Mirror Lens

[L1OFF]

Hi Guys
I'm thinking of buying a Tamron 500mm mirror lens for experimenting. I'm aware that the quality is not going to be up there with "normal" lenses bit I wonder if anybody has experience with these and what is the verdict? (it's going on a Canon 400d)

Alan

Edited by L1OFF on Tuesday 6th October 12:54

[Simpo Two]

I haven't used one personally but they're a cheap way to get long focal length, albeit at fixed aperture IIRC, typically f8. Out-of-focus specular highlights become rings rather than discs.

In theory they ought to be optically good because the light isn't going through loads of glass and surfaces, but not sure if this bears out in practice!

[DIW35]

I've got one and had it for years. Only recently bought an adapter to use it on my 40D (previously used it on film cameras.)

Contrast can occasionally be a bit soft, and obviously it's not as sharp as a Canon L lens, but it is useable and can produce some good results. Here's an example from it.



Simpo Two is correct in stating that it's fixed aperture, f8, which can be a bit limiting in dull conditions. Can't remember how much I paid for mine all those years ago, or how much you can pick one up for now, but if it's not silly money then you may find it to be a useable addition.

Edited by DIW35 on Tuesday 6th October 19:09

[speedychimp]

I was thinking the same when I buy my Canon 7d, take a look at the http://photo.net/learn/optics/mirrors/ excellent review, for sure they lack contrast but that's what CS4 is used for and you save 4k from buying the Canon EF 500/4.5L