500mm for $500

**eccs19** · 04-19-2010, 04:17 PM

In my ongoing quest to determine if I'm going to get a K20D or a K7, one of my options is to get a used K20D for around $500, and would then have about another $500 left in my budget. I've got a 500mm mirror, but would like something faster, as the mirror is F8. Can I get a half decent lens in this area for the cost I want to spend, or am I SOL for getting a prime in this range for this price range, or at this price, are they not that great?

mel · 04-19-2010, 04:24 PM

When I saw your title I immediate thought of something I saw on eBay this morning (I can't provide the link because I'm at work and eBay is no-no) but it was a Takumar 500/4.5 for $500 starting bid. I would love to buy it but alas, I have not the money right now.

**eccs19** · 04-19-2010, 04:49 PM

But the photography forums are OK? That's great! I often wonder how the IT guys out there decide what's cool and what's not cool for site visiting.

Originally posted by mel

When I saw your title I immediate thought of something I saw on eBay this morning (I can't provide the link because I'm at work and eBay is no-no) but it was a Takumar 500/4.5 for $500 starting bid. I would love to buy it but alas, I have not the money right now.

mel · 04-19-2010, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by eccs19

But the photography forums are OK? That's great! I often wonder how the IT guys out there decide what's cool and what's not cool for site visiting.

I know right? But it works to my advantage so who am I to complain. PentaxForums.com was not specified by name as a no-no but eBay, Flickr, MySpace and Facebook were. I'll bend the rules a bit.

**dadipentak** · 04-19-2010, 05:03 PM

I used to have a Takumar 500/4.5 and thought it was pretty good. I got a lot of fringing (or ca or loca or whatever) but could deal with that in PP. Here's a sample (well, ok--my best shot with that lens actually ;~)

[IMG]

[/IMG]

I got mine (with a couple of dings and some dust and no case) for $300 + shipping. For $500, I'm thinking it should be in better condition and come with the case.

Hope this helps.

Ira · 04-19-2010, 05:08 PM

When I was young (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), I wanted these long lenses, but what are you going to do with a 500?

99% of your shooting is going to be in normal ranges, and the results from a 500 are going to be horrible compared to quality glass in more widely used focal lengths.

I have a 400 which I've used one afternoon for 20 minutes, and if I ever have to shoot hatching sea turtles, I'll use it again.

But these are not focal lengths worth allocating your preliminary lens budget on, unless you're going to be doing faraway nature.

SpecialK · 04-19-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

When I was young (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), I wanted these long lenses, but what are you going to do with a 500?

99% of your shooting is going to be in normal ranges, and the results from a 500 are going to be horrible compared to quality glass in more widely used focal lengths.

I have a 400 which I've used one afternoon for 20 minutes, and if I ever have to shoot hatching sea turtles, I'll use it again.

But these are not focal lengths worth allocating your preliminary lens budget on, unless you're going to be doing faraway nature.

Even though I can't manually focus very well, and have a low keeper ratio, the cheap-ass Adorama 500 is fun. Now contemplating an AF xxx-500mm...for some serious $$$. Not positive I want to tote a 4-lb $1000 lens around - I hate tripods (though a monopod is OK).

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-19-2010, 07:14 PM

depending upon luck and timing, you might get a SMC 300mm F4 and SMC-F 1.7x AF TC

this together gives yo 510mm at about F7 but has 2 advantages over a mirror, variable aperture and much better contrast.

I have posted shots below taken with my K7 at 1/40th of a second hand held

**dadipentak** · 04-19-2010, 07:24 PM

Lowell's suggestion is a good alternative.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-19-2010, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

Lowell's suggestion is a good alternative.

it really assumes that all you want is 500mm, but it has served me well.

if you search you will see other posts and shots with this combo

the heron I posted here is a 100% crop (i.e. no resize to post) to show the quality of both the lens and shake reduction.

I also like it with my *istD and use of TTL flash

tvfd911 · 04-19-2010, 07:56 PM

Here is a of sample and crop from my last outing with my Super Multi Coated Tak 500mm f4.5. I like the lens for the most part. It bites that its best served by a tripod, definitely not carry lens.

