mirrored lenses ?

[astroeddie]

Guys,

Considering buying a 600mm F8 mirrored lens for wildlife photography.
I realise that these are manual focus, but has anyone had any experience with this type of lens ?

Any info appreciated.

Eddie

 

[seltechpc]

Hi Eddie,

I used a 500mm f/8 Tamron mirror lens 25-30 years ago. They produce a dark image in the viewfinder and the manual focus means they are hard to get the focus spot on in anything but good light, the OOF highlights in backgrounds produce small doughnuts (this is due to the folded mirrors reflections) which most people find disconcerting. The good thing about them is they are light and cheap.

If you want 600mm reach and happy to compromise on the aspects above go for it, you won't get a similar reach for the money with a conventional lens.

 

[astroeddie]

Cheers Paul.

I do realise that the central obstruction would make "doughnuts" in images.
My astro scope did the same a low magnifications.
The appearence in photo backgrounds is most certainly an off put. Cheers for the info, I'll give them a side swerve.

Eddie