The Mirror Lens Club!

MattGunn · 09-13-2009, 02:49 AM

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Originally posted by ovim

Mine (and from what I've heard all the others too) focus way past infinty. I've got a cheapo M42/PK flanged adapter and a ~2,5mm spacer underneath it and the lens clears the mirror/flash bump by 1mm and focuses still to infinty and beyond, with K100D I could use a little bit thinner spacer. Focusing scale is off now but I've got a small piece tape with a mark on it so I know where the infinity is

Usefull to know, I may have to try it again.

Abbazz · 09-13-2009, 06:44 AM - **1 Like**

The tiny Tamron 06B mirror lens is capable of pretty spectacular close-ups with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.5, a bit more than its larger sibling the 500/8, which only gets to 1:3. Here are some pictures taken today with my Tamron 350/5.6 at the minimum focus distance (1.1m):

Cheers!

Abbazz

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 09-13-2009, 06:54 AM

Lovely lizard!

**SCGushue** · 09-13-2009, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by ovim

That's Sharp! Did you increase contrast/sharpness in pp or is this straight from the camera?

As to sharpening and contrast....

While I still generally work in film for all my day to day work, I find that when shooting digital I always need to beef up contrast and sharpening to some degree. With the SMCK 1000mm sharpness is required no more than any other shot including any Pentax LTD. Contrast generally doesn't require much more PP either but generally benefits from just a touch more than a top notch LTD.

The coatings on this lens are superb and flare, CA and PF are truly very hard to induce. That makes it particularly useful to use in high contrast (lighting) nature work along sunny beaches and contrasty plumage on birds.

I don't use the lens too often, not by choice

, but by time constraints. I don't know whether or not I have used it with the K20D sensor, but my belief is that it has the resolving power to handle the details well on that sensor.

Stephen

ovim · 09-13-2009, 11:02 AM

Two more from today with 3M-5A 8/500mm handheld. Converted from raw with lightroom defaults.

**eccs19** · 09-13-2009, 02:58 PM - **1 Like**

A few from my 500mm Tamron. Never tried it before for "macro" work, but it held up pretty good actually.

1.

2.

3.

brett · 09-13-2009, 05:37 PM

Great thread. Stumbled across while looking for some teleconverter advice. As I expected, the teleconverter isn't a good option with my long lens. Started reading this thread, and some other info out there, and ordered a Vivitar 500mm F6.3 Mirror Lens 1:6.3 DX. I hope the extra money for the faster lens is worth it (not that it cost that much in the first place).

**barondla** · 09-13-2009, 06:20 PM

Pentax k-7 with Phoenix 800 f8 mirror and cardboard lens shade. ISO 500, 1/125 on tripod, Pentax 540 flash on manual. Some post processsing (don't know how to do too much).
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST 23 WINNERS in compact camera forum. Enter #24. Any brand camera.

Marc Sabatella · 09-15-2009, 10:28 PM - **1 Like**

One of my first deliberate attempts to exploit the shallow DOF of my Vivitar 500/8 for artistic effect:

Peter Zack · 09-16-2009, 04:40 AM

Marc, nicely done and that shot plays with your mind. It seems like there is a near and far in-focus point. As if the tree branch is close to the camera and the fence post is further away. A bit of an optical illusion captured there.

ivoire · 09-16-2009, 06:47 AM

Great shot, Marc. Shows off another use for mirror lenses. Heres a couple at 400iso from the 55b

indytax · 09-16-2009, 10:51 AM

This has inspired me to dust off my Lentar 500mm f/8 M42-mount that I inherited from my grandfather (who purchased it in Japan to go with his Yashica TL-Electro X). So far as I know, it's actually received very little use in the nearly 40 years we've had it. As soon as I can find some time to get out and shoot with it, I'll post some examples.

What's most curious about the Lentar is that while it is a fixed f/8 aperture, it has settings for f/11 and f/16 that is accomplished through a set of internal filters that you rotate into place. I imagine, but don't know for sure, that they are ND filters. Obviously, they won't change the DOF any--and will likely degrade the IQ somewhat if they're cheap filters as I suspect--but it could be handy in a pinch. Has anyone ever seen a similar contraption with a mirror lens?

Marc Sabatella · 09-16-2009, 11:00 AM

Never seen an automatic way to do it. But most mirror lenses have a set of rear filters they are designed to work with. And I wouldn't assume that using them will degrade IQ, because even without one of the ND (or colored) filters in place, the optical design usually involves a clear glass rear filter that is in place when not using any other filter. So you're not *adding* an element to the chain; your're simply replacing a clear one with a non-clear one.

Still, I can't say as I've ever run into a situation yet with my 500/8 where I wished I didn't have so much light...

indytax · 09-17-2009, 12:50 PM

My Lentar has the filters for f/11 and f/16 built in on a wheel that allows you to spin into place an "aperture setting". The f/8 setting has no filter of any sort, just a hole. Is this setup common then?