Price? I think I paid around $600 for it through KEH, with an EX rating. That was a little higher than the going rate, but for a KEH EX rated lens, it was worth it. Since then, I've sold another 500/4.5 lens with a non-original condition mount on here for significantly less. I'd have to check for the exact price. That lens wasn't mint by any means though, but a good user.

If you need to, the 500mm f4.5 lenses are pretty easy to work on and clean up if needed.

Edit: I didn't PP the photos, but it looks like Faststone bumped up the colors on the crop on its own.

**germar** · 04-20-2010, 02:13 PM

I heard someone say that the Tak 500mm 4.5 isn't a lens you go shooting with, it's a lens that takes you shooting.

I agree: I have one, and it's a beast. No handholding, tripod only. but dang, it takes great, great images. Shot a full moon, looked like I was in a spaceship a thousand miles away.

Bought mine here on the forum for 400 usd

germar

Fleafly · 04-20-2010, 03:02 PM

sigma 400mm f5.6 APO with 1.7X AF TC, for me was a good solution before to brought DA*300 to us with TC.
I paid 250€ fot TC and 250€ for sigma, non 500$ but a decent solution.

I have proved also PRATIKAR 500mm f5.6 but without good results

Ben_Edict · 04-20-2010, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Fleafly

sigma 400mm f5.6 APO with 1.7X AF TC, for me was a good solution before to brought DA*300 to us with TC.
I paid 250€ fot TC and 250€ for sigma, non 500$ but a decent solution.

I have proved also PRATIKAR 500mm f5.6 but without good results

I have both lenses, the Pentax 500/4.5 and the Prakticar/Meyer Optik 500/5.6. Both are more or less en par optically (I made a lot of side by side comparisson, because I originally intendet to sell off the lesser performing one), but the mechanics of the Pentax is very much preferable, as focusing is smoother, easier and thus faster. The Meyer-Optik (or Pentacon or Zeiss Jena and I don't know, which other names they used in the GDR) serves well for medium format, where you work slowlyer, but really is a beast for a small camera.

Ben

04-19-2010, 04:17 PM	#1
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	500mm for $500 In my ongoing quest to determine if I'm going to get a K20D or a K7, one of my options is to get a used K20D for around $500, and would then have about another $500 left in my budget. I've got a 500mm mirror, but would like something faster, as the mirror is F8. Can I get a half decent lens in this area for the cost I want to spend, or am I SOL for getting a prime in this range for this price range, or at this price, are they not that great?

04-19-2010, 05:03 PM	#5
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I used to have a Takumar 500/4.5 and thought it was pretty good. I got a lot of fringing (or ca or loca or whatever) but could deal with that in PP. Here's a sample (well, ok--my best shot with that lens actually ;~) [IMG][/IMG] I got mine (with a couple of dings and some dust and no case) for $300 + shipping. For $500, I'm thinking it should be in better condition and come with the case. Hope this helps. Last edited by dadipentak; 04-19-2010 at 07:41 PM.

04-19-2010, 07:56 PM	#11
tvfd911 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 354	Here is a of sample and crop from my last outing with my Super Multi Coated Tak 500mm f4.5. I like the lens for the most part. It bites that its best served by a tripod, definitely not carry lens. Price? I think I paid around $600 for it through KEH, with an EX rating. That was a little higher than the going rate, but for a KEH EX rated lens, it was worth it. Since then, I've sold another 500/4.5 lens with a non-original condition mount on here for significantly less. I'd have to check for the exact price. That lens wasn't mint by any means though, but a good user. If you need to, the 500mm f4.5 lenses are pretty easy to work on and clean up if needed. Edit: I didn't PP the photos, but it looks like Faststone bumped up the colors on the crop on its own. Attached Images

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04-19-2010, 04:24 PM	#2
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	When I saw your title I immediate thought of something I saw on eBay this morning (I can't provide the link because I'm at work and eBay is no-no) but it was a Takumar 500/4.5 for $500 starting bid. I would love to buy it but alas, I have not the money right now.

