[barondla]

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Have a Quantaray 300 5.6 thats sharp (who would have thought). Its T mount so will fit any thing - its not for sale. Lens shades are a must for best quality. Remember that as mirror lens speed increases (for same focal length) the contrast tends to go down (larger central obstruction on front corrector plate).
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST 13 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #14. Any brand camera. Enter now!

[georgweb]

Abbazz said:
I think the lens you're after is the superb Tamron Adaptall II 350/5.6"

Abbazz, although I know that you are posting excellent photos (and that goes for your post here too), I will believe your word that this lens is good!
The Rokkor OTOH seems to always have a white spot in the middle, but maybe correctable in PP.

Georg (the other)

[Blue]

There's always the Pentax SMC 400-600mm zoom reflex: SMC Pentax Reflex Zoom 8-12/400-600mm f Pentax K - eBay (item 350135075716 end time Jan-02-09 03:14:21 PST)

I actually have the Tamron SP 500mm 55B and the 55BB. One of these days I'm going to part with one of them but I don't know which one yet but likely the 55B. The 55B hood has a weird glass filter like disk and I think it hurts the image so I use the 55BB hood on both of them. The 55B also has a tripod collar but they are so light it really isn't a big deal that the 55BB doesn't have it.


If I were looking for a made for a slr mirror lens, I'd consider the

Tamron 55B or 55BB 500mm
Tamron 350mm f5.6
Tokina 500mm f8
Vivitar 600mm f8

or a fast Russian 500mm f5.6 or one of the 1000mm
The Pentax 1000mm f11 and 400-600mm lenses are interesting but bring a premium.

However, The Celstron 90mm spotting scope is an interesting alternative to go way longer.

I would avoid the cheap $109 lenses like the plague.

[Powermarc]

If I were looking for a made for a slr mirror lens, I'd consider the

Tamron 55B or 55BB 500mm
Tamron 350mm f5.6
Tokina 500mm f8
Vivitar 600mm f8

or a fast Russian 500mm f5.6 or one of the 1000mm
The Pentax 1000mm f11 and 400-600mm lenses are interesting but bring a premium.

However, The Celstron 90mm spotting scope is an interesting alternative to go way longer.

I would avoid the cheap $109 lenses like the plague.

Thanks for the info. Also, what brand are those russian lenses?

[wallyb]

Thanks for the info. Also, what brand are those russian lenses?

"Rubinar".

[Miserere]

There's always the Pentax SMC 400-600mm zoom reflex: SMC Pentax Reflex Zoom 8-12/400-600mm f Pentax K - eBay (item 350135075716 end time Jan-02-09 03:14:21 PST)

I actually have the Tamron SP 500mm 55B and the 55BB. One of these days I'm going to part with one of them but I don't know which one yet but likely the 55B. The 55B hood has a weird glass filter like disk and I think it hurts the image so I use the 55BB hood on both of them. The 55B also has a tripod collar but they are so light it really isn't a big deal that the 55BB doesn't have it.


If I were looking for a made for a slr mirror lens, I'd consider the

Tamron 55B or 55BB 500mm
Tamron 350mm f5.6
Tokina 500mm f8
Vivitar 600mm f8

or a fast Russian 500mm f5.6 or one of the 1000mm
The Pentax 1000mm f11 and 400-600mm lenses are interesting but bring a premium.

However, The Celstron 90mm spotting scope is an interesting alternative to go way longer.

I would avoid the cheap $109 lenses like the plague.

I would have to add the Sigma 400mm f/5.6. Sigma also produced a 600mm f/8, but I've never used that one although I hear it's pretty good when used with a tripod.

[Blue]

I would have to add the Sigma 400mm f/5.6. Sigma also produced a 600mm f/8, but I've never used that one although I hear it's pretty good when used with a tripod.

I forgot about the 400mm f5.6 Sigma. I also forgot to mention the Zeiss 1000mm f5.6 which goes for price.

