The Mirror Lens Club!

**marcusBMG** · 08-29-2019, 10:04 AM - **4 Likes**

Another tamron 500mm 55BB, K3.

Attached Images

cooltouch · 08-30-2019, 06:38 PM

Wow, I think if I had the patience, I could count every one of that crow's visible feathers. Or is it a raven? Can't tell the difference. Anyway, great shot. I was paying attention to the out of focus highlights in that shot and the one beneath it, and the donuts were very well controlled in both images.

**marcusBMG** · 08-31-2019, 06:22 AM

Thanks Michael. There's always a bit of luck in these shots, the crow was hopping along the wall by the bowling green. I was concentrating so much on the focus I clipped the tail feathers. Even with great light and an OVF magnifier there is still, IME, an inherent imprecision in what seems to be best focus, and actual nailed on focus when the pic is scrutinised on the PC, with these lenses. Burst mode can be a useful tool, though in this case I was taking single shots.
And yes I scored with the bokeh on that one - as good as a refractive lens!

MKohoutek · 08-31-2019, 10:21 AM - **3 Likes**

Still learning to use this lens. Not as sharp as my other lens, but I’m still pleased with the results.

Attached Images

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MKohoutek · 09-08-2019, 11:14 AM

Picked up a Tamron 500 55BB after seeing the shots on this thread, and I'm not disappointed.

rmcnelly · 09-09-2019, 06:30 AM - **5 Likes**

Reading this thread helped me decide to purchase a near mint Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8 in case with filters. This one has a slide out hood and the tripod mount. I’ve been very pleased with it’s performance. Here are some shots using different non-Pentax cameras:

Handheld using GX8 w/Tamron SP 500mm/8 55B for equivalent 1000mm fl.

---------- Post added 09-09-19 at 09:40 AM ----------

And these using the Fuji X-H1 w/Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8 Mirror for equivalent 750mm fl. Click on the pics to view them full size on Flickr.

Cropped shot of the moon:

Handheld shot:

Tripod mounted shots from the cemetery:

These two are my favorites:

Thagomizer · 09-09-2019, 07:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rmcnelly

Reading this thread helped me decide to purchase a near mint Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8 in case with filters. This one has a slide out hood and the tripod mount. I’ve been very pleased with it’s performance.

Excellent shots! Looks like that lens has found the right home! The tripod mount and slide out hood are nice extras that the 55BB lack. I usually shoot hand held, but the mount would be nice. The slide out hood would be great to have as the screw-on one has to be screwed on and doesn't have a thread to keep it on the lens when it's reversed for storage or transport like the Tokina 500 mirror I used to have. It would be interesting to see the two Tamrons compared side by side.

Again, great shots!

**marcusBMG** · 09-09-2019, 09:15 AM - **1 Like**

Yes good pics there, rmcnelly, good work at 1000mm equiv FoV.

I added pics of the two varieties of tamron 55B's to the review page recently. Those were the first 55B's I have had. Mostly I can't detect any real difference in IQ between these versions, or the later 55BB, the tech description on adaptall-2.com suggests that the 55BB is more consistent across the (full) frame, so may not be discernable on apsc.

rmcnelly · 09-09-2019, 12:52 PM

It is really nice having the tripod mount, quickly able to level the lens, or rotate to portrait position.

---------- Post added 09-09-19 at 03:57 PM ----------

Originally posted by marcusBMG

Yes good pics there, rmcnelly, good work at 1000mm equiv FoV.

I added pics of the two varieties of tamron 55B's to the review page recently. Those were the first 55B's I have had. Mostly I can't detect any real difference in IQ between these versions, or the later 55BB, the tech description on adaptall-2.com suggests that the 55BB is more consistent across the (full) frame, so may not be discernable on apsc.

Thanks!

Your pics on the review page helped me determine this had the sliding hood before purchase. The give away was the orientation of “Tamron SP” on the hood.

rmcnelly · 09-17-2019, 05:22 PM - **3 Likes**

Shot low in the sky in some haze.
Pentax Q-S1 w/Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8, no crop. The Q-S1 has a crop factor of 4.65 = 2,325mm equivalent focal length.
I look forward to trying this combo when the moon isn't so full.

MKohoutek · 09-18-2019, 12:12 AM - **3 Likes**

Pentax K 400-600mm

MKohoutek · 09-18-2019, 12:19 AM - **2 Likes**

Pentax K 400-600mm
I love these mirror lenses, but I’m still learning what I can shoot effectively at this focal length, so not the best shots. Need more space!!

