The Mirror Lens Club!

Aknot · 04-09-2011, 08:12 AM

Well I had to go out and get it as the coordination in getting it to my house was unsucessful.

So at 9am this morn I was at FedEx picking it up.

Here is the box (no it wasnt shipped like that it was in another box..)

All the stuff included. Little bag, the KT-Mount, Lens, etc.

And a Dove about 10 yards out on a limb from my deck handheld. It is very overcast here (DC/Metro Area).

Im looking at the EXIF info and Im a little confused. It states F1.0 I will assume that is default as it is a fixed 6.3 lens?

I did use the one step PP function in Corel PSPX3.

It doesnt appear the sun will be coming out this weekend. So better lit shots and moonies will have to wait.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Marc Sabatella · 04-09-2011, 09:46 AM

Congrats on what seems to be a relatively decent and cheap lens!

BTW, *all* shots from fully manual lenses will show as either f/1 or f/0 in the EXIF (depending, I think, on what software you use to look) regardless of aperture. The camera cannot read the aperture of a fully manual lens, so it puts a meaningless value into that EXIF field.

Colorado CJ · 04-09-2011, 08:39 PM

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.

One of my shots with the Rokinon 500 F6.3 (posted earlier, but you asked

)

cooltouch · 04-10-2011, 11:45 AM

I realize it's hard to evaluate resolution when looking at an image sized for viewing on the web, but I must say that the images from this 500/6.3 do look encouraging.

Okay, here's a question for those of you who have the 500/6.3 -- how easy (or hard) is it to achieve precise focus? With a mirror lens, the central area of the optic is being used for the folded light path, which reduces contrast somewhat, making it a bit harder to focus a mirror than a refractor lens. But given that this version is about 1/2 stop faster than a regular mirror, I'm wondering if contrast is improved somewhat so it's a bit easier to focus?

Aknot · 04-10-2011, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by cooltouch

I realize it's hard to evaluate resolution when looking at an image sized for viewing on the web, but I must say that the images from this 500/6.3 do look encouraging.

Okay, here's a question for those of you who have the 500/6.3 -- how easy (or hard) is it to achieve precise focus? With a mirror lens, the central area of the optic is being used for the folded light path, which reduces contrast somewhat, making it a bit harder to focus a mirror than a refractor lens. But given that this version is about 1/2 stop faster than a regular mirror, I'm wondering if contrast is improved somewhat so it's a bit easier to focus?

I will let you know in the coming days. Myself I have been fully auto for about the last year. However seeing some of the nicer lens that I can get at good price that are manual made me want to get this lens to "practice" manual focusing.

magicshi · 04-13-2011, 10:31 PM

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I like this lens very much, a lot of fun.

gibikote · 05-14-2011, 09:52 AM

Hi everyone.

Can you believe this... there is no review of the famed Tamron 500mm f8 !
I just added the lens to the list... who is on first?

Sridhar

gibikote · 05-14-2011, 10:29 AM

Oops... searched in the wrong place!
Have sent note to moderators to make necessary change.

Originally posted by gibikote

Hi everyone.

Can you believe this... there is no review of the famed Tamron 500mm f8 !
I just added the lens to the list... who is on first?

Sridhar

kh1234567890 · 05-19-2011, 03:48 PM

Super-Paragon 300mm f5.6 Mirror Lens

kh1234567890 · 05-27-2011, 01:22 PM

Super-Paragon 300mm f5.6 Mirror Lens

- a panorama

ChopperCharles · 05-31-2011, 11:38 AM

I couldn't decide whether to post this in latest acquisition or mirror lens club... but I figure you mirror guys will get more out of it.

I just purchased a Tokina 500mm f/8 mirror lens for the Contax/Yashica mount. For $40. It doesn't look like it's ever been used, the filters are still in the plastic and the cleaning cloth hasn't even been opened yet.

I removed the mount to modify it to fit on a pentax... but that's when I noticed that the k-mount ring from a cheap set of eBay extension tubes was a 100% perfect match for the C/Y mount that I removed. Once the C/Y mount was removed, the extension tube mount fit over the tokina lens with a very tight, almost interference fit. I was able to walk around and use the lens without any adhesive or screws, it was that tight.

