I've seen this lenses before and have been intrigued. Recently I saw one at a great price and decided to check it out. I'm actually pretty impressed with what this lens can do. It is a one of a kind lens in that is is the only long reach mirror lens ever made that auto focuses. The lens weighs about a pound and a half which is very compact for such a long reach lens. I used it with the Sony LA EA4 adapter and was amazed at how quickly it locked focus. It actually focuses much faster than my Tamron 150-600mm lens (at about 1/4 the weight). I generally use a tripod for this long a focal length, but I have been able to get some very sharp pictures while hand holding this lens. The smaller size, just makes you want to use it that way. The Sony A7RII with image stabilization and great high ISO capabilities help to improve hand held shots and lets me use the lens in a way that it could never have been used when it was introduced in 1989. Mirror lenses are a bit infamous for their doughnut shaped bokeh, though with Photoshop, that is more easily fixed than ever before. The boheh isn't bad on lower contrast images but doughnuts do appear when the background is bright. To improve this, I select my subject onto a new layer, in PS, then use some kind of filter on the background or even just denoise it heavily.

print stickers | sticker printing | printing services | business printing

First of all- where did you get the MSRP of $138?? I'd buy any of these lenses at that price! What a baragin compared the $450 I paid on eBay for a like new model. Sony's re-tagged version sell for $700 or more. This is a nice buy for $550 or less. And, you will find, these lenses are most always only lightly used. People buy them on a "Long Lens Whim", only to find them too demanding and hard to master. So a used 500mm f8 is most often like new. Mine was unmarked and probably 15-20 years old. Did I mention that this is the Only 500mm reflex lens that is "auto-focus"? Yeah, and it's pretty good at it, too.
Anyways, to the lens. It's weight is not so much as to make it a tripod only lens. I have often used it, handheld successfully. Of course you will want a clear sky and preferably 1/500 shutter (or more).
It's a sharp lens, subject to the holder and shutter speed. You will get lots of "bokeh"- sometimes more than you want. Great care Must ve taken when focusing. This lens, by its nature, lends itself to projects that are rarely rushed. So a photog can take his time, with a tri-pod, and shoot away.
After "infinity", and I've not determined that exact distance, you can leave it all to the lens and hope for the best. Try to use a tri-pod when possible. The lens comes with 2 internal filters, filters that must be used in lieu of aperture adjusyments due to this lens' constant "f8". One is a clear, UV type; while the other is an ND 4, necessary for bright conditions. On partly cloudy to overcast days- and only with a tripod then- use the UV flter. Otherwise the only control you have is the shutter which really should be used at least 1/100, off a tripod.
I've found the bokeh t be somewhat hit and miss. Sometimes quite attractive,with a controlled blur- but othertimes will show the "doughnut" or other unseemly cloudyness.
I always bracket shots between me and infinity. And perhaps slightly change focus and bracket again. 3 shot brackets.
Tis is a "specialty" type lens, but can be used much more often than it commonly is. Don't be afraid of it. How else can you get that "close-up" of an American Bison showing steam from its nostrils and frost on its hide? On my APS-C sensored Sony a700, I appreciate the 750mm 35mm equivalent.
Anyways, I recommend this lens to any of you not afraid to be different. After getting out of the car, take the time to set up the tri-pod. Maybe even move away from the road. And the lens isn't heavy- surprisingly- I won't look it up but I think around 1.5 pounds. Comes with a rather massice, well padded leather carrying case- but will not fit in any but the largest camera bags- I've never carried it in mine! But it's safe, on the backseat or floor of the car in its very well constructed case. I keep it in a daypack, along with my lunch and jacket.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 500 f8 Manual focus for Minolta MC/MD mount