Cheap 500mm lens??

[Ghost Kelevra]

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/500mm-f-6-3-telephoto-mirror-lens-90885

check the webby out. Dont know if the lens is worth the who-ha cnet asia brought it to be but under usd200 is very very cheap in my book for that thype of telephoto lens

 

[edutilos-]

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/500mm-f-6-3-telephoto-mirror-lens-90885

check the webby out. Dont know if the lens is worth the who-ha cnet asia brought it to be but under usd200 is very very cheap in my book for that thype of telephoto lens

Mirror lens... Pass.

 

[spree86]

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/500mm-f-6-3-telephoto-mirror-lens-90885

check the webby out. Dont know if the lens is worth the who-ha cnet asia brought it to be but under usd200 is very very cheap in my book for that thype of telephoto lens

Mirror lenses are usually very cheap, but nah, won't buy it

 

[wdEvA]

mirror lenses are cheap, but the IQ won't suit everyone

 

[Ghost Kelevra]

So it was wrong for cnet to compare to a canon lens? Time to wiki the difference in a mirror lens and a 'normal' lens

 

[spree86]

So it was wrong for cnet to compare to a canon lens? Time to wiki the difference in a mirror lens and a 'normal' lens

CNET is not a reliable source for lens review

 

[fmeeran]

http://asia.cnet.com/crave/500mm-telephoto-lens-for-under-us200-62209545.htm
:bigeyes:
Damn! I should have just bought this mirror lens and saved a lot of money and not bought the heavy and expensive sigma 150-500mm for birding. ;p:bsmilie:

 

[Sgdevilzz]

It's like buying a burger without the meat :think:

 

[Ben Ang]

It's like buying a burger without the meat :think:

or a donut without the hole..

 

[edutilos-]

So it was wrong for cnet to compare to a canon lens? Time to wiki the difference in a mirror lens and a 'normal' lens

1) Donut bokeh - can be very distracting

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2383620354_6d102ff775.jpg

2) Very low contrast - not so much of a problem as this can be remedied somewhat with good post processing (but still needs more work)

3) Cannot control aperture

4) Mediocre sharpness

Of course they're light and cheap, but you do pay for what you get.

 

[gundamseed84]

I believe not ALL mirror lenses are that bad, as our expert CSer (in bird photography) OLDTIMER will show you that mirror lens, other than the donut bokeh, IQ can be decent if not good. I think the old Sigma or Nikkor mirror lenses should be decent. But comparing against the usual lens of course it is like comparing ikan billis to top grade sashimi. If not why people would spend 10k + buying 500mm prime lens?

 

[Ben Ang]

I believe the best mirror lenses are the Vivitar Series one 'Solid Cat' lenses which were manufactured all in one piece with v tight tolerances. you still get the funny bokeh tho

I believe not ALL mirror lenses are that bad, as our expert CSer (in bird photography) OLDTIMER will show you that mirror lens, other than the donut bokeh, IQ can be decent if not good. I think the old Sigma or Nikkor mirror lenses should be decent. But comparing against the usual lens of course it is like comparing ikan billis to top grade sashimi. If not why people would spend 10k + buying 500mm prime lens?

 

[ahsim]

Guess it depends on what your priorities are. If weight (and cost) is most important then the mirror lens is not a bad choice.

But there are too many limitations... you'll soon wish for a "normal" lens. The Tamron 200-400mm is a not bad alternative. It often pays to mount long teles on a tripod, and the AF will be useful...

 

[DemonicAngelz]

or a donut without the hole..

Isan't a donut without the hole a good thing? You get more dough for the buck

 

[Rashkae]

Also, unless it's the Sony/Minolta 500mm, it's manual focus.

 

[Rashkae]

Isan't a donut without the hole a good thing? You get more dough for the buck

Kinda what I was thinking too.... Becomes a danish or a bavarian cream-filled doughnut..... yummm