I of course removed the mount (pried it off with a screwdriver) drilled some holes, and put in two screws to keep it in place, just in case.

$40 plus $10 for the extension tubes. Not bad at all!

Pics of the lens:

Here are the pics from the lens. Note that these are straight from the camera, with no post processing, no contrast adjustment, nothing except resizing or cropping:

100% crop:

Charles.

WiseOx · 05-31-2011, 01:51 PM

Identical to my Tokina...except I lucked out and scored a K mount. You got a good deal on a solid mirror lens. I've had good luck with mine, seeing your shots, you've had the same. It's nice to be able to have 500mm reach, in such a small package.

valarie · 06-03-2011, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by georgweb

Great idea Marc,
I am stunned by the quality of the posted photos !

T2 Hama Spiegel-Objektiv 'Made in Japan' 5.6/300 on K100D (What's that camera?)

This lens is handholdable for me and the SR does work OK with it. The 300mm (edit: 250mm) Minolta equivalent went for around 300 US-$ on the fleabay
last time so I've given up on it.

Best, Georg (the other)

Love the bokeh- the color is muted and just enough.

ChopperCharles · 06-05-2011, 04:15 AM

Here are some real images - all hand-held from the Tokina I just purchased. Some sharpening and contrast in post on these, but nothing insane.

http://choppercharles.com/photos/mirror/IMGP5258.JPG
http://choppercharles.com/photos/mirror/IMGP5251.JPG
http://choppercharles.com/photos/mirror/IMGP5230.JPG

Charles.

ChopperCharles · 06-14-2011, 06:58 AM

Shot of my beagle from across the yard. Tokina 500mm f8 (originally Contax mount, modified with a Pentax bayonet from a set of cheap extension tubes). Contrast, saturation, and sharpening adjusted slightly, (macro I use for all mirror shots) plus a minor color balance correction.

I don't have the ring bokeh as much as I expected to with this lens. This shot in particular has a lovely bokeh IMO. The DOF is razor thin, I really nailed it on this shot. His nose and the back of his ears are out of focus but his eyes and front of his ears are nice and sharp.

Charles.

04-13-2011, 10:31 PM	#441
magicshi Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 36	pics taken by ZM-500 Mirro Lens I like this lens very much, a lot of fun.

05-19-2011, 03:48 PM	#444
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Super-Paragon 300mm f5.6 Mirror Lens Last edited by kh1234567890; 12-30-2011 at 03:38 PM.

05-31-2011, 11:38 AM	#446
ChopperCharles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Durham, nc Photos: Albums Posts: 953	Got me a mirror! I couldn't decide whether to post this in latest acquisition or mirror lens club... but I figure you mirror guys will get more out of it. I just purchased a Tokina 500mm f/8 mirror lens for the Contax/Yashica mount. For $40. It doesn't look like it's ever been used, the filters are still in the plastic and the cleaning cloth hasn't even been opened yet. I removed the mount to modify it to fit on a pentax... but that's when I noticed that the k-mount ring from a cheap set of eBay extension tubes was a 100% perfect match for the C/Y mount that I removed. Once the C/Y mount was removed, the extension tube mount fit over the tokina lens with a very tight, almost interference fit. I was able to walk around and use the lens without any adhesive or screws, it was that tight. I of course removed the mount (pried it off with a screwdriver) drilled some holes, and put in two screws to keep it in place, just in case. $40 plus $10 for the extension tubes. Not bad at all! Pics of the lens: Here are the pics from the lens. Note that these are straight from the camera, with no post processing, no contrast adjustment, nothing except resizing or cropping: 100% crop: 100% crop: 100% crop: 100% crop: 100% crop: Charles.

06-14-2011, 06:58 AM	#450
ChopperCharles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Durham, nc Photos: Albums Posts: 953	Another mirror shot Shot of my beagle from across the yard. Tokina 500mm f8 (originally Contax mount, modified with a Pentax bayonet from a set of cheap extension tubes). Contrast, saturation, and sharpening adjusted slightly, (macro I use for all mirror shots) plus a minor color balance correction. I don't have the ring bokeh as much as I expected to with this lens. This shot in particular has a lovely bokeh IMO. The DOF is razor thin, I really nailed it on this shot. His nose and the back of his ears are out of focus but his eyes and front of his ears are nice and sharp. Charles. Last edited by ChopperCharles; 06-14-2011 at 07:04 AM.