MKohoutek · 09-18-2019, 12:31 AM - **1 Like**

Tamron500mm 55BB
He flew into the tree, posed for a few shots, then moved on.

mlynch53 · 09-19-2019, 09:14 AM

Interesting shots.... What kind of bird is that, and where does it call home?

cooltouch · 09-19-2019, 11:22 PM

I was wondering the same thing. I was thinking either a female turkey or a vulture of some kind.

09-17-2019, 05:22 PM - 3 Likes	#1045
rmcnelly Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Portsmouth, VA Posts: 94	Shot low in the sky in some haze. Pentax Q-S1 w/Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8, no crop. The Q-S1 has a crop factor of 4.65 = 2,325mm equivalent focal length. I look forward to trying this combo when the moon isn't so full. Last edited by rmcnelly; 09-18-2019 at 01:56 PM.

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08-30-2019, 06:38 PM	#1037
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	Wow, I think if I had the patience, I could count every one of that crow's visible feathers. Or is it a raven? Can't tell the difference. Anyway, great shot. I was paying attention to the out of focus highlights in that shot and the one beneath it, and the donuts were very well controlled in both images.

08-31-2019, 06:22 AM	#1038
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,868	Thanks Michael. There's always a bit of luck in these shots, the crow was hopping along the wall by the bowling green. I was concentrating so much on the focus I clipped the tail feathers. Even with great light and an OVF magnifier there is still, IME, an inherent imprecision in what seems to be best focus, and actual nailed on focus when the pic is scrutinised on the PC, with these lenses. Burst mode can be a useful tool, though in this case I was taking single shots. And yes I scored with the bokeh on that one - as good as a refractive lens!

09-09-2019, 06:30 AM - 5 Likes	#1041
rmcnelly Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Portsmouth, VA Posts: 94	Reading this thread helped me decide to purchase a near mint Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8 in case with filters. This one has a slide out hood and the tripod mount. I’ve been very pleased with it’s performance. Here are some shots using different non-Pentax cameras: Handheld using GX8 w/Tamron SP 500mm/8 55B for equivalent 1000mm fl. ---------- Post added 09-09-19 at 09:40 AM ---------- And these using the Fuji X-H1 w/Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8 Mirror for equivalent 750mm fl. Click on the pics to view them full size on Flickr. Cropped shot of the moon: Handheld shot: Tripod mounted shots from the cemetery: These two are my favorites:

09-09-2019, 07:35 AM - 1 Like	#1042
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	Originally posted by rmcnelly Reading this thread helped me decide to purchase a near mint Tamron 55B SP 500mm/8 in case with filters. This one has a slide out hood and the tripod mount. I’ve been very pleased with it’s performance. Excellent shots! Looks like that lens has found the right home! The tripod mount and slide out hood are nice extras that the 55BB lack. I usually shoot hand held, but the mount would be nice. The slide out hood would be great to have as the screw-on one has to be screwed on and doesn't have a thread to keep it on the lens when it's reversed for storage or transport like the Tokina 500 mirror I used to have. It would be interesting to see the two Tamrons compared side by side. Again, great shots!

09-09-2019, 09:15 AM - 1 Like	#1043
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,868	Yes good pics there, rmcnelly, good work at 1000mm equiv FoV. I added pics of the two varieties of tamron 55B's to the review page recently. Those were the first 55B's I have had. Mostly I can't detect any real difference in IQ between these versions, or the later 55BB, the tech description on adaptall-2.com suggests that the 55BB is more consistent across the (full) frame, so may not be discernable on apsc.

09-09-2019, 12:52 PM	#1044
rmcnelly Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Portsmouth, VA Posts: 94	It is really nice having the tripod mount, quickly able to level the lens, or rotate to portrait position. ---------- Post added 09-09-19 at 03:57 PM ---------- Originally posted by marcusBMG Yes good pics there, rmcnelly, good work at 1000mm equiv FoV. I added pics of the two varieties of tamron 55B's to the review page recently. Those were the first 55B's I have had. Mostly I can't detect any real difference in IQ between these versions, or the later 55BB, the tech description on adaptall-2.com suggests that the 55BB is more consistent across the (full) frame, so may not be discernable on apsc. Thanks! Your pics on the review page helped me determine this had the sliding hood before purchase. The give away was the orientation of “Tamron SP” on the hood.

09-19-2019, 09:14 AM	#1049
mlynch53 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 95	Interesting shots.... What kind of bird is that, and where does it call home?

09-19-2019, 11:22 PM	#1050
cooltouch Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 982	I was wondering the same thing. I was thinking either a female turkey or a vulture of some kind.

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