Mirror Lens Revival?

benjikan · 03-08-2009, 10:51 AM

I used to use mirror lenses quite a bit in the late 80's and will actually use my Tamron 500mm 55BB lens for a Fashion shoot. I will use flash as usual and hope that my Multi Blitz infra red sensor on my hotshoe of the camera will work with the extended distance from my flash heads. Should be interesting.

Do you think that Pentax and other manufacturers should revive mirror lenses, but with AF as is the case with the re-labeled Sony 500mm ex-Minolta lens.

I love how it blows out the background, really quirky. I love "circles of confusion" or "CoC" in some of my photographic applications. The term used for the background effect of cat lenses.

Ben

Last edited by benjikan; 03-08-2009 at 04:17 PM.

ftpaddict · 03-08-2009, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

I love how it blows out the background, really quirky

That's actually the only thing that I dislike about mirror lenses. Other than that, keep'em coming.

ajuett · 03-08-2009, 11:56 AM

Pentax can make one if they like, 500mm f/5.6 and I'd get one. MF is fine as long as it has metering.

I'm keeping an eye out for a used 300 to 500mm f/5.6 locally. It's a cheaper alternative to getting a tele-zoom as they range from $100 and up depending on condition and f/stop speed. The majority are MF so be aware of that.

fwcetus · 03-08-2009, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by ajuett

MF is fine as long as it has metering.

Metering is fine with all (non-variable aperture, of course) mirror lenses, since they are shooting wide open all the time - they don't even need an "A" setting - <g>.

ovim · 03-08-2009, 02:09 PM

Ben: If you can please post some of your pics made with a mirror lens. It would be nice to see what you can do with it, as mirror lenses dont usually get much respect.

Lloydy · 03-08-2009, 02:11 PM

I nearly bought a Sigma 500 mirror today for £50 at a local camera fair. I could have been a trend setter.

It was a nice lens, and I have a Canon FD 500 mirror that I like a lot, the Sigma is a whole lot smaller, but I haven't got spare cash at the moment otherwise I would have walked away with that lens. :ugh:

Jasvox · 03-08-2009, 02:24 PM

I was actually looking at this one...gets very positive reviews and could be cool to have when the mood hits.

ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens Review - - PopPhotoMarch 2009

For $159, it's a hell of a deal for such reach.

Jason

ivoire · 03-08-2009, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

I used to use mirror lenses quite a bit in the late 80's and will actually use my Tamron 500mm 55BB lens for a Fashion shoot. I will use flash as usual and hope that my Multi Blitz infra red sensor on my hotshoe of the camera will work with the extended distance from my flash heads. Should be interesting.

Do you think that Pentax and other manufacturers should revive mirror lenses, but with AF as is the case with the re-labeled Sony 500mm ex-Minolta lens.

I love how it blows out the background, really quirky.

Ben

Auto-focus would be great on the tamron55bb or equivalent. I'd pick one up in a heartbeat

snostorm · 03-08-2009, 03:29 PM

Hi Benjamin,

I'd go for a reasonably priced (let's say under $800USD) quality AF 500mm mirror. The only things that keeps me from using my Tamron SP 500/8 a lot more are my declining eyesight and MF.

Scott

elkarrde · 03-08-2009, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

Do you think that Pentax and other manufacturers should revive mirror lenses, but with AF as is the case with the re-labeled Sony 500mm ex-Minolta lens.

i would certainly like small and light 300/4.5 AF mirror lens, so yes, i think pentax should revive and modernize mirror lenses.

benjikan · 03-08-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by ovim

Ben: If you can please post some of your pics made with a mirror lens. It would be nice to see what you can do with it, as mirror lenses dont usually get much respect.

Here are some test shots, just of stuff around my place using the Tamron SP 500mm 55BB Lens.

Just remember that the depth of field is minuscule and when you see something that appears not to be sharp, it is not the case. The focus point is very well defined. It is just the limited depth of field shooting in such close quarters.

Full sized but compressed 7/12 in Photoshop

User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous
User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous
User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous

benjikan · 03-08-2009, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Jasvox

I was actually looking at this one...gets very positive reviews and could be cool to have when the mood hits.

ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens Review - - PopPhotoMarch 2009

For $159, it's a hell of a deal for such reach.

Jason

I owned one for two days and returned it...Not very sharp. Perhaps they have improved it in the last 6 months. I so wanted to keep the lens you are mentioning, but alas :-(

That is why I opted to seek out the Tamron.

**Digitalis** · 03-08-2009, 04:11 PM

I hope you're wrong mate...I hate doughnuts...and the last thing I want is for them to be showing up in the bokeh of my images!

benjikan · 03-08-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I hope you're wrong mate...I hate doughnuts...and the last thing I want is for them to be showing up in the bokeh of my images!

I love "Circles of Confusion" "CoC" the term used. It is a matter of taste. If you don't like that effect, forget about getting a Cat Lens.

**Digitalis** · 03-08-2009, 05:24 PM

in my family collection we did have a 800mm f/8 solid cat lens for pentax 645, I HATED it.