[Ben_Edict]

I forgot about the 400mm f5.6 Sigma. I also forgot to mention the Zeiss 1000mm f5.6 which goes for price.

There are more fast catadioptrics, like the 500/4.5 Mirotar (the little brother of the 1000/5.6) and of course the Sigma 500/4 (one of those rests in my cupboard in need of overhaul).

The Zeiss Mirotars are very unique systems, i so far, as they are Richter-Slevogt systems, with very high correction. I always longed for one of those, but the price is prohibitive...

Ben

[Blue]

There are more fast catadioptrics, like the 500/4.5 Mirotar (the little brother of the 1000/5.6) and of course the Sigma 500/4 (one of those rests in my cupboard in need of overhaul).

The Zeiss Mirotars are very unique systems, i so far, as they are Richter-Slevogt systems, with very high correction. I always longed for one of those, but the price is prohibitive...

Ben

I have been watching this 1000mm Prakticar and dreaming: Zeiss Mirror 5.6/1000mm Black Pentacon 6 Pentax M42 - eBay (item 350134542843 end time Jan-01-09 02:24:15 PST)

Edit: here is some information on the Beast! http://www.pentaconsix.com/1000mm.htm

[barondla]

Also keep a look out for the Questar mirrors. Most (maybe all) are Maks. Incredible lenses.
Celestron C5 is much better than the C90 too.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #13 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #14. Any brand camera. Enter now!

[Wombat]

If you're only talking of needing the extra reach two or three times a year, have you considered a 2xTC with the lens you already have? That'll give you 500mm and if you get a good one your results should still be pretty sharp. I used to go birding with a mate who had an 800mm mirror lens and his photos were never as sharp as his 400mm conventional lens. (And you'd really have to like donuts).

[hinman]

I just got this used Vivitar 500mm f/8.0. I don't shoot long focal length but I find the price cheap enough to give it a try. I was hoping that it is a Vivitar from Kiron or Komine. But I see the serial number starting with 6 and it is made in Korea, probably why I get it for cheap.

Anyone seen this before. This is lens is extremely small, it is almost the same size like my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro (non-Di)

Vivitar 500mm f/8.0 with 1:2.7 close up

next to Tamron 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro (non-Di)






A T mount on the back


Close up 1:2.7


Next to a Kiron 70-150mm f/3.8

This mirror lens is amazingly small and light. And I wish it heavier to help stabilize the shot. I only did few test shots, sharpness seems reasonable but I see quite flat color and contrast but I have cloudy day in my city today.

A 28mm view of a Towel & Marriott hotel in a distance
Please excuse the poor view in this shot
the light red tower is to the left of the mini and lamp post far away behind the trees


The Marriott is in a far distance, at least 7 blocks
away from the point of shooting




I did this in a hurry
as the plain turns away from me
user fault in the focusing

Anyone know anything about the manufacturer from Korea for Vivitar with serial number starting 6. The normal place that I visit in Vivitar Lens Manufactuers seems to suggest Olympus

Thanks,
Hin

[Blue]

Hinman,

Do you have any specs on that lens? If it has Macro Magnification: 1:2.7, I would guess perhaps Kalimar made it or whoever actually makes them for Kalimar.

[hinman]

Hinman,

Do you have any specs on that lens? If it has Macro Magnification: 1:2.7, I would guess perhaps Kalimar made it or whoever actually makes them for Kalimar.

Thanks for the comment. I was hoping that it was not something from Opteka/Kalimar. I had some poor experience with a Kalimar lens before.

Yes, the macro magnification is stated at 1:2.7 and it has 72m filter size. With the few test shots, I have to say that I like the size and the ease of handling. I wish it is heavier to stabilize the shot as I see my hand shaking in the veiwfinder while focusing object in a far distance.

I wonder how my copy compares to others such as the Rokinon that FotoPete reports before in this forum in white color. And I know that the Tamron SP 500mm f/8.0 equivalent will be north of $200 and $300, even without the pk/a adapter.

[Blue]

kalimar lenses also have a 72mm filter thread.