5/500mm Takumar Experience Needed

Hi Folks,

In keeping with our latest discussions about older glass, a friend in Vancouver, British Columbia will soon be offering a 500mm, f5, K mount, 6 1/2 pound Takumar telephoto lens on eBay. For what it's worth - serial # 816033.

I only have an f8 Russian Mirror Lens in 500mm, and see f5 as an advantage if there isn't much more loss of DOF.
I can't mount my mirror lens on my K110D due to the flash overhang, but imagine 500mm becoming 750mm on digital.

What I'm hoping, is that some of us have had some experience with this lens that you'd kindly share.
Then, if anyone is interested, I'll let you know when the item is listed.

Thanks,

I should imagine that it's pretty good optically, but a bit of a pain to use - no auto aperture - so open up to focus and close down to shoot.

That said, I usually use my 400mm wide open anyway, and would probably do the same with this.

G

Thanks George,

I'm hoping that with digital, one could push the ISO up, the aperture down a bit, and get some DOF. (Maybe f11 at 1600?) Or am I dreaming as usual?

This is where SR would be a huge plus. (Something I don't have on my K110D, and haven't really missed - yet.)

One thing for sure, it MUST have better bokeh than a mirror lens!

Cheers,

You could use an extension tube or tele-converter to get around the "lens too large" problem... A friend of mine found a extension tube just long enough for her setup, and leaves it permanently attached to the mirror...

I guess it could affect infinity focus though....

Jamie,

Thanks!

Have both the tubes - bye-bye infinity, and the tele-converter - bye-bye Depth of Field.

I think I'll just weld it to one of my best film bodies and look at a "Normal" tele for the digital.

Hey, an excuse to buy a lens!

Mac,

I had a similar issue trying to fit the Bellows-A to my *istD and ended up putting a small extension tube between camera and bellows as has been said.

With the K10D/K20D however, because the body is larger, I don't need to use the extension tube. The bellows fits fine. You might find the same with your mirror lens.

There's your excuse to buy a new camera

There's your excuse to buy a new camera [/quote]Get thee behind me, Peter!

Er, Marjolaine, you know that old mirror lens? Well, I think I'd like to use it again, and it doesn't fit the digital I just bought.

Soooooo......... all I need is a new body.

"Ya got THAT right, ya old slob!" "HERE!"

No, I'm not talking about a gym membership .......

Oh,.... never mind........