Tamron Adaptall II 500 F/8 mirror lens

fwcetus · 06-09-2016, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by pacerr

The SP 55B is a tough lens to quickly and accurately focus [...] Well done for the brief time you've used the 55B.

Just curious, Carol - is that a model 55B or a model 55BB ? (I didn't think you'd said, although I don't imagine the focusing is significantly different between the 55B and the 55BB.)

**pacerr** · 06-09-2016, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by fwcetus

(I didn't think you'd said, although I don't imagine the focusing is significantly different between the 55B and the 55BB.)

The difference isn't in focusing per se; the adjustment was to tweak focusing related aberrations at near distances.

"... change is the switch to a constant thickness meniscus main mirror in order to reduce close focusing spherical aberration."

Tamron SP Adaptall-2 500mm F/8 Model 55BB

The quick action of the focus ring is the issue and both versions are mechanically identical.

fwcetus · 06-09-2016, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by pacerr

The difference isn't in focusing per se; the adjustment was to tweak focusing related aberrations at near distances.
"... change is the switch to a constant thickness meniscus main mirror in order to reduce close focusing spherical aberration."
Tamron SP Adaptall-2 500mm F/8 Model 55BB
The quick action of the focus ring is the issue and both versions are mechanically identical.

Right.

However, I was just curious which model Carol was trying out.

**csa** · 06-09-2016, 01:46 PM

It's the 55B, Fred.

fwcetus · 06-09-2016, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by csa

It's the 55B, Fred.

OK, Carol, thanks.

Then that lens at least has the advantage of having a removable tripod(/monopod) mount (although it's not a very significant difference since these lenses are so light and short).

How easy did focusing ~seem~, carol, what with an f/8 aperture (and perhaps a T/9 bightness)? (Are you using a split screen? And, if so, can you still use it at f/8?)

**csa** · 06-09-2016, 02:20 PM

The focusing seems pretty easy for me; I don't have a split screen; but did just put a magnifying eyecup on my K3 today. All these photos were handheld, as the lens is very light & easy to hold.

fwcetus · 06-09-2016, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by csa

The focusing seems pretty easy for me; I don't have a split screen; but did just put a magnifying eyecup on my K3 today. All these photos were handheld, as the lens is very light & easy to hold.

Thanks for the report, Carol.

I have had a k20D for years, equipped with a KatzEye, and I recently got a KatzEye for my K-3 (although I haven't installed it yet), so I was curious how you were doing your focusing.

I do agree with you, in that you make your focusing look easy (although you probably have a lot better eyes than I do nowadays - LOL).

Thanks, Carol.

**csa** · 06-09-2016, 07:35 PM

Fred, you're welcome! Guess my eyes are pretty good yet; just passed the eye test to renew my driver's license a couple of days ago; wizzed right thru it.

**robgski** · 06-10-2016, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by csa

From today, using 800 shutter speed.

Very nice! A bright day that allows high shutter speeds really make that lens provide the details.

**csa** · 06-10-2016, 05:10 AM

Thanks so much; indeed it does. It's quite a little lens!

06-09-2016, 01:55 PM	#20
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by csa It's the 55B, Fred. OK, Carol, thanks. Then that lens at least has the advantage of having a removable tripod(/monopod) mount (although it's not a very significant difference since these lenses are so light and short). How easy did focusing ~seem~, carol, what with an f/8 aperture (and perhaps a T/9 bightness)? (Are you using a split screen? And, if so, can you still use it at f/8?) Last edited by fwcetus; 06-09-2016 at 02:05 PM.

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06-09-2016, 12:11 PM	#16
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by pacerr The SP 55B is a tough lens to quickly and accurately focus [...] Well done for the brief time you've used the 55B. Just curious, Carol - is that a model 55B or a model 55BB ? (I didn't think you'd said, although I don't imagine the focusing is significantly different between the 55B and the 55BB.)

06-09-2016, 12:23 PM	#17
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by fwcetus (I didn't think you'd said, although I don't imagine the focusing is significantly different between the 55B and the 55BB.) The difference isn't in focusing per se; the adjustment was to tweak focusing related aberrations at near distances. "... change is the switch to a constant thickness meniscus main mirror in order to reduce close focusing spherical aberration." Tamron SP Adaptall-2 500mm F/8 Model 55BB The quick action of the focus ring is the issue and both versions are mechanically identical.

06-09-2016, 12:31 PM	#18
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by pacerr The difference isn't in focusing per se; the adjustment was to tweak focusing related aberrations at near distances. "... change is the switch to a constant thickness meniscus main mirror in order to reduce close focusing spherical aberration." Tamron SP Adaptall-2 500mm F/8 Model 55BB The quick action of the focus ring is the issue and both versions are mechanically identical. Right. However, I was just curious which model Carol was trying out.

06-09-2016, 01:46 PM	#19
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	It's the 55B, Fred.

06-09-2016, 02:20 PM	#21
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	The focusing seems pretty easy for me; I don't have a split screen; but did just put a magnifying eyecup on my K3 today. All these photos were handheld, as the lens is very light & easy to hold.

06-09-2016, 06:29 PM	#22
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by csa The focusing seems pretty easy for me; I don't have a split screen; but did just put a magnifying eyecup on my K3 today. All these photos were handheld, as the lens is very light & easy to hold. Thanks for the report, Carol. I have had a k20D for years, equipped with a KatzEye, and I recently got a KatzEye for my K-3 (although I haven't installed it yet), so I was curious how you were doing your focusing. I do agree with you, in that you make your focusing look easy (although you probably have a lot better eyes than I do nowadays - LOL). Thanks, Carol.

06-09-2016, 07:35 PM	#23
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Fred, you're welcome! Guess my eyes are pretty good yet; just passed the eye test to renew my driver's license a couple of days ago; wizzed right thru it.

06-10-2016, 03:10 AM	#24
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,798	Originally posted by csa From today, using 800 shutter speed. Very nice! A bright day that allows high shutter speeds really make that lens provide the details.

06-10-2016, 05:10 AM	#25
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks so much; indeed it does. It's quite a little lens!