the lens sharp and I do not mind the bokeh look although as others have stated it does not fit everyone's taste. It works well on my D200 tripod mounted. The f/8 makes it a somewhat dark lens, so bright light and tripod mounted is the only way I shoot with it. Compared to newer lens in the same range, it is lighter and paid for!
Discussion
5 repliesSuperior optics when my lens was evaluated with a star test and compared to refractor lenses. (Star is shot on a tripod slightly out of focus. When concentric rings appear without comma this indicates good configuration--esp. when the edges are examined).
Out of focus areas behind subject often appear as concentric circles. This can be pleasing to some; not to others.
Mine has to be shot manually. In this day of auto-everything many will not have the patience to shoot much with this type of equipment.
Focus is quick; mount on lens makes for easy 90-degree, click-stop, portrait-landsape changes.
On Nikon D300 this lens is about 750 mm.
Color boost seems to be needed.
There are some real sharp guys and gals who respond to many questions. I bet they will chip in.
Hope this helps.
The fisch
I also use an older Nikon 500 mm AI mirror reflex with my D200. I have been using it since my F3 days which goes back over 20 years. Anyhow, I find the lens sharp and I do not mind the bokeh look although as others have stated it does not fit everyone's taste. It works well on my D200 tripod mounted. The f/8 makes it a somewhat dark lens, so bright light and tripod mounted is the only way I shoot with it. Compared to newer lens in the same range, it is lighter and paid for!