04-19-2010, 04:49 PM	#3
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510 Original Poster	But the photography forums are OK? That's great! I often wonder how the IT guys out there decide what's cool and what's not cool for site visiting. Originally posted by mel When I saw your title I immediate thought of something I saw on eBay this morning (I can't provide the link because I'm at work and eBay is no-no) but it was a Takumar 500/4.5 for $500 starting bid. I would love to buy it but alas, I have not the money right now.

04-19-2010, 04:53 PM	#4
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	Originally posted by eccs19 But the photography forums are OK? That's great! I often wonder how the IT guys out there decide what's cool and what's not cool for site visiting. I know right? But it works to my advantage so who am I to complain. PentaxForums.com was not specified by name as a no-no but eBay, Flickr, MySpace and Facebook were. I'll bend the rules a bit.

04-19-2010, 05:08 PM	#6
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	When I was young (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), I wanted these long lenses, but what are you going to do with a 500? 99% of your shooting is going to be in normal ranges, and the results from a 500 are going to be horrible compared to quality glass in more widely used focal lengths. I have a 400 which I've used one afternoon for 20 minutes, and if I ever have to shoot hatching sea turtles, I'll use it again. But these are not focal lengths worth allocating your preliminary lens budget on, unless you're going to be doing faraway nature.

04-19-2010, 06:08 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: When I was young (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), I wanted these long lenses, but what are you going to do with a 500? 99% of your shooting is going to be in normal ranges, and the results from a 500 are going to be horrible compared to quality glass in more widely used focal lengths. I have a 400 which I've used one afternoon for 20 minutes, and if I ever have to shoot hatching sea turtles, I'll use it again. But these are not focal lengths worth allocating your preliminary lens budget on, unless you're going to be doing faraway nature. Even though I can't manually focus very well, and have a low keeper ratio, the cheap-ass Adorama 500 is fun. Now contemplating an AF xxx-500mm...for some serious $$$. Not positive I want to tote a 4-lb $1000 lens around - I hate tripods (though a monopod is OK).

04-19-2010, 07:14 PM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	depending upon luck and timing, you might get a SMC 300mm F4 and SMC-F 1.7x AF TC this together gives yo 510mm at about F7 but has 2 advantages over a mirror, variable aperture and much better contrast. I have posted shots below taken with my K7 at 1/40th of a second hand held

04-19-2010, 07:24 PM	#9
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Lowell's suggestion is a good alternative.

04-19-2010, 07:35 PM	#10
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by dadipentak Lowell's suggestion is a good alternative. it really assumes that all you want is 500mm, but it has served me well. if you search you will see other posts and shots with this combo the heron I posted here is a 100% crop (i.e. no resize to post) to show the quality of both the lens and shake reduction. I also like it with my *istD and use of TTL flash

04-20-2010, 02:13 PM	#12
germar Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 728	I heard someone say that the Tak 500mm 4.5 isn't a lens you go shooting with, it's a lens that takes you shooting. I agree: I have one, and it's a beast. No handholding, tripod only. but dang, it takes great, great images. Shot a full moon, looked like I was in a spaceship a thousand miles away. Bought mine here on the forum for 400 usd germar

04-20-2010, 03:02 PM	#13
Fleafly Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 156	sigma 400mm f5.6 APO with 1.7X AF TC, for me was a good solution before to brought DA*300 to us with TC. I paid 250€ fot TC and 250€ for sigma, non 500$ but a decent solution. I have proved also PRATIKAR 500mm f5.6 but without good results

04-20-2010, 03:23 PM	#14
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Fleafly sigma 400mm f5.6 APO with 1.7X AF TC, for me was a good solution before to brought DA*300 to us with TC. I paid 250€ fot TC and 250€ for sigma, non 500$ but a decent solution. I have proved also PRATIKAR 500mm f5.6 but without good results I have both lenses, the Pentax 500/4.5 and the Prakticar/Meyer Optik 500/5.6. Both are more or less en par optically (I made a lot of side by side comparisson, because I originally intendet to sell off the lesser performing one), but the mechanics of the Pentax is very much preferable, as focusing is smoother, easier and thus faster. The Meyer-Optik (or Pentacon or Zeiss Jena and I don't know, which other names they used in the GDR) serves well for medium format, where you work slowlyer, but really is a beast for a small camera. Ben