03-08-2009, 10:51 AM	#1
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Mirror Lens Revival? I used to use mirror lenses quite a bit in the late 80's and will actually use my Tamron 500mm 55BB lens for a Fashion shoot. I will use flash as usual and hope that my Multi Blitz infra red sensor on my hotshoe of the camera will work with the extended distance from my flash heads. Should be interesting. Do you think that Pentax and other manufacturers should revive mirror lenses, but with AF as is the case with the re-labeled Sony 500mm ex-Minolta lens. I love how it blows out the background, really quirky. I love "circles of confusion" or "CoC" in some of my photographic applications. The term used for the background effect of cat lenses. Ben Last edited by benjikan; 03-08-2009 at 04:17 PM.

03-08-2009, 03:54 PM	#11
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by ovim Ben: If you can please post some of your pics made with a mirror lens. It would be nice to see what you can do with it, as mirror lenses dont usually get much respect. Here are some test shots, just of stuff around my place using the Tamron SP 500mm 55BB Lens. Just remember that the depth of field is minuscule and when you see something that appears not to be sharp, it is not the case. The focus point is very well defined. It is just the limited depth of field shooting in such close quarters. Full sized but compressed 7/12 in Photoshop User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous User Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous Attached Images

03-08-2009, 04:06 PM	#12
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jasvox I was actually looking at this one...gets very positive reviews and could be cool to have when the mood hits. ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens Review - - PopPhotoMarch 2009 For $159, it's a hell of a deal for such reach. Jason I owned one for two days and returned it...Not very sharp. Perhaps they have improved it in the last 6 months. I so wanted to keep the lens you are mentioning, but alas :-( That is why I opted to seek out the Tamron. Last edited by benjikan; 03-08-2009 at 04:15 PM.

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03-08-2009, 11:37 AM	#2
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by benjikan I love how it blows out the background, really quirky That's actually the only thing that I dislike about mirror lenses. Other than that, keep'em coming.

03-08-2009, 11:56 AM	#3
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	Pentax can make one if they like, 500mm f/5.6 and I'd get one. MF is fine as long as it has metering. I'm keeping an eye out for a used 300 to 500mm f/5.6 locally. It's a cheaper alternative to getting a tele-zoom as they range from $100 and up depending on condition and f/stop speed. The majority are MF so be aware of that.

03-08-2009, 01:58 PM	#4
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by ajuett MF is fine as long as it has metering. Metering is fine with all (non-variable aperture, of course) mirror lenses, since they are shooting wide open all the time - they don't even need an "A" setting - <g>.

03-08-2009, 02:09 PM	#5
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Ben: If you can please post some of your pics made with a mirror lens. It would be nice to see what you can do with it, as mirror lenses dont usually get much respect.

03-08-2009, 02:11 PM	#6
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	I nearly bought a Sigma 500 mirror today for £50 at a local camera fair. I could have been a trend setter. It was a nice lens, and I have a Canon FD 500 mirror that I like a lot, the Sigma is a whole lot smaller, but I haven't got spare cash at the moment otherwise I would have walked away with that lens. :ugh:

03-08-2009, 02:24 PM	#7
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	I was actually looking at this one...gets very positive reviews and could be cool to have when the mood hits. ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens Review - - PopPhotoMarch 2009 For $159, it's a hell of a deal for such reach. Jason

03-08-2009, 02:46 PM	#8
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by benjikan I used to use mirror lenses quite a bit in the late 80's and will actually use my Tamron 500mm 55BB lens for a Fashion shoot. I will use flash as usual and hope that my Multi Blitz infra red sensor on my hotshoe of the camera will work with the extended distance from my flash heads. Should be interesting. Do you think that Pentax and other manufacturers should revive mirror lenses, but with AF as is the case with the re-labeled Sony 500mm ex-Minolta lens. I love how it blows out the background, really quirky. Ben Auto-focus would be great on the tamron55bb or equivalent. I'd pick one up in a heartbeat

03-08-2009, 03:29 PM	#9
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Hi Benjamin, I'd go for a reasonably priced (let's say under $800USD) quality AF 500mm mirror. The only things that keeps me from using my Tamron SP 500/8 a lot more are my declining eyesight and MF. Scott

03-08-2009, 03:47 PM	#10
elkarrde Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 387	Originally posted by benjikan Do you think that Pentax and other manufacturers should revive mirror lenses, but with AF as is the case with the re-labeled Sony 500mm ex-Minolta lens. i would certainly like small and light 300/4.5 AF mirror lens, so yes, i think pentax should revive and modernize mirror lenses.

03-08-2009, 04:11 PM	#13
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I hope you're wrong mate...I hate doughnuts...and the last thing I want is for them to be showing up in the bokeh of my images!

03-08-2009, 04:13 PM	#14
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by Digitalis I hope you're wrong mate...I hate doughnuts...and the last thing I want is for them to be showing up in the bokeh of my images! I love "Circles of Confusion" "CoC" the term used. It is a matter of taste. If you don't like that effect, forget about getting a Cat Lens.

03-08-2009, 05:24 PM	#15
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	in my family collection we did have a 800mm f/8 solid cat lens for pentax 645, I HATED it.