The Mirror Lens Club!

**Ash** · 02-20-2011, 05:36 PM

These are good results cooltouch.
Such unexpected clarity, particularly in the moon capture.
Thanks for sharing these.

Frogfish · 02-26-2011, 11:41 PM

Tamron 55BB 500/8

RedPanda · 03-15-2011, 08:15 AM

Hi everyone. I've just finished going through this excellent thread and it looks like the Tamron 55BB is the lens to get for my K7.

I have one, probably daft, question though concerning the mount. None of the examples I've found for sale so far come with a "Pentax" mount so I started looking for Adaptall 2 mounts being sold separately. There seem to be two types on offer, a PK (or P.M) and a PKA which is much more expensive. Given that the mirror lens is fixed aperture, I think the simpler PK mount would work, wouldn't it? I'm hoping to use Av mode if I can.

Any thoughts or experiences on this would be very welcome!

excanonfd · 03-15-2011, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by RedPanda

Hi everyone. I've just finished going through this excellent thread and it looks like the Tamron 55BB is the lens to get for my K7.

I have one, probably daft, question though concerning the mount. None of the examples I've found for sale so far come with a "Pentax" mount so I started looking for Adaptall 2 mounts being sold separately. There seem to be two types on offer, a PK (or P.M) and a PKA which is much more expensive. Given that the mirror lens is fixed aperture, I think the simpler PK mount would work, wouldn't it? I'm hoping to use Av mode if I can.

Any thoughts or experiences on this would be very welcome!

You can use a $15.00 knock-off adapter from China with 55BB. It's built solid with no moving parts and shooting in Av mode is the best option.

Thanks,

altopiet · 03-16-2011, 02:38 AM

I need some help from all the experts in this club. I've got a Zivnon 500mm f8 lens on T2 adapter, on my K-x.
My problem is getting any decently focused shot with it

I've tried a few things, hand held and tripod, using Av taking shots in bright sunlight, with shutter speeds anything from 1/800 and higher. I've tried catch in focus, focusing very slowly from both directions.
I've googled the lens for hours but get nothing on it.
For shake reduction I've used 500mm, but as the lens is a mirror and much shorter, is that correct?
If anybody can give me tips on how I can improve my shots I would really appreciate it.
I am going to give it another weekend or 2, then it might just end up against the garage wall next time the wife gives me grieve

kryss · 03-16-2011, 06:54 AM

Hi, Does anyone remember the thread on converting a Sigma 600mm f8 from Canon FD mount to Pentax K I have looked everywhere But no luck,Any item posted on conversion should be listed and saved so other members can look up but the search function on this forum sucks.

RedPanda · 03-16-2011, 01:54 PM

Thanks excanonfd, I thought that was the case but you know how it is when you start to doubt yourself!

Cheers

**eccs19** · 03-17-2011, 03:55 PM

500mm Tamron f8 mirror. Heavily cropped.

Marlboroman · 04-03-2011, 10:52 AM

There a lot of great shots here. I Just won an auction for a Tamron SP 500/8 (The 55B i think) can't wait for it to arrive!

magicshi · 04-04-2011, 12:55 AM

Hi, I just bought ZM-5A F8 500mm Mirror Zenit and liked it very much. Here are a few birds.

Aknot · 04-05-2011, 04:42 AM

Ok I broke down and did it. Ive read and read while standing on the fence the whole time.

Ordered the Rokinon 500mm 6.3 from Overstock. Pictures to come as soon as I get it.....

cooltouch · 04-05-2011, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by Aknot

Ordered the Rokinon 500mm 6.3 from Overstock. Pictures to come as soon as I get it.....

Looking forward to seeing your results. I've heard repeatedly that the Samyang 500/8 is crap, but that the 500/6.3 is actually a good optic. But I haven't been able to track down any photo evidence to back up the claim. So, yeah, I'm interested in how your shots come out.

cooltouch · 04-05-2011, 11:10 PM

A couple weeks ago, I came across a Tamron 55B in a surplus auction, bid on it and won it. I was stoked until I used it. My images were much more soft than they should have been. I traced it down to a separation between the secondary mirror element and the front element. In the following image, the small element to the far left is cemented to the large element next to it. The separation is located there. Fortunately, Tamron silvered the back surfaces of their mirrors with this design, so the mirror surfaces are not affected. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a way to fix this problem without breaking the lens. Sooo . . .

Anybody have a 55B that's messed up in the back but has a good front group they'd be willing to part with? Yes? If so, PM me and maybe we can work something out.

Aknot · 04-06-2011, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by cooltouch

Looking forward to seeing your results. I've heard repeatedly that the Samyang 500/8 is crap, but that the 500/6.3 is actually a good optic. But I haven't been able to track down any photo evidence to back up the claim. So, yeah, I'm interested in how your shots come out.

Will do. It was shipped today supposedly arriving by Friday evening. Will probably take some Moonies that night/evening and post.

Was getting a little... irked as it appeared I would not get this til Monday. However checking the tracking today: On FedEx vehicle for delivery.

So pictures will be posted tonight.

**Ash** · 04-07-2011, 01:55 PM

Frogfish, your first two are spot on. Well done with those tough captures.

