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**ismaelg** · 09-14-2010, 08:34 PM

Hi,

Thanks to a fellow forum member, I just got a 500mm f8 m42 to play with!
One of those never heard of brands. SEIMAR. Has anybody heard of it before?
OK, I know it is not very fast, it may not be tack sharp and it may have some CA or PF. But for the price, I'm happy.
It is late at night, but I HAVE to test it. What can I do?

This is how it looks in my Spotmatic...

...and this is how it looks in my DSLR (K100D Super with a genuine adapter)

and here is a quick test......

1/80s
f11
ISO 400

Will do some more testing later on...

Thanks!

Adam · 09-14-2010, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

What can I do?

Add it to our third-party database: 500mm Lenses - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

Doanh · 09-14-2010, 11:47 PM

The moon photo is fantastic! Congratulations for a good lens.

patolds · 09-15-2010, 12:21 AM

Moon shot's not bad...was it hand held? I've dabbled in stuff like this but not very successfully! Lower ISO, on tripod, and slightly longer exposure time may help.. and remote or delayed shutter release definitely. Impressive though..well done with your purchase you lucky @!*&. Cheers Paddy

Unsinkable II · 09-15-2010, 04:27 AM

Fun novelty lens. I was toying with getting a Practicar MC Pentacon 500mm 5.6 last week, but the $300 price put me off.

For $100 more I'd rather get the new Canon 35X bridge camera (24 to 840mm equiv!).

I've had pretty good results taking pictures of the moon with the SX1 which "only" goes to 540mm, so the new SX30 should be cool.

Anyway, have fun with your new toy. My son thinks it's very cool :-)

**ismaelg** · 09-15-2010, 07:13 AM

Thanks!
When I get a chance I'll do more testing and will report back the results in the third party lens database.
Unsinkable II; there are at least three SX20 in our photo club. I've seen very nice results with them.

Regards,

Steinback · 09-15-2010, 12:51 PM

I have a Seimar preset 135mm f/2.8. Don't know anything about the company's history, but the lens is decent.

Film scan:

Manual super-telephotos like yours can be fun around bird feeders and other places where animals come to the same spot regularly. Shooting off of a tripod with a remote, the lens prefocused and the exposure set all you need to do is sit around and wait for something interesting to show up. I have also used my 400mm for shooting architecture since buildings are slow moving targets.

**ismaelg** · 09-15-2010, 01:59 PM

Nice picture!
I found an online picture of a Kalimar 500 f8 that looks very similar if not identical to this one....

Thanks,

09-14-2010, 08:34 PM	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Just got myself a 500mm f8 m42! Hi, Thanks to a fellow forum member, I just got a 500mm f8 m42 to play with! One of those never heard of brands. SEIMAR. Has anybody heard of it before? OK, I know it is not very fast, it may not be tack sharp and it may have some CA or PF. But for the price, I'm happy. It is late at night, but I HAVE to test it. What can I do? This is how it looks in my Spotmatic... ...and this is how it looks in my DSLR (K100D Super with a genuine adapter) and here is a quick test...... 1/80s f11 ISO 400 Will do some more testing later on... Thanks!

09-14-2010, 08:41 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by ismaelg What can I do? Add it to our third-party database: 500mm Lenses - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-14-2010, 11:47 PM	#3
Doanh Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 247	The moon photo is fantastic! Congratulations for a good lens.

09-15-2010, 12:21 AM	#4
patolds Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Macedon Ranges, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 300	Moon shot's not bad...was it hand held? I've dabbled in stuff like this but not very successfully! Lower ISO, on tripod, and slightly longer exposure time may help.. and remote or delayed shutter release definitely. Impressive though..well done with your purchase you lucky @!*&. Cheers Paddy

09-15-2010, 04:27 AM	#5
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Fun novelty lens. I was toying with getting a Practicar MC Pentacon 500mm 5.6 last week, but the $300 price put me off. For $100 more I'd rather get the new Canon 35X bridge camera (24 to 840mm equiv!). I've had pretty good results taking pictures of the moon with the SX1 which "only" goes to 540mm, so the new SX30 should be cool. Anyway, have fun with your new toy. My son thinks it's very cool :-)

09-15-2010, 07:13 AM	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685 Original Poster	Thanks! When I get a chance I'll do more testing and will report back the results in the third party lens database. Unsinkable II; there are at least three SX20 in our photo club. I've seen very nice results with them. Regards,

09-15-2010, 12:51 PM	#7
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I have a Seimar preset 135mm f/2.8. Don't know anything about the company's history, but the lens is decent. Film scan: Manual super-telephotos like yours can be fun around bird feeders and other places where animals come to the same spot regularly. Shooting off of a tripod with a remote, the lens prefocused and the exposure set all you need to do is sit around and wait for something interesting to show up. I have also used my 400mm for shooting architecture since buildings are slow moving targets.

09-15-2010, 01:59 PM	#8
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685 Original Poster	Nice picture! I found an online picture of a Kalimar 500 f8 that looks very similar if not identical to this one.... Thanks,

Just got myself a 500mm f8 m42!

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