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12-23-2019, 04:44 PM - 3 Likes   #1126
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About the Sigma 600mm f/8 -- I bought my first one back in about 1983. It was an exceptionally sharp lens. I wish I never would have sold it. I bought my second one about four years ago. It was (still is, cuz I still own it) sub par. Pronounced doubling of the image. I dismantled the lens to see if there was anything that might have been out of whack, but there was nothing I could detect. I bought my third a couple years ago. This last one is a very early one and is on par with the Tamron 500mm f/8 mirror in terms of sharpness. So, to put things succinctly, I would recommend buying a Sigma 600 only if you get a return guarantee from the seller. Otherwise, I'd opt for the Tamron, which is consistently top-notch.

12-23-2019, 08:03 PM - 2 Likes   #1127
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I found a Pentax 400-600 mirror lens and it is on its way. It has good reviews on this site, but there was not a lot of input for the reviews. It will give me something to play with.

Pentax 400-600mm f8-12 SMC Reflex Mirror Lens 400-600/8-12

Thank you for your input
12-24-2019, 05:55 AM   #1128
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That's an interesting lens - look forward to seeing pics from it.
12-24-2019, 05:03 PM   #1129
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Me too. I'm very curious. The Pentax mirror zoom is one of only two mirror zooms that I've ever seen or heard of. The other was a zoom offered by Cambridge Camera of NYC. It was a house brand "Cambron," so no idea who the actual maker was. I used to see it advertised in Cambridge's listings in the back of photo mags back in the 80s.


Last edited by cooltouch; 03-15-2020 at 11:23 AM.
12-25-2019, 09:08 AM - 1 Like   #1130
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I should have the lens early next week and I am looking forward to playing with it, may need help but we will see how it goes
12-30-2019, 03:07 PM   #1131
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QuoteOriginally posted by marcusBMG Quote
You'r welcome.
Add: you might be able to pick a sigma 600mm up real cheap with eg MD mount. Diy mount swap is easy - no aperture connections. Just need a PK mount off an old lens or use a cheap PK-M42 adapter. Drill it and screw it on in place of the old mount.
I did something like that with a Tokina 500 mirror. I didn't even drill it; just used epoxy putty to attach the new mount.
01-28-2020, 04:23 PM   #1132
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danielsond,

Have an update on that zoom mirror lens? "Inquiring minds want to know!"

01-28-2020, 07:41 PM   #1133
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Sorry it has taken me so long, I have the lens but have not ventured out. I did take a shot out of the truck window at a deer blind in the edge of a field.


will work on getting more samples as weather warms.

The lens is heavier than any of my other lens but seems fairly easy to use. definitely need to use support, mono pod at least
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01-31-2020, 12:51 PM - 3 Likes   #1134
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Sigma 400mm f5.6

This mirror is rather scarce, I think sigma only made it for a relatively short period. The sigma history pages indicates two separate introductions, the first in 1983 and then again in 1985. There's no link to a specs page to either listing so I don't know precisely what the difference is, but trawling online listings I note a white version with a tripod mount and a black version without (mine).
I splashed out a bit on this one to satisfy my curiosity and to include it in my mega 400mm supertest (pending, but don't hold your breathe). PKM mount, a really nice minty one well worth the price in fact.



The light on the estuary on Monday was really exceptional, bright, clear, almost translucent. Mirrors especially like that (more accurately they don't like the converse, consider leaving at home if the light is poor), and this sort of subject.





My usual test pics of the castle showed that resolution tends to unexceptional, pretty good but struggling really to keep up with the best contemporary 400mm f5.6 refractive lenses IMO.




At the RSPB this was the best of a sequence of pics of a robin.




You know, I am still seeking the ultimate combo of lens, light, opportunity that will deliver a pic of the castle that makes me go yeah, 3D pop wow! Hasn't happened yet... these shots from the bird reserve across the estuary always seem to be a bit... I dunno, muddy? Lots of tinkering with contrast, blacks etc while processing this.



I'll take it out again with the tamron SP 350mm next (when the sun shines, might be a while)...
01-31-2020, 06:12 PM - 4 Likes   #1135
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A dull, overcast day isn’t ideal for a slow f/8 T stop f/10 mirror lens. The Tamron 55BB and K5iis @ ISO 1100 still came through.
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01-31-2020, 07:04 PM   #1136
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QuoteOriginally posted by steamloco76 Quote
A dull, overcast day isn’t ideal for a slow f/8 T stop f/10 mirror lens. The Tamron 55BB and K5iis @ ISO 1100 still came through.
Yes, my 55BB behaves much better in bright sunlight.

The cardinal and bunny are quite good.
01-31-2020, 07:40 PM   #1137
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QuoteOriginally posted by Thagomizer Quote
Yes, my 55BB behaves much better in bright sunlight.

The cardinal and bunny are quite good.
The bunny was at 1/125th Second. Out of fifteen or so shots, only one wasn’t motion blurred by the little furball. The cardinal was 1/250th.
02-08-2020, 09:56 PM - 1 Like   #1138
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Old Glory

Pentax 400-600mm on K1
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03-03-2020, 05:58 AM - 4 Likes   #1139
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More backyard northern cardinal shots with the K3 and Tamron 55BB 500mm f/8. DeNoise AI allowed me to use high ISO (1600-2500) and post process the K3’s noisy images. I like this lens/camera combination much more now.
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03-03-2020, 02:42 PM   #1140
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My latest shot with my Tamron
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