One of a more static subject with the same excellent 55BB mirror:

04-06-2011, 07:59 AM	#434
Aknot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Va Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Originally posted by cooltouch Looking forward to seeing your results. I've heard repeatedly that the Samyang 500/8 is crap, but that the 500/6.3 is actually a good optic. But I haven't been able to track down any photo evidence to back up the claim. So, yeah, I'm interested in how your shots come out. Will do. It was shipped today supposedly arriving by Friday evening. Will probably take some Moonies that night/evening and post. Was getting a little... irked as it appeared I would not get this til Monday. However checking the tracking today: On FedEx vehicle for delivery. So pictures will be posted tonight. Last edited by Aknot; 04-08-2011 at 05:26 AM. Reason: Cause im giddy it is being delivered today.

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02-20-2011, 05:36 PM	#421
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	These are good results cooltouch. Such unexpected clarity, particularly in the moon capture. Thanks for sharing these.

02-26-2011, 11:41 PM	#422
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Tamron 55BB 500/8

03-15-2011, 08:15 AM	#423
RedPanda New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 19	Hi everyone. I've just finished going through this excellent thread and it looks like the Tamron 55BB is the lens to get for my K7. I have one, probably daft, question though concerning the mount. None of the examples I've found for sale so far come with a "Pentax" mount so I started looking for Adaptall 2 mounts being sold separately. There seem to be two types on offer, a PK (or P.M) and a PKA which is much more expensive. Given that the mirror lens is fixed aperture, I think the simpler PK mount would work, wouldn't it? I'm hoping to use Av mode if I can. Any thoughts or experiences on this would be very welcome!

03-15-2011, 10:59 AM	#424
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	Originally posted by RedPanda Hi everyone. I've just finished going through this excellent thread and it looks like the Tamron 55BB is the lens to get for my K7. I have one, probably daft, question though concerning the mount. None of the examples I've found for sale so far come with a "Pentax" mount so I started looking for Adaptall 2 mounts being sold separately. There seem to be two types on offer, a PK (or P.M) and a PKA which is much more expensive. Given that the mirror lens is fixed aperture, I think the simpler PK mount would work, wouldn't it? I'm hoping to use Av mode if I can. Any thoughts or experiences on this would be very welcome! You can use a $15.00 knock-off adapter from China with 55BB. It's built solid with no moving parts and shooting in Av mode is the best option. Thanks,

03-16-2011, 02:38 AM	#425
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	I need some help from all the experts in this club. I've got a Zivnon 500mm f8 lens on T2 adapter, on my K-x. My problem is getting any decently focused shot with it I've tried a few things, hand held and tripod, using Av taking shots in bright sunlight, with shutter speeds anything from 1/800 and higher. I've tried catch in focus, focusing very slowly from both directions. I've googled the lens for hours but get nothing on it. For shake reduction I've used 500mm, but as the lens is a mirror and much shorter, is that correct? If anybody can give me tips on how I can improve my shots I would really appreciate it. I am going to give it another weekend or 2, then it might just end up against the garage wall next time the wife gives me grieve

03-16-2011, 06:54 AM	#426
kryss Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alberta Posts: 218	Hi, Does anyone remember the thread on converting a Sigma 600mm f8 from Canon FD mount to Pentax K I have looked everywhere But no luck,Any item posted on conversion should be listed and saved so other members can look up but the search function on this forum sucks.

03-16-2011, 01:54 PM	#427
RedPanda New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 19	Thanks excanonfd, I thought that was the case but you know how it is when you start to doubt yourself! Cheers

03-17-2011, 03:55 PM	#428
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	500mm Tamron f8 mirror. Heavily cropped.

04-03-2011, 10:52 AM	#429
Marlboroman Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 29	There a lot of great shots here. I Just won an auction for a Tamron SP 500/8 (The 55B i think) can't wait for it to arrive!

04-04-2011, 12:55 AM	#430
magicshi Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 36	Hi, I just bought ZM-5A F8 500mm Mirror Zenit and liked it very much. Here are a few birds.

04-05-2011, 04:42 AM	#431
Aknot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Va Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Ok I broke down and did it. Ive read and read while standing on the fence the whole time. Ordered the Rokinon 500mm 6.3 from Overstock. Pictures to come as soon as I get it.....

04-05-2011, 10:59 PM	#432
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	Originally posted by Aknot Ordered the Rokinon 500mm 6.3 from Overstock. Pictures to come as soon as I get it..... Looking forward to seeing your results. I've heard repeatedly that the Samyang 500/8 is crap, but that the 500/6.3 is actually a good optic. But I haven't been able to track down any photo evidence to back up the claim. So, yeah, I'm interested in how your shots come out.

04-05-2011, 11:10 PM	#433
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	A couple weeks ago, I came across a Tamron 55B in a surplus auction, bid on it and won it. I was stoked until I used it. My images were much more soft than they should have been. I traced it down to a separation between the secondary mirror element and the front element. In the following image, the small element to the far left is cemented to the large element next to it. The separation is located there. Fortunately, Tamron silvered the back surfaces of their mirrors with this design, so the mirror surfaces are not affected. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a way to fix this problem without breaking the lens. Sooo . . . Anybody have a 55B that's messed up in the back but has a good front group they'd be willing to part with? Yes? If so, PM me and maybe we can work something out.

04-07-2011, 01:55 PM	#435
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Frogfish, your first two are spot on. Well done with those tough captures. One of a more static subject with the same excellent 55BB mirror: