Cheapish lens for photographing birds?

Finn · 04-09-2007, 08:51 PM

Thanks for all the tips -- maybe I'll just go with digital and pick up a 300. That seems like it might be the way to go.

osv · 04-10-2007, 09:26 AM

i have a 300mm on a k10d, that i use for sports, but it's just not enough for what i do... i'd want more for birding as well.

as someone mentioned earlier... i looked into getting the tamron sp 500mm, but it has a fixed aperture with a narrow depth of field... i'm working with moving targets, but you might be able to get away with it, see if this review helps: Mirror Lenses - how good? Tamron 500/8 SP vs Canon 500/4.5L

andrei46 · 04-10-2007, 11:43 PM

Finn, I suggest to serach for a lens made in former state owned East-German companies. The quality/price ratio is the best.
I suppose you need a lens over 200-250mm.
Look in Lens catalogue of 1978, at Super-tele-lenses.
Good luck!
Andrei

roy · 04-11-2007, 05:23 AM

Originally posted by osv

i have a 300mm on a k10d, that i use for sports, but it's just not enough for what i do... i'd want more for birding as well.

as someone mentioned earlier... i looked into getting the tamron sp 500mm, but it has a fixed aperture with a narrow depth of field... i'm working with moving targets, but you might be able to get away with it, see if this review helps: Mirror Lenses - how good? Tamron 500/8 SP vs Canon 500/4.5L

i've seen EXCEllent results from the tamron. also the solid cats by vivitar except the 500.

bdphoto · 04-11-2007, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Does anyone know if a big mirror lens will actually fit without hitting the pentaprism (or pentamirror on the K100D)?

I'm considering a cheap crappy one for fun - but no fun if I can even get it on the camera (K100D)

I've got a Tokina 500mm mirror that fits fine on the K100D.

Smylight · 04-15-2007, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Does anyone know if a big mirror lens will actually fit without hitting the pentaprism (or pentamirror on the K100D)?

I'm considering a cheap crappy one for fun - but no fun if I can even get it on the camera (K100D)

Hi everyone,

I am happily using my old Tamron 500 mirror lens (1st generation, bigger than second) on my K100d with great results.

It clears the pentamirror very easily.

slomojoe · 04-15-2007, 12:29 PM

This one fits on the K100D, but not on the Ds. Turns out you can still get them new (I think) for about $170-200, and occasionally used on eBay for about $100. Search for 3M-5CA. Great lens for a mirror.

Ultimately though, the type of lens that will best suit your needs depends on what kind of birds you want to shoot, and where.

04-10-2007, 11:43 PM	#18
andrei46 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 79	Carl Zeiss Jena / Meyer / Pentacon Finn, I suggest to serach for a lens made in former state owned East-German companies. The quality/price ratio is the best. I suppose you need a lens over 200-250mm. Look in Lens catalogue of 1978, at Super-tele-lenses. Good luck! Andrei

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04-09-2007, 08:51 PM	#16
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056 Original Poster	Thanks for all the tips -- maybe I'll just go with digital and pick up a 300. That seems like it might be the way to go.

04-10-2007, 09:26 AM	#17
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	i have a 300mm on a k10d, that i use for sports, but it's just not enough for what i do... i'd want more for birding as well. as someone mentioned earlier... i looked into getting the tamron sp 500mm, but it has a fixed aperture with a narrow depth of field... i'm working with moving targets, but you might be able to get away with it, see if this review helps: Mirror Lenses - how good? Tamron 500/8 SP vs Canon 500/4.5L

04-11-2007, 05:23 AM	#19
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	Originally posted by osv i have a 300mm on a k10d, that i use for sports, but it's just not enough for what i do... i'd want more for birding as well. as someone mentioned earlier... i looked into getting the tamron sp 500mm, but it has a fixed aperture with a narrow depth of field... i'm working with moving targets, but you might be able to get away with it, see if this review helps: Mirror Lenses - how good? Tamron 500/8 SP vs Canon 500/4.5L i've seen EXCEllent results from the tamron. also the solid cats by vivitar except the 500.

04-11-2007, 05:40 AM	#20
bdphoto New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orland Park, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 23	Originally posted by SpecialK Does anyone know if a big mirror lens will actually fit without hitting the pentaprism (or pentamirror on the K100D)? I'm considering a cheap crappy one for fun - but no fun if I can even get it on the camera (K100D) I've got a Tokina 500mm mirror that fits fine on the K100D.

04-15-2007, 12:04 PM	#21
Smylight Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Québec City Photos: Gallery Posts: 26	Originally posted by SpecialK Does anyone know if a big mirror lens will actually fit without hitting the pentaprism (or pentamirror on the K100D)? I'm considering a cheap crappy one for fun - but no fun if I can even get it on the camera (K100D) Hi everyone, I am happily using my old Tamron 500 mirror lens (1st generation, bigger than second) on my K100d with great results. It clears the pentamirror very easily.

04-15-2007, 12:29 PM	#22
slomojoe Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 788	This one fits on the K100D, but not on the Ds. Turns out you can still get them new (I think) for about $170-200, and occasionally used on eBay for about $100. Search for 3M-5CA. Great lens for a mirror. Ultimately though, the type of lens that will best suit your needs depends on what kind of birds you want to shoot, and where.

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