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02-10-2012, 03:54 AM   #541
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QuoteOriginally posted by panoguy Quote
Are you using phase detect AF or Live View (CDAF)? I put my AFA on the Tokina 500mm/8 and it did nothing but hunt around using phase detect AF, even in bright light. However, the CDAF of Live View (K-5) was pretty good and fairly quick... but this was on a tripod on a sunny day!
Phase. Real birds are usually too fast for me to use Contrast !

02-12-2012, 02:43 AM   #542
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Some Celestron 500mm images (no birds...):

Donuts? Who likes donuts?



These guys of course!



The following need no introduction...




(7 images stacked)

I guess it's pretty typical with regards to contrast. The first 2 shots were handheld, the others I shot on a tripod and used the remote with mirror lockup. Focus is difficult at best. I tried to capture a bird when I was snapping the rescue crew and well, I now have a healthy respect for those of you that photograph birds! I think I'll continue to use it for astrographs of the sun and moon and maybe some deep space objects if I can improve my technique. For $25 total outlay, what did I expect?
02-13-2012, 09:30 AM   #543
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Mountains

Hey,

I was wondering how well mirror lenses are suited to photograph mountains. I will be trekking in the Himalaya soon and swing between a mirror lens (obvisouly much lighter) and a 1xx-400mm solution. Are the donuts very obvious in pictures of distant peaks?

Cheers,
Mat
02-13-2012, 03:40 PM   #544
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mace Quote
Hey,

I was wondering how well mirror lenses are suited to photograph mountains. I will be trekking in the Himalaya soon and swing between a mirror lens (obvisouly much lighter) and a 1xx-400mm solution. Are the donuts very obvious in pictures of distant peaks?

Cheers,
Mat
If you focus on remote mouintain tops only, donuts shouldn't be very obvious - but as soon as you have something closer in the foreground you might have issues more often than you want.

If I were in your situation I would go for another solution, considering the great variety in scenes that you might want to capture on such a trip.

02-13-2012, 05:42 PM   #545
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mace Quote
I was wondering how well mirror lenses are suited to photograph mountains. I will be trekking in the Himalaya soon and swing between a mirror lens (obvisouly much lighter) and a 1xx-400mm solution. Are the donuts very obvious in pictures of distant peaks?
You want to get close-up photos of the other peaks? Mirror lenses are much lighter and more compact than the equivalent zoom or prime telephoto, but aside from the "donut halos" they are also temperature sensitive due to deformation of the mirror when going from warm-cold-warm, etc. So, a mirror won't be useful for the first 30 minutes of your hikes, and frankly they aren't as rugged as "regular lenses" if you drop them or bang them about (this depends on the maker of the lens, of course). It's a toss-up, but I completely understand the desire to pack light up there!
02-14-2012, 06:22 AM   #546
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Well, unfortunatly I won't be reaching for the peaks, but rather look at them from the valley bootoms.

The temperature changes might be indeed the most problematic issue. I wonder if the 3M-5CA might be less sensitive due to the plastic lenses, although it has a mirror too.
Probably you are right, that a regular zoom lens would cover a greater variety of scenes. Then again, they are fare more expensive.
02-19-2012, 04:14 AM   #547
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Makinon 300mm F8 lifted contrast and cropped slightly



02-23-2012, 11:59 AM   #548
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Size of case for Tamron 55BB 500mm F/8

I've just ordered a Tamron 500mm F/8 55BB; what size case would fit this? I use a small Lowe-Pro sling bag, and have a Lowepro lens case for my Tamron 10-24 that hooks on the outside of the bag; would like to use something similar for this lens when it comes.

Thanks in advance,
Hray
02-23-2012, 01:51 PM   #549
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I just checked the lens with my lowepro lens cases and it is a perfect match with the 1W.
02-23-2012, 01:51 PM   #550
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mace Quote
Well, unfortunatly I won't be reaching for the peaks, but rather look at them from the valley bootoms.

The temperature changes might be indeed the most problematic issue. I wonder if the 3M-5CA might be less sensitive due to the plastic lenses, although it has a mirror too.
Probably you are right, that a regular zoom lens would cover a greater variety of scenes. Then again, they are fare more expensive.

Pentax 55-300 seems to be the lens for you. Although one of the 18-250s could work too.
02-23-2012, 01:56 PM   #551
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QuoteOriginally posted by hray Quote
I've just ordered a Tamron 500mm F/8 55BB; what size case would fit this? I use a small Lowe-Pro sling bag, and have a Lowepro lens case for my Tamron 10-24 that hooks on the outside of the bag; would like to use something similar for this lens when it comes.

Thanks in advance,
Hray
Just tried mine in the 200W. Assuming a K5 with say a Sigma 50-150 in the centre then the 500BB easily fits in the compartment to the left leaving two more compartments for other lenses. I definitely would not hang a mirror on the outside of any bag.
02-23-2012, 02:33 PM   #552
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Personally i draw the line at a hairdryer!
03-18-2012, 10:50 AM   #553
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Super Paragon 300mm f5.6







Focusing with the Ee-S screen is so easy !

Last edited by kh1234567890; 03-18-2012 at 11:09 AM.
03-21-2012, 05:18 PM   #554
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relaxing in my yard with the mirror ...

Took my K7 and Russian 3M-5CA mirror lens to the yard to enjoy the unusual but awesome summer-like weather we're having here in western NY. Just taking pics of anything that was around. All shots hand-held. I have to say it's pretty sharp for a mirror lens.

Last edited by zman; 04-08-2012 at 09:07 AM.
03-23-2012, 09:02 PM   #555
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I'm looking around for a mirror lens. Anyone used this apparently generic brand 500mm f8.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190645811331&clk_rvr_id=326595681143&crlp=1_262691_262721&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=007028881360a47a26c75ea7fe9e5980&mt_id=641&query={query}&fitem=190645811331&linkin_id=8072553&kw={query}&sortbid=53&ff4=262691_262721

Martin
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