Cheap 500mm mirror lens

[pscot]

There are several cheap Chinese made, f8, 500mm mirror lenses on the market. Has anyone tried one? What do you get for $125?

[NV Whino]

1. I've been looking at them, too

The main objection I've found from online investigation is the donut hole boku, which probably wouldn't bother me. My main concern is, are they sharp enough. There was a good comparison I found the other day, which showed the non-mirrored lens to be better, but not by much. Doubt if I could find it again. But try Googling 500 mm mirrored lenses and it might pop up.

If there is a return policy, it might be worth ordering one to test it for your own use.

[alfredo]

2. There's some on eBay. But it is better to actually hold it

and try it before you lay your money down.

[Fumesucker]

3. The really good ones are big bucks..

A good while back it seemed like there were some decent Russian versions of mirror lenses that weren't too outrageous, I haven't kept up with them though..

I've had reasonable success with a teleconverter and a moderate telephoto before, I had a 300mm f4 Pentax telephoto and still have a Sears 200mm f3.5 and a Coastar 2x teleconverter that gives a better, more detailed final image than the 300mm f4 did even if you closed it up to F8..

[pscot]

4. That Russian lens is called a Maksutov, IIRC

It's semi-popular as an astronomical telescope. I've got a Nikon 70-300, but it's at its best around 200mm. The contrast is not that great. Maybe I should just get a new T-mount for my old Spiratone.

[ManiacJoe]

5. I have a Tamron verson...

... from back in my film days. Via ebay, I bought a Nikon mount for use on my DSLR. Here is a good review of the lens:

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/286-tamron-500mm-f8-sp-macro-adaptall-to-nikon-review--test-report

The lightness of the lens leads to lots of camera shake. The f/8 aperture and the lack of good focus screens in most DSLRs makes the manually focusing difficult.

[NV Whino]

6. Thanks for the update

Good review.