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04-09-2011, 09:46 AM	#437
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685 Original Poster	Congrats on what seems to be a relatively decent and cheap lens! BTW, all shots from fully manual lenses will show as either f/1 or f/0 in the EXIF (depending, I think, on what software you use to look) regardless of aperture. The camera cannot read the aperture of a fully manual lens, so it puts a meaningless value into that EXIF field.

04-09-2011, 08:39 PM	#438
Colorado CJ Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,429	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. One of my shots with the Rokinon 500 F6.3 (posted earlier, but you asked )

04-10-2011, 11:45 AM	#439
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	I realize it's hard to evaluate resolution when looking at an image sized for viewing on the web, but I must say that the images from this 500/6.3 do look encouraging. Okay, here's a question for those of you who have the 500/6.3 -- how easy (or hard) is it to achieve precise focus? With a mirror lens, the central area of the optic is being used for the folded light path, which reduces contrast somewhat, making it a bit harder to focus a mirror than a refractor lens. But given that this version is about 1/2 stop faster than a regular mirror, I'm wondering if contrast is improved somewhat so it's a bit easier to focus?

04-10-2011, 02:41 PM	#440
Aknot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Va Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Originally posted by cooltouch I realize it's hard to evaluate resolution when looking at an image sized for viewing on the web, but I must say that the images from this 500/6.3 do look encouraging. Okay, here's a question for those of you who have the 500/6.3 -- how easy (or hard) is it to achieve precise focus? With a mirror lens, the central area of the optic is being used for the folded light path, which reduces contrast somewhat, making it a bit harder to focus a mirror than a refractor lens. But given that this version is about 1/2 stop faster than a regular mirror, I'm wondering if contrast is improved somewhat so it's a bit easier to focus? I will let you know in the coming days. Myself I have been fully auto for about the last year. However seeing some of the nicer lens that I can get at good price that are manual made me want to get this lens to "practice" manual focusing.

05-14-2011, 09:52 AM	#442
gibikote Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vellore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 83	Hi everyone. Can you believe this... there is no review of the famed Tamron 500mm f8 ! I just added the lens to the list... who is on first? Sridhar

05-14-2011, 10:29 AM	#443
gibikote Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vellore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 83	Oops... searched in the wrong place! Have sent note to moderators to make necessary change. Originally posted by gibikote Hi everyone. Can you believe this... there is no review of the famed Tamron 500mm f8 ! I just added the lens to the list... who is on first? Sridhar

05-27-2011, 01:22 PM	#445
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Super-Paragon 300mm f5.6 Mirror Lens - a panorama

05-31-2011, 01:51 PM	#447
WiseOx Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Whitby (near Toronto), Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 433	Identical to my Tokina...except I lucked out and scored a K mount. You got a good deal on a solid mirror lens. I've had good luck with mine, seeing your shots, you've had the same. It's nice to be able to have 500mm reach, in such a small package.

06-03-2011, 10:48 AM	#448
valarie Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chevy Chase, MD Posts: 69	Originally posted by georgweb Great idea Marc, I am stunned by the quality of the posted photos ! T2 Hama Spiegel-Objektiv 'Made in Japan' 5.6/300 on K100D (What's that camera?) This lens is handholdable for me and the SR does work OK with it. The 300mm (edit: 250mm) Minolta equivalent went for around 300 US-$ on the fleabay last time so I've given up on it. Best, Georg (the other) Love the bokeh- the color is muted and just enough.

06-05-2011, 04:15 AM	#449
ChopperCharles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Durham, nc Photos: Albums Posts: 953	Here are some real images - all hand-held from the Tokina I just purchased. Some sharpening and contrast in post on these, but nothing insane. http://choppercharles.com/photos/mirror/IMGP5258.JPG http://choppercharles.com/photos/mirror/IMGP5251.JPG http://choppercharles.com/photos/mirror/IMGP5230.JPG Charles.

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