Cheap long lenses?

gamgee · 07-27-2008, 05:22 AM

I'm looking to get some long (300+) lens but the money is short...
So, do you guys and girls have some recommendations regarding this?
I supose I have to look for some old M42 lens that has good IQ but should be
cheaper than modern autofocus lenses. Maybe some former SSSR lens?

And OT, while I was typing, this came to mind: how many girls do we have on the forum? I, for one, would be really happy to see that this is not "man only" club.
Girls, let's hear you!

*ChrisPlatt* · 07-27-2008, 07:18 AM

I had a Tamron SP 300/5.6 that was quite good.
The Adaptall mount will give you more flexibility.
I have seen these for under $100.

Chris

Lowell Goudge · 07-27-2008, 07:27 AM

if you don't mind manual focus, there are a lot of good 400mm F5.6 lenses out there.

Try looking for a vivitar 400mm F5.6 in K mount, but make sure it is multi coated (will have MC on the frint filter ring)

*ivoire* · 07-27-2008, 07:36 AM

The Tamron 500mm, Tokina 500mm and Sigma 600mm mirror lenses have good optics. You just have to decide if they meet you shooting style

nathancombs · 07-27-2008, 09:10 AM

Vivtar seares 1 100-500 i LOVE mine got it for 100$ but it is on the slow sied 5.6-8

suro · 07-27-2008, 09:36 AM

Tair 3s, 300mm /4.5 - very nice manual focus lens

*LaRee* · 07-27-2008, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by gamgee

I'm looking to get some long (300+) lens but the money is short...
So, do you guys and girls have some recommendations regarding this?
I supose I have to look for some old M42 lens that has good IQ but should be
cheaper than modern autofocus lenses. Maybe some former SSSR lens?

And OT, while I was typing, this came to mind: how many girls do we have on the forum? I, for one, would be really happy to see that this is not "man only" club.
Girls, let's hear you!

You have some good suggestions on long lenses already. But I just wanted to add that there are many women on the forum here. Probably most visible in the post your photos section...but you'll see us all over. lol

johnsherwood · 07-27-2008, 03:04 PM

Pentax m42 Tele-Takumar w/ pre-set aperture f5.6, not the fastest, but makes beautiful pictures of things!!

I have a review of it posted in the lens review seciton.

JS

gamgee · 07-28-2008, 01:13 AM

Thank you everybody, have to go and research all your suggestions.
LaRee, I'm glad, go girls, go!

RioRico · 07-28-2008, 08:06 AM

My Sakar 500/8 PK mirror (US$13) is compact and clean. My Rubinar 1000/10 M39 mirror/telescope (US$220) is huge and cleaner. On my K20D, the 500 can be handheld, and the 1000 can't. I had to buy a heftier tripod! I haven't used either too much yet -- air here is still pretty smoky.

My FA 100-300/4.7-5.8 PK zoom (US$121) is light and slow and just too handy to dump yet. My Alpa (Chinon) 300/5.6 M42 prime (US$27) is hefty and sharp, and I just might keep it. My Promaster Spectrum 7 60-300/4-5.6 PK zoom (US$13) is still appealing. I haven't tried teleconverters on these yet.

I can't advise on more expensive long lenses. The upcoming adaptive optics devices will render these all obsolete anyway.

*jon pafford* · 07-28-2008, 01:12 PM

I bought a new AF cosine 100-400mm f4.5-400mm f4.5-6.7 from tristate camera for 250 dollars. I have had no problems with this lens

gamgee · 07-29-2008, 02:41 AM

Adaptive optics topic is very interesting, but I think it'll take some time before they become really available to the public on a mass scale. If you have some insight on the subject I'm sure everyone would like to hear about it.

By the way, where do you get to buy lenses for 13$?

*NaClH2O* · 07-29-2008, 04:50 AM

One that nobody has mentioned yet is the Pentax K 300 F4.0. Can usually be found for $300 or less. Good glass, relatively fast for the focal length, and hand holdable.

NaCl(it's the longest glass I have)H2O

rfortson · 07-29-2008, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by NaClH2O

One that nobody has mentioned yet is the Pentax K 300 F4.0. Can usually be found for $300 or less. Good glass, relatively fast for the focal length, and hand holdable.

NaCl(it's the longest glass I have)H2O

Second that. The SMC 300mm f/4 is like a wild mustang, sometimes a thing of beauty, and other times a raging beast.

The good....

And the bad (note the chromatic aberrations)...

This is a nice lens and handles very well, however the exposure needs to be handled carefully. If you miss the exposure, you'll get some ugly CA.

*Bramela* · 07-29-2008, 01:33 PM

I found the Sigma 135-400 a very worthwhile option, considering its price.I have had quite some success with this lens. Sure there is better, but for those of us on a limited budget well worth a look.