I agree with you in that I have a hard time thinking that in actual use I'd ever need less light than what f/8 offers.

ivoire · 09-17-2009, 12:56 PM

Thats a first to me. I'd like to see the same shot with each setting. A 250mm lentar went for 0ver $450 on ebay recently. Also, there is a very nice Lentar 500mm with a 99cent opening bid

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250499666746&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

09-13-2009, 06:44 AM - 1 Like	#107
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Close-Up Work and Mirror Lens The tiny Tamron 06B mirror lens is capable of pretty spectacular close-ups with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.5, a bit more than its larger sibling the 500/8, which only gets to 1:3. Here are some pictures taken today with my Tamron 350/5.6 at the minimum focus distance (1.1m): Cheers! Abbazz

09-13-2009, 11:02 AM	#110
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Two more from today with 3M-5A 8/500mm handheld. Converted from raw with lightroom defaults. Last edited by ovim; 09-13-2009 at 12:42 PM.

09-16-2009, 06:47 AM	#116
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Great shot, Marc. Shows off another use for mirror lenses. Heres a couple at 400iso from the 55b Last edited by ivoire; 11-03-2010 at 08:43 PM.

09-17-2009, 12:56 PM	#120
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Thats a first to me. I'd like to see the same shot with each setting. A 250mm lentar went for 0ver $450 on ebay recently. Also, there is a very nice Lentar 500mm with a 99cent opening bid http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250499666746&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Last edited by ivoire; 09-17-2009 at 06:29 PM.

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09-13-2009, 02:49 AM	#106
MattGunn Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 347	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by ovim Mine (and from what I've heard all the others too) focus way past infinty. I've got a cheapo M42/PK flanged adapter and a ~2,5mm spacer underneath it and the lens clears the mirror/flash bump by 1mm and focuses still to infinty and beyond, with K100D I could use a little bit thinner spacer. Focusing scale is off now but I've got a small piece tape with a mark on it so I know where the infinity is Usefull to know, I may have to try it again.

09-13-2009, 06:54 AM	#108
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Lovely lizard!

09-13-2009, 07:29 AM	#109
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	Originally posted by ovim That's Sharp! Did you increase contrast/sharpness in pp or is this straight from the camera? As to sharpening and contrast.... While I still generally work in film for all my day to day work, I find that when shooting digital I always need to beef up contrast and sharpening to some degree. With the SMCK 1000mm sharpness is required no more than any other shot including any Pentax LTD. Contrast generally doesn't require much more PP either but generally benefits from just a touch more than a top notch LTD. The coatings on this lens are superb and flare, CA and PF are truly very hard to induce. That makes it particularly useful to use in high contrast (lighting) nature work along sunny beaches and contrasty plumage on birds. I don't use the lens too often, not by choice , but by time constraints. I don't know whether or not I have used it with the K20D sensor, but my belief is that it has the resolving power to handle the details well on that sensor. Stephen

09-13-2009, 02:58 PM - 1 Like	#111
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	A few from my 500mm Tamron. Never tried it before for "macro" work, but it held up pretty good actually. 1. 2. 3.

09-13-2009, 05:37 PM	#112
brett Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Albums Posts: 48	Great thread. Stumbled across while looking for some teleconverter advice. As I expected, the teleconverter isn't a good option with my long lens. Started reading this thread, and some other info out there, and ordered a Vivitar 500mm F6.3 Mirror Lens 1:6.3 DX. I hope the extra money for the faster lens is worth it (not that it cost that much in the first place).

09-15-2009, 10:28 PM - 1 Like	#114
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685 Original Poster	One of my first deliberate attempts to exploit the shallow DOF of my Vivitar 500/8 for artistic effect:

09-16-2009, 04:40 AM	#115
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Marc, nicely done and that shot plays with your mind. It seems like there is a near and far in-focus point. As if the tree branch is close to the camera and the fence post is further away. A bit of an optical illusion captured there.

09-16-2009, 10:51 AM	#117
indytax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	This has inspired me to dust off my Lentar 500mm f/8 M42-mount that I inherited from my grandfather (who purchased it in Japan to go with his Yashica TL-Electro X). So far as I know, it's actually received very little use in the nearly 40 years we've had it. As soon as I can find some time to get out and shoot with it, I'll post some examples. What's most curious about the Lentar is that while it is a fixed f/8 aperture, it has settings for f/11 and f/16 that is accomplished through a set of internal filters that you rotate into place. I imagine, but don't know for sure, that they are ND filters. Obviously, they won't change the DOF any--and will likely degrade the IQ somewhat if they're cheap filters as I suspect--but it could be handy in a pinch. Has anyone ever seen a similar contraption with a mirror lens?

09-16-2009, 11:00 AM	#118
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685 Original Poster	Never seen an automatic way to do it. But most mirror lenses have a set of rear filters they are designed to work with. And I wouldn't assume that using them will degrade IQ, because even without one of the ND (or colored) filters in place, the optical design usually involves a clear glass rear filter that is in place when not using any other filter. So you're not adding an element to the chain; your're simply replacing a clear one with a non-clear one. Still, I can't say as I've ever run into a situation yet with my 500/8 where I wished I didn't have so much light...

09-17-2009, 12:50 PM	#119
indytax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	My Lentar has the filters for f/11 and f/16 built in on a wheel that allows you to spin into place an "aperture setting". The f/8 setting has no filter of any sort, just a hole. Is this setup common then? I agree with you in that I have a hard time thinking that in actual use I'd ever need less light than what f/8 offers.