Centon 500mm

[Shorn]

Has anyone ever got a good picture from the Centon 500mm lens.

[dougdarter]

Here are a couple cribbed from PBase's lens archive... the only ones I could find.

On the first one, the bokeh is scary, and the second one is just scary bad!!

http://k43.pbase.com/o4/28/491128/1/58095382.IMG_5370_pbase.jpg

http://k43.pbase.com/o4/28/491128/1/58897275.IMG_0163_200_pbase_100crop.jpg

I'm not at all sure that these are worth buying. I'd bet a cheap Jessops extender would prove better on a 200mm. Personally I'd rather crop, and probably still get better results.

[dazzajl]

On the first one, the bokeh is scary

On the right subject the little donuts you get from out of focus backgrounds and particularly, points of light can look great from a mirror lens but more often than not, you'd get something like that shot.

[Shorn]

Thanks for finding these pics, I already have the centon 500mm it came as a sort of gift with a kit lens from a friend. I just haven't had the opportunity to use it apart from a moon capture.
I had read poor reviews and not one single good one, but the first pic looks ok to me.
Will try it out tomorrow, if its a bright enough day ;)
thanks again

[CT]

I don't mind the donut effect on a lot of shots, in fact many non-cat lenses can produce the effect at certain focal lengths apertures - the 100-400L does it sometimes.

[danza]

http://search.pbase.com/search?q=mirror+500mm&b=Search+Photos&c=sp

Some slightly more favourable shots sfrom other 500mm mirror lenses.

TBH I'm surprised they're not worse given the bad reputation they've received!

/edit

Damn there's some weird bokeh going on there in some shots!

[Shorn]

Thanks for findiong these pics :) I still haven't fouind the time to test it yet, not enough sunshine either :)